How do you use old e-readers?

Spinningwoman · 08-25-2022, 06:00 AM

I love my herd of older e-readers, and they just very rarely die. I’ve lost a Kobo mini and a Kobo Touch, but the rest just keep on keeping on. However, I also like the newer offerings so I read a lot on my Kobo Forma (the integrated Overdrive is great abd I love buttons and the warm light option). I will probably get tempted by an Oasis sometime for the same reasons. I like my older kindles for the TTS Mode (though I mostly use my phone to read to me these days) and my remaining Kobo mini for sitting in a handbag pocket and just being there for me in coffee shops. I’m thinking of loading up an old Sony with a whole lot of classics so I can just pick that up when I feel like reading that kind of thing; thorough really for anything long I would probably then load it to my Forma. Anyone like to share how they use their older readers despite having newer models?

JSWolf · 08-25-2022, 06:48 AM

My older Readers are either in a draw or a box. They don't get used.

meeera · 08-25-2022, 07:17 AM

I give them away.

Deskisamess · 08-25-2022, 08:23 AM

I have an older Paperwhite that can use the old Active Content games, so I keep it charged and play games in bed on it sometimes. All my other older ones are long gone, either traded in or given away.

Apache · 08-25-2022, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

I give them away.

I either give them to friends or family or donate them.
Apache

JSWolf · 08-25-2022, 08:44 AM

The thing is, all of my Readers with an 800x600 screen are slow and they don't handle ho-res graphs all that well as in they run really slow or can freeze or crash. The only other Reader that I have that's not that old I am keeping as a spare. It's a Kobo Aura H2O.

issybird · 08-25-2022, 09:35 AM

I have too many ereaders hanging around here, and yet.

In regard to the Kobos, they’re all (five) much older devices, but they have qualities not available on newer devices that justify keeping them active. The Glo and the H2O can take a micro SD card. Right now, the Glo functions as a book repository; it’s my oldest Kobo and if it goes paws up, the H2O is waiting. The Mini is 5”. Enough said. It lives in my beach (pool, lake) bag. And I prefer the rectangular shape of the Aura One to the blockier form factor of the newer Sage and Libra. Which leaves the Glo HD which has nothing unique about it, but I also don’t think the Clara offered much of an upgrade.

Similarly, I have a Kindle Keyboard thanks to the generosity of a member here and I use the TTS for Kindle books if I have to get in the car and want to keep a book going.

As for my Sony X50s, I have a sentimental attachment to them and can’t quite get rid of them. Also, if the Mini goes, I’ll probably revive a 350 although it won’t be as handy, given no direct downloads and ancient firmware.

Other devices have been deaccessioned.

Quoth · 08-25-2022, 09:54 AM

To test format & design of new ebooks.

But I did use the PRS-350 because it's very portable till I got a better phone. It's more use than a Kindle PW3 because Calibre can create collections on it.

Quoth · 08-25-2022, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

I give them away.

I think that's better than Amazon's payment for returned Kindles.

I've given away a Binatone, A Kindle (forget which model, either Basic or PW2 or PW3, then later bought a PW3 again because the DXG was rubbish) Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Touch C and Kobo Aura HD H2O original because I didn't need them for testing.
I gave away the Kindle DXG and was given it back!

Sirtel · 08-25-2022, 10:27 AM

I either sell them or give away (I've sold/given away 6 ereaders in total). Two oldest from 2011 are sitting on a shelf. There's no point anymore in trying to get rid of them, they're too old (although they still work).

I do use more than one ereader, but generally only the newest ones (which at the moment are Kobo Sage and Libra 2; the Oasis is also sitting on a shelf and I'll probably sell it at some point).

Sirtel · 08-25-2022, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I have too many ereaders hanging around here, and yet.

In regard to the Kobos, they’re all (five) much older devices, but they have qualities not available on newer devices that justify keeping them active. The Glo and the H2O can take a micro SD card. Right now, the Glo functions as a book repository; it’s my oldest Kobo and if it goes paws up, the H2O is waiting. The Mini is 5”. Enough said. It lives in my beach (pool, lake) bag. And I prefer the rectangular shape of the Aura One to the blockier form factor of the newer Sage and Libra. Which leaves the Glo HD which has nothing unique about it, but I also don’t think the Clara offered much of an upgrade.

Similarly, I have a Kindle Keyboard thanks to the generosity of a member here and I use the TTS for Kindle books if I have to get in the car and want to keep a book going.

As for my Sony X50s, I have a sentimental attachment to them and can’t quite get rid of them. Also, if the Mini goes, I’ll probably revive a 350 although it won’t be as handy, given no direct downloads and ancient firmware.

Other devices have been deaccessioned.

I see you've acquired a PW5? Any particular reason? Do you like it?

issybird · 08-25-2022, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I see you've acquired a PW5? Any particular reason? Do you like it?

I got the PW5 basically because the stars aligned. My gift Kindle Keyboard qualified me for the quite attractive PW5 offer when store access was discontinued. In addition, I’ve got lazy and prefer direct download of ebooks and I have a large Kindle library. And if I’m being totally honest, there was a wee bit of gadget lust in there, too. It’s been a long time since I got a new toy and I can’t justify a new Kobo given prices and that the ones I have are entirely adequate to my needs.

