There may seem to be many choices of e-book devices, but we still remain at square one. That’s because there is not one device that reads all formats natively.  We as e-book fans know this and spend our time working around this obstacle.  We buy e-book devices, PDAs, and modify other electronics to get our e-book fix.  While it does satisfied our need to read electronically, it can also add up in dollars.  This is especially true of first adopters.  What if you aren’t that dedicated?  What if you don’t want to be a dedicated-conversion tooling-make your e-book content type of consumer?  I know there are people who just want one device to buy popular content, download classics, or read work related documents with no hassle.  Maybe, the ultimate e-book reader really isn’t a dedicated device.  At least not yet.  Even if  TPTB (The Powers to Be) are able to standardize the e-book format, I suspect that DRM will still be a problem.  Either developers or the publishing industry will still come up with something to limit consumers’ use of downloaded media.  If you are not yet at the e-book addict status consider buying an UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer) and get out the cycle of disappointment and minimize your restrictions.  Yes, UMPCs are expensive, but so are dedicated devices.  Consider this.  Earlier this year, I thought I could stop my e-addiction madness and I bought a Tablet Kiosk UMPC.  I had a horrendous experience and returned it.  Read about it here.  Then I read someone’s post over at Teleread.  The writer had a Samsung Q1 and loved it.  Base on his comments, I did some more research and took the plunge.  I bought a Q1B for about $760 shipped.  That is the about the same price as the iLiad plus shipping.  The difference is I get so much more.  The Samsung, since it runs Windows XP, is capable of reading any format.  I can read pdf files with comfort, and it is the only 7 inch screen UMPC that I know of that I can change the screen orientation.  The screen is bright, resolution is adjustable, and it doesn’t get hot.  I won’t get into the technical specs here, but I suggest that you do read more on the particular manufacturers’ web sites.  I have found that some of the retail sites don’t always have the correct information.  I’ll also link to some sites that review the various UMPCs.  Even if you only have one dedicated device right now, chances are you paid at least $300 for it and are probably thinking of buying another.  If you own an e-ink device and have a PDA for night reading, you have invested quite a lot of money.  So while an UMPC seems like a lot to pay up front, just think about what you are getting and how long it will last.  You could be saving in the long run.

Links

JK on the Run

UMPC Portal

Gotta be Mobile

UMPC Site (no longer being updated, but archive may be useful)

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