Which one would you buy?

dek · 09-20-2009, 03:48 PM

New large size e-book readers (or pdf readers) are coming soon.

Currently, among competitors, we have Amazon Kindle DX, iRex DR 1000S, and iRex iLiad. These are too expensive or lack some critical features at this time, thus making many customers to hesitate to buy.

It is good to see new devices coming out starting this year. The new ones to come out soon include

Sony Daily Edition (PRS-900)
iRex DR 800
PlasticLogic
Astak Mentor.

Among these, which one would you buy and why?

rhadin · 09-20-2009, 04:03 PM

Hard to answer that question when none of the devices are yet for sale. For example, if the PlasticLogic device sells for $350, gives me access to B&N, and has a deal with the New York Times, I'd jump on it. OTOH, if it has all that but the price is $1500, I'd be looking at one of the other devices.

Until the devices are released and what they can and can't do at what price is known, I'm hardpressed to answer your question.

HansTWN · 09-20-2009, 09:09 PM

For reading epub books the Sony is more than good enough. But I would like something for large PDF's and newspapers, too. If the Plastic Logic is too expensive I might consider the DR 800.

brecklundin · 09-21-2009, 12:31 AM

I would be interested in any of the device shown, even the Astak Mentor (which Mentor...there are like 4 or 5 versions [a couple of versions of the 9.7" model can be added to that last time I looked]). But right now my eye is on the PL reader, the Sony Daily and the PocketBook 360 or 302 if I go with a small format reader.

Overall the PL reader would seem the most attractive, yet I agree that no way it is worth any more than $399 to me, even with the plastic flexible display. There is a point where premium placed on a device feature exceeds it's value to me as a user. For me I am beginning to have an itch the PL reader is not going to be as mature UI wise as well as inline price wise. So, I guess you could say, I still dunno...

Sweetpea · 09-21-2009, 02:33 AM

I answered that question assuming the prices were about the same.

I'd buy the Plastic Logic. From what I've seen, that one looks the neatest!

HansTWN · 09-21-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I would be interested in any of the device shown, even the Astak Mentor (which Mentor...there are like 4 or 5 versions [a couple of versions of the 9.7" model can be added to that last time I looked]). But right now my eye is on the PL reader, the Sony Daily and the PocketBook 360 or 302 if I go with a small format reader.

Overall the PL reader would seem the most attractive, yet I agree that no way it is worth any more than $399 to me, even with the plastic flexible display. There is a point where premium placed on a device feature exceeds it's value to me as a user. For me I am beginning to have an itch the PL reader is not going to be as mature UI wise as well as inline price wise. So, I guess you could say, I still dunno...

unless it is subsidized, I can't imagine PL being below 400.

Burliburd · 09-21-2009, 05:28 AM

I like the design and specification of the Plastic Logic but I will not offer a fortune for this product. They are dreaming to have great success in the business market but they are not going to get this if they ask a lot of many for a product which can do much less than a PC... Just because "the screen won't hurt your eyes"? I'm sure my boss won't care about this if I make a purchase order before going in a business trip... "Use your notebook" he will say.
If they really want to hit the market they have to make it cheap. If they don't make it so they will face the same situation as Irex. Is Irex a big succes?

PhishStyx · 09-23-2009, 02:48 AM

Truthfully, if I broke my DR 1000s tomorrow, I would almost certainly either buy an ultraportable laptop or another DR 1000s. I would DEFINITELY NOT under any circumstances buy a smaller e-book reader (liseuse? Did I spell that correctly?) for my PDF's.

Daithi · 09-24-2009, 04:50 PM

None of the above.
-- Sony Daily Edition (PRS-900) == The screen is too narrow to display many PDFs properly.
-- iRex DR 800 == the screen is too small and it's too expensive.
-- Plastic Logic == until it starts shipping it's just vaporware.
-- Astak Mentor 9.7 == until it starts shipping it's just vaporware.

300com · 09-24-2009, 08:57 PM

For pdf and full a4 size readers i'll wait till the models "AFTER" all the ones mentioned above. They still won't be good enough or cheap enough is my opinion.

brecklundin · 09-25-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

unless it is subsidized, I can't imagine PL being below 400.

