Is this the future of tomorrow's book?
Written: Jul 12 '01 (Updated Mar 09 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: can carry entire book collections, Color Display, Hand Note, Ethernet, No need for bookstores.
Cons: Heavy, Can't use outdoor, short battery life, No carrying case, high price, limited titles
The Bottom Line: Capable of carrying many books, Have many features that you only wished you could have with regular books, Price advantage over the regular books
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| wc201's Full Review: Thomson Consumer Electronics RCA eBook 1200 Handhe... |
Ever since eBook first came out many years ago, I have been wanting to purchase one, but the price and available titles were always issues.
Price has gone down significantly since its initial release. When ebook hardware first came out, it was around $500 for black and white display. Now, you can buy a color unit for around $580. I bought mine at the abt electronics, but etronics offer for much less, but unit is not available. I think ebay is another great location to look for these devices.
Even though price has gone down siginificantly, REB 1200 is still expensive investment. For $580, you can buy so many books that you don't have to worry about damaging. I am sure you are probably thinking the same thing.
So, is this really worth investing?
If you are restricted to budget and looking for very light unit to carry around all the time, then REB 1200 is not for you. It's about 2 lb. Most of its weight comes from its battery. According to the company, this is actually lighter battery than the one initially offered in Softbook. In any case, REB 1100 would be a better choice.
However, if you are thinking about the future possible functions, then REB 1200 might be a better choice. That's what I thought. This is why.
Color
The only reason why color is not offered in REB 1100 is the price. Sooner or later, everybody wants to read it in color. In future, you might be able to surf the net or look at your favorite family albums. So, color is the choice to go.
Ethernet
Both REB 1100 and 1200 comes with modem (33.6K and 56K Modem), but ethernet option is available with REB 1200. It doesn't take much time to download a book using modem. However, unlike its predecessor such as Rocket Book and Softbook, both device are almost completely independent from your computer. REB 1200 doesn't have any option to connect to your computer. REB 1100 might. So, what I am trying to say is that you will have to browse and look for titles on your screen. Since these devices are not real computers, it can't store images you visited like your internet browser, so everytime you move to the next page inside the online bookstore, you will have to wait for the image to load. With 33.6K modem, you can do only so much, but at least with ethernet, it's bearable. In future, both device will have option to play MP3 files. Unlike ebooks, its size can vary from 3MB to 10 MB depending on quality. Usual ebook file size is less than 1 MB, and it takes several minutes to download, so if you have high speed connection at home, then it will be much easier.
Intuitive User Interface
Bookmark.
When we read book, we open fold the corner of the book for bookmarking. It's same with this book.
Highlight.
You can just put your finger on your ebook text and slide acrros the screen, then the text will be highlighted. If you want it to remove, then there is small option bar that comes down from the corner of the screen and select erase. Then tab the text u don't want to highlight, then it will be gone.
Hand Note
There is a draw function in REB 1200. If you want to write a note, then you can just select the function from the option bar i have mentioned previously, and then just write like you normally do. Then, it will show up exactly where you wrote it in your own handwritting style.
Actual Reading.
When you open your REB 1200 book cover, it will power up automatically and direct you the page you were reading the last time. So, no more flipping pages to find where you were.
And, when you read, you can see all the looks and feel of the real book. Like indent, great looking font (not like something u might see on electric wrist watch), Chapter, page number, progress bar, and Size of the book. So, you feel more like reading a real book.
Weight / Can be damaged
Unlike real book, this book is somewhat heavier. It's about the same weight of any hard cover book, but it is still heavy. Because it doesn't have built in stand or any option, you have to hold to read it. Since it uses backlit LCD screen, you have to hold it in optimal angle to read. It has a wide viewing angle, but you still have to angle in certain way to read.
Another thing is its vulnerability.
This is not a child toy. If you drop it, you will more likely break it. So, you have to be careful with it. I just wish RCA offered carrying case which is not available. It only comes with leather covered plastic book cover.
So, is it worth investing your money? I think it is.
I often read a lot at night. And, this unit requires no exteranl light source to read. Plus, I can download today's newspaper and magazines and can be viewed in color. Book covers look beautiful when you view it in color. You can also read better since you can adjust its font size.
And, RCA or eBook are planning to add publishing options back into these units, so you might be able to view your work documents or others.
Also, number of ebook are rapidly increasing. Last month alone, more than 200 titles were added in ebook format. For now, you won't be able to find all the new releases in ebook format, but some books are often released earlier than regular format in lower prices. And most eBooks are cheaper than regular book, so if you are avid reader, then this might be the perfect solution for you. I hope you like it as much as I did.
Update.
I am sure a lot of you already know that the price was reduced by half. So, the retail price is now less than $300.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 570
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Epinions.com ID:
wc201
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Location: Jersey City
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 1 member
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