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Old 05-13-2019, 12:20 PM   #1
OneiroDancer
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Best non-kindle devices around nowadays?
So, I did it again: I lost another ebook reader. It happened a couple of years ago to my Sony PRS-T1; following advice from this forum I bought a Boyue, which at the time was one of the best alternative e-reader around, but now it also got lost. At the moment I am reading on an old, non frontlit kindle of my daughter's, but it's just a temporary solution.

My requisites are the following:
  • not a kindle. Reasons for this would require another discussion; having had a look at other discussions, I will only say the lock-in is not the reason.
  • pocket size (e.g, 6" with a 3:2 aspect ratio)
  • frontlit
  • base features for reading (highlighting, notetaking and a good English dictionary) working by default (which unfortunately was not the case with my Boyue)
  • possibility of fiddling with the software, e.g. trying different reading apps, would be a plus
  • physical buttons would also be a plus (but I read in another thread that nowadays they are rather uncommon)

Pointers to buying guides are also welcome--the ones I found only feature the most expensive models and/or the most common producers; a couple of years ago I bought my Boyue around 130€, I'd expect to find something around the same price...
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:22 PM   #2
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:27 PM   #3
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You are not going to find an e Ink device with a 3:2 aspect ratio. They are 4:3.
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:45 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by OneiroDancer View Post
  • not a kindle. Reasons for this would require another discussion; having had a look at other discussions, I will only say the lock-in is not the reason.
No reason to overly explain not wanting a Kindle. You don't want a Kindle. Simple enough.

I'll second Barbara's Kobo Clara HD rec.

Quote:
  • pocket size (e.g, 6" with a 3:2 aspect ratio)
It is small for a 6" reader, almost as small as the Aura I replaced with it.

As mentioned, all 6" readers have an aspect ratio of 4:3, not 3:2

Quote:
  • frontlit
It has a nice frontlight that can change color, which is a bonus.

Quote:
  • base features for reading (highlighting, notetaking and a good English dictionary) working by default (which unfortunately was not the case with my Boyue)
The Clara does that. But I never use highlighting or notes, so I can't comment.

The Kobo dictionary isn't as thorough as Kindle's. It's always been good enough for me. YMMV.

Quote:
  • possibility of fiddling with the software, e.g. trying different reading apps, would be a plus
You can patch the Kobo software to tweak things (which I've done) or install an entirely different reader (I've never done that and don't see the point. but you can).

Quote:
  • physical buttons would also be a plus (but I read in another thread that nowadays they are rather uncommon)
The Nook Glowlight 3 has physical buttons and meets most of your other requirements. But it is larger than the Clara and I don't think you can fiddle with the software much.

Physically, I think the 3 is nicer than the Clara or the Paperwhite. But Kobo's software is much better than Nook software is.
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:46 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by DaleDe View Post
You are not going to find an e Ink device with a 3:2 aspect ratio. They are 4:3.
Well, that's ok--I mentioned the form factor measuring it from the ooold kindle I am using right now, because 6 inches sounded strange to me compared to the aspect ratios of smartphones...
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:48 PM   #6
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@ZodWallop, very nice analysis, many thanks!
Last edited by OneiroDancer; 05-13-2019 at 12:51 PM.
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Old 05-13-2019, 12:55 PM   #7
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Gadgets don't interest me. Books do.
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Old 05-13-2019, 01:22 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by patrickt View Post
Gadgets don't interest me. Books do.
Not sure of what your goal is in going to the "Which one should I buy?" section of the forum to share this.

Are you next going to the Deals and Resources section to comment about how you buy books when you're ready to read them rather than when they're on sale?
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Old 05-13-2019, 11:08 PM   #9
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I will recommend the Kobo Clara HD or Onyx Poke Pro.
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Old 05-13-2019, 11:54 PM   #10
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I have an Onyx Boox Note Pro and the latest update is a disaster. I have a Kobo and love it.
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Old 05-14-2019, 12:38 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneiroDancer View Post
Well, that's ok--I mentioned the form factor measuring it from the ooold kindle I am using right now, because 6 inches sounded strange to me compared to the aspect ratios of smartphones...
you have to measure the screen display area, not the overall device size , to get to 4:3
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Old 05-14-2019, 03:34 AM   #12
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you have to measure the screen display area, not the overall device size , to get to 4:3
Of course, that's what I did--the mistake was not in the measurement, but in the reduction of the fraction
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Old 05-14-2019, 03:27 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by DaleDe View Post
You are not going to find an e Ink device with a 3:2 aspect ratio. They are 4:3.
With the exception of the Sony PRS-950, which is close to 3:2. But it's old tech and not front-lit.

Measurement for a standard (6") e-Reader, 4-3/4" x 3-5/8". For a PRS-950, 6-1/4" x 3-5/8".
Last edited by rcentros; 05-14-2019 at 03:30 PM.
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Old 05-14-2019, 04:58 PM   #14
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I have an Onyx Boox Note Pro and the latest update is a disaster. I have a Kobo and love it.
I have poke pro and the update is excellent. I dont reccommend it to the op because the inbuilt dictionary is weak, though you can install others.

The kobo clara would probably be a good choice.
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Old 05-15-2019, 12:17 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by rcentros View Post
With the exception of the Sony PRS-950, which is close to 3:2. But it's old tech and not front-lit.

Measurement for a standard (6") e-Reader, 4-3/4" x 3-5/8". For a PRS-950, 6-1/4" x 3-5/8".
Is that Sony even available any longer? If you want to see screen sizes for all devices check our wiki.

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