If PL really wants to make a splash then they will need to do it on price...other devices which are "good enough" exist for a lot less. And content alone will not cut it. I have no idea what the device is really worth, but consider this...right now the numbers being bandied about are higher or as high as many 32" LCD TV's, in some cases more than a 40" LCD TV....and the readers really do not have any ground breaking tech inside, save the flexible display...

In my old age I am becoming less willing to pay to be a beta tester of consumer grade products any more...and pretty much all consumer grade devices are indeed beta-devices. That is what happens when the "business majors" and marketing wonks take over...and the lemmings follow...

HarryT · 09-25-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

If PL really wants to make a splash then they will need to do it on price...other devices which are "good enough" exist for a lot less. And content alone will not cut it. I have no idea what the device is really worth, but consider this...right now the numbers being bandied about are higher or as high as many 32" LCD TV's, in some cases more than a 40" LCD TV....and the readers really do not have any ground breaking tech inside, save the flexible display...

Companies like iRex, however, are not targetting the consumer eBook reader; they are aimed squarely at the business market, for which the price really is not so much of a consideration. The "rivals" of devices such as the DR1000 are not machines like the Sony or Kindle, but Tablet PCs.

brecklundin · 09-25-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Companies like iRex, however, are not targetting the consumer eBook reader; they are aimed squarely at the business market, for which the price really is not so much of a consideration. The "rivals" of devices such as the DR1000 are not machines like the Sony or Kindle, but Tablet PCs.

First are you EVER in agreement with ANYTHING anyone posts on MR?

hehehehe...JUST TEASING I see what you are saying but do disagree. To me iRex has no idea WHAT they are trying to be today, maybe in 3yrs they want to be in that tabletPC market and likely will, but right now they are in neither really.

Next then explain the DR800 and it's estimated $400 price point? It is targeting directly at the consumer market. In the business market the DR1000 could well be playing second fiddle to the PL large format device. Currently, it's actual competition is the Kindle DX not a TabletPC. If iRex is trying to compete with tablet PC's with something as under powered as the DR1000 (which I think is a fine, no EXCELLENT, reading device) they fall far short of the mark.

rhadin · 09-26-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Companies like iRex, however, are not targetting the consumer eBook reader; they are aimed squarely at the business market, for which the price really is not so much of a consideration. The "rivals" of devices such as the DR1000 are not machines like the Sony or Kindle, but Tablet PCs.

Harry, I'm not sure your sentiment is correct since the financial meltdown last year. I think businesses are significantly more price conscious than ever, and that is what is being reported in the financial newspapers and magazines.

I know that in my own business, providing editorial services to publishers, where previously publishers were willing to pay a fair price for editing, now they are only willing to pay a very rock bottom price -- even going so far as to say that all they require is someone to run a spell checking program (by rock bottom, I mean that the price is so low that one could not even reach the poverty-level demarcation line in the course of a year).

I think businesses will look at the iRex and ask why should they buy the iRex as opposed to an inexpensive laptop which can do the same thing and more? If the iRex is $399 with an eInk screen why is that a better buy than a laptop for $600 that will do multiple business-related tasks.

Also, Harry, I have trouble seeing the business value of an eInk device, assuming that its competition for the expenditure is a laptop or tablet. The Plastic Logic makes the case of its size combined with the types of documents it can handle, but I don't think (and I admit I do not know) that either it or the iRex permit you to install say, for example, Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, which a laptop does. And I'm not convinced that an eInk screen is suitable for those types of programs. So what exactly is the business advantage and what businesses are being targeted?

HarryT · 09-26-2009, 11:27 AM

Hi Richard,

Perhaps the situation is different elsewhere, but the UK agent for iRex, who I buy my iRex devices from in person, since he lives pretty close to me, tells me that he sells pretty much exclusively to the business market here in the UK. The people who buy it are those who want a very lightweight device with markup ability and (compared to a laptop) a decent battery life.

