Sturdy e-ink for 10-year old

June · 06-01-2016, 08:01 AM

Hi, my kid has finally gotten interested in reading

he's been reading paper books and on his iPad, but since he is really getting interested in reading I'm thinking of getting home an e-ink device for his upcoming birthday.

I haven't been following the various devices - are there any that are more sturdy/hard wearing (i.e. metal body etc)? Format doesn't matter, but it needs to be dedicated e-reader, stable in use (no app loading crashes etc).

Thanks!

meeera · 06-01-2016, 08:25 AM

There is no such thing as a sturdy e-ink device. You can get a good case and buy a low-end e-ink reader, willing to replace it if need be. That's the route I went, along with instructions on how to handle the device and pack it safely in a bag, and my Kobo Glo survived my now-13-year-old just fine. Metal vs plastic body is pretty irrelevant - it's the glass screen substrate that is prone to breakage - it is much thinner than the glass screen of a tablet.

JSWolf · 06-01-2016, 08:27 AM

There are a number of eInk Readers that are stable. But, they are all about the same in terms of how sturdy. Do you think your son can manage an eInk Reader that has a glass substrate?

They all do and if he's not able to handle such with dropping, bending, twisting, putting heavy things on it, etc, then an eInk Reader is not for him.

If you do think he'd be able to handle a Reader, I would suggest getting a basic Kindle since you have Kindles.

meeera · 06-01-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you do think he'd be able to handle a Reader, I would suggest getting a basic Kindle since you have Kindles.

Yep, I'd give him the old K3. They're all near end of life anyway, unless the battery has been replaced.

Cinisajoy · 06-01-2016, 10:47 AM

Or buy him the kids bundle kindle for $99.

June · 06-01-2016, 11:11 AM

Thank you for the comments. I'm aware that the screen has a glass substrate, I was a bit unclear in my question: I was wondering if there are e-ink devices with a metal body similar to the old prs-505 etc that would at least help in preventing some twisting that might crack the screen.

I migh give him one of my devices, although not the K3 - I use that for TTS

Barbara1955 · 06-01-2016, 11:36 AM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XIV00EO...ods_fs_eink_bk

I 2nd the Kindle Kids Bundle & its on SALE! $90!!!

JSWolf · 06-01-2016, 12:03 PM

There is a major issue with the Kids bundle. The problem is the cover give no protection for the screen at all. So when the Kindle isn't being used, there's no protection. If the Kindle was put in a carry bag, the screen could be scratched or bashed and because there's no protection for the screen, it would take less pressure on the screen to break it. The Kindle needs more protection, not less.

As for metal housed Readers, they are all plastic now. The last of the metal housed Readers was the Sony x50 line (350,650, 950).

ottdmk · 06-01-2016, 04:05 PM

For a kid, I'd suggest a Kobo Touch 2.0 and a good case. The e-reader is relatively inexpensive ($89.99CDN) and should do quite well. The fact that it doesn't have a built-in light may be a bonus with a child, as it makes it harder to sneakily stay up late reading. :-P

An added plus is that Kobo works well for library loans in Europe. Kindle does not.

Cinisajoy · 06-01-2016, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is a major issue with the Kids bundle. The problem is the cover give no protection for the screen at all. So when the Kindle isn't being used, there's no protection. If the Kindle was put in a carry bag, the screen could be scratched or bashed and because there's no protection for the screen, it would take less pressure on the screen to break it. The Kindle needs more protection, not less.

As for metal housed Readers, they are all plastic now. The last of the metal housed Readers was the Sony x50 line (350,650, 950).

I think it comes with a 2 year warranty so if he breaks it, no big deal.

Phogg · 06-01-2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is a major issue with the Kids bundle. The problem is the cover give no protection for the screen at all. So when the Kindle isn't being used, there's no protection. If the Kindle was put in a carry bag, the screen could be scratched or bashed and because there's no protection for the screen, it would take less pressure on the screen to break it. The Kindle needs more protection, not less.

As for metal housed Readers, they are all plastic now. The last of the metal housed Readers was the Sony x50 line (350,650, 950).

The new Kepler line from Onyx has metal frames.
A bit pricey for a ten year old though.

davidfor · 06-01-2016, 10:58 PM

I just read the title of the thread...

I can't do that trade, but I'd be happy to give you a 17 year old boy for a sturdy ereader. He's house trained, well, as house-trained as any 17 year old.

Sorry, but someone had to do it

meeera · 06-02-2016, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

Thank you for the comments. I'm aware that the screen has a glass substrate, I was a bit unclear in my question: I was wondering if there are e-ink devices with a metal body similar to the old prs-505 etc that would at least help in preventing some twisting that might crack the screen.

