JBL vs Libre Pro

[kejonn]

Hi folks,

After lurking here for two days, I realize that the two readers in the title are essentially the same machine, with some slight differences. Of course, each company is in charge of updating the firmware for their respective products. But I find myself at a crossroads in choosing which to buy.

I can get the JBL at Newegg for $89 and it comes with an earlight. The two advantages over the Libre Pro is the ability to use B&N DRM books natively (from what I've read here) and replaceable AAs. But what could be a big disadvantage to me is the position of the battery compartment as I am very used to holding reading materials in my right hand, including cellphones, books, etc.

I can get the Libre Pro from Target for $69! While not having the ability to use AAs is not a killer for me, the inability to natively support B&N DRMs might be. And the back is flush so using the reader in my right hand is potentially less of an issue.

Can anyone here tell me how awkward using the JBL in the right hand might be?

Thanks!

[GA Russell]

It's awkward. The batteries provide most of the weight, and they are on the left.

Most people hold books in their left hand, so they can turn the pages with their right. How did you get in the habit of holding books with your right hand?

[kejonn]

Pages are turned to the left, only natural for me I suppose.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by kejonn

...
Can anyone here tell me how awkward using the JBL in the right hand might be?

Thanks!

It's not all that awkward, I use either hand. Instead of curling my fingers around the battery pack (left handed style) I curl my fingers so the tips butt right up against the battery pack.

It seems pretty stable and secure to me, but I can't really manage a one-handed page turn -- I usually use the thumb or forefinger of my left hand when I'm holding it in my right.

[Ken Maltby]

The JBL is different from the Libre Pro and the regular jetBook, in a number of important
ways. The hardware for the Libre Pro and the regular jetBook are the same.

The JBL balances so well in your left hand that you should soon find it natural to hold
it that way. That is probably one reason those of us who use it with our left hand,
find it awkward to use it in our right hand. But it works fine in the right hand.

Holding it in the right hand I have my right thumb between the shiny page turn button
and the keypad with the "OK" button in the middle, or on the shiny next page button.
My index finger is on the flat part of the back with the tip against the battery bump.
My middle finger rests in the between batteries indentation of the battery cover.
My little finger fits in right under the battery bump and takes up some of the weight.
All in all the battery bump provides some additional support, over a flat back, whichever
hand you use.

When I hold the JBL in landscape mode; I have my right thumb on the upper right corner.
I support most of the weight with my middle finger under the battery bump.
My index finger is in the between battery indentation.
The rest of the fingers on my right hand are on the flat part of the back helping my
middle finger out.
I use my left thumb on the shiny turn page buttons, with my left index finger curling
around the end of the battery bump, for additional support.

(If you are in a chair with arms, your JBL can be the fixed object supported without
effort between your arms that are leaning against each other, with your JBL in middle.)

Luck;
Ken

[kejonn]

Well, I decided to go with the JBL because I like the idea of the AAs, and that Ectaco is (according to this forum) better with firmware updates. I already have AA/AAA charger and some fairly new batteries, so it seemed a fit.

Thanks for the feedback.