My New E-Reader
One of my resolutions for 2010 is to read more. I used to read a lot but have gotten away from it recently. But, my new E-Reader, the Libre from Aluratek, is quickly turning me back into someone who loves to read. I have been interested in e books and e-readers for a number of months and finally got serious about doing some research. What I found was that there are a lot of options in the market and many of them are fairly affordable. I wanted something straight forward that was lower priced and offered a lot of flexibility. My research led me to the Libre. Here is my video review of it:
So far I am really enjoying the Libre. It is easy to use, has very good battery life, and is easy to read from. The controls are fairly intuitive. It works with a number of ebook formats as well as allowing you to download books from the library, something the Kindle doesn’t allow. I really like the ability to zoom the text, especially at the end of the day. The Libre uses a reflective LCD screen, not an e ink screen like many of the other eReaders out there. The advantage of this is that the page changes are very quick and the cost is a bit lower, resulting in a very affordable eReader. I have not experienced any eye strain using the Libre. The contrast is good and it’s easier to read from than a backlit screen.
If you are looking to take your reading into the digital age, an E-Reader might be for you. There are lots of choices out there so do your research before you buy.
E Book And E-Reader Resources
Here are some links to resources I used when deciding which E-Reader to buy:
MobileRead Forums: This is a great resource. There are forums discussing all the major e readers as well as software tools, including Calibre, which I use to manage my growing ebook collection. Spend some time here and you will learn a lot.
Calibre Ebook Management Software: Calibre is a fantastic FREE software package that helps you manage your ebooks and e-readers. It does a lot of great stuff. Check it out!
Ebook Readers on Amazon
Inkmesh: If you want to compare prices on ebooks, Inkmesh.com is the place! A very useful site.
Aluratek Libre: This is the page for the Libre I got.
Nice find! I know there are a lot of people out there searching for an alternative to the expensive Kindle and Sony Readers. Maybe when Asus brings out there readers this year we will see prices drop significantly across the boards.
So far I really enjoy it. It works great as a reader. I think the next 6 months will be interesting as far as prices go. My guess is that by the end of this year a basic ereader will go for $100 while the wifi, etc. ones will be around $200. The iPad will still be $400 or so.
Glad you’re enjoying the Libre, Mark! If you and your readers wanted to take a second and vote for it for the Engadget Awards, that’d be great! http://budurl.com/LibreEngadget
Hi Ashley,
I am enjoying the Libre very much. It does a great job and is pretty easy to use. The price is great as well. I did place my vote on Engadget and I hope others do as well.
Does it have a dictionary?
Hi Lisa,
No, the Libre doesn’t have a dictionary. The jetBook-Lite (same hardware but different firmware than the Libre) does but the jetBook doesn’t allow for borrowing books from your local library electronically. I wanted to use the library feature more than the dictionary which is why I got the Libre.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
jetBook-Lite has the same TFT screen and preloaded with dictionaries for different languages. The price is $129.95 on NewEgg.com
jetBook-Lite video from CES show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFN0qYcA2g4
Peter,
You are correct, the jetBook Lite does have dictionary support, which is a neat feature. I almost went with the jetBook but I wanted to be able to use the library’s electronic borrowing feature which the jetBook doesn’t support (yet). Both are great choices!
Hi there. Just bought a libre and just getting started. Didn’t know anything about the elibrary. Could you give me a link or some idea of where to start browsing for books. Want to load up my libre so I have a nice selection when I get started. Thanks
Hi,
For a good selection of ebooks that will work with the Libre I would check out inkmesh.com It’s a ebook comparison site that will help you find the lowest prices on specific ebooks you may be interested in. As far as good ebook selling sites, I have been happy with KoboBooks, Books On Board, and Smashwords. You will probably want to download the epub version of any ebook you buy. Also, you might need to install Adobe Digital Editions in order to be able to use any epub books that have DRM on them. Check out the Mobile Read Forums if you haven’t already for more ebook info. Enjoy the new Libre!
Hi Mark! You wrote: “My guess is that by the end of this year a basic ereader will go for $100 while…”
Just today the Libre was on sale at Fry’s in the SF Bay area for $79. It looks like the end of the year has come early!
I do not know whether these can be produced for significantly less than the devices with the eInk screen. When compared with a Sony reader, though I do not think that the Libre falls too much behind.
Hi Tim,
Yeah, 2010 must be over! $79 is a great price. I just confirmed it on Fry’s website. Mine still works so I won’t be getting one but my guess is we will see prices drop even more in the next few months.
I couldnt’ find the price $79 on Fry’s website. Infact, it does not have aluratek libre at all. Appreciate it if you can post a link
Here you go! Hope it helps!
http://www.frys-electronics-ads.com/ads/2010/05/07/47918/Aluratek-Libre-eBook-Reader-Pro
Here you go! Hope it helps!
http://www.frys-electronics-ads.com/ads/2010/05/07/47918/Aluratek-Libre-eBook-Reader-Pro
Not much. I called up fry’s.com at San Diego and gave them the product number that was on the add. But they said the price is $139. They said they don’t have any discount offer right now. This ad does not have any hyperlinks. So, how do I buy it?
