Any new e-ink ebook readers?

[MikeFromHC]

I have a friend who wants just a dedicated reader.

with all the news seeming to talk about tablets, have I missed anything new on the dedicated front?
Kindle and Nook I know about and they are in her price range.

[wallcraft]

Also look at the Sony Readers: PRS-350 (5") PRS-650 (6") and PRS-950 (7"). The 5" might be a good choice if a smaller size is desirable.

Borders sells the Kobo Reader, which is basic but inexpensive.

The only other semi-realistic E Ink option in the US is PocketBook, e.g. from Dunlin's Books.

[Geppetto]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Borders sells the Kobo Reader, which is basic but inexpensive.

The only other semi-realistic E Ink option in the US is PocketBook

They would be bad choices. Reason: no pearl screen

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by MikeFromHC

I have a friend who wants just a dedicated reader.

with all the news seeming to talk about tablets, have I missed anything new on the dedicated front?
Kindle and Nook I know about and they are in her price range.

Are there any particular features that your friend would like? Ones that come to mind are wi-fi or 3g, the ability to take out books from the library, dictionary, touchscreen, text to speech, does your friend read books in foreign languages...

In other words, does your friend have any particular wants or needs? If not, she would probably be happy with any device. If she does have some particular wants, you can mention them here and someone can help tell you which devices would fit her needs.

[GA Russell]

Mike, Ectaco introduced at CES two weeks ago the jetBook+ with a MSRP of $129. It has the same reflective TFT screen that the jetBook has, and which jetBook owners are very happy with.

If she can't wait, she might also consider the jetBook Lite which Newegg is selling today for $85 with a free leather cover and earlight. It appears that the JBL will be discontinued, however.

[chas0039]

I have both the TFT screen and the e-Ink and the e-Ink wins hands down, especially as of the new Nook 1.5 update. Without rooting though, the Nook just cannot handle any large number of sideloaded books and has a really crappy file organize and search system. The Jetbook has a very elegant file management system and a decent screen, just not as good as the Nook.

[starrlamia]

Originally Posted by Geppetto

They would be bad choices. Reason: no pearl screen

while i love the pearl screen and do find it superior, other readers are not neccessarily bad choices. Esp if you want specific features or have a specific price range.

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by chas0039

I have both the TFT screen and the e-Ink and the e-Ink wins hands down, especially as of the new Nook 1.5 update...

Chas, I have the Astak EZReader as well as the jetBook Lite, and I much prefer the JBL's reflective TFT screen to the EZReader's eInk vizplex. The text is blacker and more sharp. Different strokes!

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by Geppetto

They would be bad choices. Reason: no pearl screen

My Kobo 1 and Sony PRS-300 are perfectly fine ereaders with excellent clarity and they do not have a pearl screen.

[rogue_librarian]

The same is true for my Pocketbook 360°.

[goodereader]

If you want low cost e-readers the alertek libre is cost effective, I would prob get your friend to go with an e-reader with an existing content distributrion system, so hes not having to find and download books and use adobe digital editions and other software.

I would say Kobo wireless has the most bang for your buck for the low end e-readers, kindle 3 WIFI and Nook WI FI is solid investments as well. If he wants to spend less then 100 you can get the mighty jetbook mini! Just pack your own batteries.

[chas0039]

Originally Posted by goodereader

...If he wants to spend less then 100 you can get the mighty jetbook mini! Just pack your own batteries.

I would say you would be much better off with the Jetbook Lite as opposed to the mini. The mini only works with TXT files while the Lite works with TXT, PDF, FB2, ePub, ePub DRM, B&N ePub, Mobi, eReader (PDB) DRM, PRC and RTF formats, pictures in JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP. This also gets you access to library books.

[Pookeysgirl]

Originally Posted by sabredog

My Kobo 1 and Sony PRS-300 are perfectly fine ereaders with excellent clarity and they do not have a pearl screen.

I too have the Kobo 1 and have no problems with the screens visability. I have books that have darker pages than my Kobo.

Also, you would want to get the Kobo Wi-Fi, which has a better screen that the first one anyway.

[EricLandes]

The iRiver Story HD looks a tad interesting, though partnering with Borders may not have been the wisest move:

[chas0039]

Originally Posted by EricLandes

The iRiver Story HD looks a tad interesting, though partnering with Borders may not have been the wisest move:

I'm curious as to how the reviewer thinks a $200 ebook reader will drive down the prices? I don't see anything at more than $200 these days.