EACTO EBOOK READR BRGUNDY (ECTJBLREN) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are many eReaders, and they all have pros and cons, including the leader Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 6" Display, White, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation. Which one you choose depends on what you read and other features you need or don't need. Why pay for what you won't use? This review is based on comparing the Jetbook against the 6" Kindle, and Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition - Black (PRS600BC)
The Jetbook-lite is much like a large PDA, more like the original 1990s Palm Pilot, that is battery frugal, reads well in sunlight, but has no backlight.
LCD
Is far sharper and higher resolution than most LCDs I've ever seen, and this is unique. It is clearer and sharper than eInk screens; it does not 'blank' or 'flash' on each page like eInk that can be annoying to see page after page. THe LCD however is a grey-silver background, and the contrast is slightly reduced. The Kindle screen is as sharp and more paper like. The Sony screen is readable, but has the least contrast because of the touch screen. Some small fonts produce subtle jagginess in the Jetbook that isn't present on the Sony or Kindle.
AA Power
last a long time, at least 20 hours. I use SANYO eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries This ensure the reader will not die due to bad batteries, as its easily user replaceable. Other ereaders use Li that typical last ~ 5 years, sooner if used heavily. The battery compartment sticks out the back so the Jetbook is not flat, but dimpled like a golf ball, makes an easy grip and serves as a good handle. AA are easy to swap out, so you needn't remember to park the eReader to recharge. How many times have you forgotten to charge your cell phone?
Format Support
beyond txt, firmware 0.15d, is very readable. Ectaco has updated the firmware multiple times to improve rendering of various formats. My principle use has been native Microsoft Word and pdf files. Note, pdf files come in many flavors, from formatted text to all graphic images. I read mostly technical pdfs, replete with photos, graphs, charts. All graphic text images have the least options for resizing and least clear fonts when viewed on a 6' screen. Kindle charges to convert pdf wirelessly, otherwise it can be done on a PC. Sony renders the pdf best, and is readable even at full size on a small screen; it also had the best navigation options for moving around a pdf.
Speed
The update pdf speed, jump to pages in any mode, and font resizing is faster on the Jetbook compared to Kindle or Sony.
Navigation
Easiest on the Sony, especially the touch screen and PDA like stylus control. The Jetbook has no qwerty keyboard, so aphanumerics are entered using 9 navigation keys like when using letters on a telephone keyboard. The Kindle has a full keyboard. Although easy to use, the keyboard is infrequently used, so over time its being there just makes the unit bigger than it could be; a pop up keyboard would work to reduce the overall device size or dedicate space to the screen.
SD Card Support
Makes loading new files more flexible as it can come from many sources, not just the merchant. The Jetbook has more virtual storage of readable material on SD cards than fixed memory devices like Kindle. Wireless mode seems to be most convenient, but it must always pass through Kindle or Sony's service. The SD Card loads and unloads like you would a digital camera, so you know what you are getting and needn't be tied to any merchant's service. Conclusion: Jetbook
With prices of 6" devices near 20% of each other, what sold me is the screen, lack of refresh, AA battery, SD card support and adequate pdf support. It gets 4/5 stars because I prefer Sony's pdf support and Kindle's screen, but Sony's screen is least clear, and the eInk "flashing" on each refresh on a new page, can be very distracting. The Kindle nicest screen and form factor, is hampered by being tied into Kindle services or a PC conversion for pdf, and slowest screen refresh.
The Jetbook lite comes with no case, but you can use cases meant for the Sony or Kindle. The only accessories included is a USB cable. The only required option for future needs are SD cards.
The 6" readers are made to emulate a pocket book, and the documents I read are made for 8 x 11 paper. An upgrade to a bigger eReader is inevitable to read journals as they were intended to be formatted, but until then, expending $130 on a Jetbook is a good stopgap in the fast moving developments among eReaders. In closing, if Jetbook can make 8 x 11 format pages read adequately, 1/4 its original size, what then of pocketbooks or books that are 50-100% of its paper based size?


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5" SCREEN; 640 X 480 SCREEN RESOLUTION; EPUB, MOBI, PRC, RTF, TXT, PDF, FB2 & HTML TEXT SUPPORT; JPG, GIF, PNG & BMP IMAGE SUPPORT; SUPPORTS DRM FORMAT THROUGH BARNES & NOBLE(R); POCKET-SIZED PORTABILITY FOR THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS; SUPPORTS EBOOK CONTENTS IN ALBANIAN, CATALAN, DANISH, DUTCH, ENGLISH, FAEROESE, FINNISH, FRENCH, GALICIAN, GERMAN, ICELANDIC, ITALIAN, NORWEGIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, SWEDISH, CROATIAN, CZECH, ESTONIAN, HUNGARIAN, LATVIAN, LITHUANIAN, POLISH, ROMANIAN, RUSSIAN, SLOVAK, SLOVENIAN & OTHER EUROPEAN LANGUAGES; BI-DIRECTIONAL DICTIONARIES FOR CERTAIN EUROPEAN LANGUAGES; GERMAN & SPANISH MULTILINGUAL INTERFACE OPTIONS; PRE-LOADED CIA WORLD FACT BOOK; BOOKMARKS & AUTO PAGE TURN FUNCTIONALITY; ADJUSTABLE FONT TYPE & SIZE; SCREEN ROTATION SUPPORT FOR BOTH PORTRAIT & LANDSCAPE MODES; BUILT-IN DICTIONARY; SECURE DIGITAL CARD(TM) READER; REQUIRES 4 AA BATTERIES; DIM: 6.02"H X 4.33"W X .51"D; WEIGHT: 9 OZ; BURGUNDY

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