Looking for the most affordable ebook reader -

haidarsara · 05-20-2008, 01:31 AM

Hi all I am so glad I found this forum. I am currently living in the Middle East and desperately need a new ebook reader. I've been reading ebooks since the original Franklin Reader came out - it finally passed away about a year ago. Currently I am reading books off my son's Sony PSP. I am not looking for anything complex, just a simple reader to read in text format. I am not comfortable in paying for a reader like the Kindle or the Sony E-Reader that I have not personally seen. Max I would like to pay is $150. Later, when I travel to the states I will invest in a better reader and pass this one on to my kids.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Becky

Dylrob · 05-20-2008, 03:10 AM

Well, there is the EBookwise-1150. The device, which is basically just a rebranded GEB1150, is basically obsolete... right down to the SmartMedia card slot. However at only 130USD new, it would be well inside your stated budget.

HarryT · 05-20-2008, 03:27 AM

That's exactly what I was about to suggest myself!

pilotbob · 05-20-2008, 04:14 PM

You could possibly find a used Sony-500 on eBay or similar for $150.

BOb

Jack B Nimble · 05-20-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Well, there is the EBookwise-1150. The device, which is basically just a rebranded GEB1150, is basically obsolete... right down to the SmartMedia card slot. However at only 130USD new, it would be well inside your stated budget.

True, the technology is quite out of date. The SmartMedia cards are hard to find, and rather flimsy, so I essentially never remove mine.

On the up-side, the devices are still available new, and supported (we even had a firmware update recently), including new content on a regular basis. There is also software for converting unprotected files to the internal format.

Perhaps most important, given your price preferences, it is on sale at the moment. If you buy, do yourself a favor and get the SmartMedia card from them. As I said, it can be difficult to find.

www.ebookwise.com

I used to own the Sony 500-model suggested above. It did not fit my needs well, but it is a nice unit, and if you can get it for that price, a good buy.

Good luck with your search.

Jack

zelda_pinwheel · 05-20-2008, 05:07 PM

also, no-one has mentioned so far, while it is obsolete technology and not e-ink, i think the ergonomy surpasses the current models ; it is really brilliantly designed, and highly functional. you may end up liking it so much you won't want to give it away...

formulajay · 05-25-2008, 11:13 PM

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665262812

I stumbled upon this on the sony website a couple days ago. I see that they are selling refurbished PRS-500 units for 150USD. Unfortunately it says that the units are out of stock, and it has been out of stock since I saw it a couple days ago. Hopefully, this does not mean that they are not selling these refurbished units and are phasing them out because it is a great value for an e-ink device.

I do realize that the screen on the PRS-500 is not of the same quality of the newer generation PRS-505's, the Amazon Kindle, or the Bookeen Cybook Gen3, to name a few, but it does represent a value that is hard to beat.

I just placed an order for an Amazon Kindle, but I must say that I would probably be waiting for a PRS-500 had these been in stock ready for order from the Sony website on Friday when I placed my order.

igorsk · 05-26-2008, 01:31 PM

Someone recently posted here about his experience with Sony repair service. He sent in his 500 for warranty repair but they didn't have any replacement units and sent him back a 505. So it seems they exhausted all stock of 500s and I doubt any more will appear on the site.

iterati · 06-02-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

also, no-one has mentioned so far, while it is obsolete technology and not e-ink, i think the ergonomy surpasses the current models ; it is really brilliantly designed, and highly functional. you may end up liking it so much you won't want to give it away...

Hi.
Well, that is a great device I'd agree and probably the most affordable with large screen that is very friendly to the eyes and acceptable battery life.
e-ink is a step ahead, though, the screen and its quality is simply luscious and a lot lighter than reb 1100/1150/ebookwise. I am not against LCD I find computer monitors, PDAs and readers very friendly to eyes (NOTE: without my contacts my eyesight is around 15% of normal but I can still read for hours in REB1100 or Hanlin V3 without eyestrain).

