Review iRex iLiad
Model:  iLiad

The iRex iLiad digital reader uses the popular eInk technology for its screen.  This creates a high contrast monochrome image that is completely free from flicker and doesn't require a backlight-very similar to reading text on a page of a book.  The screen includes Wacom Penabled technology, so you can use the stylus that's stored in a slot at the top of the ebook reader to amend documents with handwritten notes or to draw freehand diagrams, but these notes and drawings are stored in a separate file separate from the original documents rather than being added straight into the document.

The front of the reader is around the same size as the average hardback, but the device is very slim and pretty lightweight.  At the bottom of the screen, iRex has four shortcut keys to relevant folders held in the ebook reader's memory. Page navigation is very natural with the appropriately placed page turning “buttons”.  The iLiad has 256MB of internal flash memory, but this is shared with the operating system leaving users with around 128MB of space for storing their own ebooks and documents. Additional memory is available with the use of a memory card inserted into the compact flash or MMC/SD slot on the top of the device.  Users may also use the USB socket to attach a memory key.

To transfer new files to the iLiad users must connect the travel adaptor to the expansion port at the base of the device. This includes not just a USB port that can actually be used for connecting the device to a PC, but also has an Ethernet port to connect the device to a home network. The device can read PDF, HTML and TXT plain text documents, as well as showing images in the JPG, BMP, PNG formats. It is also possible to read books in the PRC format, which are available via the Mobipocket online store. These books can be bought using the free Mobipocket software. However, these books are priced at about the same level as a standard book making them a little less desirable.

Battery life is long.  It takes three hours to charge the unit, but it has an average running time of 12 hours before needing a recharge.  Even though the device has Wi-Fi, it can't update RSS feeds by itself. Although the device can be synced with the Companion software over Wi-Fi, it can be pretty tricky to set up.

Although it takes about 40 seconds to start up, it's kind of slow to load documents and there's a pause moving between page, the iLiad's built in WiFi, stylus options and ability to obtain RSS feeds make it a tough rival to other eBook readers on the market. The iLiad has some great features, such as the amazing screen and extremely long battery life, but the Wi-Fi functionality needs to be improved and iRex needs to develop better PC software for managing the device.

Review - Hanlin eReaders
Models: Hanlin eReader V3 with Vizplex, Hanlin eReader V2, Hanlin eReader V8, Hanlin eReader V2b

Each model of the Hanlin eReader features a 6-inch screen.  The multi-lingual abilities of the Hanlin eReader series makes this a popular choice internationally over other digital readers currently available, but there are still design and feature issues that allow other digital readers to excel.  With each new model, the hard key positioning changed slightly, but the overall navigation and directory management systems remained the same.  Overall the Hanlin eReaders are a good value for the price and performance is not an issue.

Hanlin eReader V2:
The Hanlin eReader V2 is a portable electronic device specifically for reading applications. Its stable, high-brightness makes for excellent readability. The 6-inch e Ink display (EPD) contains 800 x 600 pixels and supports 4 levels of grayscale. The product has a SD card slot on the top of the device, memory extension up to 1GB. Ebook downloads are available through connection to PC via a USB-cable. The V2 is a very low power mobile device with the battery charge allegedly lasting up to a month.  The device supports multi-level directory management. It is convenient for user to classify and manage the books.  The touch screen facility and stylus makes text input and easy navigation possible as part of a very natural user interface.  Supported formats include PDF, DOC, TXT, HTML, Wolf, JPG, ZIP, XEB.  This model also includes an MP3 player and earphone capabilities.

Hanlin eReader V2b:
The V2b is also a portable electronic device designed specifically for reading applications. It does not differ greatly from the Hanlin eReader V2 model, but it does have a slightly faster processor and memory extension possibilities.  The 6-inch e Ink display contains 800 x 600 pixels and supports 4 levels of grayscale. The product has a SD card slot on the top of the device, memory extension up to 4GB. Downloading eBooks is fairly simple with a connection to a PC through an USB-cable. The operating time of the rechargeable battery is about a month without recharging, based on an average use of 300 pages reading a day. The device supports multi-level directory management. Supported file types include PDF, DOC, WOLF, HTML, MP3, JPG, TXT, ZIP, BMT.

