How much is Iliad HW reliable?

Kirys · 01-22-2007, 12:52 PM

I was going tu buy it but reading some posts it seems to me that the iliad hardware is pretty unreliable. the screen is fragile, but i already know this, what kind of other weakness does the iliad have?
Thank you

jæd · 01-22-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirys

I was going tu buy it but reading some posts it seems to me that the iliad hardware is pretty unreliable. the screen is fragile, but i already know this, what kind of other weakness does the iliad have?
Thank you

The hardware is as reliable as any other device with a large screen... If you get a cover for the screen then its fine...

markiehill · 01-22-2007, 02:02 PM

without a cover the screen is very vunerable to pressure. since getting a cover it travels with me everywhere no probs

Mark

Kirys · 01-22-2007, 02:13 PM

other that the screen is there any other major reliability issue?

markiehill · 01-22-2007, 02:32 PM

none from me.

i am happy with the hardware.

mark

b_k · 01-22-2007, 03:07 PM

same here, the hardware is so far not a problem. You just have to be careful with the screen. (but thats the same with the Sony, or not?)

Adam B. · 01-22-2007, 03:37 PM

Agreed.

I think the first few inital devices may have had some hardware problems, but it looks like they've gotten everything sorted out.

Ivan · 01-22-2007, 10:16 PM

Don't expect the power will last more than 8 hours after turning on even not doing anything! The power management may be a problem if you would like to use it for >8 hourswithout turn it off. I fully charged my ereader, it took 7-8 hours to drain all the juice even not doing anything........

Mambo · 01-23-2007, 03:59 AM

Actually from 2.8 update, you get 10 hours. That's my observation.

scotty1024 · 01-23-2007, 09:42 AM

As I unhappily discovered the screws can work lose from the bottom of the case. The large case flexes which I think is what contributes to the screws working loose. In my 3rd unit (the previous 2 having been DOA) this lead to failure of the page flip bar.

In my experience iRex's hardware support is a nightmare. Any kind of repair to the main device requires a trip to Germany and as I discovered: iRex's promises to pay for return shipping aren't always kept. I still haven't heard back from them regarding the 12/27/06 back billing from UPS for a return made last September!

Other hardware issues. Examine the photos taken of the inside of the device. It isn't a single printed circuit board design. The stacked layers of circuit board design used is historically more vulnerable to flex and vibration than a single circuit board design (as used in the Sony Reader). One of the things we humans are worst at are connectors and with stacked circuit boards you have many connectors being stressed and waiting to fail.

From the photos the Wifi is implemented as a CF card. If the CF card connection flexes too much and the connection becomes intermittent you can't re-seat it to restore proper operation. You can't access it, there is no access door.

The stylus is very flexible and seems to bend easily and comes with no replacement nibs. In addition the stylus is small and has no hole in it to secure it to the main unit with a tether. iRex only has one $40 shipping charge so ordering a replacement stylus begins with paying $40 in shipping to the USA (which is almost the same as the cost of the stylus on their site.)

In addition to main unit failures I've also had one bad travel hub, which is the only way to recharge the unit. Everything about the design of the travel hub lends itself to "dangle" which puts stress on all the cables and all the connectors inside the travel hub as well as the docking connector in the main device itself.

So long as iRex stood behind their product I was willing to put up with these issues but now that I've been back billed by UPS and iRex has yet to resolve that weeks later? I have little confidence in iRex anymore. Coupled with slow development, constant delays in promised major features, failure to promptly ship my ordered cover and sliding delivery for other hardware accessories... They now seem to me like a startup that has burned through its initial money and is now teetering on the precipice of going under.

markiehill · 01-23-2007, 12:54 PM

damming indeed.

As i have said before in other threads, if they opened up the source code completely to the community they could have developers working on it whilst they provided the units and distribution of publications

I am with Scotty on this, i think the end is nigh sadly.

jæd · 01-23-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markiehill

I am with Scotty on this, i think the end is nigh sadly.

Isn't this what someone says every month or so...? But if the Iliad ever does "fail" I would think it might be more to do with constant negativity that surrounds some, rather than any major failings...

So some units were DOA, and there was a bit of shaky start but thats what happens if you try new and ground-breaking things, and I personally am very happy that Irex have produced what they have and stuck the course.

Flinx · 01-23-2007, 01:43 PM

This sounds not so good.
I thougth I should wait until the price is at least under 500, but now...
Are you too pessimistic? Or maybe the Iliad is the first and last attempt to make an reader for open formats?

jæd · 01-23-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flinx

This sounds not so good.
I thougth I should wait until the price is at least under 500, but now...
Are you too pessimistic? Or maybe the Iliad is the first and last attempt to make an reader for open formats?

Is that 500 euros or $ 500...?

markiehill · 01-23-2007, 03:05 PM

Jaed,

If it were easier to port software without the risk of bricking etc then i am sure that the community would embrace it.

With Sony, Iriver and others chasing the same market, the Iliad is already looking functionally poor and it has had a years advantage.