Don't get some e-ink device if you are satisfied with the ebookwise and can't afford it but they did it right with e-ink I think. And yes, I'd liked buttons to change pages on both left and right sides but the less weight is great advantage to ergonomics.

Anyway, the ebookwise or a used and in good condition rca reb1100/1150 is what I'd recommend for an affordable reader.

zelda_pinwheel · 06-02-2008, 06:00 PM

yes, iterati, you are right, the eb1150 does have some shortcomings (and even though i love it, i still dream of an e-ink screen !! that is one of the things i DON'T like about it). overall it is a brilliant device though, in spite of them. it's true however that because of the weight, i never take it out with me, only read it at home, which is frustrating. another reason i long for e-ink !

archerwoo · 06-20-2008, 05:04 AM

LCD screen ebook reader seems low price

05-20-2008, 01:31 AM	#1
haidarsara Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: sony psp	Looking for the most affordable ebook reader - Hi all I am so glad I found this forum. I am currently living in the Middle East and desperately need a new ebook reader. I've been reading ebooks since the original Franklin Reader came out - it finally passed away about a year ago. Currently I am reading books off my son's Sony PSP. I am not looking for anything complex, just a simple reader to read in text format. I am not comfortable in paying for a reader like the Kindle or the Sony E-Reader that I have not personally seen. Max I would like to pay is $150. Later, when I travel to the states I will invest in a better reader and pass this one on to my kids. Any suggestions are highly appreciated. Becky

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05-20-2008, 03:10 AM	#2
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,154 Karma: 47508528 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	Well, there is the EBookwise-1150. The device, which is basically just a rebranded GEB1150, is basically obsolete... right down to the SmartMedia card slot. However at only 130USD new, it would be well inside your stated budget.

05-20-2008, 03:27 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	That's exactly what I was about to suggest myself!

05-20-2008, 04:14 PM	#4
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	You could possibly find a used Sony-500 on eBay or similar for $150. BOb

05-20-2008, 05:07 PM	#6
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	also, no-one has mentioned so far, while it is obsolete technology and not e-ink, i think the ergonomy surpasses the current models ; it is really brilliantly designed, and highly functional. you may end up liking it so much you won't want to give it away...

05-25-2008, 11:13 PM	#7
formulajay Member Posts: 14 Karma: 37 Join Date: May 2008 Location: U.S.A. Device: Sony PRS-350	http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665262812 I stumbled upon this on the sony website a couple days ago. I see that they are selling refurbished PRS-500 units for 150USD. Unfortunately it says that the units are out of stock, and it has been out of stock since I saw it a couple days ago. Hopefully, this does not mean that they are not selling these refurbished units and are phasing them out because it is a great value for an e-ink device. I do realize that the screen on the PRS-500 is not of the same quality of the newer generation PRS-505's, the Amazon Kindle, or the Bookeen Cybook Gen3, to name a few, but it does represent a value that is hard to beat. I just placed an order for an Amazon Kindle, but I must say that I would probably be waiting for a PRS-500 had these been in stock ready for order from the Sony website on Friday when I placed my order.

05-26-2008, 01:31 PM	#8
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Someone recently posted here about his experience with Sony repair service. He sent in his 500 for warranty repair but they didn't have any replacement units and sent him back a 505. So it seems they exhausted all stock of 500s and I doubt any more will appear on the site.

06-02-2008, 06:00 PM	#10
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	yes, iterati, you are right, the eb1150 does have some shortcomings (and even though i love it, i still dream of an e-ink screen !! that is one of the things i DON'T like about it). overall it is a brilliant device though, in spite of them. it's true however that because of the weight, i never take it out with me, only read it at home, which is frustrating. another reason i long for e-ink !

06-20-2008, 05:04 AM	#11
archerwoo Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 495464 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle 3;Ip4	LCD screen ebook reader seems low price

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