Aluratek Unveils $179 Libre eBook Reader

December 8, 2009 By Dena Cassella

Aluratek announced its new eBook Reader, the Libre, sports a monochrome reflective LCD and a $179 price tag.

New eBook readers are just popping up left and right, and today Aluratek Inc announced they shall be jumping on the eReader bandwagon as well. The company says it will be releasing an eReader, approriately titled, the Libre eBook Reader Pro with “exclusive LCD technology”. What makes the Libre eBook Reader Pro—we’re going to call it the Libre— slightly more celebration-worthy than the Kindle or the Nook? We think it could be its low price tag of $179. Aluratek says it is trying to provide the most affordable product in the eBook Reader category.

The Libre features a 5-inch monochrome reflective LCD panel, a battery life with up to 24 hours of continuous use, as well as MP3 and photo support. The Libre also offers five font size options and also supports Adobe DRM, ePUB, PDF, FB2, TXT, Mobi, PRC and RTF formats, providing a wider access range for books and content. Aluratek’s new eBook Reader comes with a 2GB SD card, and supports SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB.

“Unlike e-Ink displays which require multiple flashes for each page advance, I believe the reflective LCD technology the Libre offers will be a welcome change compared to other eBooks currently on the market” said John Wolikow, VP Sales and Marketing for Aluratek. “The ability to store thousands of your favorite books in the Libre is not only convenient but it’s also good for the environment by saving trees.”

Showing 10 comments

Onita at 5:01pm 24th September 2010 Does It have backlighting?
Lynn at 12:31am 22nd July 2010 Does it have backlighting?
jonathan at 11:14am 28th June 2010 bought this unit about 1 month ago. Absolutely easy on the eyes and very user friendly. This is exactly what I wanted.
freebyrd at 5:25pm 9th February 2010 Just bought this last night. So far I have downloaded music, pictures but not books yet. Took a look at the books that came with it and I must say I like what I see. The pictures, well not too crazy about but after all they are in black and white but look very fuzzy. The music sounds great. I ordered the Sony but when I get it, I think I'll return it and keep this one.
carmine at 8:30am 17th January 2010 hows the aluratek ebook,since you had it
ryl57 at 7:25am 7th January 2010 I've been using different ebook readers for years now. The best I've ever had was the Ebookman from Franklin. The only drawback, and the reason I was looking for other models, was that the screen was too small for what I believed an ebook screen should be. So I then bought the Ebookwise device. Works great, main drawback: not enough memory. The device uses multimedia cards that aren't manufactured anymore. The reason I love this device: backlighting! My wife has read more books on this than I have and mainly because she can read it while camping, in the dark, in bed, with lights out ready to fall asleep and in the car, at night while I drive.
Now on to these new models.. I got the Sony Ereader for Christmas.. First: Way too overpriced for what it does. On the up side: nice look and feel, and large enough memory. The down side: screen flashes when changing pages, NO BACKLIGHT, slow navigation and no extra memory slot (and doesn't have any extra options or tools. But that's not why we want ebook readers, is it?). I returned this device to Futureshop, very dissapointed. I mean, how prehistoric is this: you can buy a protective case that comes with a little light that hangs over the screen!!! I've never even done this with a real paper book!! Why would I do it with an "advanced" electonic device??
So now I'm ready to try this one... but, again, I don't think it has backlighting. I'll keep reading...
donmour at 8:07am 22nd December 2009 I bought one of these last week and have become an instant fan. It was easy to start using as soon as it was charged. I have had no problems with formats (unlike the Sony) and the battery life is on the mark - 24 hours easy. It boots up instantly and there is no irritating flashing when you 'turn' the pages. Extremely user friendly. No isssues with eyestrain and changing the font to make larger is very easy. I bought the Sony PRS a month ago and returned it the next day. The Aluratek may look and feel cheaper than the Sony, but it is what is inside and how it works that really counts and in this regard I have found the Aluratek far superior; and you cannot beat the price.
Sheila at 8:29am 11th December 2009 Appearances matter very little to me. Function and price are my concerns. I've heard people say the e-Ink displays are easier on the eyes. I'd probably want to see more of a comparison of that issue (from actual users, not just company propaganda) before I'd decide. I really just want an eReader for reading books, so all the WiFi connectivity is irrelevant to me. But eyestrain (especially at my age) is a big issue.
Dena C. at 8:06am 9th December 2009 Hey now, you should never judge an eBook Reader by its cover
Ian Bell at 11:09pm 8th December 2009 This thing is ugly as hell, no wonder they are selling it so cheap! haha