I think the negativity on these forums is partially due to fustration with what could be a fantastic device, at least we care !!! Its the lack of others we should be concerned about , i cannot help but notice the tumbleweed blowing through these forums.

Mark

01-22-2007, 12:52 PM	#1
Kirys Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 86 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Italy Device: Boox M90	How much is Iliad HW reliable? I was going tu buy it but reading some posts it seems to me that the iliad hardware is pretty unreliable. the screen is fragile, but i already know this, what kind of other weakness does the iliad have? Thank you

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01-22-2007, 02:02 PM	#3
markiehill Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 192 Join Date: Jul 2006	without a cover the screen is very vunerable to pressure. since getting a cover it travels with me everywhere no probs Mark

01-22-2007, 02:13 PM	#4
Kirys Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 86 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Italy Device: Boox M90	other that the screen is there any other major reliability issue?

01-22-2007, 02:32 PM	#5
markiehill Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 192 Join Date: Jul 2006	none from me. i am happy with the hardware. mark

01-22-2007, 03:07 PM	#6
b_k Übernerd Posts: 238 Karma: 74 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Device: iRex iLiad	same here, the hardware is so far not a problem. You just have to be careful with the screen. (but thats the same with the Sony, or not?)

01-22-2007, 03:37 PM	#7
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	Agreed. I think the first few inital devices may have had some hardware problems, but it looks like they've gotten everything sorted out.

01-22-2007, 10:16 PM	#8
Ivan Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2006	Don't expect the power will last more than 8 hours after turning on even not doing anything! The power management may be a problem if you would like to use it for >8 hourswithout turn it off. I fully charged my ereader, it took 7-8 hours to drain all the juice even not doing anything........

01-23-2007, 03:59 AM	#9
Mambo Gadget fan Posts: 147 Karma: 3968 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London Device: RM Tablet PC, iLiad, PRS 505, iPod Touch	Actually from 2.8 update, you get 10 hours. That's my observation.

01-23-2007, 09:42 AM	#10
scotty1024 Banned Posts: 1,300 Karma: 1479 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Washington Device: Reader / iPhone / Librie / Kindle	As I unhappily discovered the screws can work lose from the bottom of the case. The large case flexes which I think is what contributes to the screws working loose. In my 3rd unit (the previous 2 having been DOA) this lead to failure of the page flip bar. In my experience iRex's hardware support is a nightmare. Any kind of repair to the main device requires a trip to Germany and as I discovered: iRex's promises to pay for return shipping aren't always kept. I still haven't heard back from them regarding the 12/27/06 back billing from UPS for a return made last September! Other hardware issues. Examine the photos taken of the inside of the device. It isn't a single printed circuit board design. The stacked layers of circuit board design used is historically more vulnerable to flex and vibration than a single circuit board design (as used in the Sony Reader). One of the things we humans are worst at are connectors and with stacked circuit boards you have many connectors being stressed and waiting to fail. From the photos the Wifi is implemented as a CF card. If the CF card connection flexes too much and the connection becomes intermittent you can't re-seat it to restore proper operation. You can't access it, there is no access door. The stylus is very flexible and seems to bend easily and comes with no replacement nibs. In addition the stylus is small and has no hole in it to secure it to the main unit with a tether. iRex only has one $40 shipping charge so ordering a replacement stylus begins with paying $40 in shipping to the USA (which is almost the same as the cost of the stylus on their site.) In addition to main unit failures I've also had one bad travel hub, which is the only way to recharge the unit. Everything about the design of the travel hub lends itself to "dangle" which puts stress on all the cables and all the connectors inside the travel hub as well as the docking connector in the main device itself. So long as iRex stood behind their product I was willing to put up with these issues but now that I've been back billed by UPS and iRex has yet to resolve that weeks later? I have little confidence in iRex anymore. Coupled with slow development, constant delays in promised major features, failure to promptly ship my ordered cover and sliding delivery for other hardware accessories... They now seem to me like a startup that has burned through its initial money and is now teetering on the precipice of going under.

01-23-2007, 12:54 PM	#11
markiehill Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 192 Join Date: Jul 2006	damming indeed. As i have said before in other threads, if they opened up the source code completely to the community they could have developers working on it whilst they provided the units and distribution of publications I am with Scotty on this, i think the end is nigh sadly.

01-23-2007, 01:43 PM	#13
Flinx Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 12132 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Muse Frontlight, Cybook Odyssey	This sounds not so good. I thougth I should wait until the price is at least under 500, but now... Are you too pessimistic? Or maybe the Iliad is the first and last attempt to make an reader for open formats?

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01-23-2007, 03:05 PM	#15
markiehill Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 192 Join Date: Jul 2006	Jaed, If it were easier to port software without the risk of bricking etc then i am sure that the community would embrace it. With Sony, Iriver and others chasing the same market, the Iliad is already looking functionally poor and it has had a years advantage. I think the negativity on these forums is partially due to fustration with what could be a fantastic device, at least we care !!! Its the lack of others we should be concerned about , i cannot help but notice the tumbleweed blowing through these forums. Mark