Remember I mentioned that I might get an e-book reader? I did. I’m such a geek sometimes; I cannot resist technology. Bad for my pocket, good for my soul. I think that’s a fair trade. I got a Sony Reader a month or so back, but it broke down on me before I could blog about it. Entirely gross so I had to send it back to get a replacement. While that took place, I broke and bought something else. I know, WTF IS WRONG WITH ME.
I got myself a Bookeen Cybook Opus – it’s a 5 inch basic reader. No fancy snazzy functions like WiFi or touchscreen or even a dictionary, but I guess it fits a general purpose of fitting into a bag and providing entertainment like a book. I got this because it was on a good discount I can’t pass up. The Opus was one of the readers I considered getting last year, but at that price point then, I wouldn’t have. The price I paid for this is much more reasonable in my opinion.
A softcore unveil:
Unboxed from the shipping box.
The product box. I like the design, but hate it that they use Twilight as an example book. Feh.
Inside. The Quick Start Guide, the reader and the PU sleeve.
The reader. I can hold it in one hand!
Size comparison with a regular paperback novel. It’s smaller than a regular paperback.
Because of the built-in accelerometer I can turn the reader 180 degrees if I want to push the page turn buttons with my left hand.
Or I can turn it this way if I want a widescreen.
So far, I think the Opus a lot but the size bothers me. PDF books look horrid on a 5inch screen – either go with minute font if you want to see the whole page, or enlarge and having to scroll. And it’s not like I can convert those PDF files because I loaned them from the library website. But this works fantastic with ePub. The screen is suitably matte and doesn’t reflect light unlike an LCD screen. I love reading on the Opus because it’s so light to hold.
Overall, I think having an ebook reader has dramatically changed my reading experience. There are so many public domain books I can read, and I can loan books from the library website. I think for me, it’s a good investment.
In any case, when I get my Sony back I might consider letting go of one of it, having two e-readers is far too decadent for me.
ooh! me me! If you’re letting go of one, sell to me!! :)
The cybook actually looks better here in your post than photos i see on websites or youtube. Don’t know why. Is it the size of an ipod though? looks like it when you hold it.
oh well, enjoy your e-readers. :)