Epson and 400MHz with ADE and TTS:$229

[khalleron]

Griffon,

229 - 199 = 30

Not 20.

Minor difference maybe, but still a difference.

As to the 'plastic is better' example you gave earlier, ereaders are not phones. The Kindle 2 bodies have already had considerable trouble with cracking. I've dropped my Sony (in the M-edge case, admittedly) a couple of times, with no ill effects whatsoever.

On all other fronts, I do think the PocketPro is a better value (barring discounts as Christmas approaches), but $229 for something I have no faith will not break easily is $229 I'm not prepared to spend.

Not that I'm gonna buy a PRS-300, either, as I already have a 505 which I love. The only reason I brought it up in the first place is because the sturdiness of the casing is something that's often overlooked when people are comparing specs. And those screens are fragile - they need all the protection they can get.

Also, the PRS-300 has 440 mb of available memory, my 505 has 192. That's more than double the available memory, which does somewhat ameliorate the loss of an SD card slot.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Here they are, folks. More are coming!

Very nice, Robert! I'm lovin' the look of the red (maroon) one. The slate blue is very pretty, too, but I don't want to be one of the crowd!

The pink doesn't really look...fuschia...it looks more like baby-blanket pink than the "hot pink" I picture fuschia.

I'm just waitin' on that eReader support...

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Griffon,

229 - 199 = 30

Not 20.

Minor difference maybe, but still a difference.

As to the 'plastic is better' example you gave earlier, ereaders are not phones. The Kindle 2 bodies have already had considerable trouble with cracking. I've dropped my Sony (in the M-edge case, admittedly) a couple of times, with no ill effects whatsoever.

On all other fronts, I do think the PocketPro is a better value (barring discounts as Christmas approaches), but $229 for something I have no faith will not break easily is $229 I'm not prepared to spend.

Not that I'm gonna buy a PRS-300, either, as I already have a 505 which I love. The only reason I brought it up in the first place is because the sturdiness of the casing is something that's often overlooked when people are comparing specs. And those screens are fragile - they need all the protection they can get.

Also, the PRS-300 has 440 mb of available memory, my 505 has 192. That's more than double the available memory, which does somewhat ameliorate the loss of an SD card slot.

Dear Kate:

The Pocket PRO does come with a leather crush-resistant case. This is not like other cases... it really does protect a lot. Anything can get broken... but I doubt you will find a better protective case. It does not just look good... it really does help tp protect and it is included!

Thank you for all your comments!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Very nice, Robert! I'm lovin' the look of the red (maroon) one. The slate blue is very pretty, too, but I don't want to be one of the crowd!

The pink doesn't really look...fuschia...it looks more like baby-blanket pink than the "hot pink" I picture fuschia.

I'm just waitin' on that eReader support...

Dear Fizzywater:

Thank you! I am relieved that you like the colors. I have a huge fuschia in my front yard that is 30 years old. I got it as a hanging plant. You may be right on the Baby Blanket... but it matches my Fuschia to a tee!

We wanted "soft" with the pink!!

Agreed on the Maroon! That was a fast repair pick. The first choice was way too red! We wanted a real Maroon that would please people who wanted "red" but others also. I am delighted it turned out very well.

Thank God that MobileRead Forum members made the picks! They know their stuff!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Fizzywater:

Thank you! I am relieved that you like the colors. I have a huge fuschia in my front yard that is 30 years old. I got it as a hanging plant. You may be right on the Baby Blanket... but it matches my Fuschia to a tee!

We wanted "soft" with the pink!!

Agreed on the Maroon! That was a fast repair pick. The first choice was way too red! We wanted a real Maroon that would please people who wanted "red" but others also. I am delighted it turned out very well.

Thank God that MobileRead Forum members made the picks! They know their stuff!

We're missing a fuschia in our garden. I want one too! But I want a red one, one my grandmother used to have. And I love the maroon reader...

[John F]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Just be aware that right now, with Barnes and Noble, maybe Sony, and Samsung jumping into the fray... and Apple looming in the dark woods like a fanged gorilla... there is a bit of a screen shortage looming. That means that prices will climb IF you can get the panels!

Are you saying that the price of the PocketPro will be increasing? I haven't heard the wildest rumor that Apple will be using EInk (or an even wilder rumor about a five inch device), have you?

If prices do go up, I would imagine that the Astak price would increase more, since Sony buys in larger quantites?

