E-ink readers in 2015

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by murg

Just so you know, I'm not wondering what you're doing in bed that leaves you with only one hand free to hold the scroll...

Oh you....

I like to keep one arm warm under the covers.

Then there are times when you're laid on your side and it's more comfortable to use just one arm.

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Interesting. But at 24.99 seems a bit pricey.

All relative of course. I paid 39.95 for my last 2 T3s. (All my T3s work fine, just was such a bargain) Would be hard for me to justify spending 24.99 plus shipping, tax etc.

You could probably find it cheaper on eBay. That was simply the first place I found one (to post a link), not necessarily the cheapest.

Admittedly buying a new battery for a second hand eReader probably does not make sense -- but I doubt if that was the scenario those clamoring for replaceable batteries had in mind.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Hrafn

You could probably find it cheaper on eBay. That was simply the first place I found one (to post a link), not necessarily the cheapest.

Admittedly buying a new battery for a second hand eReader probably does not make sense -- but I doubt if that was the scenario those clamoring for replaceable batteries had in mind.

I don't perceive my reconditioned ereaders as second hand, but that is no doubt what they are.

Still they arrive looking shiny and new, and working perfectly, so they are new enough in my addled brain.

My thinking on why people want a changeable battery is that they equate reader batteries to camera batteries or other device batteries which do not usually last for years.

An easily replaceable battery is a good thing unless it adds significantly to the weight/size of the device.

An AA or AAA battery would add significantly to the size/thickness of my readers or tablets IMO and many cite this as a desired feature. Plus I am not that fond of changing batteries or recharging rechargeables in a separate charger etc.

I think that if one is looking objectively at the cost of replacing regular or rechargeable batteries over a number of years it could be significant.

My experience (which may not be typical) is that I buy a device with a built in lithium battery, the battery lasts longer than the time I decide to replace it for other reasons.

Still each to their own.

Helen

[Ghitulescu]

"Special" batteries are another method for manufacturers to control the "obsolescence" of an apparatus. Devices that work "forever" are the nightmare of any manufacturer, in the end there will be 7 billion items, and nobody will want a new one.

For me batteries are very important. They should be common, the more common (AAA, AA, R6, R03) the better, as one can find them even in Kenya.

I bought once a budget device. It was supposed to be powered by 2 AAAs (R03). It also looked like. Only at home, after opening the package, I noticed that the battery compartment had indeed been designed for AAAs, yet the mould has been changed and a CR2016 placed instead (I mean "stamped over"). Why? Because a CR2016 will be drawn fast and it costs 2-4€ apiece unlike 2€ for 8 AAAs.

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

"Special" batteries are another method for manufacturers to control the "obsolescence" of an apparatus. Devices that work "forever" are the nightmare of any manufacturer, in the end there will be 7 billion items, and nobody will want a new one.

For me batteries are very important. They should be common, the more common (AAA, AA, R6, R03) the better, as one can find them even in Kenya.

I bought once a budget device. It was supposed to be powered by 2 AAAs (R03). It also looked like. Only at home, after opening the package, I noticed that the battery compartment had indeed been designed for AAAs, yet the mould has been changed and a CR2016 placed instead (I mean "stamped over"). Why? Because a CR2016 will be drawn fast and it costs 2-4€ apiece unlike 2€ for 8 AAAs.

eReader batteries are meant to be recharged not replaced in the first instance (and replaced only when they lose their ability to recharge). So, no, being "common" is not generally an issue. People will only be replacing them every couple of years or longer.

Whilst these "special" batteries may be exotic compared to AA, etc, they tend to be standardised and available well after the products that they power, so don't contribute to "obsolescence" (assuming that they can be accessed to allow replacement).

Also these "common" batteries are thicker than most eReaders, and I rather doubt if many would be interested in a larger and heavier design needed to accommodate them.

If anybody is concerned about their eReader running out of juice away from the amenities of civilisation, they will most likely either (i) get themselves a solar recharger, or (ii) get an external battery-based backup/charger.

Addendum: I would also mention that the battery-powered "device" that I use with a comparative frequency to my eReader is my flashlight, which likewise uses a "special" battery, a 18650 (3.7v lithium-ion). The battery lasts a couple of months or more, and when it runs down I just swap a second one in and put the used one on the charger. So much easier than continually having to buy and stuff AA/AAA batteries into it

[Phogg]

The Aztak Pocket Pro has a replaceable battery.

[Waylander]

My prediction: Amazon will release another ereader that is locked down tighter than Colditz and fort Knox. Looks like I'll be migrating to a Kobo Aura when my PW needs replacing.