8+ Readers in comparison

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by droople

Thank you mgmueller. Quite attractive, but it ask for 569AUD for Oz people

I just bought Nook, and waiting for the shipping from a re-shipper.

Congratulations. Good choice. If you look at my personal ranking (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=382), nook is #2 of all my readers. Just having a WACOM tablet doesn't necessarily make the respective reader a favorite.
2 recommendations for nook: Try softroot (easy and comfortable) and exchange the SIM card with a regional one (simple as well). Then you only lack a single feature on nook: You can't shop directly on nook because of the "wrong" IP. But you can add (within B&N's webstore on nook) titles to your wishlist and later on purchase on PC.
But without softroot it's a great reader as well. I only use softroot because of the German SIM. When on the train, I don't want to pay for WiFi, so I'm using my 3G flat instead.
Have fun!

[droople]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Congratulations. Good choice. If you look at my personal ranking (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=382), nook is #2 of all my readers. Just having a WACOM tablet doesn't necessarily make the respective reader a favorite.
2 recommendations for nook: Try softroot (easy and comfortable) and exchange the SIM card with a regional one (simple as well). Then you only lack a single feature on nook: You can't shop directly on nook because of the "wrong" IP. But you can add (within B&N's webstore on nook) titles to your wishlist and later on purchase on PC.
But without softroot it's a great reader as well. I only use softroot because of the German SIM. When on the train, I don't want to pay for WiFi, so I'm using my 3G flat instead.
Have fun!

Thank you mgmueller. My final decision was based on your list

Wifi is more important for me than 3G, I use mobile to browse website on the
train.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I've thought about it. But quite frankly, I haven't got any real use for 5".
...
But after so many recommendations, I guess I have to reconsider PocketBook 360. (Have been a bit sceptical about the buttons from the pictures though).

You really should get PocketBook 360.
Its lid makes it a very pocketable traveling device.

If you DO insist on at least 6" screen then get its bigger brother PocketBook 301.

And you should definitely get PocketBook 302. It has got a 6" touch screen, WiFi, USB Host and absolutely excellent firmware. The first batch will have shiny displays, but the distributor promised to replace the display for free if matte version becomes available.

All PocketBooks have very nice and very open firmware.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by kacir

You really should get PocketBook 360.
Its lid makes it a very pocketable traveling device.

If you DO insist on at least 6" screen then get its bigger brother PocketBook 301.

And you should definitely get PocketBook 302. It has got a 6" touch screen, WiFi, USB Host and absolutely excellent firmware. The first batch will have shiny displays, but the distributor promised to replace the display for free if matte version becomes available.

All PocketBooks have very nice and very open firmware.

What about the build quality? From the pictures, I've been a bit sceptical about the buttons on PocketBook 360 (not actual buttons, but "cut-outs" from the housing).

[aceflor]

Come on, don't be a ninny, go for it, you'll love it (have I ever lied to you ?). The buttons are just fine, don't keep on looking for an excuse not to get it.

[Logseman]

The build quality is, the way I see it, very nice. It is true that the side buttons could appear a bit hard to push (though personally it's not an issue for someone who played with a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive ) but the design is first-class, it lets you focus completely in reading from whichever angle you like (being true that the G-sensor is good, but could have been improved).

I discussed its shortcomings in my review, and they're mainly related to the software accompanying it and the lack of help for someone who never had an eBook reader (not your case, I'd say ). But the hardware itself is fabulous, IMO.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

What about the build quality? From the pictures, I've been a bit sceptical about the buttons on PocketBook 360 (not actual buttons, but "cut-outs" from the housing).

Well, considering that the reader is made from plastic, the build quality is surprisingly good.
Central OK button and "D pad" are standard issue buttons and two big buttons are just cut-outs with some kind if switch beneath. They are quite stiff, and you hear distinct click when you press them. The buttons are very well placed and are very easy to operate in any position.
The only thing I do not like about the build is that the plastic is relatively easy to scratch.

I am owner of the Sony Reader PRS-500, so I know what a good build quality is. PocketBook 360° is very different, yet it does not feel cheaper or flimsier.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Logseman

The build quality is, the way I see it, very nice. It is true that the side buttons could appear a bit hard to push (though personally it's not an issue for someone who played with a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive ) but the design is first-class, it lets you focus completely in reading from whichever angle you like (being true that the G-sensor is good, but could have been improved).

