Need Help with finding the right ereader

Hopester · 11-06-2014, 08:44 PM

I've been all over the internet trying to find some solution for my dilemma, and the only thing I know left to do is ask someone else who knows more than me.

The first ereader I owned was an Aluratek Libre, very simplistic, didn't need anything more than a USB connection to transfer books from my desktop pc and a card slot to expand storage capacity. It died a few months ago, and I want something of a similar nature but with built-in lighting. Alas, everything is much more complicated than that now, and much more expensive. I decided to go the tablet route, and got a Kobo Arc, but I could not get past setup - which requires Wi-Fi. My home does not have wifi - and never will - so I tried using the wifi at the library, at the local fast food place, at the grocery store - but nothing worked. The usb connection was also not recognized with my desktop pc since I was eternally stuck in setup. So I returned it.

Now I have been researching alternatives to wifi setup - and no 3G/4G is not optional - and drawing a blank. Please please someone tell me what ereader or tablet (under $200 please) does not depend on wifi to set up, has usb connection, a card slot, and built in lighting? I need help!

susan_cassidy · 11-07-2014, 12:53 AM

What do you mean 3G/4G is not optional? It is an option on some Kindle models. It works great. It is a perfect solution for someone without wi-fi. It is very easy to install a wi-fi router if you have broadband.

Usually Kindles work fine with wi-fi at libraries, etc., which is required for registration of the device - a one-time thing, unless you reset it to factory defaults.

meeera · 11-07-2014, 02:16 AM

You don't need wifi to set up a Kobo e-ink reader, but it's generally quicker and easier than using the Kobo Desktop to do it. Library? Cafe? Bookshop? Shopping centre? Friend? There's free wifi all over the place these days, unless you're truly in the back of beyond. Something like the Glo might suit your needs nicely.

I don't know anything about the Arcs - did it say you should be able to set it up with Kobo Desktop? If so, I'm guessing you got a faulty Arc, or a faulty cable, or you have a faulty USB port. Which operating system is on your home computer?

Choosing between Kobo and Kindle can be pretty much a wash, and depends on whether you prioritise things like customising text display, managing collections with your computer, customer service, etc.

sharphamster · 11-07-2014, 08:24 AM

My last 2 readers - Kobo Aura HD and Sony PRS T3 - have never had the wifi enabled and they both went through the set-up process fine. I used the desktop apps to register, charge and sync my library all in one step, and then I was up and running.

The Kobo will ask 'Don't have wifi?' and then tell you to visit kobo.com. At that point I just jacked the H20 into my pc's usb and started up the Kobo desktop. Easy - took maybe 20 minutes to update the firmware and load 300 books. Calibre took care of loading my non-Kobo bought books without a hitch.

I haven't had a front-lit Kindle, but I'll echo Meera here and say the Glo is a nice little machine. Good size, nice screen and plenty of page customization options. Love that Nickle font - have to figure out how to get it on the T3 one of these days.

Good luck Hopester with whatever you choose, and you came to the right place - the MobileReads denizens have helped me out with every issue or question I've ever had come up regarding my readers.

Lyn2012 · 11-07-2014, 10:36 AM

I prefer not to use wifi and my router wifi option is always off. Last year when I bought my Kobo Aura, they activated it in the store and I never had to use wifi (or Kobo desktop) at all. Everything (including firmware updates) was done over USB mainly via Calibre. Previously I had a Paperwhite 1 that was never connected to Amazon and it was a real pain as I wasn't even allowed to use Collections and the clock kept losing the correct time. I had to jailbreak and install hacks to enable a workaround for collections using Calibre but it still wasn't anywhere near as seamless as using my previous Sony or Kobo readers. From my understanding the newer Kindles insist even more on connecting to wifi and Amazon which is one of the reasons why I am now happily using the Kobo H2O.

HarryT · 11-07-2014, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyn2012

From my understanding the newer Kindles insist even more on connecting to wifi and Amazon which is one of the reasons why I am now happily using the Kobo H2O.

You can't use a Voyage at all without an initial connection to WiFi. You can turn it off after that, of course.

sparklemotion · 11-07-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can't use a Voyage at all without an initial connection to WiFi. You can turn it off after that, of course.

