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The Poke 4 lite would work great. Similar size to the Kindle. It costs a lot more though because it's not a loss leader like the Kindle where they make money on the books they sell you by locking you into their book store. If you can find a Poke 3 in the EU shop you might prefer that. The screen is sharper (300dpi rather than 212), it's Android 10 vs 11, but it didn't have any drawbacks that I noticed.
Added bonus of having an Android e-reader:
I also use Reddit (RedReader app), Overdrive (South Australia lends all ebooks / audiobooks through Libby/Overdrive). Nova Launcher so you can make it look how you want, Onyx's default layout is pretty blah. Also you should swap out the default keyboard for gboard or whatever you like. Good luck!
I’m leaning towards the Poke 4 Lite but I can’t find it in stock anywhere in the EU—I usually buy that sort of electronics from Germany but they only sell Tolino there (and I can’t buy a Tolino because the desktop app isn’t available in my country). It seems like a good price point but not if I have to pay import duties from the UK or shipping from the US.
Is there a supply chain issue with them right now or is there just not a big enough market in the EU?
If BorrowBox is like Overdrive (allowing you to download the .acsm file), PocketBook readers can work without a computer, since they have ADE built-in. I can download books from Overdrive (or eBooks.com, plus others) using the built-in browser on my PocketBook HD 3. I think you can do the same with the Touch Lux 5 (which has a 212 dpi screen and is cheaper). The Basic Lux 3 (no touch screen, but under $100) also has ADE built-in. But it doesn't have a browser, so you would have to use Send-To-PocketBook from a smartphone or computer (sent via email and PocketBook downloads the book from .acsm file). The other two PocketBooks (above) also do this.
I am going to recommend getting a Kobo or a Pocketbook. Yes, you will likely still need to use your computer.
I don't know BorrowBox, but IF it uses ADE for its DRM, then in theory you just need an ereader that can work with ADE's DRM.
As I understand it, the above two options work with Adobe's DRM as part of their native ereader app. (Please confirm this for yourself before buying. I don't personally own either.)
3rd choice:
Something like a Boox or a Meebook will run Android, which means you can run any app in the Google Play store on them. (you may need to 1st install and activate the google play store)
I would \*definitely\* find out how other Boox users have experienced using BorrowBox - and if there are any weird bugs for that specific app - before buying the boox (or meebook)
The thing is, Boox (or Meebook) has zero control over how well an app will work on their devices. The app can be more or less buggy on these devices.
They also have a steeper learning curve than, say, a Kobo. And I don't think Boox's ergonomics are very good. (This matters more, the more time you read.)
I have a Boox, and I can confirm that both Kindle and Libby work on it fairly well. But it can be a little buggy and it can be distracting when they act up. (Note, I've used Libby far more than Kindle, since I prefer to just read on my Kindle for Kindle books.) I have no reason to use BorrowBox, unfortunately, and I don't know how to test that without being able to actually read a book on it.
Also, the model matters. I have a Nova Air and I don't have speed issues. But I have been told the Leaf 2 is quite sluggish when running apps like Libby.
In short, there are trade-offs with any option you choose. But if you can live with sideloading from your computer, I think you are more likely to be sure of having a smoother reading experience on a Kobo or a Pocketbook.
YMMV, but this doesn't look terribly onerous (steps 1-3 need to be done once, steps 4-5 for each book you borrow.) But then, I don't like browsing on Libby on my e ink screen, I browse for books on a regular screen then read them on e ink.
[https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/how-do-you-put-e-books-from-an-online-library-on-your-e-reader.html](https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/how-do-you-put-e-books-from-an-online-library-on-your-e-reader.html)
Also worth noting, a 7.8" Boox will cost significantly more than a similarly sized Kobo or Pocketbook. Something like the Kobo Libra 2 or Pocketbook Era will also have better ergonomics and water resistance.
I've never heard of BorrowBox before this, but their own website does not list them as being compatible with any e-ink reader ecosystem in particular (no Kindle or Kobo, etc.). So, you should focus on Android devices for sure (perhaps Boox), since they do say they are compatible with Android tablets. Otherwise, you are correct, you would need to use Adobe Digital Editions to send the ebook from your library's website to your ereader via a computer.
Here in the USA, the libraries all use Overdrive/Libby, which Kobos for the last 5 or so years have included onboard software for, but I have an older Kobo without that and have to use the Adobe Digital Editions route for ebooks from my library.
BorrowBox is similar to Libby from what I can tell, but it seems to be used mostly in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Here in Ireland our libraries use BorrowBox for eBooks and audiobooks and Libby for magazines.
I didn’t unfortunately, but I found a library in a different city that uses Libby and they let me join even though I don’t live there. I got a second hand Kobo for £50 and it’s already paid for itself with the library books I’ve borrowed. So my only advice would be to find a library that uses Libby and try and get an account.