I just looked on the Fry’s website and it is no longer listed. I wonder if they have stopped carrying it? It looks like the $79 was a very short term price
Keep your eyes open though, I’m sure it will show up somewhere at an under $100 price. Also, make sure to visit the Mobileread Forums http://www.mobileread.com/ to get the latest news on e-readers.
Can you explain the different support for ePub between this and the Jetbook. The Jetbook has support for DRM ePub but not PDB where the jetbook lite has support for PDB but not for DRM ePub. I am getting somewhat confused on all this lately. Until yesterday I was pretty well set on the Kobo coming out in June but the only thing I loose with these is bluetooth file transfer (allowing me to download to my phone and upload to the e-device wherever I am thus essentially giving me 3g downloads), but it doesn’t play mp3′s doesn’t do DRM ePub, the list of what it doesn’t is pretty extensive though.
Basically the ability to borrow books from the library would be cool. When the Adobe/Barnes and Noble partnership rolls out the new DRM that will bring the BN protected DRM to ADE I want a reader that will get that ADE. Basically I want Kobo books to work and the hopefully soon BN books as well. BN fills in gaps that Kobo has for me.
Any idea who might have that?
Hi Chris,
I’m not an ePub expert but from my research, the Libre had support for DRM ePub and library borrowing. That’s what I was looking for and it works fine doing those things.
To be honest, I’ve pretty much stopped trying to keep up to date with all the new readers that are coming out now. I’ll probably catch up near the end of the year when I’m planning on purchasing another one. Until then, I’m just going to read
Good luck in your search!
Hi, I just ordered the Libre and I wonder how the mp3 feature works: will it sound good with a good pair of SONY headphones? I’m actually not very picky, but listening to music while reading without bothering anyone or carrying two devices is a great idea
The mp3 feature is OK but not great. I’ve used it a couple of times and the sound quality is fine for listening while reading but it’s definitely not super high quality.
I just got the Libre and am charging it but it did not come with the SD card and the 100 free books on it. I called K Mart and the other one there did not either. I haven’t turned it on yet. I didn’t know where the on button was until I saw the video so thanks.
I also purchased a Libera from Kmart and it did not come with an SD card. However the 100 e-books were loaded on its internal memory. Keep in mind that all of the books are public domain (classics) and can be downloaded from the internet at no cost, so besides the convenience of having them preloaded, the books are no big plus
Thanks for the info. I was just wondering about other people’s impressions of this little goodie, and appreciate yours and others’ comments. I purchased my Libre from BJ’s Wholesale Club after deciding I definitely did NOT want backlit. Nice price point. It arrived within 48 hours. After a few moments of being baffled (I’m a technical writer and like a physical manual with my devices so that I can read instructions and practice/try it out at the same time; alas, a manual was NOT included in the box but only on the device itself), intuition kicked in and it worked great. As a huge physical book fan and former literature instructor, I had pooh-poohed the idea of an e-reader and SWORE I would never “go over to the dark side.” I figured I didn’t need high-tech; sometimes low-tech is better. This is a happy medium. I like the library feature! Can’t wait to try the mp3. I’m insomniac so this is great, requires only low light, and doesn’t bother other sensitive family members when I can’t sleep. When I can sleep, it falls asleep and remembers where I was. I’ve been so delighted with my rediscovery of Dickens that I forgave the company after slamming them for the lack of ease of getting to the manual on their website. When I complained they immediately responded with help. I like it!
Very much appreciate your review. I have been looking at the Libre, the Ectaco JetBook Lite, and the Astak Pocket Pro (because it reads TIFF files without having to convert, and I have a curriculum program on CD in TIFF format that I want to read via ereader rather than have to print out). Beyond that I only want to download classics that are available for free. Really like the features and prices of the Libre and JetBook Lite. Your review helps me get a much better idea of what the Libre looks like and how it functions. Having the information on Calibre is very helpful. I’d read that I was going to need this, so it was nice to have a walk-through. Also appreciate the links to the various sites. Great review!!
I’m glad you liked the review. It’s a good, basic e-reader that does what it’s supposed to do. I’m really enjoying the Libre.
Thanks for the review. I’ve ordered mine for a knock down price of £35.87 so based on your video I should be a corker. I have already installed Calibre in expectation.
Just wanted to say thank you
Hi Chris,
That’s a great price! I’m still enjoying it 18 months after doing the review. Calibre is a very nice application and does a great job. Enjoy and cheers!
The Libre Reader I got was damaged on receipt, they have just RMA’s it so still hoping to get on with it soon.
Sorry to hear you received a damaged unit. Hopefully the new one they send works!
Well had the Librereader for a few months now.
For reading I find the screen very comfortable. It does struggle a fair bit with large covers and in spite of it’s LCD screen is no better than eink for illustrations or even B&W Comics.
Sources of books is a bit of a bother too as I felt constrained to the free ones for now as the UK is dominated by Amazon. Also ebooks are frequently the same price as the paperback versions. I can’t help but feel like it’s 2002 and digital music all over again.
It’s a nice ebook reader though, I was hoping for a happy compromise for slightly more graphical material, like PDF magazines.