Consumer Reports Rates Pocket eDGe as 7th-Best e-Reader(!)

Batman Jr. · 08-01-2011, 08:48 PM

In the current issue of Consumer Reports (September 2011), the enTourage Pocket eDGe is listed as the seventh-highest rated (out of 18) E-book reader, ahead of such worthies as the Sony Reader Touch Edition and the Nook and Kobo first editions; the PE is also listed as a "Recommended" buy. The difference in some scores is probably not statistically significant, but still not bad for a no-longer-available product! Just think if they'd rated dualbooks...oh wait, never mind

.

EDITED TO ADD - Don't know how I missed this before, but in the "Large Models" category, the enTourage eDGe is rated second only to the Kindle DX 3rd Generation. Of course, this category only has two entrants, but still...

mokel22 · 08-01-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman Jr.

In the current issue of Consumer Reports (September 2011), the enTourage Pocket eDGe is listed as the seventh-highest rated (out of 18) E-book reader, ahead of such worthies as the Sony Reader Touch Edition and the Nook and Kobo first editions; the PE is also listed as a "Recommended" buy. The difference in some scores is probably not statistically significant, but still not bad for a no-longer-available product! Just think if they'd rated dualbooks...oh wait, never mind

.

Well at least they had their heads on straight

Thanks for the post. I knew we all weren't so crazy for loving the edge so much.

sarah11918 · 08-02-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman Jr.

not bad for a no-longer-available product!

Indeed! That's pretty cool.

HarryT · 08-02-2011, 09:26 AM

What were the 6 that were rated ahead of it?

TimW · 08-02-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

What were the 6 that were rated ahead of it?

Nate has the list here, Harry.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...eader-of-2011/

HarryT · 08-02-2011, 10:17 AM

Thanks!

Batman Jr. · 08-02-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

What were the 6 that were rated ahead of it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimW

Nate has the list here, Harry.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...eader-of-2011/

12. Aluratek Libre Color eBook Reader

13. Pandigital Novel (White)

14. Pandigital Novel (Black)

15. Kobo Wireless eReader

16. Pandigital Novel 6" Personal eReader

17. ViewSonic

18. Augen The Book

pendragginp · 08-02-2011, 06:31 PM

I saw that! Respect that's deserved.

ivanjt · 08-03-2011, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman Jr.

EDITED TO ADD - Don't know how I missed this before, but in the "Large Models" category, the enTourage eDGe is rated second only to the Kindle DX 3rd Generation. Of course, this category only has two entrants, but still...

I have a DX - don't know if it's 3rd gen, and, as far as I'm concerned, the only thing that it beats the EE on is weight.

Batman Jr. · 08-03-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanjt

I have a DX - don't know if it's 3rd gen, and, as far as I'm concerned, the only thing that it beats the EE on is weight.

And the bulk of that weight increase is accounted for by the addition of a more than serviceable tablet PC, so for both eDGes, rated as e-Readers, the value-for-dollar proposition seems clear. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I still can't believe this concept didn't (won't?) catch on, particularly in education.

ken_jennings · 08-03-2011, 12:14 PM

A LOT of people like this. After initial manufacture there wasn't much done to improve the device. The EE has a SIM slot on it intended for a "future" model. In spite of developer enthusiasm (aka pool of free software development resources) the company did nothing to provide information or support to developers. Though there were various users posting on their forum that the device would be ideal for their work, the Entourage Management didn't do much to pursue markets that showed interest in the device.

Looking back now I get the impression the company's only purpose was to extract venture capital and transfer it into a few CEOs pockets as quickly as possible. Too bad this kind of failure isn't remembered as such when those same C-type people go looking for more companies to ruin.

Franky · 08-03-2011, 01:18 PM

nice list, but for only reading I think the IREX DR800 is a hammer. It all comes down on what you rate as value. I had a Sony, nice piece of equipment. The IREX is by far one of the best piece of Reader.

But I still love my full size eDGe. Above all..

but, he, who am I....

muranternet · 08-03-2011, 05:46 PM

I liked the Irex I saw a lot.

That's a very strange list, clipped out of context. I'm not sure about the criteria they used on some of them. The Nook Color is the only LCD device on there at #6, which leads me to think this was aimed specifically at eInk consumers, which makes the placement even more remarkable as the Nook Color is an IPS LCD. The two columns that make the PE's entry even stranger are initial price (highest) and battery life (lowest).

