Recommendations For A Non-Touchscreen E-Ink Epub Reader With No Other Features

LouieChuckyMerry · 11-03-2013, 07:50 AM

Hello and thank you in advance for any help. I'm wanting to purchase an ebook reader that only reads ebooks. I've no desire for wifi or a touchscreen, I simply want a device with an e-ink display that can natively read epub files (or be rooted to do so) and has actual buttons. Also, I'd like to be able to adjust the font-font size and, since I often read in bed, a device with the means to read in the dark would be a definite bonus (but not mandatory). Finally, something easily purchased in the U.S. would be very helpful. Thanks again for your time, I appreciate it.

Shopaholic · 11-03-2013, 08:07 PM

I think you're pretty much out of luck. Everything is touch nowadays. Sony has both touch & buttons but isn't available in the US. I personally run away from Kobo. Too many issues & customer service is abhorrent. I would recommend the Kindle basic model. It has buttons but no light. You'd need a clip on of some sort for that. It does have wifi but if you don't want it, don't use it. You don't have to keep it on.

I don't think there is anything out there that is current, non-touch and no wifi connectivity. There are if you're looking for older models but I don't know why you would. Unless budget comes into play. Either way, I'd go with the Kindle basic. The Kindle does NOT do epubs natively. You'd have to convert but if you want non-touch, I think that's your only option for easy availability in the US.

Good luck!

Canuck_in_Japan · 11-03-2013, 08:09 PM

Sony PRS 650. They might be hard to find in store but you can pick one up on the Flea Market forum.

Shopaholic · 11-03-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Sony PRS 650. They might be hard to find in store but you can pick one up on the Flea Market forum.

The 650 is a touch model and hasn't been in stores in years.

ProfCrash · 11-03-2013, 09:08 PM

Kindle Keyboard is selling again but does not have a light and doesn't read epub. I post this only because I noticed the OP has a Kindle.

GA Russell · 11-03-2013, 10:58 PM

Welcome LCM!

Consider the jetBook Lite for $56.95 from Newegg. You will need an external light to read it in bed, but it reads ePub and many other formats with no problem. I've had mine for nearly four years, and I'm still quite content with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1CU0CT9361

theinfamousj · 11-03-2013, 11:11 PM

The original Kobo reader - still available on Amazon - will do what you like. Or you can get a Kobo WiFi (what I have) for $35 on Amazon and then off the WiFi.

It doesn't glow in the dark, but a nice lighted cover will solve that nicely.

LouieChuckyMerry · 11-04-2013, 12:18 AM

Thank you all for your replies, I really do appreciate the input. I'm looking for a non-touchscreen because it seems utterly ridiculous to me to have a touchscreen on a device designed for reading books. Maybe I just have really greasy fingertips

. The Kindle 4 NT listed in my profile was a gift my girlfriend received that I rooted and installed Duokan on so she could read epubs. After experiencing hundreds of ebooks in the palm of my hand (that are already tweaked and ready to go) I thought I'd get myself a reader as well and, while the Kindle 4 NT seems like a nice device, I'd prefer to avoid Amazon's proprietary tendencies to control something for which I'd be paying my hard earned dollars. Also, I was hoping to save the time it would take to root another Kindle. My girlfriend and I both use an LED headlamp for reading in bed (much less disruptive than a lamp for a possible non-reading bedmate), but I've noticed that the Kindle 4 NT needs to be held at a slight angle because the light from a headlamp shone directly reflects so as to make seeing the text a bit difficult. The Kindle Paperwhite seems dandy but it only comes with a touchscreen. Thanks again for your help.

EDIT: GA Russell and theinfamousj: thank you. It took me so long to type my above reply that you'd posted before I finished. I'll definitely check out your kind suggestions.

HarryT · 11-04-2013, 03:06 AM

There are no frontlit, non-touchscreen devices, I'm afraid. Touch-screen readers have a matt-finish surface which doesn't show up fingerprints like an LCD tablet does. It's really not something to be concerned about.

ProfCrash · 11-04-2013, 08:00 AM

IF you are able to root an e-reader, you are able to strip DRM. There are a decent number of folks on this board who happily avoid the walls put up by BN, ADE, and Amazon by removing DRM.

