8+ Readers in comparison

[zeppo]

Hello, MGMueller

You seem like the perfect person to ask...

I am interested in an eink-reader for three things (no particular order):

1) Read books in Spanish with which I can easily translate passages to English

2) Read classic literature (in English)

3) Have easy access to dictionary definitions of words. With regular books I most often just skip them and assume I'm getting the gist, and in many cases this is true-- but this feature would really add precision to my vocabulary. I only wish it had been so easy when I was growing up!


I picked up Nook on sale for $99 (reg $149).
I also have been tipped off that a Kindle is heading my way as a Christmas gift (wont be a problem to return if necessary.)
These seem to be the two leaders anyway, but perhaps there's a better choice out there for my needs.

Seems to me a touch screen would be big advantage here, but maybe not-- that is, maybe a joystick is not much trouble. I believe the Kindle has wikipedia access as wifi??? That would also be useful, much like the dictionary.

Any of your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated! (or anyone else's for that matter.)

Thanks!

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by zeppo

Hello, MGMueller

You seem like the perfect person to ask...

I am interested in an eink-reader for three things (no particular order):

1) Read books in Spanish with which I can easily translate passages to English

2) Read classic literature (in English)

3) Have easy access to dictionary definitions of words. With regular books I most often just skip them and assume I'm getting the gist, and in many cases this is true-- but this feature would really add precision to my vocabulary. I only wish it had been so easy when I was growing up!


I picked up Nook on sale for $99 (reg $149).
I also have been tipped off that a Kindle is heading my way as a Christmas gift (wont be a problem to return if necessary.)
These seem to be the two leaders anyway, but perhaps there's a better choice out there for my needs.

Seems to me a touch screen would be big advantage here, but maybe not-- that is, maybe a joystick is not much trouble. I believe the Kindle has wikipedia access as wifi??? That would also be useful, much like the dictionary.

Any of your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated! (or anyone else's for that matter.)

Thanks!

Hello Zeppo,

re. "Spanish":
Unfortunately, that's the real hurdle re. "eBooks".
For nook and Kindle, you'll hardly find any books in foreign languages (= non-English). For the nook, that's somewhat understandable, it still officially is a US-only unit. For the Kindle, which is called "international" for about 18 months now, that's a real letdown.
Whether you're looking for Spanish content or I am for German one: Basically, we all have to tend to "ePUB". It's the quasi-standard of eBook file formats, majority of merchants is offering it and in the meantime lots of readers natively do support it.
Unfortunately, Kindle doesn't support it at all. nook can handle ePUB and you are able to "sideload" (= copying your own books to the SD-card) your own content.
Of course, you always can convert your own documents to a Kindle-friendly format. But any kind of conversion means a.) spending time and b.) results differ quite significantly in quality.
This "jungle" of proprietary file formats is one of the reasons for my fleet of units/vendors.

Re. "classic literature in English": That's easy. You should be able to find "classics" for free in any file format for any reader. You find lots of classics (legally of course) here on mobileread - carefully prepared and formatted by enthusiasts.

"Dictionary" is a tricky one. Personally, I prefer touchscreen units for that. For example, I find it kind of flimsy, to move the cursor to the word of choice with the 5-way-button on Kindle or via the small touchscreen on nook.
Just pointing to it with your stylus on a touchscreen unit is way easier of course.
"Comfort" aside, Kindle does have great support for dictionary (and Wikipedia) entries.

Personally, I'm moving into another direction for some time now. I tend to tablets instead of ePaper readers. Some of the reasons are exactly what you describe:
On tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Dell Streak, ...) I'm able (and allowed!) to install tons of reader applications. Kindle and nook app, just to name 2 of the most popular. That way I'm able to read most of the file formats natively. Of course I have to live with different layouts, UIs and the likes, so it's far from perfect. But at least I don't have to care about DRM, file formats, various webstores and such inconveniences.
On the other side, those tablets have some disadvantages to ePaper readers: Battery life (ca. 8 hours vs. ca. 20 hours), weight (factor 3 or something like that usually) and readability under certain conditions (direct sunlight, for example).
So I still keep my ePaper readers and I even might add some new ones. But my focus has shifted to tablets.