There's nothing inherent about metal that stops twisting and bending. You could go ahead and buy a child a Voyage, but it doesn't sound like the soundest financial decision to me, if you're on a limited budget. *shrug*, your choice.

NickyWithNook · 06-02-2016, 08:24 AM

I'd just get a Paperwhite and a good case, and make sure he understands that it needs to be kept in the case when not being actively used for reading, and that it should never be on the ground. 10 isn't that young.

But I think the Paperwhite (or the Voyage or the new one - whatever it's called - if you don't care at all about money) is the best e-ink reader, and he needs to have a good experience reading if you want to encourage that as an activity.

JSWolf · 06-02-2016, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyWithNook

I'd just get a Paperwhite and a good case, and make sure he understands that it needs to be kept in the case when not being actively used for reading, and that it should never be on the ground. 10 isn't that young.

But I think the Paperwhite (or the Voyage or the new one - whatever it's called - if you don't care at all about money) is the best e-ink reader, and he needs to have a good experience reading if you want to encourage that as an activity.

Let's not get into which Reader is best. Let's just go with what Reader is best in this situation.

06-01-2016, 08:01 AM	#1
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Sturdy e-ink for 10-year old Hi, my kid has finally gotten interested in reading he's been reading paper books and on his iPad, but since he is really getting interested in reading I'm thinking of getting home an e-ink device for his upcoming birthday. I haven't been following the various devices - are there any that are more sturdy/hard wearing (i.e. metal body etc)? Format doesn't matter, but it needs to be dedicated e-reader, stable in use (no app loading crashes etc). Thanks!

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06-01-2016, 08:25 AM	#2
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,659 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	There is no such thing as a sturdy e-ink device. You can get a good case and buy a low-end e-ink reader, willing to replace it if need be. That's the route I went, along with instructions on how to handle the device and pack it safely in a bag, and my Kobo Glo survived my now-13-year-old just fine. Metal vs plastic body is pretty irrelevant - it's the glass screen substrate that is prone to breakage - it is much thinner than the glass screen of a tablet.

06-01-2016, 08:27 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,358 Karma: 129333690 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There are a number of eInk Readers that are stable. But, they are all about the same in terms of how sturdy. Do you think your son can manage an eInk Reader that has a glass substrate? They all do and if he's not able to handle such with dropping, bending, twisting, putting heavy things on it, etc, then an eInk Reader is not for him. If you do think he'd be able to handle a Reader, I would suggest getting a basic Kindle since you have Kindles.

06-01-2016, 10:47 AM	#5
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Or buy him the kids bundle kindle for $99.

06-01-2016, 11:11 AM	#6
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Thank you for the comments. I'm aware that the screen has a glass substrate, I was a bit unclear in my question: I was wondering if there are e-ink devices with a metal body similar to the old prs-505 etc that would at least help in preventing some twisting that might crack the screen. I migh give him one of my devices, although not the K3 - I use that for TTS

06-01-2016, 11:36 AM	#7
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XIV00EO...ods_fs_eink_bk I 2nd the Kindle Kids Bundle & its on SALE! $90!!!

06-01-2016, 12:03 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,358 Karma: 129333690 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There is a major issue with the Kids bundle. The problem is the cover give no protection for the screen at all. So when the Kindle isn't being used, there's no protection. If the Kindle was put in a carry bag, the screen could be scratched or bashed and because there's no protection for the screen, it would take less pressure on the screen to break it. The Kindle needs more protection, not less. As for metal housed Readers, they are all plastic now. The last of the metal housed Readers was the Sony x50 line (350,650, 950).

06-01-2016, 04:05 PM	#9
ottdmk Wizard Posts: 1,197 Karma: 3765734 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Libra 2, Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus, Lenovo Tab M8 HD	For a kid, I'd suggest a Kobo Touch 2.0 and a good case. The e-reader is relatively inexpensive ($89.99CDN) and should do quite well. The fact that it doesn't have a built-in light may be a bonus with a child, as it makes it harder to sneakily stay up late reading. :-P An added plus is that Kobo works well for library loans in Europe. Kindle does not.

06-01-2016, 10:58 PM	#12
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,906 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	I just read the title of the thread... I can't do that trade, but I'd be happy to give you a 17 year old boy for a sturdy ereader. He's house trained, well, as house-trained as any 17 year old. Sorry, but someone had to do it

06-02-2016, 08:24 AM	#14
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I'd just get a Paperwhite and a good case, and make sure he understands that it needs to be kept in the case when not being actively used for reading, and that it should never be on the ground. 10 isn't that young. But I think the Paperwhite (or the Voyage or the new one - whatever it's called - if you don't care at all about money) is the best e-ink reader, and he needs to have a good experience reading if you want to encourage that as an activity.

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