Large format readers, less user friendly

[ProDigit]

I've noticed most large format readers are less comfortable to hold, buttons usually are at awkward places, etc etc...

If I look at the Astak EZreader Pro, or the Jetbook Mini, they spent a lot of time figuring out where to put the batteries, where to hold it, where the fingers of a hand holding the device would be, and where to place their buttons!

Not so with larger readers! They generally have all buttons at the bottom, very few, if not none, at the side, few at the top.

Page flipping is unnatural unless you hold a reader only on the bottom. I like to hold readers on the side, as holding them on the bottom some (like the Jetbook Color) are too heavy (they'd fall forward all the time).

[rkomar]

I find the buttons on my PocketBook 902 are pretty well placed. It doesn't have a touchscreen, so buttons are the only way to interact with it. Maybe the designers give their placement a bit more thought when that's the case.

[Dulin's Books]

how many different large format readers have you held in hand ProDigit?

[ProDigit]

I've seen the Kindle, Jetbook COlor, and a few tablets.
All of them are the same.
I've also looked at the M92, it's buttons are somewhat better placed indeed.

[Dulin's Books]

so 2 then.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

so 2 then.

How many more are there on the market?

[pidgeon92]

The Kindle DX has the page turn buttons on the right side of the device, and my Boox M90 has the page turn buttons on the left side of the device. It also has the little IR button that can be used to turn the page on the right, but it's so flaky I never use it.

[Talldog]

I've never had any issues with my DX. I just wish it had v3 of the software.

[Skydog]

No problem with my DX either. It's thin, lightweight and the buttons on the right side work well. It's my go-to reader at home.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

How many more are there on the market?

i have personally tried something like 15? maybe more like 20 after finishing this paragraph, not even counting iterations of the same device. on the market currently are 5 i think. Kindle DXG, PocketBook 9xx, Onyx M9x, Hanvon E90, Hanvon C90, Ectaco Jetbook Color. oh see thats 6 right there and there are at least 3 more that are probably available if i look around. That Asus one, Hanlin and Boeye. So that makes probably 9 currently on the market.

Not counting the PL 100 available only to Russian teachers and school kids. Also not counting Brother and Ricoh which are only available to their corporate clients and might not still be available.

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

...my Boox M90 has the page turn buttons on the left side of the device. It also has the little IR button that can be used to turn the page on the right, but it's so flaky I never use it.

and of course you can turn it over and use it with the buttons on the other side.

[Kumabjorn]

I did not know that there were that many large eReaders on the market. In Sweden we have none, that is why I was baffled.

[reprep]

I wish kindle dx had buttons on both sides like kindle keyboard. I change the page orientation very frequently because of lack of this. I sometimes like to turn pages with my right hand and sometimes with my left hand.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I did not know that there were that many large eReaders on the market. In Sweden we have none, that is why I was baffled.

pocketbook and Onyx devices should be easily available to you

http://www.pocketbook-int.com/de

and http://www.ereader-store.de/ sells both brands

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

and of course you can turn it over and use it with the buttons on the other side.

I tried this, and the buttons were backwards, which was weird. I'm OK with the page turn being on the left side.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by rkomar

I find the buttons on my PocketBook 902 are pretty well placed. It doesn't have a touchscreen, so buttons are the only way to interact with it.

I would agree with you if I were a right-hander. But as a left-hander I find turning pages on my Pocketbook 902 not so convenient.

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

Kindle DXG, PocketBook 9xx, Onyx M9x, Hanvon E90, Hanvon C90, Ectaco Jetbook Color.

Not on the market anymore, but still available second hand: the good old iRex 1000. It has three quite big keys on every side (backwards, forwards, enter) and for me it has the best ergonomics of all the big readers (but that's of course a personal impression).