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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy reading with Bookeen's Cybook, 21 Dec 2008
This review is from: Bookeen Cybook Gen 3 eBook Reader (Electronics)
Bookeen's Cybook Gen3 ebook reader has a minimalist layout and feature set, making it easy and intuitive to use. Charging is via the USB port, downloading ebooks is the same process as used for MP3 players, plug it in, turn it on, wait for the computer & reader software to find the cybook then synchronise it with your library, done.
The 6" e-ink screen is easy to read and has an appearance similar to that of a standard printed paperback page. The menu system is basic but allows you to change font size and type set for personal preference and easier reading. Some further page layout features are available, plus basic search and filter options within the library menu.
So far I've read Asimov's Foundation, Pratchett's Making Money, Orwell's 1984, King's The Running Man and am part way through Stoker's Dracula, with plenty more waiting to be read on the cybook. The e-reader's uniqueness has just about worn off and it's now an easy way to take all my books to work. Like my mobile phone and mp3 player, the e-reader does a simple job wonderfully and would be missed (and replaced) if it ever broke or was lost.
Pro's - Minimalist design, easy to set-up and use, easy to read and thinner / lighter than a standard paperback book. The internal memory (512MB) should store about 500 ebooks, with an extra 2000 odd ebooks using a 2GB SD card in its card slot. Very long battery life.
Con's - No `Search by Author' or `Jump to A's, B's, W's etc' in the library's menu.
Score: 4.5/5, good but a few minor niggles.
Update - After nearly a year of use and abuse I can say I'm thoroughly impressed with the Cybook. Every now and again it freezes on start-up, but a quick depress of the reset button remedies this. The battery cover broke around the retaining screw (fixed by a touch of glue). Otherwise it has been perfect and there's been less damaged done than expected as it travels just about everywhere with me. Screen is perfect and easy to read, the lack of buttons makes the control simple and the menus choices easy.
My only niggle falls down to having to have made a choose between an EPud or Mobipocket capable reader. The European market is still being restricted and not all books are available on both formats ... With some titles still selling at a premium Hard Back price or not being offered at all. I was annoyed that I couldn't get the Twilight saga for my Cybook, unless I moved to America (stupid regional licensing laws!!!)
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice product, 18 Feb 2009
This review is from: Bookeen Cybook Gen 3 eBook Reader (Electronics)
I chose this product after comparing the specs with other similarly priced e-books: namely the Sony and the Bebook. All three have very similar prices so I just had to choose which one had the features I wanted. The Sony reputedly had the best feel of build quality; the Bebook the usability and compatibility with all formats and the Bookeen Cybook had the latest generation of the E-Ink screen (Vizplex) plus good compatibility with all the main formats.
Despite some of the drawbacks listed on various web forums about the flat file structure (instead of being able to make folders or directories to sort the content) I decided that the screen quality was for me the main issue. The Vizplex allegedly has better contrast, clarity and speed. I also read in an interview with Bookeen that they are working on a software version that can do the hierarchical file structure that is handy for managing large numbers of books.
So, my verdict on the product now that I have it: I have no regrets at all. It is very slim and light. The screen quality is truly excellent and the screen refresh on page turning is no slower than turning the pages in a book. I currently don't have enough books to suffer from the flat file structure. I can navigate easily, bookmark my place in books, swap between them and finding where I was last reading easily. Maybe the other e-books are better, but this is good enough for me.
I have seen no great downsides yet. When it first arrived it didn't seem to charge, but this was the USB cable. After swapping to another cable I have no problems. I have not experienced the problems reported in some forums (like sometimes needing to reset the device or difficulties with reading SD cards). I would recommend the leather holder as an extra, however. The thing is so slim, even thought the build quality feels good, I feel safer with the extra protection offered.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nice idea, shame about the reality!, 24 Oct 2009
This review is from: Bookeen Cybook Gen 3 eBook Reader (Electronics)
I loved the idea of the ebook reader, especially being an avid reader and gadget lover.
Now, on the plus side its a great gadget, its nice and easy to use and the display is very easy to see.
But, it seem nigh on impossible to get all the content I want for it in the UK.
Before buying I looked (not closely enough!) at sites like MobiPocket and saw most of my favourite authors available.
However when i try buying any of them I am told they are not available in the UK due to copyright rules!
This lack of content has made my eBook reader an expensive white elephant.
I am very frustrated by the lack of available authors as I would love to use this device more.
Whilst I understand that works should be copyrighted I am frustrated by this implementation. I mean, I can go to the US and buy a book and the UK distributor does not get any revenue, why cannot this be the same!
Especially as in many cases I would still get the paperbook as well as the eBook version.
So in summary, I cannot recommend this until the UK gets more content available.
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