Hanlin eReader V3:
The V3's key features include the Jinke standard 6" E-ink display technology, but this model has beefed up with a Vizplex screen, E Ink's superior Vizplex e-paper technology, which promises faster refreshes and a better contrast than previous E Ink devices.  The screen is of course readable both indoors and outdoors with the support of more than a dozen languages. The battery lasts for about 9000 page turns. Ebooks are downloaded through a PC/laptop connection via USB cable.  Users can easily convert .pdf files to text right inside the reader. The Hanlin eReader V3 comes with charger, USB cable, earphone and battery upon shipment.  Supported file types include PDF, TXT, RTF, DOC, HTML, WOLF, PPT, MP3, JPG, ZIP, PDF.  Language Support: English, Chinese, Russian, Ukraine, Turkish, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Bulgarian, Estonian, and Polish.

Hanlin eReader V8:
With the Hanlin V8 electronic device, Jinke mixed and matched previous features and combined them with a faster processor and different operating system to create an eBook reader that is slightly improved over previous models, but may still have a tough time competing with models from Sony and Kindle.  The V8 has the same 6-inch e Ink display (EPD) that contains 800 x 600 pixels and supports 4 levels of grayscale.  The product has a SD card slot on the top of the device, memory extension up to 1GB.  Downloading eBooks from the web is done through a connection to a PC via USB-cable.  The Hanlin V8 is a very low power mobile device with an operating time of about a month without recharging.  The device supports multi-level directory management.  It is convenient for users to classify and manage their ebooks and files.  The touch screen facility and stylus makes text input easy.  Navigation is very natural.  Supported formats include TXT, HTML, MP3, DOC, PDF, WOL.  Supported languages include English and Chinese.

Review Cybook Gen3 eBook Reader
Model number: Gen3

The Cybook Gen3 eBook was developed as a dedicated device for reading e-books. For the most part, the Cybook is fairly quick and responsive. It has a readable display, good battery life, good RSS support, and as a dedicated e-book reader it usually does its job very well, but its lack of features will be an attraction for some and a turn-off for others.

The Cybook Gen3 digital reader is thin, light and small. The device features a 6-inch display screen that utilizes the latest e-paper screen and “eInk” technology, a very comfortable and low eyestrain way to read in well-lit environments. The screen of the Cybook Gen3 appears more gray than white as it uses a 4 gray-scale for its display. As with most eBook readers, it is not recommended for use in low light.

Although supported, reading PDF documents is only a bonus feature. In many cases the text on the PDF appears too small to be readable or large, complex PDF documents may appear blank. There is the ability to convert PDF and other types of files using the Mobipocket Reader software. Conversion is easy and the final document is then readable with the device.

The simplicity of this devices interface may be appealing to some and a turn-off for others. The Cybook Gen3 has very few keys and inputs. The Cybook's flip-page mechanism is somewhat dated. On the right side of the unit are two page navigation keys and on the left side are four small menu keys. The small on/off button does require a long press to activate the device and is situated close to the SD card slot. The addition of a 2.5mm sound plug makes it possible to listen to MP3s on the device with the supplied earphones. The unit includes a reset button and operates with a 1000 mAH Li-Polymer battery. The Cybook Gen3 Reader does come with a small charging and sync connector. The Cybook is charged using a supplied USB cable. Like most digital readers, the Cybook Gen3 has amazing battery life unless you are using the music player, which drains a battery much faster. The Cybook has some basic-image viewing capabilities, including a special device-created folder for images.

The organizational features of the unit are somewhat lacking. There are no sub-categories for organization. If you add 100 books to your device you will have to scroll through all 100 to find the book you are looking for. Also, upon starting to read a book, the Cybook Gen3 creates a bar at the bottom of the screen showing where you are in the book, which is helpful, but the unit does lack a page numbering system for keeping track of where you are in a book. It should be noted that the page turning abilities of this unit are easily comparable, if not better than other leading eBook readers on the market.

The Mobipocket Reader Software lets you add books and RSS feeds, as well as buy e-books from a variety of online stores. Using the Mobipocket Reader software, users are able to integrate a RSS support for the device. Although without wireless capabilities, the Cybook can only sync when connected to a PC with Mobipocket Reader software.

The device does show some potential and would be ideal for a consumer seeking a no frills eBook digital reader, but there will be a continuous need for firmware version updates to fix current issues and to add some much needed features.

Review iRex Digital Reader 1000 Series
Model numbers: 1000, 1000S, 1000SW

iRex introduces the new Digital Reader 1000 series of e-readers, including the Digital Reader 1000, 1000S and 1000SW. Each reader is essentially the same, with the 1000 being the most basic, having no tablet capabilities or wireless internet connection, versus the other models which feature a Wacom ® Penabled touch screen (1000S / 1000SW) and wireless connectivity (1000SW).

