Comments on: The Ectaco jetBook Universal Portable Reading Device Review

By: Bobber

Bobber — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:33:32 +0000

A good alternative to Kindle and Sony eReader. http://icio.us/1rqerq

By: Steven Meyer

Steven Meyer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:13:57 +0000

The Ectaco jetBook Universal Portable Reading Device Review http://go.meebo.com/geardiary.com/jw

By: anni

anni — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:10:03 +0000

Thanks for your reply Bill – that was helpful. It would be better if it did reflow – but I have read of reflow problems on other ereaders (i.e. words being split or alternatively run together).
Do you find the scrolling is smooth – or does it become jerky like on some computers?
I have just discovered the Foxit ereader that is only for PDFs. That could meet my needs perfectly, but it seems to be having issues holding the battery charge.
I guess each type of ereader has its advantages and disadvantages depending what one needs. Nothing’s perfect.
I’m glad you like the jetBook I may go for it. Ann

By: bill_mchale

bill_mchale — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:46:04 +0000

Anni,
You can read PDFs on it, but it doesn’t reflow PDF. When I convert books to PDFs, I convert them so that they fit on the 5″ screen. If you are reading PDFs for letter sized paper or other larger formats, you will only be able to see part of the screen at the same time (since it doesn’t reflow PDFs). That being said, this is were LCD has a serious advantage over eInk. In eInk, scrolling across the screen can be seriously inconvenient, with LCD, its just like scrolling on your computer.

Anyway, I hope that helps.

By: anni

anni — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:58:36 +0000

So – having read literally dozens of reviews and forums froma way back on mainly Sony and jetBook ereaders, I seem to have my main question answered, and that is this: Can I or can I not read my many saved pdf ebook files with ease and without converting to a different type of file?
From Bill’s post I would say that the jetBook fits my need. (Or were you referring just to the screen type, Bill?)

Almost all the files I want to read on an ereader are pdf ebook downloads from various courses and websites, and I really don’t want to print them all, yet I need an easy way to read them.

Now I discover that there are other ereaders around. Just to confuse me further, what can I get in Canada besides the Sony and the Ectaco jetBook? Maybe I should just stick with the two choices. All I want to do is read PDFs and save a few trees!

Ann

By: James Craig

James Craig — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:50:32 +0000

@mikecane That jetBook’s screen definitely looks better than the Kindle 1. Seems to hold up against the Kindle 2 also: http://bit.ly/1632P3

By: bill_mchale

bill_mchale — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:38:21 +0000

Ok, a couple of quick comment from someone who has a Jetbook and is rather happy with it.

1. The Jetbook screen is NOT backlit and I find it plenty easy on the eyes. I often read on it for several hours a day.

2. the chief advantage to the Jetbook, in mind is that it can fit in the front pocket of my jeans (also the back pocket.. but I don’t want to sit on it ). It makes it relatively easy to have it with me where ever I go. The iPod Touch and other PDAish sized devices are ok for quick reading sessions, but the smaller screens quickly become annoying. In other words, I would say that a 5″ screen size is just about right.. big enough to not be distracted by the poor formatting and frequent page turns of sub 4″ screens, and not so large as to make the device to bulky.

3. It does bother me that I cannot legally read many books on here, but that is not the devices fault. Rather that is the fault of Publishers (and Amazon) which burden many ebooks with DRM that restricts where and how I can read a book. I refuse to buy books with such DRM on it so, I am good with the current limitation. Also, since most DRM schemes are have been circumvented (And by their nature, ebook DRM tends to be rather easy to circumvent) anyone who was willing to break the law, could easily download a DRM’d book and strip the DRM themselves. I don’t advocate that, because I think boycotting DRM’d books sends a better message to the publishers.

4. I have used both eInk and LCD screens, each has their strengths… I like eInk, but if you need to look at an oversized PDF document, LCD wins by a mile.

–
Bill

By: Philippe Radley

Philippe Radley — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:55:10 +0000

Yes, Judie, they do not look the same, because the technology is different. The Jetbook screen is similar to the iphone's, it is backlit and to my eyes (and those of others) harder to look at for long periods of time. There is a reason so many are buying dedicated reading devices like the Kindle, and that reason is the screen. Max, let me add one question to Judie's list: have you ever used a device with an e-ink screen?

