Ectaco compares JBL and Mini to 5" competition

[GA Russell]

Here is a matrix Ectaco has created which compares the JBL and the Mini to the PocketBook 360 and the Sony 350.

I didn't know that there is now a leather case available for the Mini.

http://www.jetbookmini.com/comparison/

[Kris777]

I'm not sure if this is a real leather
I use the slim case from my jetBook for jetbook mini protection.

[Ken Maltby]

Hmm... a "Car adapter" and "Travel kit with power plugs for different countries"
For the JBL? How's that work?

"Safety strap for subway/bus reading"?? Where would that go? Don't see anyplace
on the JBL to attach the strap.

Makes you think it would be a good idea if the guys writing up these blurbs could actually
spend some time using the product, before they submitted their copy. It would be nice
if the guy who is approving the copy had a clue as well. Not all Jetbooks are the same.

Luck;
Ken

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Hmm... a "Car adapter" and "Travel kit with power plugs for different countries"
For the JBL? How's that work?

"Safety strap for subway/bus reading"?? Where would that go? Don't see anyplace
on the JBL to attach the strap.

Makes you think it would be a good idea if the guys writing up these blurbs could actually
spend some time using the product, before they submitted their copy. It would be nice
if the guy who is approving the copy had a clue as well. Not all Jetbooks are the same.

Luck;
Ken

Well technically these guys writing the article are not to blame. If you go to the ectaco website and take a look at the Mini/JBL and check out the accessories available for those models, travel/car adapters do get displayed. So obviously it shows they did some research about the readers, they just didn't think too much about the accessories advertised by ectaco.

BTW, anyone seen the price they are charging for the 1GB SD card with 1000 FREE classics? $99.95US (or $104.95AUD). Wow is all I can say.

[Ken Maltby]

I would hope that those tasked with writing advertising copy, wouldn't be required to
research the web site for their product information. They should have been given
accurate and extensive product information and their copy should have to be approved
for release by more than just the legal department. The web site designer might be
consulted about how the information is integrated into the site, but the client would be
responsible for the actual copy and it's validity. So "technically" the guys who made that
chart and whoever approved it, are definitely to blame. The chart is Ectaco's.

That is not the price for the SD card, it is for the Mini with the SD card included.

Luck;
Ken

[Solicitous]

I realize the mini comes with the sd card for $99.95 but if you click on the mini then accessories you will see the sd card on it's own for $99.95.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I realize the mini comes with the sd card for $99.95 but if you click on the mini then accessories you will see the sd card on it's own for $99.95.

yes, but you get this card for free if you buy mini. I think they mean $99.95
value (10 cents for 1 book)

[jbcohen]

Wish that etaco would stick to techological comparisons between ereaders. Things like type of and size of screen (I know they covered this one), boot time, amount of memory supported, processor speed (after all this is a biggie).

[LuBiB]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

I would hope that those tasked with writing advertising copy, wouldn't be required to
research the web site for their product information. They should have been given
accurate and extensive product information and their copy should have to be approved
for release by more than just the legal department. The web site designer might be
consulted about how the information is integrated into the site, but the client would be
responsible for the actual copy and it's validity. So "technically" the guys who made that
chart and whoever approved it, are definitely to blame. The chart is Ectaco's.

That is not the price for the SD card, it is for the Mini with the SD card included.

Luck;
Ken

hmmmmm, not sure about the safety strap but it would be a nice addition lol

the travel kit is actually something interesting, i checked it out on their site and its a set of converters so you can charge the jetBook in any country. nice add-on for travelers.

[JSWolf]

This bit about ghosting on eink is BS. Vizplex and Pearl do not ghost.

The jetBook mini specific Calibre converter will allow you to convert virutally every book in your library to txt and fb2 and load it instantly to your device

More BS. Let's see this Calibre convert eBooks with DRM. And why do they need a specific version of Calibre? Basically, when they create a comparison chart, they do such a piss poor job and lie like an SoB.

Connect to outlet and wait

The 350 can be read why charging via an AC adapter. So that again is wrong and a lie.

Standard Sony interface with folder and book accessibility

It is not a standard Sony interface. It's the new touch interface. And they make no mention of the touch part of the 350. Yet again a lie by omission.

Bookmark option available

Way to go leaving out the fact that you do more then bookmarks like notes and highlights

While you are at it, since the Jetbook mini doesn't have a dictionary, let's leave out the fact that the 350 has dictionaries.

Cool leather case, earlight for night reading, all size SD Cards with pre-loaded options including Bibles, School Reading Books and more!

And the earlight sure isn't better then the light cover for the 350. No way. I have an earlight and it's overall not wonderful. The light cover is way better then a poor earlight.

These books can be gotten for other readers such as the 350.

So here's Ectaco making another chart that's full of misinformation, omissions, and lies. Their first chart compared the 500 to the Jetbook when the 505 was the current model. And they did the same thing as they did with this chart.

[Kralik]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This bit about ghosting on eink is BS. Vizplex and Pearl do not ghost.

Not that I believe the chart is entirely accurate, or that JB is better, but one can read reports in the Sony forum that the new Sonys DO in fact have slight ghosting issues. I can vouch for myself with my PRS-350 that it does. However, it doesn't bother me at all.

EDIT: If I was buying based on retail price alone, $100 for Mini vs. $180 for Sony, I'd probably buy the Mini. But as it is, since I was able to get a Sony for myself for cheap (essentially $50, with trade-in) and free for my wife (with Sony Card points and trade-in), and free covers for both, I consider that substantially better. My trade-ins were an old EB1150 (value: maybe $30 on eBay, but I sold the included SmartMedia card for that much) and my old broken jetBook (value: $0).

[LuBiB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This bit about ghosting on eink is BS. Vizplex and Pearl do not ghost.

im with Kralik on this one.

wen i had the kindle 3 (for literally less than a week before it leaked/cracked) i saw that after reading for a prolonged period of time, ghosting is still an issue.

jswolf, we know ur an avid critic that favors the prs and all sony products, but try another one.

[Kralik]

Simply following the post you'll find 57 users that see the ghosting.

BTW, I forgot about the abysmal format support on the Mini. What's up with that?!

[jorlando]

There is a place to put a safety strap on JBL, I had one on mine.

If I am not mistaken the slot is on the lower left. It is a very small hole to pass the safety strap cord. I used one of these straps sold for Nintendo Wii controllers.

[LuBiB]

Originally Posted by jorlando

There is a place to put a safety strap on JBL, I had one on mine.

If I am not mistaken the slot is on the lower left. It is a very small hole to pass the safety strap cord. I used one of these straps sold for Nintendo Wii controllers.

WOW! i never saw that.

awesome awesome awesome, did not expect that but now im considering getting a strap for it.