Ebook readers

[robphelan]

i'm thinking of buying an eBook reader. I don't know too much about them, but would like one that supports a good # of formats.

wireless download ability would be GREAT, but I don't know of any other than the kindle that has it.

any recommendations?

on FS/FT, someone pointed out the Ectaco jetbook - it supports txt, .pdf, .fb2 and .jpg file formats. But, I'm not sure what are the prevailing formats out there..

any help?

 

[Arcanedeath]

Amazon's Kindle is supposted to be pretty good from what I've read.

 

[aceO07]

I looked at the jetbook. http://www.jetbook.net/specifications.php They seem to stretch the truth in their comparisons.

It uses TFT LCD and gets 11,500 pages turned on 1 charge. That one is probably true if they just flipped through 11,500 pages continuously over the course of 2-3 hours. It can't be in the same context as a e-ink screen where it'd be 11,500 page turned and read over the course of a month.

edit: Amazon product specs claim it has 20hr+ charge. One weakness as pointed out in a review is that it does not support any new (DRM?) ebook formats. So if you read pdf and txt, you should be fine.

 

[erwos]

I've used a tablet for eBook reading, and, honestly, the eye strain kills you after a while. The Jetbook would not be my recommendation. eInk is for real, IMHO.

 

[jwebj]

I have the Bookeen Cybook Gen 3 and have been pretty happy with it. I can't speak much about the formats used because i have only read .prc which is a mobipocket format, .pdf and a couple of .txt. The battery life is fine, I don't know about 11,500 page turns but i can generally finish at least one book between charges. I have no problems reading it in moderate lighting conditions, in low light it is slightly harder to read than a paperback book.
In all I like it. I especially like that if i finish a book at 10pm on a sunday i can jump online on the computer to buy and download the next book in the series. Instant gratification.

 

[robphelan]

can someone explain how removing the cost of paper, ink & shipping doesn't reduce the cost of a book?!?!?

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: robphelan
can someone explain how removing the cost of paper, ink & shipping doesn't reduce the cost of a book?!?!?

It does reduce cost. However, that doesn't mean you'll see as much of a reduction since it'll just be profit. More profit for publishing companies.

 

[corkyg]

And don't forget the well deserved royalties for the author.

 

[zerogear]

Depending on if you're willing to wait or not, you might want to look for the eReader made by Plastic Logic. Quick search on google will show you why.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: corkyg
And don't forget the well deserved royalties for the author.

Yup, definitely think they deserve it.

I'm hoping for an ereader that's roughly 3" x 5". Quarter the size of a piece of paper or smaller. Something that can fit into my pocket. That's why I love my iPAQ with 4" screen. I don't need to carry a bag just to bring it around.