New kid on the block: Elonex eBook

[Shake&Bake]

Elonex eBook Reader 511EB launching in SA

New kid on the (eBook) block
Publish date: 08 December 2009 by Hanleigh Daniels

Following on the heels of the Amazon Kindle and the Foxit eSlick eReader, the Elonex eBook 511EB is set for launch in South Africa on 16 December 2009. Compact with a 5" display, the 511EB sports a full QWERTY keyboard for making notes as well as typing your comments on books.

The Elonex eBook features eInk technology, which ensures that reading eBooks on its flicker-free screen isn’t too taxing on the eyes and the display has a high 800 x 600 native resolution. The 511EB’s memory is expandable up to 32 GB and it can store up to 8 000 different eBooks via the free 4 GB Micro SD card it comes package with. It weighs only 190 g and has dimensions of 173 x 116 x 10 mm.



The device’s battery life looks to be rather impressive, allowing you to read up to 8 000 pages between charges. You’ll also be able to listen to MP3s and audio books and the device features a 3.5 mm jack, integrated microphone and integrated stereo speakers. You can utilise the latter two for recording and playing back voice memos or playing music via the speakers. There’s also a touch-screen version (511tEB), but that won’t be coming to the country just yet.

“While the eBook sector is still very much in its infancy, new products like the Elonex eBook give readers a whole host of new ways to enjoy reading their favourite books. With 8 000 books weighing the same as an elephant – how else are you going to fit 8 000 books in your suitcase!” explained Sam Goult, Marketing Manager at Elonex.

But why buy the Elonex eBook 511EB over the Kindle? Well for starters it is available off the shelf, so there is no waiting period for delivery. It also comes with 100 pre-loaded classics, which should save you some bandwidth.

The Elonex is a little pricey however at R2499. While cheaper than the Foxit eSlick it is similarly priced to the Kindle, but lacks the same free 3G connectivity and is an inch smaller in screen size. It will be available from selected CNA and Edgars stores.

Not that I particularly care for these gadgets.

But whom of you here actually use a Kindle or make use of eBooks?
Is it not weird to not pick up a book and flip pages?

I don't think I could get accustomed to reading a book on one of these things.

Know that TB mentioned about getting a Kindle - seriously?

[Kasyx]

I would like to buy a kindle for my mother, however I haven't really found anywhere in SA that seems to stock them. Any leads?

[Shake&Bake]

I would like to buy a kindle for my mother, however I haven't really found anywhere in SA that seems to stock them. Any leads?

AFAIK they're only available at Amazon or you could try Wantitall.

[Kasyx]

AFAIK they're only available at Amazon or you could try Wantitall.

R3000 from Have2Have and Wantitall

[cerebus]

r3k sounds about right given that they cost $250. those things are expensive.

[Shake&Bake]

I'm seeing it on WIA for R6k

http://www.wantitall.co.za/PC-Hardwa...on__B0015TCML0

[Dusk]

Stay away from these Elonex products ... seriously.
I did support on them for UK based clients. Its a neverending headache.
STAY AWAY !!!

[Rainy]

a colour version of these would be great

[blaaislaai]

So its basically a big PDF reader?

[mister]

But whom of you here actually use a Kindle or make use of eBooks?
Is it not weird to not pick up a book and flip pages?

I have a Sony PRS 300 and LOVE it! and no it's not weird!

[Shake&Bake]

I have a Sony PRS 300 and LOVE it! and no it's not weird!

Ok

The Sony looks cool - especially with the different colour options.

[Kasyx]

I have a Sony PRS 300 and LOVE it! and no it's not weird!

Where did you get it? How much was it? Where do you get the books for it? Is it easy to use? Am I bombarding you with questions?

[Shake&Bake]

Where did you get it? How much was it? Where do you get the books for it? Is it easy to use? Am I bombarding you with questions?

LoL

[bex.cpt]

Stay away from these Elonex products ... seriously.
I did support on them for UK based clients. Its a neverending headache.
STAY AWAY !!!

Careful mate I now run the department that does the support for Elonex South Africa, UK & Australia and I can tell you one thing. The complaints of Elonex was about the OneT+ they were Linux based websurfers and were all beacause of the operating sytem. Linux is a "new" OS for most users. The Ebook is a great little gadget it comes with over 100 free books and works wonders. For the price you get alot of bang for your buck.

Elonex learned from the mistakes of the OneT+, the new products we are launching in SA will rival MSI & BenQ (Netbook). Keep a eye out and you will see the new range of Netbooks are very superior in build and up to date technology can be found for a great price.

The Ebooks is going into JHB CNA stores in this week.

[Dusk]

Careful mate I now run the department that does the support for Elonex South Africa, UK & Australia and I can tell you one thing. The complaints of Elonex was about the OneT+ they were Linux based websurfers and were all beacause of the operating sytem. Linux is a "new" OS for most users. The Ebook is a great little gadget it comes with over 100 free books and works wonders. For the price you get alot of bang for your buck.

Elonex learned from the mistakes of the OneT+, the new products we are launching in SA will rival MSI & BenQ (Netbook). Keep a eye out and you will see the new range of Netbooks are very superior in build and up to date technology can be found for a great price.

The Ebooks is going into JHB CNA stores in this week.

Elonex learned from the mistakes of the OneT+, the new products we are launching in SA will rival MSI & BenQ (Netbook). Keep a eye out and you will see the new range of Netbooks are very superior in build and up to date technology can be found for a great price.

LOLMAO , i hope you not talking about the Elonex webbook ....
The one that overheats to the point of melting the plastic casing or fails to start up the wifi card or fails to boot until you remove the battery and refit it or the USB ports that fail or the keyboard whos buttons fall off etc etc .


Whatever the case Bah no thanks .
Once bitten , twice shy !
Any product will have problems , its how you tackle the problems that make the difference.
Having experienced first hand how the company expected tech`s to lie to customers to buy time for a so called solution and then never actually providing a solution to techs or clients...
To the point of tech`s simply walking out of the job cause they were just expected to BS clients and got taken for a ride on internal promises made to improve the situation.
The way Elonex SA treated their staff was also not appropriate.
Graham Davies (old twitchy) and Elonex will not get any support from me or anyone that i know and can advise.