The reality is that Kobo and Sony are walled gardens, they have DRM but one that is used by multiple companies. BN has DRM that is readable on devices that other companies that let it be read on their devices. I am not sure how big that list is. Amazon uses a different format so they stand out more then others.

But all the major e-readers and bookstores have a wall. The wall might be a bit lower but it is still a wall. So either pick up the sledgehammer and remove allow the walls and open yourself to a wide variety of e-devices.

Essentially, the walled argument is bogus especailly for folks who are computer savy and willing to hack an e device.

theinfamousj · 11-04-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The reality is that Kobo and Sony are walled gardens

The Kobo book STORE, yes. The Kobo Reader? No.

When you plug the reader in to your computer - as I assume the OP will do since s/he wants a reader without WiFi - the computer sees the reader as just another flash drive. Copy and paste epub, txt, or PDF files on to your Kobo "flash drive" and disconnect it and you can read the books without issue.

HarryT · 11-04-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theinfamousj

When you plug the reader in to your computer - as I assume the OP will do since s/he wants a reader without WiFi - the computer sees the reader as just another flash drive. Copy and paste epub, txt, or PDF files on to your Kobo "flash drive" and disconnect it and you can read the books without issue.

Exactly the same is true of every other mainstream reading device. Eg, on a Kindle, you just copy files into the "documents" folder on the mounted USB drive.

ProfCrash · 11-04-2013, 09:58 AM

I have emailed mobi docs to my Kindle and had them appear with no problem. Drag and drop works just fine. You just have to have them in a format the Kindle reads.

I don't know if Kobo and Sony can read BN books yet. I know for a while they could not because BN used a different ADE key then Sony and Kobo and Sony and Kobo would not add it to their readers.

Then you have the Nook which leaves most of the memory for BN books and a very small amount of space for non-BN books.

And doesn't Kobo use a slightly different EPUB varient that makes it a bit harder to read Kobo books on other machines?

All of the major e-readers have played the walled garden game on some level. It is easy enough to get around them. Limiting yourself based on that argument seems to me to be hiding a different reason for not wanting to buy a particular e-reader.

If someone doesn't like Amazon, then cool enough. But be honest about that and don't fall back on the fact that Amazon's wall is a foot higher then BN and two feet higher then KOBO and Sony.

Abtacha · 11-04-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

And doesn't Kobo use a slightly different EPUB varient that makes it a bit harder to read Kobo books on other machines?

Only if you download them directly through the reader (or a Kobo app). All the Kobo bought books that I read on my Aura HD are downloaded as normal epubs and sideloaded through Calibre.

theinfamousj · 11-04-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

All of the major e-readers have played the walled garden game on some level.

Again, you are confusing the store with the reader. The OP is looking just for a reader and seems to have his/her book suppliers well in hand.

So what the warning about walled garden ebooks has to do with a hardware reader, I am not sure.

11-03-2013, 07:50 AM	#1
LouieChuckyMerry Member Posts: 17 Karma: 347166 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle 4 NT	Recommendations For A Non-Touchscreen E-Ink Epub Reader With No Other Features Hello and thank you in advance for any help. I'm wanting to purchase an ebook reader that only reads ebooks. I've no desire for wifi or a touchscreen, I simply want a device with an e-ink display that can natively read epub files (or be rooted to do so) and has actual buttons. Also, I'd like to be able to adjust the font-font size and, since I often read in bed, a device with the means to read in the dark would be a definite bonus (but not mandatory). Finally, something easily purchased in the U.S. would be very helpful. Thanks again for your time, I appreciate it.

11-04-2013, 12:18 AM	#8
LouieChuckyMerry Member Posts: 17 Karma: 347166 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle 4 NT	Thank you all for your replies, I really do appreciate the input. I'm looking for a non-touchscreen because it seems utterly ridiculous to me to have a touchscreen on a device designed for reading books. Maybe I just have really greasy fingertips . The Kindle 4 NT listed in my profile was a gift my girlfriend received that I rooted and installed Duokan on so she could read epubs. After experiencing hundreds of ebooks in the palm of my hand (that are already tweaked and ready to go) I thought I'd get myself a reader as well and, while the Kindle 4 NT seems like a nice device, I'd prefer to avoid Amazon's proprietary tendencies to control something for which I'd be paying my hard earned dollars. Also, I was hoping to save the time it would take to root another Kindle. My girlfriend and I both use an LED headlamp for reading in bed (much less disruptive than a lamp for a possible non-reading bedmate), but I've noticed that the Kindle 4 NT needs to be held at a slight angle because the light from a headlamp shone directly reflects so as to make seeing the text a bit difficult. The Kindle Paperwhite seems dandy but it only comes with a touchscreen. Thanks again for your help. EDIT: GA Russell and theinfamousj: thank you. It took me so long to type my above reply that you'd posted before I finished. I'll definitely check out your kind suggestions. Last edited by LouieChuckyMerry; 11-04-2013 at 12:20 AM. Reason: I'm slow.

