Pandigital Novel ereader

Rbneader · 05-24-2013, 02:06 PM

I'm looking for some advise about the Pandigital Novel eInk ereader. I've got a chance to buy one cheaply, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. How does the screen compare to a Simple Touch or Kobo Touch? Any weird quirks that made you regret getting it? Hardware or software problems?

Thanks!

Xanthe · 05-25-2013, 01:06 PM

I've got an old Pandigital Novel Color (White) that I bought when they first came out and I rooted it years ago. I don't know what the current incarnations are like, though, and I've never had just their e-ink version. Sorry.

Rbneader · 05-25-2013, 11:39 PM

Well, it was being sold for US$20, so I went ahead and bought it. I'm looking for something to use on an upcoming trip, and I figure at that price even if something happens to it I won't lose sleep over it.

In case anyone else runs across this and wants to know more about them, I'll put what I've found so far.

First impressions:
TL;DR I spent $20 and got a device that I can easily and without a worry take with me while traveling. I'm not complaining, and I won't complain even if it breaks. I wouldn't pay more than $20, given that you can get a new B&N reader for $60 at WalMart and used ones for $40 on eBay.

Details:
Speed in book browsing heavily depends on number of books. SSLLLOOOWW in some places when I first got it (had previous owner's collection on it, about 500 books). I deleted a bunch of the crappy ones, now it's quicker. Speed in non-book parts of the reader doesn't seem to vary with book count, I suspect it's just lousy coding in how they handle book covers. It's uniformly slower than the Nook or Kindle Glo and occasionally not very responsive.

It's got a nice-looking calendar.

Screen is definitely not as nice as B&N reader or a friend's basic Kindle. Contrast is lower.

Feels a little unbalanced when held with one hand.

Survives dropping very well (Yup, I dropped it already. There's a reason I never buy latest and greatest electronics

). Cover came lose when it hit the floor, but I was able to snap it all back together again easily, screen didn't have any problems.

Hardware buttons are nice, tend to get a better response than the touch screen.

It's based on Linux. There is a thread to hack it and install various nifty things on SlateDroid.com. I probably won't be doing any of that because if I feel the need for something better I can spend the $40 to get a used Nook that I can root. Thread is: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/4250...paper-ereader/

05-24-2013, 02:06 PM	#1
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 503 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	Pandigital Novel ereader I'm looking for some advise about the Pandigital Novel eInk ereader. I've got a chance to buy one cheaply, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. How does the screen compare to a Simple Touch or Kobo Touch? Any weird quirks that made you regret getting it? Hardware or software problems? Thanks!

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05-25-2013, 01:06 PM	#2
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	I've got an old Pandigital Novel Color (White) that I bought when they first came out and I rooted it years ago. I don't know what the current incarnations are like, though, and I've never had just their e-ink version. Sorry.

05-25-2013, 11:39 PM	#3
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 503 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	Well, it was being sold for US$20, so I went ahead and bought it. I'm looking for something to use on an upcoming trip, and I figure at that price even if something happens to it I won't lose sleep over it. In case anyone else runs across this and wants to know more about them, I'll put what I've found so far. First impressions: TL;DR I spent $20 and got a device that I can easily and without a worry take with me while traveling. I'm not complaining, and I won't complain even if it breaks. I wouldn't pay more than $20, given that you can get a new B&N reader for $60 at WalMart and used ones for $40 on eBay. Details: Speed in book browsing heavily depends on number of books. SSLLLOOOWW in some places when I first got it (had previous owner's collection on it, about 500 books). I deleted a bunch of the crappy ones, now it's quicker. Speed in non-book parts of the reader doesn't seem to vary with book count, I suspect it's just lousy coding in how they handle book covers. It's uniformly slower than the Nook or Kindle Glo and occasionally not very responsive. It's got a nice-looking calendar. Screen is definitely not as nice as B&N reader or a friend's basic Kindle. Contrast is lower. Feels a little unbalanced when held with one hand. Survives dropping very well (Yup, I dropped it already. There's a reason I never buy latest and greatest electronics ). Cover came lose when it hit the floor, but I was able to snap it all back together again easily, screen didn't have any problems. Hardware buttons are nice, tend to get a better response than the touch screen. It's based on Linux. There is a thread to hack it and install various nifty things on SlateDroid.com. I probably won't be doing any of that because if I feel the need for something better I can spend the $40 to get a used Nook that I can root. Thread is: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/4250...paper-ereader/

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