Only for reading, easily available in EU, low budget: which e-ink device/distro?
I’m looking for something to read books on, copied over from a local collection (mostly .epub). Networking is not desired, a fast USB connection is. A good battery or exchangeable battery would be nice.
Not too large - maximum DIN A5 for the whole device.
I remember from years ago that some devices were deemed unhackable, some much more suitable to install Linux on.
I’d prefer to buy used, so something that was sold a lot in Europe is preferable.
I will not spend much more than €100.
In other words, some old commercial e-reader that was known for being hackable, I guess.
Please do not recommend the new PineNote, it’s (slightly) too large and way too expensive and I don’t think I need that much computing power.
Thanks in advance.
I always go with Pockebooks which are the cheapest e-readers I could find that also have good software. But I just put books on it and read them, never tried to hack it or anything.
Yes, I realized that if it works uploading open formats via USB, and can stay 100% offline, there’s no need for that. I guess I’d enjoy the hacking, but it’s really for reading!
Somebody else already recommended Pocketbook, looks good.
Works great with Calibre so can stay 100% offline. Even if you want to buy an ebook online it will typically come with Adobe’s DRM which both Calibre and Pocketbook support. But it requires Adobe account and the reader will have connect to their services…
If you read in bed, a cheap android tablet with FBReader connected to Calibre OPDS works nicely. I just bought a few old Nexus 7 tablets for redundancy and extra readers scattered around the house and at the cabin. They sync up reading positions over Gdrive. I like the tablet because I don’t have to turn on a light and it shuts the screen off when I fall asleep. You can set the brightness manually.
It wasn’t me who downvoted you but I did specify e-ink, and a desire to keep it 100% offline (even locally).
I already know how to use a regular mobile device for reading.
I have a Kindle, and it’s relatively inexpensive (I assume the business model focuses on selling eBooks rather than the reading device itself). I never turn on the Wi-Fi or sign in; I use it offline by uploading books through USB with Calibre. I’ve read that it can be jailbroken, but it has met all my needs so far. Would this option work for you?
I’m in a similar position, having inherited a Kindle Touch that a family member no longer used. If all you want is to read books on it then keeping it offline and using calibre has been perfect for me. I can’t comment on the repairability however
Yes, definitely. Is the age of the Kindle relevant here? Like, older is better?
https://kindlemodding.org/kindle-models.html
Since “winter break”, it seems that most versions are supported.
It seems breaking it requires registering and an internet connection.
Is this also required at first usage?
Funny, I just did this today. And yes it requires connecting to WiFi and registering the device with Amazon, since the jailbreak exploits a mechanic of the book store. But the new one “adbreak” exploits of mechanic of the advertising delivery system.
Definitely would not recommend buying one to do this. Kobo is the way (for now).
👍
i have an ancient kobo 2 (?) that is repairable and just fine for the purpose
Kobo Libra 2? Cannot find just Kobo 2.
What do you mean, repairable? Sounds very specific. Did you repair it?
About reparability, kobo has a partnership with ifixit for parts and repair guide.
ah no, sorry. it’s a Kobo Touch. very cheap when bought second hand. and together with the right cough subsription over at anna’s archive almost free 🤭
the screen eventually broke. was able to replace the screen with just a the right screwdriver (and the correct replacement part).
That sounds really good. Do e-readers generally require some sort of registration on first use?
i think many vendors couple it to their DRM ridden online stores that sell you “epub” files that aren’t thst and that don’t work outside that device
Pocketbook has been good to me, not bound to any particular format or shop, just reads files and a lot of them are fairly inexpensive.
I would assume they’re available in Europe since I believe it’s a German company.
+1 for the pocketbook. It is a Swiss company. Plays all formats that i ever needed. The software is… ok. The Era was about €150 but there are cheaper models.
That Verse model is quite nice for the price!
My wife has been asking about an eBook reader - her kobo broke some time ago, so she makes use of my modded kindle when I’m not, otherwise she reads on her phone.
This seems like a solid option!
And maybe the nice big color one for me…
They are. On a related note, does anybody have any experience with handwriting recognition on the Pocketbook Inkpad? I’d like to get something like that for note taking. But that only makes sense for me if it can read my terrible scrawls.
Even a new one would start at €115, that’s cheap. How’s the battery?
Impressive tbh. I read at least 30min per day in bed with background lighting on and make it for more than 2 month usually (with an Era colour, though).
The verse of my kid has not been recharged ever since they got it in August and they use it for hours each weekend and approx.1 per weekday - with zero light on,though.
Another point for Pocketbook (not relevant for you,but maybe someone else): It works effortlessly with calibre web - unlike Tolinos, Kindles and some Kobos(even those have a better integration when they work).
And at least in Europe the “onleihe” (digital public library) system works extremly well on them. Around 90% of our books are from various onleihe librarys. (Unlike Tolino and some Kobos they support multiple onleihe accounts).(BTW: There are ways to get accounts for some of these - that have extensive english sections) even if you don’t live there)
Service wise: I had issues with initial delivery and they were solid (even though it wasn’t their fault).
Data security wise we looked into the traffic a hit and beside the usual shop traffic (recommendations,etc.) it seems to not do much,but we have it in an isolated network that only allows access to Onleihe, Calibre Web and a RSS aggregator anyway.
Can’t complain at all. Very happy with them, only complaints I have so far is the not as Kobo calibre Web integration (not their fault) and the fact that their OS is not as open as I wish.
Thanks!
But “onleihe” provides DRM, not open formats, yes? Meaning, I couldn’t e.g. use my computer for that, then manually transfer the books?
Officially, yes. Never tried getting them out of the PB tbh, there are easier ways for that (cough Anna).
I have a verse and haven’t charged it in probably 2 months. Granted I don’t use it heavily, mostly a bit at bedtime, but it seems to sip power pretty well.
Kobo Libra 2 black and white not color. I have been reading so many books on this thing, lovely. Also apparently you can just load any epub or even text files. No good for full size pdfs.
Thanks. You mean grayscale, not black/white, right?
Yes. Model from 2021, discontinued.
so not Modos on crowdsource? it’s an open source device to translate HDMI signals from any OS to any e-ink monitor, comes with a 6" monitor for 199$.
otherwise old e-readers usually have a limit on the micro-SD card. like no bigger sized cards than 32 16 8 4 2 1 GB can be inserted… Sony PRS-T1 & 2 iirc is an example of an old one.
I have a Kobo Clara
2BW, and just keep the Internet off. I use Calibre to transfer files to it.Thanks. Does it require some sort of registering when you first use it?
IIRC, no. But I’m not sure, it’s been a couple of years.
The Dyptix has dual screens and is (supposed to be) open-source and open hardware. Way to go !
