Any pointers for a sub-$100 reader ? - Page 2

dixieknits · 03-08-2011, 04:02 PM

Big Lots is now selling the Sony 5" PRS -300 reader for 99.00. It's a nice reliable, bulletproof, no frills reader.

WillysJeepMan · 03-08-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

The only thing the Kobo has that the Jet Book mini and lite don't is the Kobo is simpler to operate since it has only one button. So is simplicity worth the extra $$s?

IMHO I still recommend the smart phone route since it kills two birds with one stone.

Jack of all trades, master of none.

In your recommendation for getting a smartphone you failed to address the issue of the cost of data plans associated with a smartphone. Smartphones will cost money to upgrade on contract. Data plans can range between $20-$40 a month. While the ereader app for a smartphone is "free", getting to the point of using that "free" app will cost anywhere between $240 and $600 when factoring the cost of the phone and data plans.

Smartphone screens are too small to make viable ereaders. Will there be people who claim they have no problem with that setup? Sure. But a smartphone-as-ereader is not a comparable alternative to a standalone ereader.

SolRaven · 03-08-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

check the used market.

Great answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallhagrid

I don't post unthinkingly - I checked this entire forum BEFORE asking.

If you don't like the answer ask a different question, or even better, be more specific in your query. Being rude is not appreciated around here.

smallhagrid · 03-08-2011, 06:31 PM

The phone route is not an option I desire, thanks.
Of all I see here the very best news, which is news to me is...:

Quote:

Jetbook Lite at Newegg, open box, for $66.99 plus shipping

(Thanks Catlady !)

That is closest to what I seek size/price/ability wise - but Newegg typically has a crummy warranty on open-box and Ectaco is just plain nasty to deal with (I am sitting here looking at my irrecoverably dead and now out of warranty Jetbook...)

So if anyone knows of any really great deals that show up online I'd give those preference.

The nearest Borders stores are 1 1/2 hours in opposite directions and frankly not worth the time/energy to look into because of that.
(I am in a rural town in mid-northern Vermont...)

Thanks for the great and numerous replies !

cromag · 03-08-2011, 08:56 PM

The Jetbook Lite is still available at J&R for $90. Bonus: you can get black, white, or red. I don't know what J&R's return policy is -- but I've never had a problem with them.

http://www.jr.com/product/productLis...t=jetbook+lite

Caltsar · 03-09-2011, 03:23 PM

In my experience finding factory refurbished items is a great way to get them for a significant amount less than the new price.

A "Certified Pre-Owned" nook is $120, and many Sony readers can be found refurbished for $50 or more under the new price (with patience, I got a PRS-600 for $100). I haven't looked too closely lately, but unless you want a latest generation model of any reader, your best bet at finding a reader for under $100 is to look at the last generation.

Unfortunately, refurbished has a bad name to it, but I've found that failure rates with refurbished electronics I buy are far less than if I buy new. This may be due in part to only the damaged or faulty parts being replaced giving fewer new points of failure. They almost always carry the same warranty as new products though, so if it breaks, you will get the same support as if you bought it new.

Used readers can also be found fairly cheap, but I personally don't trust buying used electronics as much as refurbished.

jbcohen · 03-09-2011, 03:32 PM

Don't agree Willys but I hear you on the dollar point. Got mine from the office for $0 a month for both voice and data plan $0 for texting and $0 for the phone so the $0 for the readers makes it a real great deal dollars wise. However I do hear you in terms of the screen size. Personally I love mine ereading.

WillysJeepMan · 03-11-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Don't agree Willys but I hear you on the dollar point. Got mine from the office for $0 a month for both voice and data plan $0 for texting and $0 for the phone so the $0 for the readers makes it a real great deal dollars wise. However I do hear you in terms of the screen size. Personally I love mine ereading.

You don't have to agree but getting your job to pay for your phone and THEN recommending that as a solution for others (without mentioning the freebie) is dumb.

You "hear me" on the dollar point and "hear me" on the size... what's left to disagree with?

smallhagrid · 04-07-2011, 10:50 PM

Well - picked up a cheapo Literati and it's juuuust barely OK - time will tell.
If not, maybe I'll get really lucky and a way to make the old JB work again will come along.

Thanks for all the helpful replies !

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03-08-2011, 04:02 PM	#16
dixieknits Addict Posts: 283 Karma: 1011418 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Nook Color	Big Lots is now selling the Sony 5" PRS -300 reader for 99.00. It's a nice reliable, bulletproof, no frills reader.

03-08-2011, 08:56 PM	#20
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,392 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	The Jetbook Lite is still available at J&R for $90. Bonus: you can get black, white, or red. I don't know what J&R's return policy is -- but I've never had a problem with them. http://www.jr.com/product/productLis...t=jetbook+lite

03-09-2011, 03:23 PM	#21
Caltsar Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 86951 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Device: nook Touch, iPad, iPhone	In my experience finding factory refurbished items is a great way to get them for a significant amount less than the new price. A "Certified Pre-Owned" nook is $120, and many Sony readers can be found refurbished for $50 or more under the new price (with patience, I got a PRS-600 for $100). I haven't looked too closely lately, but unless you want a latest generation model of any reader, your best bet at finding a reader for under $100 is to look at the last generation. Unfortunately, refurbished has a bad name to it, but I've found that failure rates with refurbished electronics I buy are far less than if I buy new. This may be due in part to only the damaged or faulty parts being replaced giving fewer new points of failure. They almost always carry the same warranty as new products though, so if it breaks, you will get the same support as if you bought it new. Used readers can also be found fairly cheap, but I personally don't trust buying used electronics as much as refurbished.

03-09-2011, 03:32 PM	#22
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Don't agree Willys but I hear you on the dollar point. Got mine from the office for $0 a month for both voice and data plan $0 for texting and $0 for the phone so the $0 for the readers makes it a real great deal dollars wise. However I do hear you in terms of the screen size. Personally I love mine ereading.

04-07-2011, 10:50 PM	#24
smallhagrid Hillbilly Posts: 189 Karma: 132498 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vermont Device: EZReader	Well - picked up a cheapo Literati and it's juuuust barely OK - time will tell. If not, maybe I'll get really lucky and a way to make the old JB work again will come along. Thanks for all the helpful replies !

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