PocketBook Era Lite — 7" B/W on Amazon, $200

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Geese1

I've had a preorder in on this since Amazon first started taking orders (back on June 7th). I was initially told delivery would be anywhere from July 1st to August 7th, so the fact that they're now saying July 5th through the 8th means I'll hopefully get it sooner rather than later.

Hopefully they've got it right.

Originally Posted by Geese1

The specs on this make it just about perfect for what I want out of an e-reader. I've never had anything from PocketBook though, so I'm hoping both the hardware and software are as good as they appear to be.

Yeah, same here. I was geared up to buy the original Era from NewEgg (they apparently broke off their association with PocketBook at the time, because they never got it in stock) — but then I started seeing that the screen was "murky" because of the extra layer of glass (or plastic?). So I was going to look at a Libra 2, but procrastinated until they were no longer available. I'm still not absolutely sure I need a 7" reader, but if I get one this would be the one I would choose. (My main eReader now is my PocketBook Touch HD 3.)

[Desertway]

My problem would be needing two or three different custom font weights. I change the weight on my Kindle font all the time, depending on how badly my vision sucks at that moment. For someone who has used a font editor one time, this would be a total pain to get right. I would probably use KoReader if I got this device.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

How is the software on Pocketbook as compared to Kobo's Nickle? Can you manage collections and series for sideloaded books?

Honestly I don't know what Kobo Nickle is. Is that the normal Kobo OS? I preferred my PocketBook HD 3 over my Kobo Clara (which I sold) and I think the only "modern" Kobo I have left is a Kobo Touch. (Oh, wait a minute, I also still have the Kobo Aura HD — which is the only 7" eReader I've ever owned. This is the one that made me at least consider a more modern 7" reader.)

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I won't be picking up an Era Lite as my experience with a Libra H2O showed me that a larger than 6" screen just really isn't for me. But the Era Lite does seem like a nice device at a decent price.

I still don't know yet if I want to buy a new 7" reader. But if I do buy one, this would be the one I would buy. I like my PocketBook Touch HD 3 (basically an earlier Verse Pro).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Desertway

My problem would be needing two or three different custom font weights. I change the weight on my Kindle font all the time, depending on how badly my vision sucks at that moment. For someone who has used a font editor one time, this would be a total pain to get right. I would probably use KoReader if I got this device.

You could probably adjust the weight of the same font (if you know how to do that — I don't), name each variation differently and just change fonts, instead of weight. Unfortunately I think that's about the only way you could do it on a PocketBook.

For me (luckily) Constantia is about perfect for my eyes, so I just install that on my PocketBook and use it for everything.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by svenlind

Well I am very tempted.
I have the Kobo Libra and also the Kobo BW with Carta 1300 screen. I prefer the Libra because of size and pageshift buttons.
But the Kobo BW screen is better than the Libra.
So the Era Lite seems to be the right choice.

Adjust of font weight is also very important to me. So I asked Rufus on Amazon DE this question:

Is it possible to adjust the weight of the fonts?
And I got this AI answer: ...

Unfortunately it looks like Rufus was making it up on the go. If you go to PocketBook's site, then to Support and search for Era Lite, you can download the manual. It shows the font settings exactly the same as my "old" (still seems new to me) PocketBook Touch HD 3. Each font has three choices, regular, italic and bold. No weight adjustment.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Obviously you're less fussy than I am.

That was back before font weight was a feature on any Reader. Back when I found out how to access fonts like they were embedded but from an external directory on the Sony Reader (I forget which model).

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by svenlind

Adjust of font weight is also very important to me. So I asked Rufus on Amazon DE this question:

Is it possible to adjust the weight of the fonts?
And I got this AI answer:

Yes, the PocketBook Era Lite offers extensive font customisation options including font weight adjustment:

Font Weight Options:

Multiple font weight settings from light to bold
Adjustable font darkness to improve readability
Custom font styles can be installed for different weights and appearances
Additional Text Customisation:

Font size adjustment with multiple sizing options
Line spacing control for comfortable reading
Margin settings to optimise text layout
Text alignment options (left, centre, justified)
The Era Lite's open system allows you to install custom fonts beyond the pre-installed options. You can add fonts with different weights (light, regular, medium, bold, extra bold) by copying font files to the device via USB-C connection.

One reviewer specifically mentions the display quality is "much clearer and not blurry/smudged at all", which suggests the font rendering handles different weights well.

If the AI response is correct, then they've updated THAT model, but not the older Era. As a 64GB Pocketbook Era owner, I would not count on this AI response. Check with someone who actually owns the Era Lite device.

Now, my older Pocketbook Era does have a "font weight" adjustment, but it's very simple, and NOT what one is used to with Kindle/Kobo. There is, simply, an adjustment to BOLD the font. Which, since I personally hate reading a bold font, does me no good at all.

There is no adjustment for text-alignment on my model. You take what the publisher gives you or you install KOReader or you modify the ebook before loading it on the device to your preferences.

Line-height and margin are similar to Kindle style settings (just a few choices), but the minimum margin is very minimum, just a small sliver. Font-size is much more adjustable, and you can set a slider for it if you want to easily adjust it on the fly. I've got my left side slider controlling front light, and right side controlling font-size.

You can install your own fonts, and if you need a heavier weight than normal, but NOT all the way to bold, then this is the way to go.

Of course it's possible the AI is entirely correct, and Pocketbook has revamped things for this new model, and not yet put out an update for older Eras, but I have my doubts about trusting the AI response you got.

[ab78727]

Did anyone else confirm that the specs on built-in storage are right, i.e. 16GB (1)? I also didn't see the ability to install a microsd card. The price is very attractive and I love Pocketbook devices (I have two) including the screen specs on this device but for my use case (2), it is not ideal.

1: I also confirmed at https://pocketbook.de/en/era-lite so sadly, I think the 16GB is correct and there is no provision for external storage.
2: my entire library with me at all times with no online access required - yes, I know it is irrational but this is what I want and enough devices enable this for me currently.

[DJUNGELSKOG]

Originally Posted by graycyn

If the AI response is correct, then they've updated THAT model, but not the older Era.

The only source of truth is the description on the product page or the product documentation that can be downloaded from Pocketbook’s website here: https://pocketbook.nl/nl-nl/support-nl?model=2618

The website offers to download the firmware version 6.10 that does not allow adjusting the font weight, and you can also navigate to page 68 in the manual: https://support.pocketbook-int.com/f...ra_Lite_NL.pdf to see that the font settings menu does not have this option.

The LLM’s output is irrelevant.

[Quoth]

Use real search / pages, not AI, which scrapes without context.

The original Pocketbook Era is much cheaper than the Lite on Amazon Ireland.

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The original Pocketbook Era is much cheaper than the Lite on Amazon Ireland.

FWIW, PocketBook.de delivers to almost all of the EU (apart from France and Spain) with free shipping and bundled covers for an additional 1 €, and is likely cheaper - Era Lite is 199 €, Era is 229 €.