09-20-2009, 03:48 PM	#1
dek Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS600, iPod touch	Which one would you buy? New large size e-book readers (or pdf readers) are coming soon. Currently, among competitors, we have Amazon Kindle DX, iRex DR 1000S, and iRex iLiad. These are too expensive or lack some critical features at this time, thus making many customers to hesitate to buy. It is good to see new devices coming out starting this year. The new ones to come out soon include Sony Daily Edition (PRS-900) iRex DR 800 PlasticLogic Astak Mentor. Among these, which one would you buy and why?

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View Poll Results: Which one would you buy?
Sony Daily Edition (PRS-900)	15	35.71%
iRex DR 800	11	26.19%
Plastic Logic	23	54.76%
Astak Mentor	4	9.52%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

09-20-2009, 04:03 PM	#2
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	Hard to answer that question when none of the devices are yet for sale. For example, if the PlasticLogic device sells for $350, gives me access to B&N, and has a deal with the New York Times, I'd jump on it. OTOH, if it has all that but the price is $1500, I'd be looking at one of the other devices. Until the devices are released and what they can and can't do at what price is known, I'm hardpressed to answer your question.

09-20-2009, 09:09 PM	#3
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	For reading epub books the Sony is more than good enough. But I would like something for large PDF's and newspapers, too. If the Plastic Logic is too expensive I might consider the DR 800.

09-21-2009, 12:31 AM	#4
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	I would be interested in any of the device shown, even the Astak Mentor (which Mentor...there are like 4 or 5 versions [a couple of versions of the 9.7" model can be added to that last time I looked]). But right now my eye is on the PL reader, the Sony Daily and the PocketBook 360 or 302 if I go with a small format reader. Overall the PL reader would seem the most attractive, yet I agree that no way it is worth any more than $399 to me, even with the plastic flexible display. There is a point where premium placed on a device feature exceeds it's value to me as a user. For me I am beginning to have an itch the PL reader is not going to be as mature UI wise as well as inline price wise. So, I guess you could say, I still dunno...

09-21-2009, 02:33 AM	#5
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I answered that question assuming the prices were about the same. I'd buy the Plastic Logic. From what I've seen, that one looks the neatest!

09-21-2009, 05:28 AM	#7
Burliburd Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Timisoara Device: Kindle DXG, iPod Touch	I like the design and specification of the Plastic Logic but I will not offer a fortune for this product. They are dreaming to have great success in the business market but they are not going to get this if they ask a lot of many for a product which can do much less than a PC... Just because "the screen won't hurt your eyes"? I'm sure my boss won't care about this if I make a purchase order before going in a business trip... "Use your notebook" he will say. If they really want to hit the market they have to make it cheap. If they don't make it so they will face the same situation as Irex. Is Irex a big succes?

09-23-2009, 02:48 AM	#8
PhishStyx The me that I am Posts: 413 Karma: 1078 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: In my house! Duh! Device: Kindle 1 & DR 1000s	Truthfully, if I broke my DR 1000s tomorrow, I would almost certainly either buy an ultraportable laptop or another DR 1000s. I would DEFINITELY NOT under any circumstances buy a smaller e-book reader (liseuse? Did I spell that correctly?) for my PDF's.

09-24-2009, 04:50 PM	#9
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	None of the above. -- Sony Daily Edition (PRS-900) == The screen is too narrow to display many PDFs properly. -- iRex DR 800 == the screen is too small and it's too expensive. -- Plastic Logic == until it starts shipping it's just vaporware. -- Astak Mentor 9.7 == until it starts shipping it's just vaporware.

09-24-2009, 08:57 PM	#10
300com Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 1041448 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-300	For pdf and full a4 size readers i'll wait till the models "AFTER" all the ones mentioned above. They still won't be good enough or cheap enough is my opinion.

09-26-2009, 11:27 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Hi Richard, Perhaps the situation is different elsewhere, but the UK agent for iRex, who I buy my iRex devices from in person, since he lives pretty close to me, tells me that he sells pretty much exclusively to the business market here in the UK. The people who buy it are those who want a very lightweight device with markup ability and (compared to a laptop) a decent battery life.