I was able to use mine, load a book etc. without connecting to wi-fi. I chose the set up your kindle later option.

HarryT · 11-07-2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I was able to use mine, load a book etc. without connecting to wi-fi. I chose the set up your kindle later option.

I must have overlooked that option

. Thanks!

sparklemotion · 11-07-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I must have overlooked that option

. Thanks!

You're welcome!

It doesn't show up immediately, but it will if you hit wifi and then cancel it out.

Xanthe · 11-08-2014, 12:14 AM

Just out of curiosity, why such vehemence regarding not using wireless? It's not as if it has to be left on all the time.

Hopester · 11-08-2014, 07:49 PM

Thanks for all of the advice guys! I like the idea of getting it setup in the store when it's bought. My husband is vehemently against wireless, and using 3G/4G would be something else to pay for since we don't have cell phones. I'm a major bookworm, which is the only real reason to possess a device like this. The Kobo I originally likely had some problems with it, because my desktop has both windows 7 and windows 8.1, as well as several USB ports. I even bought a brand new usb cord because the device did not come with one. I love Calibre, but it did not recognize the device, either.
I'll be sending my husband to a store in the city to get something setup for me when he goes next week.

susan_cassidy · 11-08-2014, 08:13 PM

The Kindle 3G version does not require a data plan. Only the Fire HDX 4G/LTE version requires a data plan. They cannot set it up in the store, unless they have wi-fi, which they probably do, but I doubt that Best Buy is used to doing that. All you have to do is connect, register, then turn off wi-fi, forever, if you want. You have to be registered in order to get books. I have heard that the Voyage has some other way to register, but I don't know the details.

Bertolt · 11-10-2014, 04:37 PM

The 3G on Kindle is FREE, well it is in Europe, so I think it must be in the USA. I don't like Amazon but I buy all my books from them. I used to use Calibre to take out the DRM and load them onto my PocketBook. I've had to buy a paperwhite now that it's rarely possible to extract the DRM. For English language books Kindle has to be the easiest option and the selection of quality books from Amazon cannot be beaten.

eschwartz · 11-11-2014, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertolt

The 3G on Kindle is FREE, well it is in Europe, so I think it must be in the USA.

Correct.

Quote:

I don't like Amazon but I buy all my books from them. I used to use Calibre to take out the DRM and load them onto my PocketBook. I've had to buy a paperwhite now that it's rarely possible to extract the DRM.

That is the first I've heard of it. You should probably ask on alf's website why it wasn't working, however you may have been doing it.

11-06-2014, 08:44 PM	#1
Hopester Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: none	Need Help with finding the right ereader I've been all over the internet trying to find some solution for my dilemma, and the only thing I know left to do is ask someone else who knows more than me. The first ereader I owned was an Aluratek Libre, very simplistic, didn't need anything more than a USB connection to transfer books from my desktop pc and a card slot to expand storage capacity. It died a few months ago, and I want something of a similar nature but with built-in lighting. Alas, everything is much more complicated than that now, and much more expensive. I decided to go the tablet route, and got a Kobo Arc, but I could not get past setup - which requires Wi-Fi. My home does not have wifi - and never will - so I tried using the wifi at the library, at the local fast food place, at the grocery store - but nothing worked. The usb connection was also not recognized with my desktop pc since I was eternally stuck in setup. So I returned it. Now I have been researching alternatives to wifi setup - and no 3G/4G is not optional - and drawing a blank. Please please someone tell me what ereader or tablet (under $200 please) does not depend on wifi to set up, has usb connection, a card slot, and built in lighting? I need help!

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11-07-2014, 12:53 AM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	What do you mean 3G/4G is not optional? It is an option on some Kindle models. It works great. It is a perfect solution for someone without wi-fi. It is very easy to install a wi-fi router if you have broadband. Usually Kindles work fine with wi-fi at libraries, etc., which is required for registration of the device - a one-time thing, unless you reset it to factory defaults.