If this is a straight review of e-readers, I'm surprised they rated the PE in front of the 1st generation Nooks. I don't even like the 1st gen Nook very much, but as a straight reading device it has some significant advantages over the PE. That's not what the point of the PE is, though. On a Nook (or any dedicated eInk reader) you just load up your book and go read them for a week without thinking about charging, tweaking your battery options, wondering if you're going to whitescreen, etc. An ereader is a mass market delivery system that's supposed to be very easy to use.

I may go find the issue to figure out what they rated on, but I've never been a big fan of Consumer Reports.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_jennings

A LOT of people like this. After initial manufacture there wasn't much done to improve the device. The EE has a SIM slot on it intended for a "future" model. In spite of developer enthusiasm (aka pool of free software development resources) the company did nothing to provide information or support to developers. Though there were various users posting on their forum that the device would be ideal for their work, the Entourage Management didn't do much to pursue markets that showed interest in the device.

Looking back now I get the impression the company's only purpose was to extract venture capital and transfer it into a few CEOs pockets as quickly as possible. Too bad this kind of failure isn't remembered as such when those same C-type people go looking for more companies to ruin.

+1KABILLION

vicinc · 08-03-2011, 06:34 PM

ken_jennings > well said. Entourage was money washing machine for (ad)venture capitalists. not interested in the consumers.

vicinc · 08-03-2011, 06:38 PM

https://www.springdesign.com/index.html this is the reason that B&N discontinued the old dual screen Nook and changed to Nook Color and STR and probably why the edge did not go on. they would not licence dual screen tech from spring design.

08-01-2011, 08:48 PM	#1
Batman Jr. Unstoppably Curious Posts: 287 Karma: 7676 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle 3/Fire; BB Z10; enTourage eDGe/Pocket eDGe; iPad4/iPod touch 5	Consumer Reports Rates Pocket eDGe as 7th-Best e-Reader(!) In the current issue of Consumer Reports (September 2011), the enTourage Pocket eDGe is listed as the seventh-highest rated (out of 18) E-book reader, ahead of such worthies as the Sony Reader Touch Edition and the Nook and Kobo first editions; the PE is also listed as a "Recommended" buy. The difference in some scores is probably not statistically significant, but still not bad for a no-longer-available product! Just think if they'd rated dualbooks...oh wait, never mind . EDITED TO ADD - Don't know how I missed this before, but in the "Large Models" category, the enTourage eDGe is rated second only to the Kindle DX 3rd Generation. Of course, this category only has two entrants, but still... Last edited by Batman Jr.; 08-02-2011 at 12:46 PM.

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08-02-2011, 09:26 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	What were the 6 that were rated ahead of it?

08-02-2011, 10:17 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks!

08-02-2011, 06:31 PM	#8
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	I saw that! Respect that's deserved.

08-03-2011, 12:14 PM	#11
ken_jennings eDGe User Posts: 51 Karma: 88 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FL, USA Device: Entourage eDGe	A LOT of people like this. After initial manufacture there wasn't much done to improve the device. The EE has a SIM slot on it intended for a "future" model. In spite of developer enthusiasm (aka pool of free software development resources) the company did nothing to provide information or support to developers. Though there were various users posting on their forum that the device would be ideal for their work, the Entourage Management didn't do much to pursue markets that showed interest in the device. Looking back now I get the impression the company's only purpose was to extract venture capital and transfer it into a few CEOs pockets as quickly as possible. Too bad this kind of failure isn't remembered as such when those same C-type people go looking for more companies to ruin.

08-03-2011, 01:18 PM	#12
Franky Nameless Being	nice list, but for only reading I think the IREX DR800 is a hammer. It all comes down on what you rate as value. I had a Sony, nice piece of equipment. The IREX is by far one of the best piece of Reader. But I still love my full size eDGe. Above all.. but, he, who am I....

08-03-2011, 06:34 PM	#14
vicinc Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 443 Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK Device: Pocket Edgex2(1unborked), Alex, Nook B&W, Nook Color, Nook STR	ken_jennings > well said. Entourage was money washing machine for (ad)venture capitalists. not interested in the consumers.

08-03-2011, 06:38 PM	#15
vicinc Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 443 Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK Device: Pocket Edgex2(1unborked), Alex, Nook B&W, Nook Color, Nook STR	https://www.springdesign.com/index.html this is the reason that B&N discontinued the old dual screen Nook and changed to Nook Color and STR and probably why the edge did not go on. they would not licence dual screen tech from spring design.