Need something durable AND pocket-sized, AND inexpensive!

[RKnack]

I am getting frustrated. I received a Sony PRS350 a couple years ago for Christmas. I loved it, but I dropped it one too many times and it quit working, and now it would cost as much to have it fixed as it would cost to get another one online (discount price).

I then paid just under $40 for a Chinese-made MeBook 4.3" mini touchscreen. Seemed nice enough, for the price - but I dropped it ONCE, and it quit working (I had had it for less than a week).

Yes, I tend to be a bit fumble-fingered, unfortunately.

I am looking for a reader that will take at least SOME abuse, is pocket-sized (I don't want a 7" tablet!), and cost less than $100 (I am on a tight budget). I also don't want a Kindle, for personal reasons.

Oh, and I'd prefer MP3 capability, as well, since I like to listen to audiobooks (and MP3 recordings of old-time radio shows...)

Does what I want even exist????

[eschwartz]

Well, the Kindle costs less than $100, can fit in my pocket at least, and has MP3 support, (including built-in access to Audible.com audiobooks) but you specifically don't want it...

The Nook SimpleTouch is also < $100, but has no audio capability whatsoever. It is a little shorter and fatter than the Kindle, so it should presumably also fit in a pocket.

Mind if I ask what you have against the Kindle?

[davidfor]

The Kobo Mini is a 5" e-ink reader that a lot of owners are loving for the size. It has been going for about $50 here down-under recently and I am sure I have seen similar prices mentioned in the US. But, it doesn't do any sound at all.

[soulfuldog]

Don't know about durability but sounds like you should just pick one of the available ereaders and invest in a good case to go with it, so when you do eventually drop it, it won't necessarily break.

For pocket sized, the PRS 350 you already had in the official Sony case seems very sturdy to me. Personally I'd probably just buy a used one from ebay and invest in a good case, as that seems likely to be the cheapest option. But there are a couple of fairly cheap options available that have been released fairly recently - neither has sound though:

Both the Kobo Mini and the Trekstor Pyrus Mini are available at under $100. Yyou can buy a Kobo Mini at an Indy Bookstore in the US (http://www.indiebound.org/ebooks), or online at Powells for $80. The Trekstor is more readily available in Europe, not sure if you can buy it from their online store and ship to the US or not, but it's 50€ (about $65).

[Canuck_in_Japan]

I think all the readers are relatively equal in ruggedness. If I'm not out of line, may I suggest not dropping your readers so often?

[samhy]

My Mini already fell twice and it's still going strong It's small and not expensive (depending on where you're living).

RIP your 350

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by l_macd

... For pocket sized, the PRS 350 you already had in the official Sony case seems very sturdy to me. Personally I'd probably just buy a used one from ebay and invest in a good case, as that seems likely to be the cheapest option.

That's what I'd do as well. I bought a few used ones, the cheapest was $35, one was $45 with a case.

Edit: Btw, I've dropped my 350s quite a few times, and usually on hard concrete walkways from at least 3'. It was at least in the Sony official cover though which gave it some protection, but each time I held my breath thinking "now I've really done it this time" while I turned it on to see if it still worked... and it still worked perfectly after the drops.

Since you drop yours also, you can't beat the price on a used one. Just be sure to check with the seller if there are any scratches on the screen.

[pendragginp]

Yes, get a 350 off ebay AND a good case. AND find a way to attach a wrist strap. Or a chain. Or something! lol

[ilovejedd]

Completely agree, PRS-350 is quite durable. I've always been pretty careless with it (a couple of hard drops, sits inside my bag without a case) and mine's still working. The screen on my iRiver Story HD got cracked and for the life of me, I still don't know what I did to cause that since it didn't get abused like the PRS-350.

I guess the aluminum shell is partly to thank for its durability.

[dordale]

I'm with the others--for a pocket size e-reader, the Sony 350 is my choice. And from what I see it's one of the most durable ones out there. Buy a sturdy case and try to be careful!

Haven't ever owned a Kobo, but the mini with a sturdy case is probably a good option as well.

Good luck!

[purple_fishy]

My Nook STR has been dropped several times (in the case) and has not been damaged in any way. It's almost 2 years old and still going strong!

[samhy]

Originally Posted by samhy

My Mini already fell twice and it's still going strong It's small and not expensive (depending on where you're living).

I forgot to add that when the Mini fell on the floor made of tile, it wasn't in any type of case or cover But that wasn't that high, maybe around 50 cm.

[RKnack]

Well, somehow I managed to get the MeBook working again. The case I had ordered for it just arrived in the mail yesterday (the day AFTER I dropped it, of course... :P). Hopefully it will continue to work until I have enough saved up that I can buy a better-quality ebook...

[pendragginp]

INVEST IN A WRIST STRAP!

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by samhy

I forgot to add that when the Mini fell on the floor made of tile, it wasn't in any type of case or cover But that wasn't that high, maybe around 50 cm.

50 cm? That's not too far... what, about the length of an American Cockroach?

http://www.orkin.com/cockroaches/american-cockroach/




<apparently us Americans shouldn't be allowed to use the metric system>