E-Readers
 

Let me preface this by saying that I currently have about 6,000 e-books on my PC. Most are .lit format, others are .txt and .pdf format. I also have some software (Publisher) that does a 'reasonable' job of converting documents from one format to another.

I used to read these books on my PDA but since its demise I have resorted to paper-based reading again.

Most of my reading is done in bed at night.

So I have been doing a bit of iResearch on eReaders to try and determine which one best suits my needs. I feel as though wi-fi or 3G connectivity will not be important to me as I would simply need to access the files on my PC and copy them across to my eReader (or SD card if it has that capability).

For this reason, I can't see any sense in going with something like a Kindle and being chained to Amazon.

I've been looking at the BeBook or EcoReader as well as the Sony PRS-300 or PRS-600.

Price-wise, they're about the same as a basic netbook, but I feel that a 1kg+ netbook in bed at night reading is not as an attractive proposition as an eReader weighing in at 150 - 220gms and obviously also bigger in size.

Anyone have any experiences or advice?

Well, due to the overwhelming responses I've opted for the Eco Reader...

http://cdn.cbsi.com.au/story_media/3...O-Reader_1.jpg

I was JUST going to recommend that one.

What a rotten bit of luck.

I knew you were going to recommend it that's why I bought it.

How much? where did you get it?

details details

Dymocks on line - $449.00

How available are book torrents?

Well I have never paid any money for an e-book and I have over 6,000 titles so I can only assume that 'freely' would accurately answer your question.

The good thing about the reader I bought is that it is 'open-format' i.e. reads many different file types.

Unlike my PDA, for which I had to convert everything to a .lit file so I could read it in a decent format, the EcoReader reads all my books regardless of its format.

It also doesn't use any power until you actually turn a page (the page remains visible without drawing power). They state that it lasts up to 7,000 page turns before it requires a charge.

It also plays mp3's (for what it's worth).

Demonoid.com has thousands