Aluratek Libre Pro E-Reader: Easy on the Eyes and the Wallet

Priced at $170 (as of March fifteen, 2010), the no-frills, lightweight Aluratek Libre Professional e-reader can be a refreshing surprise. Dismissing the Libre Pro as just an additional e-reader within a sea of clones could be straightforward, but this gadget handles greater than most--and it sports activities a bargain cost, as well.

The e-reader universe is evolving at a breakneck speed, and 1 issue that continues to be nevertheless to get decided is what defines an e-reader. While in the beginning, we found models with electronic-paper screens; now inside the combine are tablets with LCDs, in addition to dual-screen electronic-paper and LCD merchandise.

Yet another variant could be the display screen engineering Aluratek employs here: The organization utilizes a monochrome, non-backlit, 5-inch Toshiba LCD screen meant to realize a consequence that, like digital paper, is comfortable to study and variety towards the battery. In apply, the Libre Pro's display succeeds while in the previous but not the latter. Even though the show is little as opposed with that of a Barnes and Noble Nook or an Amazon Kindle 2, I found it very simple on my eyes for extended reading engagements. Regrettably, when I tried using the Libre Professional for the three-day weekend of mixed use and standby mode, the battery didn't final without needing a charge (Aluratek says the device will last for up to 24 hours of continuous looking at, and 30 days standby time). The exhibit features a greenish-gold coloration, a lot as monochrome screens of yesteryear had; it is not fairly as successful to the text to stand out, but it was tame adequate to keep my eyes from tiring.

I identified the Libre Pro intuitive and fast to use, and its development was noticeably smooth. It weighs just 7 ounces, which causes it to be a joy to carry in one or each fingers. All the unit's buttons are soft to the touch and finger-friendly. Which is uncommon on e-readers: A lot of, this kind of as the Interead Cool-ER, are afflicted by dreadfully stiff and hard-to-press controls.

Along the best side from the exhibit sits a vertical set of buttons that perform for cell-phone-keypad-like text and numeric input, together with for selecting which choice you would like on screen. The influence is related to--but a lot more stylish than--the kludgy scrollwheel to the unique Amazon Kindle. Along the left is an unusual slider bar for moving pages forward and back again.

Beneath the screen, to your right, can be a five-way navigation pad, neatly surrounded by four handy buttons for switching orientation, alternatives (like jumping to a distinct web page within the e-book, through the use of the amounts alongside the display), 3 options for text magnification, and return. At left would be the page-forward and page-back buttons, the previous larger than the latter. These buttons are well located for turning pages together with your left hand, should you maintain the device with your left hand or each fingers; alternatively, in the event you maintain the e-reader along its facet within your left hand, you are able to simply press the buttons with your correct hand.

The Libre Professional has an SDHC card slot and supports cards as much as 32GB. You'll be able to load a variety of file formats, including text, Adobe ePub, PDF, FB2, MOBI, PRC, and RTF. You can download textbooks manually or get books from ePub-compatible shops (Aluratek is partnered with eBooks.com and Kobo). The system includes one hundred classics preinstalled--a good method to obtain the ball rolling.

On the bottom from the Libre Pro would be the energy button (that is somewhat hard to press), the headphone jack, along with a hand-strap loop. In the best, under a rubberized flap, are the SD slot and also the mini-USB port; the flap feels durable, even though I would like it failed to cover the USB port also.

Though the Libre Pro lacks the Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity of some fancier e-readers, it retains issues fundamental and also to the point. This minor e-reader can be a satisfaction to work with, and it may be considered a affordable choice to far more costly, related e-readers.