NAEB e-book reader $375
November 10th, 2007 | 
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NAEB has announced the price for their Cybook 3 reader. The reader will go for $375. From what I can tell this is the deluxe package that Bookeen offers for $450. So if you live in the U.S. this should save you on shipping. How much I do not know, but it should be a lot less than the approximately $33 if you had ordered directly from Bookeen. If you are in Europe, NAEB asks that you order from Bookeen directly. Another point is that NAEB is responsible for your warranty. The warranty is essentially the same as Bookeen’s. So, is this a deal? I say no.
While this represents a substantial savings of $75, it only counts if you were going to buy the deluxe package. In a previous post I came to the conclusion that it is not worth buying the deluxe version. I don’t need many of the items offered in this package. For instance, right now Geeks.com is selling the USB Travel AC Wall Charger for $3.50. This sale is just for the weekend and they had about 245 left. So if you need one, make sure you drop by soon. Bookeen is selling an adapter for 23.95.
Another issue is warranty. If you purchase your reader through NAEB, they are responsible for the warranty. That means for service, repair, and replacement, you would have to deal with them, not Bookeen. I just don’t see how NAEB plans to handle this. They have ordered 1,000 units. Depending on the sales, then I suppose they will order another set. At any rate they would have to depend on Bookeen for replacement units at some point. I do not know if NAEB is a retailer. They may be, but I don’t get a warm fuzzy when it comes to the warranty. For me, I don’t need a middle man. I would rather deal directly with Bookeen. They have been more than great when I was having problems with my Cybook 2. So when I buy a Cybook 3 next year, it will be from Bookeen. By the way, Bookeen’s notice about new orders shipping between December 5 and December 13 still applies. NAEB has not issued a ship date yet.
Posted in Devices
Thanks for your comments Ellen. I really appreciate your site. For those of us who just want to read, and can’t afford (or need) to buy all of the latest gadgets, you offer good practical advice and resources.
I am an avid reader, and want to get a device to read books on, carry some documents, and not much else. I want a choice in what I read – DRM (even though I disagree with the way it is done), classics, library ebooks, whatever. I have an old eBookwise device that is fine, but could sure use the flexibility of Mobipocket and other formats.
I agree with your thoughts on the Cybook 3 and waiting to buy from Bookeen. It looks like that is the device I will get – but after waiting a while to see what everyone thinks over time.
The Sony reader would be fine, except I really don’t like being locked into their proprietary format.
Just some thoughts – thanks again for your site. Cheryl
Cheryl,
You are more than welcome. I try not to get too much into specs since you can read that everywhere on the net.
I am more interested in what they don’t talk about. I wasn’t sure if others would see my blog as valuable. So it is nice to hear that it has helped you.
Ellen
good work. keep up. thanks.
Geld,
Thanks for the kind words. I feel bad these days because I have not kept up the blog, but I honestly have nothing to really talk about. So if you have something you’d like me to cover, please let me know.
Ellen