As you've already got nook, the new nook color (tablet with Android OS, very affordable and surprisingly positive reviews) may be worth checking out.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

Hello to all:

First, what a wonderful find this forum is! I have been trolling the web for quite a few days, picking up little pieces of information but here it ALL is - in one (well 57 as I write this) place! Fantastic!

To my questions - I like the look of the Sony 950 (not available yet in the UK from whence this comes - does anyone know when it will appear here?) but I like the availability of books for the Kindle - Will I be able to access the Amazon bookstore for the Kindle from the 950?

Thanks for the information in advance and thanks for all of your inputs.

Is it possible to produce a linked index of each reader to the comments for each?

Regards,

Sparky

Re. "Sony 950 not yet available in the UK": I've got Sony 900, the predecessor of Sony 950, about 18 months ago. It's the only Sony reader, that's still not available in Germany (= outside of the US): It seams, Sony isn't interested or able to deliver the 3G functionality outside of the US. So I wouldn't have too much hope for availabilty of Sony 900 or Sony 950 outside of the US.
Of course you easily can get it, for example from USUnlocked.com, B&H Photo/Video and others. Usually, after costs for shipment, customs fees and taxes, the original price in $ US will lead to the same amount in €.

I didn't find any solution, to use 3G on the Sony 900 in Germany. On nook, for example, there's an easy solution via "hacking" the OS, adding your APN and replacing the AT&T SIM by your own.

I absolutely love the form factor of Sony 900. To me, the height/width ratio is great, although I don't use the double page-landscape feature.

I won't go for the Sony 950 for a single reason: They've replaced the phantastic cover of Sony 900 by a "standard" one.
On Sony 900, the back of the reader was of the same structure/material as the cover. So you only had to add a single "flap" for the front. On Sony 950, it's the very same cover as for the other readers: You add it via the pins on the reader.
If you haven't got Sony 900, you won't even recognise it. But loving the functionality and elegant and unique looks on Sony 900, I'll pass Sony 950.
Else, Sony 950 certainly is a phantastic reader.

Re. "Kindle bookstore": Others already pointed it out.
"Kindle" (like all other readers) does have a proprietary file format. You can't natively use this on any other brand.
So you can't access the Kindle store from other readers (except via the webbrowser on some readers), can't purchase any books from Amazon for other brands (as you need a Kindle serial number for purchase). And, most importantly, you won't be able to read Kindle books natively on any other brand.
Of course there are "backdoors": You can strip Kindle books from DRM and convert them to other file formats. It's time consuming though and the results (quality-wise) differ significantly.
On the other hand, your observation is correct: The Kindle bookstore is (one of the) best, re. number of titles and prices.

Brief personal comment: I'd take a look at tablets as well, not only at ePaper readers. You can install various apps (legally!), for example Kindle and nook app, on those tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, nook color, ...), so you can purchase from various sources. Of course this means different fonts, UIs, layouts, file formats, .... but at least you can purchase "everywhere".
Of course there are some disadvantages of tablets as well: Battery life, weight, size and readabilty under certain lighting conditions (= direct sunlight).

[zeppo]

Hello, mgmueller.

I went to a Barnes and Nobel and a Best Buy to spend some time navigating the Nook and Kindle and getting info from sales reps.

The $99 sale price I got on the Nook vs the $139 Kindle is the best thing going for it.

The navigation on the Kindle was easier for me-- the physical arrows (vs Nook touch arrows) were more responsive with faster movement.

I also like the dictionary being more immediate on the Kindle.

The Nook seems easier in terms of searching for free books since its native search includes googlebooks, but I can't really say for sure, since there was no wifi where I tried the Kindle, so I couldn't test it.

Wikipedia search feature on Kindle is nifty, although, maybe it is just as easy to create a web bookmark with the Nook, not sure.

I'm not sure I'll get either yet. I may wait until the features get better. But I don't want a tab, because I already spend all day looking at a computer. So I definitely want e-ink.