I like it well enough, better than that, even. Certainly it does what I wanted. I still vastly prefer the Kobo interface and openness and the additional inch on the Aura One. On the other hand, the battery life is excellent and it’s quite zippy compared to my old Kobos. I’ve also found that I’m using Send to Kindle for public domain books rather than using the browser on my Aura One to download them, which is what I did before. Even though it means using two devices instead of one, it’s still easier and it means the book is in my Kindle library. And the OverDrive Function on my Aura One hasn’t worked in over a year and now I can directly access library books again.

Spinningwoman · 08-25-2022, 03:33 PM

Well, that’s very sensible but I don’t seem to be able to get my head around it! I just like messing with old tech.

Spinningwoman · 08-25-2022, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My older Readers are either in a draw or a box. They don't get used.

Well, that’s very sensible but I don’t seem to be able to get my head around it! I just like messing with old tech

JSWolf · 08-25-2022, 03:53 PM

If my mother had not died when she had, I'd be the owner (or eventually) of yet another Kobo as I was going to buy her a Kobo to replace her Sony.

08-25-2022, 06:00 AM	#1
Spinningwoman Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 4361592 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Sony prs-t1	How do you use old e-readers? I love my herd of older e-readers, and they just very rarely die. I’ve lost a Kobo mini and a Kobo Touch, but the rest just keep on keeping on. However, I also like the newer offerings so I read a lot on my Kobo Forma (the integrated Overdrive is great abd I love buttons and the warm light option). I will probably get tempted by an Oasis sometime for the same reasons. I like my older kindles for the TTS Mode (though I mostly use my phone to read to me these days) and my remaining Kobo mini for sitting in a handbag pocket and just being there for me in coffee shops. I’m thinking of loading up an old Sony with a whole lot of classics so I can just pick that up when I feel like reading that kind of thing; thorough really for anything long I would probably then load it to my Forma. Anyone like to share how they use their older readers despite having newer models? Last edited by Spinningwoman; 08-25-2022 at 06:01 AM. Reason: Word

08-25-2022, 09:35 AM	#7
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,107 Karma: 234185759 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	I have too many ereaders hanging around here, and yet. In regard to the Kobos, they’re all (five) much older devices, but they have qualities not available on newer devices that justify keeping them active. The Glo and the H2O can take a micro SD card. Right now, the Glo functions as a book repository; it’s my oldest Kobo and if it goes paws up, the H2O is waiting. The Mini is 5”. Enough said. It lives in my beach (pool, lake) bag. And I prefer the rectangular shape of the Aura One to the blockier form factor of the newer Sage and Libra. Which leaves the Glo HD which has nothing unique about it, but I also don’t think the Clara offered much of an upgrade. Similarly, I have a Kindle Keyboard thanks to the generosity of a member here and I use the TTS for Kindle books if I have to get in the car and want to keep a book going. As for my Sony X50s, I have a sentimental attachment to them and can’t quite get rid of them. Also, if the Mini goes, I’ll probably revive a 350 although it won’t be as handy, given no direct downloads and ancient firmware. Other devices have been deaccessioned. Last edited by issybird; 08-25-2022 at 09:37 AM.

08-25-2022, 03:33 PM	#13
Spinningwoman Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 4361592 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Sony prs-t1	Well, that’s very sensible but I don’t seem to be able to get my head around it! I just like messing with old tech. Last edited by Spinningwoman; 08-25-2022 at 03:36 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to e-readers	Jimmou	Which one should I buy?	7	07-28-2014 06:56 PM
E-readers	mhashev	Which one should I buy?	2	11-11-2011 03:21 AM
Are readers more educated than non-readers?	user_none	General Discussions	71	08-10-2011 12:05 PM
Hi, New to e-readers	rapidrogo	Introduce Yourself	11	10-24-2010 09:40 PM

08-25-2022, 06:48 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,958 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My older Readers are either in a draw or a box. They don't get used.

08-25-2022, 07:17 AM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,791 Karma: 68051336 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I give them away.

08-25-2022, 08:23 AM	#4
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,740 Karma: 45300001 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	I have an older Paperwhite that can use the old Active Content games, so I keep it charged and play games in bed on it sometimes. All my other older ones are long gone, either traded in or given away.

08-25-2022, 08:44 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,958 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The thing is, all of my Readers with an 800x600 screen are slow and they don't handle ho-res graphs all that well as in they run really slow or can freeze or crash. The only other Reader that I have that's not that old I am keeping as a spare. It's a Kobo Aura H2O.

08-25-2022, 09:54 AM	#8
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,651 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	To test format & design of new ebooks. But I did use the PRS-350 because it's very portable till I got a better phone. It's more use than a Kindle PW3 because Calibre can create collections on it.

08-25-2022, 10:27 AM	#10
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,091 Karma: 237627567 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I either sell them or give away (I've sold/given away 6 ereaders in total). Two oldest from 2011 are sitting on a shelf. There's no point anymore in trying to get rid of them, they're too old (although they still work). I do use more than one ereader, but generally only the newest ones (which at the moment are Kobo Sage and Libra 2; the Oasis is also sitting on a shelf and I'll probably sell it at some point).

08-25-2022, 03:53 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,958 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If my mother had not died when she had, I'd be the owner (or eventually) of yet another Kobo as I was going to buy her a Kobo to replace her Sony.

Advert

Advert