What makes the jetbook so expensive?

Mathlete · 08-22-2009, 01:22 AM

As I understand it, the electronics for devices like the Kindle, Gen 3, and Sony 505 are pretty cheap compared to the expensive 6" Vizplex e-ink screens.

The jetbook has comparable electronics (no wireless capability though) and uses a greyscale 5" LCD display. How do they justify an official price of $300?

I'm aware that there is some deal out there where you can pay $200 for a limited time and you don't get to pick the color, but the point still stands that they want $300 from their website. They also want $50 for the only decent cover they sell, since you'll probably want to replace the button-snap pouch that comes with it.

Are they gouging or is the price justified for their display technology, given the competition?

wodin · 08-22-2009, 02:00 AM

There is usually a difference between MSRP and street price for most consumer electronics. The exception to this is for devices that are either new, limited supply, or some dealer has an exclusive.

MSRP for a jetBook is $299, but street price is $169 to $199. The only reason it is that high even is that eBook readers are still a relatively niche market overall. That's also, by the way, the reason eInk screens cost so much at the wholesale level.

This market is set to take off, and I think soon you'll see the price of all readers come down to be more in line with build price.

Dr. Drib · 08-22-2009, 08:07 AM

Although jetBook has an Official Price, I only paid $152.00 for mine (plus tax). The shipping was free. It was purchased from BBB and they gave me 20% from their list.

I took a chance, (and won!) since the BBBs in Arkansas do not actually carry the unit.

Don

Kralik · 08-22-2009, 10:00 AM

The going price is really $169.99 (NewEgg) or $199.99 - 20% (BB&B). MSRP isn't reliable. Also, it's a "new" type of LCD screen that was developed by Toshiba fairly recently. Interesting to check out their (Toshiba's) website on screen tech.

I also expect that after importing the device from China (I assume) and rebranding it, Ectaco wants to make a profit on the foreign language dictionaries that they package on it and the custom firmware they program. If you visit Ectaco.com, you'll see they most of what they sell is actually electronic translators and language software (some of which comes in the jetBook box for PC, not that I've used it).

jgray · 08-22-2009, 11:13 PM

Yes, I totally forgot the CD that came in the box. I'll have to dig it out some day and see if it is anything useful.

Kralik · 08-23-2009, 04:12 PM

Just a guess... I think I read somewhere on MR that the e-ink screen runs about $90. If that's the case, I just consider my jetBook purchase compared to the competition (at the time) as such:

jetBook: $170 (NewEgg)
Sony PRS-505: $260 (various)

$90 difference!

BTW, not even Ectaco sells it for $300 straight on their site. They run various promotions such as discounted prices and extra accessories (earlight). In fact, "TODAY ONLY!" you can get it for $250 with the light. Or then there is their offer of "Don't want to pay $300? Name what you will pay and we'll consider it!" (Bid your price!)

IMO $199 is more reasonable, or with current 5" competition, $150-$175.

08-22-2009, 01:22 AM	#1
Mathlete Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Device: Opus	What makes the jetbook so expensive? As I understand it, the electronics for devices like the Kindle, Gen 3, and Sony 505 are pretty cheap compared to the expensive 6" Vizplex e-ink screens. The jetbook has comparable electronics (no wireless capability though) and uses a greyscale 5" LCD display. How do they justify an official price of $300? I'm aware that there is some deal out there where you can pay $200 for a limited time and you don't get to pick the color, but the point still stands that they want $300 from their website. They also want $50 for the only decent cover they sell, since you'll probably want to replace the button-snap pouch that comes with it. Are they gouging or is the price justified for their display technology, given the competition? Last edited by Mathlete; 05-02-2010 at 02:36 PM.

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08-22-2009, 02:00 AM	#2
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	There is usually a difference between MSRP and street price for most consumer electronics. The exception to this is for devices that are either new, limited supply, or some dealer has an exclusive. MSRP for a jetBook is $299, but street price is $169 to $199. The only reason it is that high even is that eBook readers are still a relatively niche market overall. That's also, by the way, the reason eInk screens cost so much at the wholesale level. This market is set to take off, and I think soon you'll see the price of all readers come down to be more in line with build price.

08-22-2009, 08:07 AM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,309 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Although jetBook has an Official Price, I only paid $152.00 for mine (plus tax). The shipping was free. It was purchased from BBB and they gave me 20% from their list. I took a chance, (and won!) since the BBBs in Arkansas do not actually carry the unit. Don

08-22-2009, 10:00 AM	#4
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	The going price is really $169.99 (NewEgg) or $199.99 - 20% (BB&B). MSRP isn't reliable. Also, it's a "new" type of LCD screen that was developed by Toshiba fairly recently. Interesting to check out their (Toshiba's) website on screen tech. I also expect that after importing the device from China (I assume) and rebranding it, Ectaco wants to make a profit on the foreign language dictionaries that they package on it and the custom firmware they program. If you visit Ectaco.com, you'll see they most of what they sell is actually electronic translators and language software (some of which comes in the jetBook box for PC, not that I've used it).

08-22-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
jgray Fanatic Posts: 549 Karma: 2928497 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Clara 2E & Sage	Yes, I totally forgot the CD that came in the box. I'll have to dig it out some day and see if it is anything useful.

08-23-2009, 04:12 PM	#6
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	Just a guess... I think I read somewhere on MR that the e-ink screen runs about $90. If that's the case, I just consider my jetBook purchase compared to the competition (at the time) as such: jetBook: $170 (NewEgg) Sony PRS-505: $260 (various) $90 difference! BTW, not even Ectaco sells it for $300 straight on their site. They run various promotions such as discounted prices and extra accessories (earlight). In fact, "TODAY ONLY!" you can get it for $250 with the light. Or then there is their offer of "Don't want to pay $300? Name what you will pay and we'll consider it!" (Bid your price!) IMO $199 is more reasonable, or with current 5" competition, $150-$175.

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