Maybe someday you will be able to download a book in native language and that download will come with the ability to toggle back and forth to a translation. If they offered that now, I would definitely get one. Looks like I'll have to wait, though.

Oh, another big plus for the Kindle I learned is you can highlight a passage and email it to yourself to save. This would be nifty as I often jot down references to things I want to learn more about or check out later. The sale rep at B&N said there was no way to cut and paste passages on the Nook, so I'm guessing it doesn't have that feature of emailing them either, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Zeppo

[Crashediv]

Just curious on your opinion,

I have the pRS505 but am looking to upgrade, was sorta looking at the Irex 8000 but it looks like they have gone out of business and I was seriously considering the BeBook neo, any thoughts? Any other recommendations? Wi-Fi isn't needed but it would be nice, Would very much like something more stable and faster page turns then the prs-505

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Crashediv

Just curious on your opinion,

I have the pRS505 but am looking to upgrade, was sorta looking at the Irex 8000 but it looks like they have gone out of business and I was seriously considering the BeBook neo, any thoughts? Any other recommendations? Wi-Fi isn't needed but it would be nice, Would very much like something more stable and faster page turns then the prs-505

Sony 505 has been my 2nd eBook reader (iRex iLiad being 1st). It has been a benchmark unit and will be hard to replace.
Personally, I don't use BeBook Neo at all. It has some very positive reviews and some strong supporters (even in this forum). But personally I simply don't like its "touch and feel".
But first things first:

Question #1 to me would be, whether you want to have touchscreen or not. You name iRex 800 and BeBook Neo as potential candidates. Both have touchscreen, so this may be of importance to you. On the other hand, Sony 505 doesn't have a touchscreen.
If touchscreen is a "must" for you, I'd check out:
a.) Sony 650 and Sony 950. Their predecessors, Sony 600 and Sony 900, already had been great. Their only disadvantage had been glare, due to the touchscreen technology. On Sony 650 and Sony 950, that's solved and they seem to be quite successful.
b.) I like my PocketBook 360, so PocketBooks 603/903 may be worth checking out.
c.) Of course you have touchscreen functionality (and tons of additional features) on tablets as well. nook color for example may be worth checking out as well.
d.) I would have recommended iRex 800 as well. But as you say: They're gone...
If you don't care about touchscreen:
a.) It's kind of a cliche, but Kindle certainly can be recommended.
b.) I really like my "old" nook.

Question #2 would be about file formats.
Maybe you've bought lots of books from Sony?
The .lrx file format basically is history.
But you can re-download your books from Sony in ePUB format.
So a reader, capable of handling ePUB natively, might make sense.
Kindle, for example, can't handle it and I'd try to avoid converting hundreds of books.

Question #3 would be size of display/reader.
Some tend to "the bigger, the better". Some focus on mobility.
I often take a combination of units with me. On vacation, I've had iPad in the evening in the hotel and PocketBook 360 at the pool or on the beach.
I can't stress that point enough: What's your main use and main location? iPad, for example, on the road would be too bulky and heavy for me.

Without having further details:
I tend to replacing Sony by Sony.
Personally, I love the form factor of Sony 900.
So Sony 950 would be my first reader to check.
BeBook Neo certainly is a great reader. But quite frankly, I don't see any unique features. And usually I tend to the "big payers".

[mike0liver]

I wanted to put in a plug for the company that sells PocketBook 360 (Aervis Technologies gmbh) and the guy that runs it (Waldemar Luft). I have just bought three of these machines (only one for me, honestly) on the advice of a friend who owns one already and Waldemar has been a revelation. His customer service is among the best I've experienced on the net.

He has responded rapidly and positively to two relatively minor problems - one caused by me and the other by his new assistant - which might have proved major with any other organisation but Waldemar treated me courteously and resolved my problems personally always to my satisfaction.

If the PB360 is anything like as good as my friend assures me it is, I can recommend it and the company that sells it wholeheartedly go to www.pocketbook-shop.de.

