Reliable Linux e-ink e-book reader

[bwocaek]

Hi, looking for recommendations for a Linux (not Android) e-ink ereader ticking as many of the below boxes as possible:

- Replaceable storage, no bricked unit due to dead flash
- Ability to be powered directly from the charger, even if the battery is missing or dead (not merely empty but unchargeable)
- Offline only (one time registration with fake address acceptable as long as no internet connection is ever required again and sideloading is limitless)
- Physical buttons
- Good build quality, no issues with buttons malfunctioning after a few months
- Water-proof
- Still in production and easily available new online from either the manufacturer site or major retailers like Amazon etc, posting to EU
- Under 300 EUR

[davidfor]

I am fairly sure that the "Replaceable storage" and "Water-proof" are contradictory. The only water-proof e-ink ereader with removable storage that I can think of was the original Aura H2O. That had a waterproofed case that had to be opened and then resealed to get to the internal card. It also had an external slot under a sealed cover.

For the rest, I think you are looking at either a Kobo or Kindle. They are both Linux based, can have the registration avoided or done with fake address and do not need WiFi on afterwards. Both have models with buttons and are lasting well. I know older Kobo devices will run off power with dead batteries. I don't expect to test any of my recent purchases in that way for at least a couple of years, but, I would expect them to work.

[bwocaek]

Shows how much I know!

Well then, let's ignore water-proofing completely, and replace it by something much more important I hadn't thought about until now: no proprietary connectors, any generic USB cable must work for loading books onto the thing; same goes for the charger in case it's not done via the USB port.

Strictly speaking, internal storage doesn't need to be replaceable itself as long as there's an extra slot to add an SD card which can be used instead with no loss of functionality when internal flash dies.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bwocaek

Shows how much I know!

Well then, let's ignore water-proofing completely, and replace it by something much more important I hadn't thought about until now: no proprietary connectors, any generic USB cable must work for loading books onto the thing; same goes for the charger in case it's not done via the USB port.

Any device can do that.

Strictly speaking, internal storage doesn't need to be replaceable itself as long as there's an extra slot to add an SD card which can be used instead with no loss of functionality when internal flash dies.

No device can do that.

However, there are devices with an SD card as internal memory, which of course can also be exchanged:
the cheap Kobo and Tolino devices - I don't know about Pocketbook.

I have equipped both a Tolino Shine 3 and a Page 2 with a fast 256 GB card.
It should work with Kobo Clara HD and Kobo Nia as well.

[0x6c616d70]

Not to be a troll, but The Open Book is the closest e-reader that matches your specification from recent memory, you can also add the water-proof part. Unfortunately it's a diy.

[bwocaek]

Originally Posted by 0x6c616d70

Not to be a troll, but The Open Book is the closest e-reader that matches your specification.

You're not being a troll, you're very much correct. I already knew about the Open Book and the only dealbreaker really is the DIY aspect. If someone sold a pre-built, ready to use version I'd snap it in an instant.

Unfortunately I don't think that's happening any time soon so I'll probably end up with some Kobo model unless someone chimes in with alternatives.

[bwocaek]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Any device can do that.

Great, that's one less detail to worry about.

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

I have equipped both a Tolino Shine 3 and a Page 2 with a fast 256 GB card.
It should work with Kobo Clara HD and Kobo Nia as well.

Thanks for the pointers, the Clara seems to be the winner so far, shame about the lack of buttons.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bwocaek

Thanks for the pointers, the Clara seems to be the winner so far, shame about the lack of buttons.

I prefer the Tolino Shine 3 to the Clara HD.
It's the same hardware, but Tolino is based on Android 4.4.2 and it's quite easy to use other Android apps

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

I prefer the Tolino Shine 3 to the Clara HD.
It's the same hardware, but Tolino is based on Android 4.4.2 and it's quite easy to use other Android apps

The original post specifically stated not Android.

[alb78701]

The reMarkable tablets, i.e. the rM1 and the rM2 meet some of your criteria. They both run Linux, can be run without any registration, have physical buttons (rM1 only), and have good build quality imo. The hacking scene for both tablets is thriving as well. In particular, the rM1 can be hacked to add additional storage. You can also ssh into them over a local network or over usb-c.

[ab78727]

The reMarkable tablets, i.e. the rM1 and the rM2 meet some of your criteria. They both run Linux, can be run without any registration, have physical buttons (rM1 only), and have good build quality imo. The software and hardware hacking scene for both tablets is thriving as well. In particular, the rM1 can be hacked to add additional storage though the base storage is fixed and it is sometimes possible to brick the device. You can also ssh into them over a local network or over usb-c to install new apps, modify content, and etc.