11-07-2014, 02:16 AM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,814 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	You don't need wifi to set up a Kobo e-ink reader, but it's generally quicker and easier than using the Kobo Desktop to do it. Library? Cafe? Bookshop? Shopping centre? Friend? There's free wifi all over the place these days, unless you're truly in the back of beyond. Something like the Glo might suit your needs nicely. I don't know anything about the Arcs - did it say you should be able to set it up with Kobo Desktop? If so, I'm guessing you got a faulty Arc, or a faulty cable, or you have a faulty USB port. Which operating system is on your home computer? Choosing between Kobo and Kindle can be pretty much a wash, and depends on whether you prioritise things like customising text display, managing collections with your computer, customer service, etc.

11-07-2014, 08:24 AM	#4
sharphamster Anathema Device Posts: 283 Karma: 257456 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T3/350, Kobo AuraH20/Mini, Axim X50v	My last 2 readers - Kobo Aura HD and Sony PRS T3 - have never had the wifi enabled and they both went through the set-up process fine. I used the desktop apps to register, charge and sync my library all in one step, and then I was up and running. The Kobo will ask 'Don't have wifi?' and then tell you to visit kobo.com. At that point I just jacked the H20 into my pc's usb and started up the Kobo desktop. Easy - took maybe 20 minutes to update the firmware and load 300 books. Calibre took care of loading my non-Kobo bought books without a hitch. I haven't had a front-lit Kindle, but I'll echo Meera here and say the Glo is a nice little machine. Good size, nice screen and plenty of page customization options. Love that Nickle font - have to figure out how to get it on the T3 one of these days. Good luck Hopester with whatever you choose, and you came to the right place - the MobileReads denizens have helped me out with every issue or question I've ever had come up regarding my readers.

11-07-2014, 10:36 AM	#5
Lyn2012 Addict Posts: 382 Karma: 1118562 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Middlesex, UK Device: Kobo Aura One, iPhone 8, iPad Pro	I prefer not to use wifi and my router wifi option is always off. Last year when I bought my Kobo Aura, they activated it in the store and I never had to use wifi (or Kobo desktop) at all. Everything (including firmware updates) was done over USB mainly via Calibre. Previously I had a Paperwhite 1 that was never connected to Amazon and it was a real pain as I wasn't even allowed to use Collections and the clock kept losing the correct time. I had to jailbreak and install hacks to enable a workaround for collections using Calibre but it still wasn't anywhere near as seamless as using my previous Sony or Kobo readers. From my understanding the newer Kindles insist even more on connecting to wifi and Amazon which is one of the reasons why I am now happily using the Kobo H2O.

11-08-2014, 12:14 AM	#10
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	Just out of curiosity, why such vehemence regarding not using wireless? It's not as if it has to be left on all the time.

11-08-2014, 07:49 PM	#11
Hopester Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: none	Thanks for all of the advice guys! I like the idea of getting it setup in the store when it's bought. My husband is vehemently against wireless, and using 3G/4G would be something else to pay for since we don't have cell phones. I'm a major bookworm, which is the only real reason to possess a device like this. The Kobo I originally likely had some problems with it, because my desktop has both windows 7 and windows 8.1, as well as several USB ports. I even bought a brand new usb cord because the device did not come with one. I love Calibre, but it did not recognize the device, either. I'll be sending my husband to a store in the city to get something setup for me when he goes next week.

11-08-2014, 08:13 PM	#12
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	The Kindle 3G version does not require a data plan. Only the Fire HDX 4G/LTE version requires a data plan. They cannot set it up in the store, unless they have wi-fi, which they probably do, but I doubt that Best Buy is used to doing that. All you have to do is connect, register, then turn off wi-fi, forever, if you want. You have to be registered in order to get books. I have heard that the Voyage has some other way to register, but I don't know the details.

11-10-2014, 04:37 PM	#13
Bertolt Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 1812 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Spain Device: Kindle K4, Kobo mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab	The 3G on Kindle is FREE, well it is in Europe, so I think it must be in the USA. I don't like Amazon but I buy all my books from them. I used to use Calibre to take out the DRM and load them onto my PocketBook. I've had to buy a paperwhite now that it's rarely possible to extract the DRM. For English language books Kindle has to be the easiest option and the selection of quality books from Amazon cannot be beaten.

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