Personally, I use left/right on the 5-way nav control on the PB to turn the pages; I find the "wing buttons" a bit stiff.

Once of the nice things about the PB is that you have the ability to re-map all the buttons to suit your personal preference.

[mgmueller]

My very first skin!
Did apply one to Kindle 2 and Kindle DX as well.
I've got covers for these, so it's more or less useless. Still: Very nice.

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

My very first skin!
Did apply one to Kindle 2 and Kindle DX as well.
I've got covers for these, so it's more or less useless. Still: Very nice.

It's nice. What is it? Just kidding. I was thinking about getting the skin that B&N sells for the Nook. But too many people complain that it attracts dirt and pet fur which kind of defeats the purpose of having one. I like my M-Edge cover. It does the job and the slot to fit in the light is a nice extra.

~eddie

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by JerseyBiker

It's nice. What is it? Just kidding. I was thinking about getting the skin that B&N sells for the Nook. But too many people complain that it attracts dirt and pet fur which kind of defeats the purpose of having one. I like my M-Edge cover. It does the job and the slot to fit in the light is a nice extra.

~eddie

Are those problems (dirt, pet fur, ...) really about skins (vinyl) or are they when using silicon covers? I have to watch it, but so far (just checked with one of my valuable = rare hairs) the vinyl skin seems fine. But of course it doesn't give any protection, it's just some personalisation.

[JanieB]

Thank you Mgmueller, for sharing your experience.

May I ask how you purchased the Nook since you're outside the US? I'm in Canada where we have no B&N, so I'm not sure if I should even consider the Nook. Also, what do you think of the prices of the books as compared to Amazon? What about the ease of buying books from B&N as compared to Amazon?

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Are those problems (dirt, pet fur, ...) really about skins (vinyl) or are they when using silicon covers? I have to watch it, but so far (just checked with one of my valuable = rare hairs) the vinyl skin seems fine. But of course it doesn't give any protection, it's just some personalisation.

It's the silicon covers. Go to the following link. Look for the review tab. Read the reviews and you'll see what I mean.

http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/Sili...?cds2Pid=30254

~eddie

[huda]

Hi Mgmueller,

Great thread. Thanks for all the info. I found this thread as I was planning to buy my first device. From your ranking, I've finally come down with 2 options Nook or Neo. (I was actually considering Cool-er but I thought since you, who probably have pretty much all device under the sun does not own one, I'm not gonna risk it. BTW why don't you have the Cool-er?)

I have a few questions that I hope you could help me with:

The bebook neo, I read from HarryT it has a "most recently read" page feature, does nook have this?

What I am actually looking for is "most recently read books". From what I gathered most device just sort by alphabetical order. I read multiple books at a time and often forget which ones I'm reading and I don't want to scroll through hundreds of book to go to the one I am reading. Any device that has this function?

Bookmarking, I’ve seen devices that has 3-4 steps just to bookmark? How is it in Neo and Nook? I just want to do it at a click of a button, something simple akin to the MS Reader, which I am using now to read ebooks.

For your .lit books, which device do you use? Bebook is the only one I know that can read that format and since you don't normally use this coz it's ugly (which is I most certainly agree with) do you convert the books? Which format looks best for lit after converting?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by JanieB

Thank you Mgmueller, for sharing your experience.

May I ask how you purchased the Nook since you're outside the US? I'm in Canada where we have no B&N, so I'm not sure if I should even consider the Nook. Also, what do you think of the prices of the books as compared to Amazon? What about the ease of buying books from B&N as compared to Amazon?

I've used "UsUnlocked.com". They ask for ca. 10% commission.
Working fine.
My only problem: I have to pay taxes and customs on the entire import price, including shipment. So, finally the list price in $ comes down to more or less the same import price in €. Still: nook is absolutely worth its € 260.

Amazon definitely has more books available than B&N. But you can use ePUBs from "everywhere" on nook, so usually you'll find the title you're looking for.
Bestsellers are similar on Amazon and B&N, B&N usually asks for $ 9.99 as well.

I have the US versions of both Kindles, not the international ones. So I purchase on PC for Kindles. Same for B&N.
For B&N I have to use VPN, that's the only minor inconvenience.

Very important to me: nook has WiFi. And I can exchange the SIM. So I have 3G in Germany plus WiFi. You even can install VPN on nook and directly shop B&N on nook. I've been very positively surprised by nook.