By: thenitch

thenitch — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:16:51 +0000

I got one a week ago from Frys.com for only $179. I'm not into reading bestsellers, so this was a perfect device for me. Plus it seemed that Ectaco was planning on updating their firmware with the ability to read more formats (although plain txt seems fine to me). Another advantage is that when viewing a pdf, scrolling to different parts of the page is quick compared to an eink screen.

I just realized that my Jetbook didn't come with the translucent silicone case mentioned in this review, but it did come with everything else.

Lance
Texas, USA

By: Judie Lipsett

Judie Lipsett — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:11:52 +0000

I agree that the lack of delays and "splashes" in a VGA screen is very attractive, but E Ink and VGA don't look quite the same. Note my picture of the jetBook's screen next to the Kindle 2's…

http://www.geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/…

With that said: It's very cool that you have a jetBook. Since you do, would you mind answering a couple of questions?

Are you located in the US or another country?
Does it bother you that you can't currently legally download bestsellers?
Do you think that there are any other PROS that I missed?
Have you discovered any other CONS that you would care to share?

By: Max Sher

Max Sher — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:50:23 +0000

TFT reflective screen looks the same as e-ink screen and it has no splashes and delays like e-ink screen each time when you change pages. I have jetBook and I like it very much

By: Judie Lipsett

Judie Lipsett — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:34:13 +0000

Absolutely. For even less money you could buy a used HTC Universal and get a 4" color VGA screen with over-the air eBook download capability in one of the supported Pocket PC formats. If you want VGA and don't mind the smaller screen, it's not a bad deal. You would also have the added bonus of being able to surf, as well as handle text messages and email from the same device.

By: cgavula

cgavula — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:26:52 +0000

I'm not certain that e-Ink is an absolute requirement, but I do think a decent level of resolution IS a requirement.. I do, however, think that Judie makes an excellent point – in North America, we tend to forget that folk don't all have access to the same resources worldwide. At least we forget that until it involves a device or service that isn't available here!

By: Philippe Radley

Philippe Radley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:58:03 +0000

Ectaco is a company that for years has distributed Russian-made portable translators. It has never, to my knowledge been involved with e-ink. This device was pretty exhaustively skewered over at the excellent mobileread site, and the verdict there was the same as here: it's too expensive and a device with a vga screen rather than e-ink is of little appeal at a time when you can already get excellent e-ink devices (Sony, Kindle, Hanlin, Cybook, even Iliad). A dedicated reader needs e-ink: if you are content with a vga screen there are many other choices.

By: gorkon

gorkon — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:57:47 +0000

While I still want a Kindle, this is something I could live with probably. Although since I am taking a SciFi fiction course, I am getting more into reading. I dunno. Sounds to off the wall to me.

By: Judie Lipsett

Judie Lipsett — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:35 +0000

The only thing that I think might make the Ectaco a contender would be geographical limitations of the Kindle and Sony stores, and the language support that the jetBook offers.

Unless I am mistaken, the jetBook is one of the few eReaders that will support Russian, Polish, and all the other Asian / European languages, as well as their popular eBook formats (ie .fb2). It is also available for purchase worldwide.

This would be a significant PRO for someone in a country other than the US, who can't buy a Kindle or Sony Reader, or who won't because they feel excluded by their geo-centric stores.

It's easy to forget that not everyone has the same access to these devices and stores that we enjoy in North America…

By: Judie Lipsett

Judie Lipsett — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:48:44 +0000

It actually reminds me of the Kindle 1, but I think the Ectaco is better looking.

By: Dave Robinson

Dave Robinson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:38:32 +0000

Either spend the money on a Kindle, or go for a Sony Reader, the 505 is the same price and a much more capable device.

By: Dsgoldring

Dsgoldring — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:17:30 +0000

This Ectaco Reader just looks like a toy with all that red plastic. I agree with Dan, for $300, spend a few more bucks and get the Kindle 2 instead.

By: Judie Lipsett

Judie Lipsett — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:42:03 +0000

Dan, I agree with every point you made. And Chris, It certainly didn't make me regret my purchase…

By: cgavula

cgavula — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:55:22 +0000

I think it's making me more likely to buy a Kindle2.

By: dan cohen

dan cohen — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:21:44 +0000

Nice review Judie,
at $299 I'm not sure why anyone would opt for this over the Sony or Kindle2. Sure there is a lot available without DRM but there is SO much more available when you combine that WITH the DRMed content.

Also, those images make me appreciate e-ink of the Kindle or the backlit screen on the iPhone or… with the Kindle iPhone app… BOTH.

Now if this were $149 it MIGHT be a different story but priced in the same area as those others…