Each model of the iRex Digital Reader 1000 Series features a 10′ diagonal screen, which utilizes “eInk” technology and has amazingly paper-like display. Featuring no backlight, but clear “print like” text on a white (actually grayscale) screen background makes using the readers quite similar to reading the word on a traditional written page. Otherwise each model of the iRex Digital Reader is noted for a sleek and lightweight design. Although it is larger than most eBook readers, the iRex Series is the thinnest reader on the market and it packs the most in the way of available features. The conveniently placed page turning buttons make navigation a breeze and all three models have a SD card slot and mini-USB port.

iRex partnered with Wacom to bring Tablet PC like features in the 1000S and 1000SW models. This can be a very handy feature when working on presentations on the road or reading a proposal and needing the ability to make notes. iRex Digital Reader 1000S and 1000SW support handwritten notes, but are expensive by another $100 over the 1000 model. The iRex Digital Reader 1000SW packs not only Wacom digitizer but also WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The wireless Internet connection allows user to download the latest magazines, books or newspaper subscriptions to their iRex device and the reader does not have the Flash display problems of other digital readers. iRex can display PDF files, HTML web pages and even Microsoft Office documents like PowerPoint presentations or Word .doc files without requiring any conversion. Users of the 1000S or 1000SW model can use the stylus pen to write or sketch on the screen and that gets saved with the document in the iRex's memory. The reader can then be connected to a PC via USB and users can convert all the handwritten text into digital format. The larger size display screen was actually made for PDF and Word document viewing and the display is significantly more responsive. When you turn a page the refreshed e-ink appears on the screen twice as fast as other eBook readers. Unlike other Readers available on the market today, the iRex 1000 series is geared more toward professionals and companies dealing with lots of PDF files and other digital documents. The reader can still read the popular eBooks as well, but it wasn't the company's focus. However, the iRex 1000 series may be priced for the professionals as well, ranging from $649 to $849. If you can afford it, it is the leading technology in readers, but if you just want to read your eBooks, there are other models that will be of more use to you and cost you less.

Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-505
Additional Model Numbers: PRS-505/LC, PRS-505/RC, PRS-505/SC, PRS-505/SC/007

The Sony PRS-505 "Reader Digital Book" retails for around $300 and is priced comparable to other eBook readers available today. The Sony Reader Digital Book is a slimmer Reader than its predecessor (PRS-500) by about 0.2 inch, but the weight is still around 9 ounces. At 6.9 inches by 4.9 inches, the Reader is about the size of a 5 X 7 picture frame or a paperback novel. This Reader comes with a leather cover available in silver and metallic blue.

The screen of the PRS-505 didn't change much from the PRS-500 model. Still sporting the monochromatic “E Ink” technology for an easy read. The quality of the screen is excellent and the high-contrast makes page reading as easy as that of printed pages. Font size adjusts at the touch of a button. This unit still does not utilize a backlight so users must work the device in a well-lit environment. There is an optional attachable nightlight available called the Flex-Neck LED Reading Light PRS-LIGHT01 for $15.

The top-level menu allows you to select books, audio, pictures, and easily make setting adjustments. You can select books by author or date and the Reader allows you to organize your books into collections. Very important is the ability to bookmark pages so as not to lose your place. Also new to this model is the ability to read a book and listen to MP3s at the same time.

Oddly enough, if you own a Sony PSP, the charger from that device works with this one. Sony says that with a fully charged battery, you can turn 7,500 pages. The unit is chargeable through the USB port on your computer or you can purchase an AC adapter as an optional accessory.

This electronic book holds thousands of titles. Users can import a variety of content, even free content, from a Windows computer to the device (via USB). Users do however have to use Sony's desktop software to move content to the device's 128MB of internal memory (more memory is available via SD and Memory Stick Pro). You can find some free full-length books online in the form of PDF or Word files, otherwise you have to visit Sony's Connect eBooks online store. For simplicity, this is integrated into the desktop software. Sony does offer a number of classic titles for $1.99 and there is the “reader-sharing” program that allows users to share books with up to five other people. The Reader is capable of displaying Text, RTF, Word and BBeB Book files, as well as PDF files (although often the text is skewed and hard to read). The Sony Digital Reader PRS-505 does not support the Audible file format.