Mike Oliver

[PocketGoods]

Originally Posted by mike0liver

I wanted to put in a plug for the company that sells PocketBook 360 (Aervis Technologies gmbh) and the guy that runs it (Waldemar Luft). I have just bought three of these machines (only one for me, honestly) on the advice of a friend who owns one already and Waldemar has been a revelation. His customer service is among the best I've experienced on the net.

He has responded rapidly and positively to two relatively minor problems - one caused by me and the other by his new assistant - which might have proved major with any other organisation but Waldemar treated me courteously and resolved my problems personally always to my satisfaction.

If the PB360 is anything like as good as my friend assures me it is, I can recommend it and the company that sells it wholeheartedly go to www.pocketbook-shop.de.

Mike Oliver

Hi Mike!
Thanks a lot for nice words about our service
We really appreciate it

[Crashediv]

Thanks for the heads up on Pocket books, had not even heard of them.

Most of my books are epub, and touch screen...limited desire, I like the idea of being able to look up words but I rarely run into this need and that's about it. And for size, unless its very large and won't fit in my work bag I don't see an issue, I take mine more on travel and as a nightly reader than absolutely everywhere with me. I may even end up holding onto my 505 for that, we'll see thanks for the heads up though!

[jbenkoe]

I just bought an Aluratek Libre. I'm a beginner when it comes to tech stuff, so please help with this question. I was hoping to download books from my local public library via Overdrive. I learned that because the device does not support DRM protected PDF, ePUB, or PRC files I would not be able to. Is there any way around this? Thanks.

[demingite]

Originally Posted by jbenkoe

I just bought an Aluratek Libre. I'm a beginner when it comes to tech stuff, so please help with this question. I was hoping to download books from my local public library via Overdrive. I learned that because the device does not support DRM protected PDF, ePUB, or PRC files I would not be able to. Is there any way around this? Thanks.

The latest Libre Pro does support Adobe DRM. You may have to update the firmware after you buy it. I just got mine, so I haven't tried library books yet. I understand that things get more complicated if you buy them from B & N. There is a lot more information in the Ectaco Jetbook forum, which also covers the Aluratek. Try this one to start:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66236

[grndslm]

mgmueller....

I think I've found just the device for you!!!

It's a cross between an eReader and a Tablet...

Not too small (6") and not too big (10"), but just right (8").

No backlight, so it won't burn holes in your eyes. Yet, it's not E-ink, so refresh times are close to ZERO.

ULTRA-Sensitive touchscreen means content creation is finally a reality.

Wi-Fi is included, with a browser, of course. And a 2 MP camera and music player included, as well, if you must.

So, what is this magical device??

Asus Eee Note EA-800

Looks like it's coming to Germany in the next two months, and the states in the next 4 months. Hopefully, you can tell me your opinion of it before I purchase it.

It's surprising to me that ASUS is the first company to essentially make a Palm Pilot w/ 8" screen and ULTRA-sensitive touchscreen. I can't wait, tho!!

[rwizard]

Hi mgmueller,

Any plans to get an Adam tablet it it ever comes out?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by rwizard

Hi mgmueller,

Any plans to get an Adam tablet it it ever comes out?

Definitely! I'm checking the blogs daily. Didn't pre-order though. Would like to see at least some action, before ordering. Given the specs, I guess it's by far the most interesting unit for now.
And I'll go for Dell 7" and 10". And for Samsung Galaxy Tab 10!. And for iPad 2 and for iPad 7" (I'm pretty sure, they'll go for it). And...

[pata]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Definitely! I'm checking the blogs daily. Didn't pre-order though. Would like to see at least some action, before ordering. Given the specs, I guess it's by far the most interesting unit for now.
And I'll go for Dell 7" and 10". And for Samsung Galaxy Tab 10!. And for iPad 2 and for iPad 7" (I'm pretty sure, they'll go for it). And...

I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy, in part due to your positive reviews, but I'm also interested in an e-ink reader. I'll primarily be reading pdfs & manga/comics (djvu and chm are the other file formats I'll be working but are of secondary importance). I want to have a very portable device. Any recommendations?