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by khalleron

As to the 'plastic is better' example you gave earlier, ereaders are not phones. The Kindle 2 bodies have already had considerable trouble with cracking. I've dropped my Sony (in the M-edge case, admittedly) a couple of times, with no ill effects whatsoever.

On all other fronts, I do think the PocketPro is a better value (barring discounts as Christmas approaches), but $229 for something I have no faith will not break easily is $229 I'm not prepared to spend.

Also, the PRS-300 has 440 mb of available memory, my 505 has 192. That's more than double the available memory, which does somewhat ameliorate the loss of an SD card slot.

I have not heard of any problems with the EZ-Reader bodies like the ones the Kindle is experiencing, so maybe it is Kindles poor workmanship at play here.

The plastic body is pretty sturdy maybe less than a metal body, but even so care should be taken when handling. I have dropped my EZ-Reader (while in the case) without any damage whatsoever. If under normal use it breaks than that is another issue.

As for the lack of an SD card, yes it is not a necessity but having one expands the usefullness of the device. You can put all your music on the card and listen to it while reading. I rarely transfer books directly to my EZ-Reader. I pop our the SD card and slip it in my netbook and transfer my books to the folders I want.

I like the flexibilty and it works for me.

[Dr. Drib]

The reported cracking from some indviduals seems to be the result of a design issue (rather than workmanship) in the way a cover is connected to their Reader and then utilized.

Disclosure:
I have a Kindle2 with an expensive leather cover that uses this hinge-type system and have experienced no problems.

Don

[Morlac]

I'm about to put in my preorder -- but I have one question -- I saw a preview recently of the Hanlin v5 on which the PocketPro is based. It said that the battery was no longer the easily replaced Nokia and replacements would have to be obtained from the factory. Is this true of the PocketPro, or will it continue as it had been?

By the way, Robertb, you should know that you are largely responsible for my preorder. Not just for getting the message out on the features of the device, but because you're so relentlessly, cheerfully, advocating for it. I deal with a lot of sales and marketing people, and I always appreciate someone who can do the job while coming off as both knowledgeable and (for want of a better term) gracefully biased.

[Faenad]

Here they are, folks. More are coming!

I like what I see. More please!

Are you gonna lend some units to website like MR for independent reviews?

[idum]

Hello, i'm from Italy. I'm deep evaluating the buying of the ereader pro, but what will be the european/italian price, shipping included? And what will be the shipping time? Robertb, if you tell me good news, i will take 3-5 ereaders for me and for my friends.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Griffon,

229 - 199 = 30

Not 20.

Minor difference maybe, but still a difference.

There is a flaw with all the math - Actually the Pocket Pro is $10.98 LESS than the equivalent Sony.

If you add the case to your Sony purhcase ($39.98) then the total cost for the Sony is now $239.98.

It seems only fair to add the case since one is included with the Pocket Pro.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Griffon,

229 - 199 = 30

Not 20.

Minor difference maybe, but still a difference.

This is true but also true is that 229 - 209 = 20 & Robert had given the range of 199 to 209 so which end should you take or maybe an average of 25.

In addition, I have to agree with Musicman's statement about the case. And add in the lack of earbuds for the Sony (which would be useless anyway since the Sony can't play music).

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by John F

Are you saying that the price of the PocketPro will be increasing? I haven't heard the wildest rumor that Apple will be using EInk (or an even wilder rumor about a five inch device), have you?

If prices do go up, I would imagine that the Astak price would increase more, since Sony buys in larger quantites?

Dear All:

One of the blessings for Astak is that we are great corporate friends with PVI. This means that we actually are routinely the last to be hurt by screen shortages.

The price is $229 and no rise is even contemplated!!

I have heard very little about the Apple screen. The ONLY thing that appears somewhat creditable is that they are coming out with a TABLET in approximate 8 by 10 size.

I cannot imagine Apple even contemplating a 5 inch!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by idum

Hello, i'm from Italy. I'm deep evaluating the buying of the ereader pro, but what will be the european/italian price, shipping included? And what will be the shipping time? Robertb, if you tell me good news, i will take 3-5 ereaders for me and for my friends.

Dear idum:

How I love the Italian Riviera!! Oh, those beautiful beaches!! Anybody who has not seen Cingue Terra is missing the world's most appealing spot on earth!!

I can only guess on shipping. I have heard that, to Italy, it adds about $39. Wait until tomorrow, my Italian friend. Do not buy yet!! I will get back to you!

Shipping time is likely 5-7 days. It goes out the same day you place the order!!