iRex iLiad gets a critical hands-on look

[Alexander Turcic]

One geek's must-have gadget is another geek's over-the-top gimmick. To decide where the iRex iLiad will land on your scale check out the hands-on review Professor David A. Bell was kind enough to publish for us on his Web site. Overall, he seems to like what he sees, noting that the e-paper display is brilliant although still not as comfortable to the eye as regular paper, and the various hardware issues that are still irking early beta testers. His conclusion:

At least for a few years, assuming my iLiad doesn't break down, I have my first true, comfortable, pleasant, long-dreamed-of reading device. It's not perfect, and it's not cheap, but, unlike every other electronic reading method I've tried, it's simple, it works (give or take a few hitches), and it doesn't give me a headache. If you need me, I'll be on the couch. Reading.