Upgrading from Kindle Keyboard...

[Nausicaa]

I've had the Kindle Keyboard for a while, so I'm looking to upgrade it to something better. I've had it jailbroken, and I use duokan most of the time, KOreader didn't work consecutively at the time I installed it I believe.

I'm looking for a cheap frontlit eBook reader thats high resolution so I can read more per page and also read manga/comics. I'd like there to be a page turn button, and the ability to install custom rom/firmware but I read that Kindle requires you do a serial port root.

In the order of importance, I'd like: front lit screen, good software (root or custom apps/programs), high resolution, and page turn button.

The chinese ones seem to have everything covered besides high resolution, and kindle has everything except an easy root. The chinese ones are seemingly too expensive (I'd rather get a paperwhite than a more expensive chinese tablet that has less resolution and less hardware support) and I'm not opposed to buying used. Should I wait for amazon to announce their next gen voyage/kindle? If possible, can you list things that fit most if not all the criteria?

[davidfor]

The "cheap" and "high resolution" requirements are pretty much contradictory. Anything with a high resolution will not be cheap. Add "page turn button", and I think you are down to zero devices.

Having said that, the high resolution and manga requirement suggests a Kobo H2O. The 6.8" screen adds a little extra space when images are important. Or the Glo HD which has the same screen as the PW3 and Voyage. Kobo devices are fairly open and don't need to be jailbroken to install KOReader. But, they don't have any buttons. Neither of these are cheap, but aren't unreasonable.

Otherwise, I think you need to look at one of the Android e-ink devices. Someone with more knowledge on these will probably wander by soon.

[Nausicaa]

I was thinking that there might be something that used the voyage/PW3 screen as well, but I think kindle has a monopoly on those atm. I ended up getting a PW2 and hoping its not updated (probably will be though), and using it as a stopover until voyage 1s and PW3s will go down in price.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Nausicaa

I was thinking that there might be something that used the voyage/PW3 screen as well,

As I mentioned, the Kobo Glo HD uses the same screen as Voyage and PW3.

but I think kindle has a monopoly on those atm. I ended up getting a PW2 and hoping its not updated (probably will be though), and using it as a stopover until voyage 1s and PW3s will go down in price.

So, as a stopgap, you chose a device that only meets one of your requirements while waiting for a price drop on a device that will meet only two. And not even the top two.

[Nausicaa]

Originally Posted by davidfor

As I mentioned, the Kobo Glo HD uses the same screen as Voyage and PW3.


So, as a stopgap, you chose a device that only meets one of your requirements while waiting for a price drop on a device that will meet only two. And not even the top two.

Apparently the HD is slightly better in resolution:
http://www.cnet.com/products/kobo-glo-hd/

I got it for $55, I'm hoping that amazon will release a new kindle (this or next month I believe) so that the voyage/PW3 will drop so I will sell and buy one of those. Kobo doesn't unfortunately have a big aftermarket.

There apparently is a jailbreak that will be coming soon hopefully: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=265675

I think I will get a kobo H2O if I can find it cheaply, because it is the best product for my needs, just don't have the money for it now.

In retrospect the PW2 is suboptimal for reading manga because of its slow processor and its non expandable 2GB is very poor for keeping a lot of manga. In a few years, I think there will be tons of better (and hopefully cheaper) options from Chinese vendors.