Cheap reader? - Page 2

bbusybookworm · 09-19-2008, 10:31 PM

Ah, This brings back memories of my first e-book reader, a Compaq iPaq 3600.

It served me well, and with the extended battery sleeve gave me about 6-8 hours of usage. It was retired when it took a Milk bath (Remember never store liquid in flimsy bottles next to expensive electronics.

)

Still, it did allow me to up grade to a Qtek 1010 smartphone, so it did turn out ok more or less.

I would also suggest trying out a program I've been using since the first Ipaq for reading txt and html files.

Its Called Lister and can be found here.

I've found that while the interface is basic, its one of the lightest in terms of system resources, so can run very nicely in the background, when doing something.

And I'll second (or third) the suggestion to get a new battery when you can. I'm not aware of how easy it is to swap them out on your model, but that will probably give you a fresh battery and a spare which you can swap out in an emergency.

Mycropht · 10-26-2008, 05:59 AM

If the price is the main issue, I think the Pony Reader would be the best solution. Also, the low price is not the only quality. The battery life is absolutely no problem and the display quality is exactly the same as of the original book, even with colour.

See for yourself:

http://booksellercrow.typepad.com/th...ny-ereade.html

HarryT · 10-26-2008, 06:15 AM

Wow, that's amazing - it's just like reading a real book!

What a great piece of kit!

zelda_pinwheel · 10-26-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mycropht

If the price is the main issue, I think the Pony Reader would be the best solution. Also, the low price is not the only quality. The battery life is absolutely no problem and the display quality is exactly the same as of the original book, even with colour.

See for yourself:

http://booksellercrow.typepad.com/th...ny-ereade.html

wow, the ergonomy is almost as good as my eb1150 !!!

Bob Russell · 10-26-2008, 10:07 AM

Very intriguing idea!

But, let's take a closer look --
* Page turning is a hassle
* There's no backlight
* No dictionary
* No text search
* No mp3 player
* No support for ePub, pdf, rtf, txt, doc, pdb and other popular formats
* Weak format support (page size)
* Book storage is on an outdated, expensive, bulky and heavy medium
* Book storage medium degrades over time
* Online book purchases do not offer immediate download
* When the display is not properly aligned, text frequently goes missing
* Flimsy construction
* No reflowable text or variable font size capabilities. (Although I hear v2 will have an optional magnifying lens set add-on.)
* Sharing books with friends is possible but expensive (postage)
* Not compatible with Feedbooks, MobileRead and other popular libraries
* Landscape support is limited
* Susceptible to bursts of wind, especially in outdoor situations.
* Can't be used inside a plastic baggie around water

This just isn't the device for me.
Hard to believe anyone would mess with such a limited way of reading books!

RWood · 10-26-2008, 11:14 AM

What you say is true Bob; however, unlike current e-ink devices it does support color.

Plus it is good for more than 7,000 page turns.

pilotbob · 10-26-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWood

What you say is true Bob; however, unlike current e-ink devices it does support color.

Plus it is good for more than 7,000 page turns.

It also has a user replaceable battery. I hear they are coming out with a 10inch device soon too.

BOb

zelda_pinwheel · 10-26-2008, 12:07 PM

and i hear you'll be able to upgrade for video support as well, without even flashing the firmware.

RWood · 10-26-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

and i hear you'll be able to upgrade for video support as well, without even flashing the firmware.

Zelda, I think I was reading about that somewhere else, is that the one they call "flexware"?

DixieGal · 10-26-2008, 01:45 PM

Actually, it does support a dictionary, assuming one is loaded onto your bookshelf.

The device has a problem with properly formating hyperlinks from TOC.

nekokami · 10-27-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

It also has a user replaceable battery.

I thought it was solar powered?

I like the zoom-out feature to view an entire page, and the pan controls. Very intuitive.

zelda_pinwheel · 10-27-2008, 01:08 PM

i think my favorite feature was the accelerometre.

09-19-2008, 10:31 PM	#16
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	Ah, This brings back memories of my first e-book reader, a Compaq iPaq 3600. It served me well, and with the extended battery sleeve gave me about 6-8 hours of usage. It was retired when it took a Milk bath (Remember never store liquid in flimsy bottles next to expensive electronics.) Still, it did allow me to up grade to a Qtek 1010 smartphone, so it did turn out ok more or less. I would also suggest trying out a program I've been using since the first Ipaq for reading txt and html files. Its Called Lister and can be found here. I've found that while the interface is basic, its one of the lightest in terms of system resources, so can run very nicely in the background, when doing something. And I'll second (or third) the suggestion to get a new battery when you can. I'm not aware of how easy it is to swap them out on your model, but that will probably give you a fresh battery and a spare which you can swap out in an emergency.

10-26-2008, 05:59 AM	#17
Mycropht Optimist Posts: 77 Karma: 378 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Cheap reader - look no further If the price is the main issue, I think the Pony Reader would be the best solution. Also, the low price is not the only quality. The battery life is absolutely no problem and the display quality is exactly the same as of the original book, even with colour. See for yourself: http://booksellercrow.typepad.com/th...ny-ereade.html

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for a basic cheap reader!	codinh	Which one should I buy?	13	02-06-2010 06:57 AM
Cheap ebook reader for what I need...	KindleKid	Which one should I buy?	14	11-04-2008 12:40 PM
Playstation Portable as an E-reader? Or other cheap ones	MrSands	Alternative Devices	8	12-14-2007 11:33 PM

10-26-2008, 06:15 AM	#18
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Wow, that's amazing - it's just like reading a real book! What a great piece of kit!

10-26-2008, 10:07 AM	#20
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Very intriguing idea! But, let's take a closer look -- * Page turning is a hassle * There's no backlight * No dictionary * No text search * No mp3 player * No support for ePub, pdf, rtf, txt, doc, pdb and other popular formats * Weak format support (page size) * Book storage is on an outdated, expensive, bulky and heavy medium * Book storage medium degrades over time * Online book purchases do not offer immediate download * When the display is not properly aligned, text frequently goes missing * Flimsy construction * No reflowable text or variable font size capabilities. (Although I hear v2 will have an optional magnifying lens set add-on.) * Sharing books with friends is possible but expensive (postage) * Not compatible with Feedbooks, MobileRead and other popular libraries * Landscape support is limited * Susceptible to bursts of wind, especially in outdoor situations. * Can't be used inside a plastic baggie around water This just isn't the device for me. Hard to believe anyone would mess with such a limited way of reading books!

10-26-2008, 11:14 AM	#21
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	What you say is true Bob; however, unlike current e-ink devices it does support color. Plus it is good for more than 7,000 page turns.

10-26-2008, 12:07 PM	#23
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	and i hear you'll be able to upgrade for video support as well, without even flashing the firmware.

10-26-2008, 01:45 PM	#25
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Actually, it does support a dictionary, assuming one is loaded onto your bookshelf. The device has a problem with properly formating hyperlinks from TOC.

10-27-2008, 01:08 PM	#27
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	i think my favorite feature was the accelerometre.

Advert

Advert