Repair vs Replace

[book_addict]

So my mum accidentally broke the screen of my Cybook Gen 3 and I'm trying to decide whether I should buy a new ereader or just send my cybook off to be repaired. I'm unfortunately not in a country where I can just check out the latest ebook readers.

I was just wondering, what makes the latest ereaders better than my cybook. For me, having colour screens is a bit gimicky, as really all I'll be using the ereader for is to read. Although having wifi and touch screen would be great, they're non essential. I would rather have an ereader with in-built dictionary (I know not supported by Gen 3 if it's set to read in epub so there's one right there), a decent refresh rate and battery life.

And at the moment, the Gen 3 meets all my needs. It's not too heavy, the screen is big enough and the library folder system on the cybook makes things easier. I know it sounds like I've made up my mind but I haven't! It's just I find it hard to figure out where the improvements have been made in the technology. And if those improvements mean I really should upgrade my cybook.

If people do have suggestions for why the latest ereaders are better, I would appreciate hearing about "alternative" ereaders e.g. from Bookeen, Pocketbook or Bebook as well as about the Kindles and Sony ereaders.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by book_addict

I was just wondering, what makes the latest ereaders better than my cybook.

A few things, in no particular order:

1. Screen (the new eInk "Pearl" screen has 50% better contrast than the Gen3's screen, and it really does make a difference).
2. Dictionary lookup.
3. Annotation and notes.
4. Bookmarks.
5. Search facility within a book (and between books).

[book_addict]

Thanks for letting me know!

[AlexSno]

I know your frustration about repairing or re-buying a product.
I owned an iRiver Spin player on which my touchscreen broke. It ill cost me around $100 to repair it and it's price is around $140.
This bugs me and can't believe they will charge me almost the entire sum of money for repairing something

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by AlexSno

I know your frustration about repairing or re-buying a product.
I owned an iRiver Spin player on which my touchscreen broke. It ill cost me around $100 to repair it and it's price is around $140.
This bugs me and can't believe they will charge me almost the entire sum of money for repairing something

The screen can't be repaired; it can only be replaced. Unfortunately the screen is the primary constituent of an eBook reader, and accounts for the majority of its price.

[book_addict]

It is highly annoying but the price paid for this kind of technology I suppose. Bookeen have come back to me with a price of up to 70euros so not so bad. So I'm going with what I know and it gives me a bit more time before I upgrade.

[AlexSno]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The screen can't be repaired; it can only be replaced. Unfortunately the screen is the primary constituent of an eBook reader, and accounts for the majority of its price.

I know it can't be repaired and i think this is why producers charge so much for just one part of the device. This is good marketing for them afteral...

[jbcohen]

You said 70 euros for repair, that's approximatly $100. The best that I have been able to get in replacement costs is at Beach Camera for $187 or 131 euros. That's a difference of $87 or approximatly 61 euros. I would go with the repair and keep the 61 euros.

[book_addict]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

The best that I have been able to get in replacement costs is at Beach Camera for $187 or 131 euros.

How strange that it's much more expensive, that's the price that Bookeen quoted for repair. Not including the shipping costs of course.

The first time I had an issue with my cybook (when for some reason it wouldn't work again after my attempt to update the firmware) wasn't too much of a problem for me as I had bought insurance but by the time it broke again my insurance had sadly run out.