Sony's second-generation device, PRS-505 is zippier than its predecessor, but there are still some lag issues when flipping pages. The small changes to the navigation and interface are negligible, but the advances with the Connect eBooks store are to be commended. The PRS-505 Reader Digital Book is not without blemishes, but the overall improvements from the previous model make the PRS-505 the better recommendation.

Sony Reader PRS-700
Additional Model Numbers: PRS-700BC

The Sony Reader PRS-700 is a sleek version of its predecessors, although largely similar, but the PRS-700 incorporates a 6-inch touch screen. This a huge improvement for navigation and the user interface. The newest reader also boasts faster operation, expanded internal memory, and a built-in LED reading light. There are still some flaws related to the new screen that may hold back this otherwise great digital reader.

The PRS-700 weighs only 1-ounce more than previous Sony readers (10 oz) and users will find it only slightly thicker. As with previous models, the PRS-700 comes with a leather protective cover that adheres to the device magnetically and is available in a couple of colors.

The best feature of this model is the touch screen, which completely changes the dynamics of the device. The screen itself hasn't changed from the preceding models. It's still a 600×800-pixel, monochrome screen that measures approximately 4.9 inches tall by 3.6 inches wide and uses the “E Ink” technology print, but the touch screen and swiping action to turn pages is a nice, almost homey touch. Granted, most people will probably continue to use the well-placed hard buttons for page changes. The screen is not as sensitive to touch as most Iphones. Users must learn to press firmly on the screen. Much to users' dismay, the PRS-700's screen is not glare resistant and there is no way to adjust the contrast. With the Size button, you can choose among five font settings. You can also switch between landscape and portrait mode. The PRS-700 also has an annotation and notes feature, giving you the ability to highlight portions of your book and make notes using a virtual keyboard.

The PRS-700 has the added feature of an LED "reading light." This is not to be confused with backlighting, but is more of “screen periphery” lighting. This substitute lighting isn't uniform, but it does allow users to read in darker environments. Sony also sells the optional Flex-Neck LED Reading Light PRS-LIGHT01 ($15) for those who do a lot of night reading.

The PRS-700 does not come with an AC adapter and the unit may only be charged through the USB port on your computer. If you happen to own a Sony PSP, the charger for this device will work on your Reader. The unit will operate for several days on a full charge, but use of the audio playback will decrease that time.

Sony has remodeled their e-book store and it is much improved. The Reader is delivered with eBook Library 2.5 PC software. This software is far more user friendly than previous versions. Downloading a purchased book is a two-step process and requires USB connection to a computer. The Reader is capable of displaying text, RTF, Word, BBeB Book files, and EPUB files, as well as PDFs. Previously, you couldn't zoom in on your PDF files, but now you can. The PRS-700 model has double the amount of internal memory from the PRS-505 (256MB), which allows you to store around 300 books. You can gain more memory from the addition of an optional memory card (SD or Memory Stick Pro).

Sony has made a lot of good choices with the PRS-700. It is definitely faster due to its faster processor. It definitely has a cleaner and easier-to-use interface with the touch screen simplifying navigation. However, as far as a reader goes, the screen is important and the screens on previous models (PRS-505) were definitely better. Although Sony's PRS-700 takes one-step forward for Sony digital readers, the screen may cause it to take a couple of steps back as well.

Kindle eBook Reader
Model #: The Kindle

The Kindle from Amazon is definitely an ambitious eBook Reader. The Kindle Reader weights 10.3 ounces and measures 7.5 inches high by 5.3 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep. Like most other eBook Readers, the Kindle comes with a protective leather cover, however the Kindle cover has been noted as being slightly bulkier than most and the plastic structure of the Kindle can often give the device a “cheaper” feel than those made of metal. In the end, the Kindle offers more function with less fashion.

The screen has 4 scales of gray and 167 pixels per inch, which can mean a little less contrast than other Readers currently available. Amazon decided against using a backlight with the Kindle Reader. For this reason, the Kindle is best used in a well-lit environment. All in all, the high contrast screen does a great job of simulating the printed page. If you do not use the wireless functions, the Kindle is said to last for a week on a single charge and it recharges fully in 2 hours. The device ships with an AC adapter.

The Kindle's button layout is quite functional. The rubberized scroll wheel makes navigation a breeze and the large buttons found on both sides of the screen make paging easy as well. The simplicity and usefulness of the home button is a feature Amazon definitely got right. The Kindle also features a bulky, but useful build in keyboard.
EVDO radio is also built into the unit that connects to the Whispernet data service and users can "manually" transfer content to the Kindle when they are abroad by downloading content from the Web to a PC, and then transferring it to the Kindle via USB.