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11-03-2013, 08:07 PM	#2
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1841741 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	I think you're pretty much out of luck. Everything is touch nowadays. Sony has both touch & buttons but isn't available in the US. I personally run away from Kobo. Too many issues & customer service is abhorrent. I would recommend the Kindle basic model. It has buttons but no light. You'd need a clip on of some sort for that. It does have wifi but if you don't want it, don't use it. You don't have to keep it on. I don't think there is anything out there that is current, non-touch and no wifi connectivity. There are if you're looking for older models but I don't know why you would. Unless budget comes into play. Either way, I'd go with the Kindle basic. The Kindle does NOT do epubs natively. You'd have to convert but if you want non-touch, I think that's your only option for easy availability in the US. Good luck!

11-03-2013, 08:09 PM	#3
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	Sony PRS 650. They might be hard to find in store but you can pick one up on the Flea Market forum.

11-03-2013, 09:08 PM	#5
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Kindle Keyboard is selling again but does not have a light and doesn't read epub. I post this only because I noticed the OP has a Kindle.

11-03-2013, 10:58 PM	#6
GA Russell Ticats win 4th straight Posts: 7,693 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Welcome LCM! Consider the jetBook Lite for $56.95 from Newegg. You will need an external light to read it in bed, but it reads ePub and many other formats with no problem. I've had mine for nearly four years, and I'm still quite content with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1CU0CT9361

11-03-2013, 11:11 PM	#7
theinfamousj Groupie Posts: 154 Karma: 2030000 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kobo Glo (pink back)	The original Kobo reader - still available on Amazon - will do what you like. Or you can get a Kobo WiFi (what I have) for $35 on Amazon and then off the WiFi. It doesn't glow in the dark, but a nice lighted cover will solve that nicely.

11-04-2013, 03:06 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	There are no frontlit, non-touchscreen devices, I'm afraid. Touch-screen readers have a matt-finish surface which doesn't show up fingerprints like an LCD tablet does. It's really not something to be concerned about.

11-04-2013, 08:00 AM	#10
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	IF you are able to root an e-reader, you are able to strip DRM. There are a decent number of folks on this board who happily avoid the walls put up by BN, ADE, and Amazon by removing DRM. The reality is that Kobo and Sony are walled gardens, they have DRM but one that is used by multiple companies. BN has DRM that is readable on devices that other companies that let it be read on their devices. I am not sure how big that list is. Amazon uses a different format so they stand out more then others. But all the major e-readers and bookstores have a wall. The wall might be a bit lower but it is still a wall. So either pick up the sledgehammer and remove allow the walls and open yourself to a wide variety of e-devices. Essentially, the walled argument is bogus especailly for folks who are computer savy and willing to hack an e device.

11-04-2013, 09:58 AM	#13
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I have emailed mobi docs to my Kindle and had them appear with no problem. Drag and drop works just fine. You just have to have them in a format the Kindle reads. I don't know if Kobo and Sony can read BN books yet. I know for a while they could not because BN used a different ADE key then Sony and Kobo and Sony and Kobo would not add it to their readers. Then you have the Nook which leaves most of the memory for BN books and a very small amount of space for non-BN books. And doesn't Kobo use a slightly different EPUB varient that makes it a bit harder to read Kobo books on other machines? All of the major e-readers have played the walled garden game on some level. It is easy enough to get around them. Limiting yourself based on that argument seems to me to be hiding a different reason for not wanting to buy a particular e-reader. If someone doesn't like Amazon, then cool enough. But be honest about that and don't fall back on the fact that Amazon's wall is a foot higher then BN and two feet higher then KOBO and Sony.