Considering a Jetbook

[demingite]

There is a great deal on the Jetbook Lite at Newegg right now, but I am unsure about the differences between it and the Libre Pro. I see that Borders sells the Libre Pro, so I assume that you can buy ebooks from them. Can the latest Jetbook Lite read books from any of the major online stores, and if so, which ones? Thanks in advance.

[GA Russell]

Welcome to MR demingite!

Most of us feel that Ectaco is currently ahead of Aluratek in the firmware race.

I'll let others discuss their experiences buying from the various stores. Suffice it to say, the jetBook Lite reads the ADE ePub and the eReader DRMs.

That should cover all of the online stores and lending libraries except Amazon. I have downloaded Amazon books, stripped them of their DRM, and read them on my JBL.

The JBL also does a very good job with pdf reflow.

The JBL does not have a clock. This means that you can borrow books from the library and not worry about their checkout times expiring.

The jetBook and the Libre use the same hardware, but have different firmware.

The JBL has similar hardware, but it uses four AA batteries. JBL owners (like me) feel that this is an advantage: First you buy eight rechargeable AA batteries and a charger for about $25 total. When your four batteries die, you can replace them in less than five minutes, and you're ready to go. The batteries should last you years.

With the internal battery of the JB and the Libre, it takes four hours to charge them up again. Their battery is not user-replaceable friendly.

Also, the JBL's battery compartment makes for a comfortable handle.

[Bev M]

I received my JBL with slipcase from Newegg a few weeks ago. It's my first "real" ebook reader, I was using my PDA before. So far I'm very pleased with it, and part of what I like is using the rechargeable batteries. I like the "handle" the compartment provides, as well. There are several threads here that are tremendously helpful - one is titled something like "before my JBL arrives" and discusses how to format and set up both the internal memory and an SD card for storing your books. Good luck!

[Ken Maltby]

The Libre Pro has a new firmware out but my understanding is that it only added German
language menus, so I think you will find that the JBL still covers more formats and DRM
scams. You can buy from any online retailer, if you learn how to remove the DRM.

That said; the JBL supports three of the most popular DRM scams, ADE on .epub&.pdf
files, Secure eReader on .pdb files and B&N on .epub. There are a number of independent
ebook retailers that offer books using the first two DRM scams and then there is Barns&
Noble for the B&N DRM.

I don't know of any other device that handles more formats or DRM scams that the JBL.

Luck;
Ken

[demingite]

I have decided on the JBL. Now, I just have to decide whether to buy two at this price.

[GhostHawk]

Yes, buy 2! Heck, buy 3!

I started out with an original jetbook, then after some 4 months bought my wife one. (tired of the jealous comments)

Then I recieved a small inheritence check, and promptly spent part of it on a pair of Jetbooks for my dad and father in law. And a JBL for myself.

Newegg's last big sale (70$ JBL) I bought 2, one for a christmas present, and one for a spare.

[Catlady]

I've bought books from Kobo for my JBL, and picked up DRM freebies from Sony, BN, and Borders, without any problems. I've also borrowed library books. I've only had it a month or so, but I'm extremely pleased with my JBL.

[AHMavrick]

Real newbie here. No e-book reader yet but leaning towards the jet book lite, two of them so the wife has one too.

When you say you bought books, I assume that means you bought them online and downloaded them through the computer / internet. Is that correct?

Stripping the DRM (copyright protection or time limit?) was mentioned. How is that done or does it require the computer and software for that before dumping to the reader? I have a PC and internet capability so no issue there, just really ignorant about e-books and stuff.

[GA Russell]

AHM, we don't discuss the specifics of DRM stripping here due to various laws around the world. A google search will help you find the program for the DRM type you are looking for.

Amazon's DRM prohibits you from using a book you have purchased from them on an eBook reader other than the Kindle or a Kindle app such as Kindle4PC. By stripping the DRM, you can read the book you have spent your hard-earned money for with the ebook reader of your choice (provided that the device reads the mobi format, which the JBL does).

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by AHMavrick

Real newbie here. No e-book reader yet but leaning towards the jet book lite, two of them so the wife has one too.

When you say you bought books, I assume that means you bought them online and downloaded them through the computer / internet. Is that correct?

Stripping the DRM (copyright protection or time limit?) was mentioned. How is that done or does it require the computer and software for that before dumping to the reader? I have a PC and internet capability so no issue there, just really ignorant about e-books and stuff.

"eBooks" are document files, so they can be easily sold and/or distributed
over the internet. There are many that are available for free, on this site
and a number of others. While there are a few enlightened ebook retailers
that offer ebooks for sale without DRM infections, most only provide current
releases with some sort of DRM encryption applied to them.

The JBL supports three of the most common DRM scams, which means that
ebooks purchased with those infections can be read, without having to
disinfect the file. Most independent retailers offer ebooks in one of the DRM
formats supported, not just those in the Barns&Noble family. The two major
retailers that maintain strict proprietary DRM control Amazon and Sony are
not supported by the JBL.

Forums such as MR must be careful not to become targets of litagation or
be seen as providing support to what can be considered a violation of law,
in some jurisdictions. Providing the tools to remove the DRM infections is a
violation of U.S. Law. (The best civil law money can buy.)

Google is your friend and there are those who do offer info on the tools and
procedures to get the job done. The process has become easier and easier
until it is now often a very simple procedure.

Luck;
Ken

[demingite]

I was in Kmart yesterday, and saw that they had an Aluratek Libre in the display case and I asked to see it. I think I might have been the first to turn it on. It was slow to boot up and slow to react to the menu buttons, but once I opened a book, the page turns were quick and I like the formatting and the display. I wonder if it runs faster after the first boot. I believe they were asking about $117.

[hiaig]

Originally Posted by demingite

....I wonder if it runs faster after the first boot. I believe they were asking about $117.

When you boot it up, did it go through screen with jetbook logos and a photo of books?

If you did, then that was a boot up after reset. After the initial boot up, it is basically an instantaneous on/off.

Cheers

[petechan]

My libre can switch from ebook back to menu and then to mp3 music with less than 10 seconds lag from the button press. The first time it opens an ebook, there is a delay, probably 15 seconds?

I just bought a second Libre for my wife. Could not wait for the post-Thanksgiving sales since I wasn't seeing any that were that notable in the stores near to where I live. A seller on ebay sells brand new ones and with shipping I was able to get it for just little over $90 and this includes the SD card. I am waiting to receive it. Regular jetbooks are just hard to find anywhere close to that price point.

[booklover6]

To read library books on the JBL, do you need to have a certain firmware installed? (Lazy me, hasn't updated it since purchase). I need to get with my librarian and figure out if I can get library ebooks. Would definitely be handy to have the JBL for that!

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by booklover6

To read library books on the JBL, do you need to have a certain firmware installed? (Lazy me, hasn't updated it since purchase). I need to get with my librarian and figure out if I can get library ebooks. Would definitely be handy to have the JBL for that!

JBL support for ADE DRM came with the 0.16e firmware. You will need that
on your JBL and the ADE software on your PC.

Luck;
Ken