08-04-2009, 03:58 PM | #1 |
Bookin' it!
Posts: 64
Karma: 16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Device: Sony PRS-505- Sangria :) and Black Aluratek Libre
|
Durable Reader for 11 year old boy?
Ok, so I am loving my new Sony PRS-505. And my 11 year old has serious e-reader envy. I have no real objection to getting him one, if I can find a reasonably priced option that isn't as fragile. Would like to maybe surprise him with it for Christmas, loaded with many of his favorites and other things I think he'd like. I would much rather him grab a reader on the way out the door than his Nintendo DS Lite.
Suggestions? I'm not opposed to used, either. |
08-04-2009, 07:22 PM | #2 |
Guru
Posts: 774
Karma: 1211741
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Oregon
Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire
|
EB1150
If you don't mind some conversion steps the EB1150 by Ebookwise is VERY sturdy. Bad news? It uses the imp format which means you need to convert most books to make them work on it. Good news? One of the cheapest ereaders out there, don't let the price fool you though it really is a great machine!
Other than the EB1150 I don't get the feeling that many of the ereaders are very sturdy? The e-ink readers are very light weight and spendy. Maybe a iphone or non-phone iphone? You can get insurance for them so if he breaks it you can get a replacement. Amy |
Advert | |
|
08-04-2009, 07:55 PM | #3 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,164
Karma: 32196
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Device: Sony Reader PRS-505, PRS-650, PRS-T3, Pocketbook HD2
|
I thought my 505 was kind of sturdy it survives hanging out in my purse and has been dropped a few times on carpet. I also second the insurance option.
I think the main question is how does he treat paper books? if he takes good care of them he may take good care of a e-ink device? though obviously accidents do happen. I also recommend the 500. My husband uses his and stuffs it in his backpack quite often. Not sure how it survived all those trips off shore. |
08-04-2009, 08:01 PM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,870
Karma: 27376
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Device: PRS-505
|
You could also get him an iPod touch. That has ereading capabilities and is quite durable.
|
08-04-2009, 08:31 PM | #5 |
Groupie
Posts: 178
Karma: 1546
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Device: Sony PRS-505; Motorola Droid
|
There's a homebrew ebook reader application that has been developed for the DS Lite called DSLibris. That might hold you over until you decide on an ebook reader.
You know your kid better than us. Mine won't be getting an ebook reader until they show sickne...er, appreciation of reading and can demonstrate that they are able to take care of an expensive electronic device. |
Advert | |
|
08-04-2009, 09:00 PM | #6 |
Retired & reading more!
Posts: 2,764
Karma: 1884247
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: North Alabama, USA
Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One
|
A paper book!!!
|
08-04-2009, 09:06 PM | #7 |
01000100 01001010
Posts: 1,889
Karma: 2400000
Join Date: Mar 2009
Device: Polyamorous
|
I don't recommend any e-ink device as sturdy. The substrate is too easy to crack IMO. The LCD options suggested are better choices.
|
08-04-2009, 10:21 PM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,101
Karma: 4388403
Join Date: Oct 2007
Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis
|
I used to carry a pda (LCD) in my shirt pocket. I was sitting at a table in the library and when I leaned forward my shirt pocket thwocked against the table == cracked screen and no more PDA.
So I don't really think either LCD or e-ink are especially kid-proof as long as they have a glass substrate. I suspect that bigger screens are more breakable, so if you feel you have a really careful 11 yr old (or at least one less clumsy than me) I would consider one of the smaller screen devices like the Etaco Jetbook or the EzReader Pocket Pro. |
08-05-2009, 02:21 AM | #9 |
Addict
Posts: 230
Karma: 1290
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brisbane Australia
Device: Kindle Paperwhite
|
I'd second the Ebookwise "EB1150" option, Ebookwise has an option for $109.95 USD + 9.99 shipping........for extra format options I'd be inclinded to Jetbook.....But as mentioned by doreenjoy and emellaich, ALL these have a glass substrate!
|
08-05-2009, 04:36 AM | #10 | |
Final Five n°42
Posts: 789
Karma: 3599
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lyon, France
Device: Cybook Gen3
|
Quote:
The T5 is no longer available if I remember well, but I think the TX might still be. |
|
08-05-2009, 04:50 AM | #11 | |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
Posts: 72,341
Karma: 309002494
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Norfolk, England
Device: Kindle Voyage
|
Anything with a glass screen is fragile, and that means all current ebook reading devices.
The Plastic Logic looks good, but won't be out in time for this year. By the end of next year I'd expect there to be several sturdy ebook readers with non-glass displays. Quote:
|
|
08-05-2009, 05:00 AM | #12 | |
01000100 01001010
Posts: 1,889
Karma: 2400000
Join Date: Mar 2009
Device: Polyamorous
|
Quote:
An older Palm Pilot might work well. I used to read E-books on a Palm III back in the day. Very sturdy. |
|
08-05-2009, 05:22 AM | #13 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
Posts: 72,341
Karma: 309002494
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Norfolk, England
Device: Kindle Voyage
|
By "glass screen", I meant the substrate - it's glass.
I agree that an old Palm OS device might be OK - but my son managed to break one of those. I always like the Sony Clie SJ-20, SJ-22 and SJ-30. (The SJ-20 is monochrome, but particularly good in bright sunlight). |
08-05-2009, 04:22 PM | #14 |
Ad astra per aspera
Posts: 347
Karma: 724
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mexico
Device: PRS-505, PRS-300 & HTC HD2
|
It's clearly depends on how your son is treating his electronics devices.
An ebook reader would not be more fragile than a PSP, and I see a lot of children carrying them around and taking a decent care of them. If you are afraid of harsh treatment, you should go with the EB1150 or if you want something smaller, an used PDA like the palm Tx or the HP hx4700 with a good case. Not enough? If you suspect your son is gonna play soccer with it or throw it in the pool, there are some rugged PDA that would withstand even this kind of use. Last edited by Faenad; 08-05-2009 at 04:25 PM. |
08-05-2009, 04:29 PM | #15 | |
Addict
Posts: 269
Karma: 58
Join Date: Jul 2009
Device: sony prs-505 *BLUE*,itouch,netbook
|
Quote:
Last edited by richman; 08-05-2009 at 04:34 PM. |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
looking for something durable, for my 9-year old | Davimee | Which one should I buy? | 4 | 05-19-2010 12:11 AM |
Speak the truth to me...is the eBookwise reader suitable for an 11 year old boy? | Siwickimom | Fictionwise eBookwise | 22 | 08-16-2009 01:05 PM |
E Ink displays are very durable | tech_au | News | 26 | 08-06-2009 09:47 PM |
Need help "grabbing the intrest" of 12-year-old boy | purl4peace | Reading Recommendations | 39 | 07-04-2009 02:08 PM |