The Kindle Reader's free built-in wireless connection is revolutionary as it allows users access to Amazon's enormous online bookstore from anywhere (or almost anywhere you can access Sprint's cellular data network). Downloading books wirelessly to the Kindle is a huge selling point. The Kindle allows users to search for titles or authors in the Kindle Store or scroll through the national and Kindle bestsellers lists. Users simply click on the buy button to make a book purchase, however, it should be noted that content prices are on the high side. To make life even easier, Amazon keeps track of your purchases, allowing you to delete files on the Kindle and then download it again at no additional charge.

The Kindle offers a limited Web browser, but there is no Flash support, everything is in black and white and in many cases there is a lack of proper formatting (meaning one web page could be 20 pages on the Kindle). It is very functional for doing quick blog reads. The Kindle can access Wikipedia essentially making the device a hand-held encyclopedia.

The Kindle has 185 MB of user-accessible internal memory, which holds around 200 books. Users can however store more books, MP3s, Audible audio books, and other files if they purchase an optional SD memory card (up to 4GB). Amazon has launched the Digital Text Platform, which makes it very easy to upload your own manuscript or document to the Kindle Store and have it converted into a Kindle book. The Kindle is compatible with a number of file types, but there are a few extra steps, as most files have to undergo a conversion before being recognized by the device. PDF files can also be converted and viewed, but they are not always easy to read due to formatting. The Kindle plays back MP3 files giving users the ability to listen to music while they read. It also reads Audible books.

The Kindle's firmware is upgradeable and updates will be delivered wirelessly giving the Amazon device an advantage over other Readers. With its free built-in wireless capabilities and PC-free operation, not to mention its usability by MAC owners, the Kindle is a very compelling device.

Sony Portable Reader
Model Number: PRS-500, PRS-500U2 for refurbished models

The Sony Portable Reader (PRS-500) is slim, sleek and very readable. Sony has gotten a lot of things right with the PRS-500 Portable Reader System, which most people know as the Sony Reader. The Reader is somewhere between the size of a standard 5 X 7 picture frame and a short trade paperback novel (6.9 inches tall by 4.9 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep) making it a cinch to travel with and to throw into your briefcase or backpack. Most are bound in a leather protective cover with varying colors available. The reader is however heavier than the traditional paperback (8.8oz) due largely to its thin display screen.

The way text is displayed on the screen is quite enjoyable in its high-contrast monochromatic style and readers generally won't suffer any more eye-fatigue than what would be caused by reading a normal book over a long period of time. The Sony PRS-500 Reader uses "E Ink" technology meaning the letters and words on the screen look more “print-like” in their appearance. Its' screen is of decent size 4.9 X 3.6 inches (600 X 800 pixel) and requires no backlight (although you can not use this device in the dark). It is easy to read with single button font size adjustment. Fonts can be increased by up to 200% making this an excellent tool for the visually impaired. Depending on the selected font size, most books will be longer on the reader than the actual printed versions. You can also switch between landscape and portrait mode, depending on which way feels most comfortable and natural for you when holding the device.

The device's navigation is fairly straightforward, although it does leave room for improvement. The top menu allows readers to select books, audio, pictures, and to make setting adjustments. Additonal menus also allow users to jump quickly between areas of the book. You can change pages by using small arrows or by using the small circular pad that is conveniently positioned under your left thumb when you hold the device in the more natural portrait position. Books can be selected by author or date, and can also be organized into collections. The Reader is capable of storing thousands of electronic books with the addition of a memory card and users never have to worry about losing their place as you can bookmark your page for an easy return. The unit also displays PDF and Word files, as well as most image files. It also plays MP3 and AAC audio.

Sony's online Connect bookstore is still very much a work in progress. Most Connect book files are not compatible with other devices and can sometimes be as expensive as paper books. There is also no support for current audio books.

In the end, the Sony PRS-500 Reader is both slim and relatively lightweight. The battery life was even respectable and is said to hold a charge for 7500 page turns, the only time the unit uses energy is during a page change. Overall, the unit may feel a tad sluggish to some, especially on start up and there is a noticeable delay when turning a page. The Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System is an impressive platform for reading e-books and other documents, but the availability of compatible books makes it slightly less desirable.