Yes, yes but all I want to do is read.

[deadgloves]

Okay I've been lurking here on and off for years and have wanted an ebook since sony announced its first reader. However when the 505 came out I reviewed its specs, thought it was very nice and said, "Lets wait for the next generation so we can get search."

However, with each generation I continue to be dismayed that every e-reader, in every generation out there, has something missing. Poor screens, lame, unnecessary lighting, no media slots, focus on propitiatory formats, to many buttons, battery chewing lcds... etc.

I practically gave up. I don't need wireless or anything fancy. I just want a light reader with a paperback sized screen thats crisp and allows me to search and bookmark. I would like it to do pdfs well and handle txt files. I would like to be able to drag and drop files onto the device or a memory card. I don't want a big awkward keyboard.

Still this seems an impossible order to fill after all these years...

If I bought one for my mom I'd buy a Kindle but I'm pretty computer savvy so converting formats and removing drm from books I buy doesn't concern me but I don't want to spend all my time cleaning up a text or suffering from poor PDF handling.

I have a netbook so when they came out with Kindle for PC I did get that. I like it mostly but I want something I can hold in my hand, not on my lap so I can skip the glasses (I'm near sighted). I can't go on like this! :dramatic sigh:


So what do you think? An initial look at the market now makes me lean toward the IREX Digital Reader 800S. It's pdf handling isn't perfect but I love the size of screen, its simplicity of purpose and the fact that it reads drm files from a major bookseller without being beholden to it.

Price tag not so much.

So what do you guys think? All suggestions welcome!

[boswd]

I wouldn't be soo quick to dismiss not having wireless. Though technically you can synch to download alll your material. There is something to be said for buying a book or newspaper on the fly pretty much no matter where you are. It's one of those feature you shrug off until you have it.

I mean the technology is there why not take advantage of it. Trust me you may think Wi fi and 3G is no big deal. But when you have it great. Also I can go to barnes and nobles website buy a book and it's automatically sent to my Nook in seconds without having to hook it up to the computer.

So no matter which one you choose I would think a little bit more about the thought that wireless is a "ehh" don't need it feature. While technically yes but once you have it you'll know what I'm talking about.

I have the Nook and I love it. Handles my PDF's pretty nice, the screen is really top notch in terms of Contrast and I swear by how it handles e-Pub files. It's pretty sweet.

But you are right the choices are crazy. Good luck on your journey

[deadgloves]

Originally Posted by boswd

I wouldn't be soo quick to dismiss not having wireless. Though technically you can synch to download alll your material. There is something to be said to buying a book or newspaper on the fly pretty much no matter where you are. It's one of those feature you shrug off until you have it.

I mean the technology is there why not take advantage of it. Trust me you may think Wi fi and 3G is no big deal. But when you have it great. Also I can go to barnes and nobles website buy a book and it's automatically sent to my Nook in seconds without having to hook it up to the computer.

So no matter which one you choose I would think a little bit more about the thought that wireless is a "ehh" don't need it feature. While technically yes but once you have it you'll know what I'm talking about.

It sounds neat but I'm wary of buying anything on open wireless.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by deadgloves

It sounds neat but I'm wary of buying anything on open wireless.

Im not sure how Sony or Amazon handles theirs but with the nook you have your account set up with them before hand so any on the fly buying the billing is automatically done on Barnes and Noble's side, so you aren't putting in any credit card numbers or anything like that.

[deadgloves]

Originally Posted by boswd

Im not sure how Sony or Amazon handles theirs but with the nook you have your account set up with them before hand so any on the fly buying the billing is automatically done on Barnes and Noble's side, so you aren't putting in any credit card numbers or anything like that.

Having spent way more money than I ever should on ebooks from Amazon I can attest it works just like buying mp3s. You just login and click okay without asking for credit information... but you still have to send your login information over the free wireless. I'm not certain of the various encryptions used and thus would rather not expose my information.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by deadgloves

Having spent way more money than I ever should on ebooks from Amazon I can attest it works just like buying mp3s. You just login and click okay without asking for credit information... but you still have to send your login information over the free wireless. I'm not certain of the various encryptions used and thus would rather not expose my information.

fair enough

[deadgloves]

Originally Posted by boswd

fair enough

Also, I secretly hope the extra step of using the PC might curb some of my buying habits.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by deadgloves

Also, I secretly hope the extra step of using the PC might curb some of my buying habits.

very smart,

[Logseman]

Originally Posted by deadgloves

Okay I've been lurking here on and off for years and have wanted an ebook since sony announced its first reader. However when the 505 came out I reviewed its specs, thought it was very nice and said, "Lets wait for the next generation so we can get search."

However, with each generation I continue to be dismayed that every e-reader, in every generation out there, has something missing. Poor screens, lame, unnecessary lighting, no media slots, focus on propitiatory formats, to many buttons, battery chewing lcds... etc.

I practically gave up. I don't need wireless or anything fancy. I just want a light reader with a paperback sized screen thats crisp and allows me to search and bookmark. I would like it to do pdfs well and handle txt files. I would like to be able to drag and drop files onto the device or a memory card. I don't want a big awkward keyboard.

Still this seems an impossible order to fill after all these years...

And then, the Pocketbook 360 appeared:



Good screen? Check. No glare, strong contrast.
Resistant? Check. The bastard can skate in the floor with its snap-on cover or endure a car crash without trouble.
No lights? Check.
Media slot? Check. Micro SD card.
Good for all formats? Check. The bastard reads PDF, FB2, EPUB, MOBI (DRM-less one), TXT... you name it.
Light on buttons? Check. The wing buttons, the silver joystick and the center button, and that's all you have (well, a reset button is present too )
Long battery? Check. I'm testing it right now. 4 days haven't still chewed half the battery.
Drag-and-drop approach for files? Check.
Paperback size? Check.
No bulky keyboard? Check.

A dandy choice, I tell you.

[Latinandgreek]

Have you checked out the Onyx Boox? I've seen some great reviews for it, it reads a ton of formats (PDF, TXT, HTML, MOBIPOCKET, EPUB, CHM,FB2, DJVU, RTF,PDB, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, MP3, WAV), and it has search and dictionary support. Here is the wiki link:

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Boox_60

It has a wacom touch screen, so the screen should look the same as non-touch e-ink screens.

[GA Russell]

Welcome deadgloves!

I suggest that you consider the jetBook Lite and the Aluratek Libre. They won't handle the pdf's well, but I think they both meet all of your other requirements, and they are the least expensive devices going.

I'm quite content with my jetBook Lite.

And then, the Pocketbook 360 appeared

Second this - just bought one and it is sweet - perhaps the best in usability and I've had several. One thing many overlook is that it has automatic page turn (user selectable intervals) and/or turning a page by simply tilting the device (user selectable angle). Crisp screen - just for reading, but has USB and micro SD Capability

[deadgloves]

Thanks for all the recommendations! I notice right off that all of these are 5" or 6" What are peoples feelings on screen size? Do smaller size devices travel that much better when compared to the Daily Edition or the DR800S?

[GA Russell]

deadgloves, at the end of your first post you suggested that price is a factor. All of the eBook readers with screens larger than 6" cost much more.

[Dellaster]

DR800SG (left) is a bit shorter and wider than the Kindle 2 (right), pretty much the same thickness and weight. In other words, they're equally portable. Which one do you choose when all you want to do is read?

The Euro price for the DR800S is too high though. US$599 from their webstore vs $399 here in the US. I can completely understand that being a deal-killer.