You Can Now Order Pine64’s Linux eReader

[orebmur]

Finally, after a long wait, a new batch of the PineNote Community Edition featuring a flexible Debian Linux operating environment based on GNOME for advanced end users has become available for pre-order:

www.howtogeek.com/pine64-pinenote-community-edition-preorder/
liliputing.com/pinenote-community-edition-is-a-399-e-ink-tablet-that-ships-with-debian-linux/

While I doubt this might already be suitable for non-tech minded end users who solely rely on ready made products, it can be safely assumed providing a solid usage basis for users with at least basic understanding how Linux works. Have a look at following github pages to get a preliminary idea about what usability level can be expected:

github.com/PNDeb/pinenote-debian-image
github.com/PNDeb/pinenote-debian-image/releases
pine64.org/documentation/PineNote/

The default reading program is our beloved koreader application!

Personally, I am looking forward to a full fledged Debian environment allowing to use this device for so many more purposes than just being a book selling frontend by commercial vendors trying to restrict its user's possibilities with outdated crippled Android variants. Finally an open-purpose device without vendor imposed walled gardens and just limited by our own imagination!

pine64.com/product/pinenote-community-edition-coming-soon/

Since the production run is estimated to complete mid November, with shipping starting right after, this might become the perfect Christmas gift for some.

[Cactus Chef]

$400 is alot of money to pay for a "tinkerer's" device that I expect is going to perform like crap, all for the sake of being able to install emacs on it.

[kandwo]

I would actually be tempted to get one, if the hardware was better. 227 PPI Carta 1000 now that we've had 300 PPI for a couple of years and Carta 1300 screens are getting released? No, thank you.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by kandwo

I would actually be tempted to get one, if the hardware was better. 227 PPI Carta 1000 now that we've had 300 PPI for a couple of years and Carta 1300 screens are getting released? No, thank you.

Or an 11" or 14 Nxtpaper.

IMO eink is only good for ebooks and 6" to 8" best for novels. I've had two 10.3″ eink (too big for novels) and one Android eink. I'll stick to my 8″ Kobo sage for novels and annotation and the Nxtpaper 11 for notes and other content. I'd sooner spend about €400 on a Nxtpaper 14. Maybe in January.

But if light pipe, touch and top surface is done well there is little difference between any mono Carta version.

[kwik]

Device Warranty: 30 Days

Due to restrictions placed on shipment of Lithium-ion battery operated devices, such as the PineNote, it needs to be purchased separately from other items in the Pine Store. Adding other items to the basket will return an error at check-out.

[Quoth]

In sales to the EU (and some other countries such as Norway, UK and Switzerland) they are legally obliged to offer 1 year, though that can exclude a removable battery/cell. Original packing not required and seller is obliged to pay return costs, though seller can decide on refund vs repair vs replacement.

Note the EU system only applies to personal purchases, not businesses, or wholesale to business.

[Cactus Chef]

Originally Posted by Quoth

In sales to the EU (and some other countries such as Norway, UK and Switzerland) they are legally obliged to offer 1 year, though that can exclude a removable battery/cell. Original packing not required and seller is obliged to pay return costs, though seller can decide on refund vs repair vs replacement.

Note the EU system only applies to personal purchases, not businesses, or wholesale to business.

So if I buy one laptop for myself it's covered by a 1-year warranty, but if I buy 30 laptops for a school, they can all explode after 91 days and I have no recourse?

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

So if I buy one laptop for myself it's covered by a 1-year warranty, but if I buy 30 laptops for a school, they can all explode after 91 days and I have no recourse?

I guess that bulk purchasers are presumed to be able to to negotiate all the terms and trade various costs versus benefits or at least select among various bids. (I know 30 laptops might not be much incentive to put effort into an attractive bid.)

[JSWolf]

What software is on this thing to read eBooks? Does it do ePub? Does is do Adobe's DRM?

[Frogm4n]

KOReader is installed as part of the community-built Debian firmware.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I guess that bulk purchasers are presumed to be able to to negotiate all the terms and trade various costs versus benefits or at least select among various bids. (I know 30 laptops might not be much incentive to put effort into an attractive bid.)

Yes, traditionally the tender for such, decades before any consumer protection, would have had support and warranty terms, even for only 20 computers.

However in 1992 the company I worked for pointed out to the college that it obviously didn't include free replacement of the RAM. After that they fitted cheap locks on the already included tabs on PC case cover. RAM stolen from two class rooms. The thieves even screwed the covers back on. No CCTV.

Another time about 70 Seagate HDDs failed within weeks in computers we built and supplied. We did get free replacements from the trade supplier of 100 drives, but our time replacing all 100 HDDs was not reimbursed by the college (a different one) or the supplier.

Trade and manufacturer warranties have always existed and varied immensely and didn't always apply to retail customers. They are in addition to any consumer protection rights.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

KOReader is installed as part of the community-built Debian firmware.

Some people like that. I prefer native Kobo and on Android using Lithium or Pocketbook. I used KOReader for a while on the Kobo Elipsa till Kobo added crop/zoom with page turn, which later was saved per PDF.

[berrrnard]

A 30 day warranty is insane, and illegal in Australia.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by berrrnard

A 30 day warranty is insane, and illegal in Australia.

At present the PineNote is only marketed to developers and adventurous hobbyists. I don't know if any Pine64 products are meant for end users.

[orebmur]

pine64.org/2024/10/18/november_2024/

Quote from the article:

»[...] The main goal behind developing the PineNote was to create an open-source alternative to popular e-paper readers and note-taking devices, with nearly infinite software customization, free from advertisements and subscriptions. It runs standard Linux, adapted for a grayscale display, with preinstalled tools and extensions included to help make use of the device easier. [...]«