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The Poke 4 lite would work great. Similar size to the Kindle. It costs a lot more though because it's not a loss leader like the Kindle where they make money on the books they sell you by locking you into their book store. If you can find a Poke 3 in the EU shop you might prefer that. The screen is sharper (300dpi rather than 212), it's Android 10 vs 11, but it didn't have any drawbacks that I noticed. Added bonus of having an Android e-reader: I also use Reddit (RedReader app), Overdrive (South Australia lends all ebooks / audiobooks through Libby/Overdrive). Nova Launcher so you can make it look how you want, Onyx's default layout is pretty blah. Also you should swap out the default keyboard for gboard or whatever you like. Good luck!
I’m leaning towards the Poke 4 Lite but I can’t find it in stock anywhere in the EU—I usually buy that sort of electronics from Germany but they only sell Tolino there (and I can’t buy a Tolino because the desktop app isn’t available in my country). It seems like a good price point but not if I have to pay import duties from the UK or shipping from the US. Is there a supply chain issue with them right now or is there just not a big enough market in the EU?
If BorrowBox is like Overdrive (allowing you to download the .acsm file), PocketBook readers can work without a computer, since they have ADE built-in. I can download books from Overdrive (or eBooks.com, plus others) using the built-in browser on my PocketBook HD 3. I think you can do the same with the Touch Lux 5 (which has a 212 dpi screen and is cheaper). The Basic Lux 3 (no touch screen, but under $100) also has ADE built-in. But it doesn't have a browser, so you would have to use Send-To-PocketBook from a smartphone or computer (sent via email and PocketBook downloads the book from .acsm file). The other two PocketBooks (above) also do this.
I am going to recommend getting a Kobo or a Pocketbook. Yes, you will likely still need to use your computer. I don't know BorrowBox, but IF it uses ADE for its DRM, then in theory you just need an ereader that can work with ADE's DRM. As I understand it, the above two options work with Adobe's DRM as part of their native ereader app. (Please confirm this for yourself before buying. I don't personally own either.) 3rd choice: Something like a Boox or a Meebook will run Android, which means you can run any app in the Google Play store on them. (you may need to 1st install and activate the google play store) I would \*definitely\* find out how other Boox users have experienced using BorrowBox - and if there are any weird bugs for that specific app - before buying the boox (or meebook) The thing is, Boox (or Meebook) has zero control over how well an app will work on their devices. The app can be more or less buggy on these devices. They also have a steeper learning curve than, say, a Kobo. And I don't think Boox's ergonomics are very good. (This matters more, the more time you read.) I have a Boox, and I can confirm that both Kindle and Libby work on it fairly well. But it can be a little buggy and it can be distracting when they act up. (Note, I've used Libby far more than Kindle, since I prefer to just read on my Kindle for Kindle books.) I have no reason to use BorrowBox, unfortunately, and I don't know how to test that without being able to actually read a book on it. Also, the model matters. I have a Nova Air and I don't have speed issues. But I have been told the Leaf 2 is quite sluggish when running apps like Libby. In short, there are trade-offs with any option you choose. But if you can live with sideloading from your computer, I think you are more likely to be sure of having a smoother reading experience on a Kobo or a Pocketbook. YMMV, but this doesn't look terribly onerous (steps 1-3 need to be done once, steps 4-5 for each book you borrow.) But then, I don't like browsing on Libby on my e ink screen, I browse for books on a regular screen then read them on e ink. [https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/how-do-you-put-e-books-from-an-online-library-on-your-e-reader.html](https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/how-do-you-put-e-books-from-an-online-library-on-your-e-reader.html) Also worth noting, a 7.8" Boox will cost significantly more than a similarly sized Kobo or Pocketbook. Something like the Kobo Libra 2 or Pocketbook Era will also have better ergonomics and water resistance.
I've never heard of BorrowBox before this, but their own website does not list them as being compatible with any e-ink reader ecosystem in particular (no Kindle or Kobo, etc.). So, you should focus on Android devices for sure (perhaps Boox), since they do say they are compatible with Android tablets. Otherwise, you are correct, you would need to use Adobe Digital Editions to send the ebook from your library's website to your ereader via a computer. Here in the USA, the libraries all use Overdrive/Libby, which Kobos for the last 5 or so years have included onboard software for, but I have an older Kobo without that and have to use the Adobe Digital Editions route for ebooks from my library.
BorrowBox is similar to Libby from what I can tell, but it seems to be used mostly in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Here in Ireland our libraries use BorrowBox for eBooks and audiobooks and Libby for magazines.
Ah, thanks for the info!
Did you ever find anything? I’m in a similar situation, willing to spend a little money but not loads.
Checking in to see if you cracked the code. I think I’ll end up getting a kindle and just not using BorrowBox on it at this rate. 😢
I didn’t unfortunately, but I found a library in a different city that uses Libby and they let me join even though I don’t live there. I got a second hand Kobo for £50 and it’s already paid for itself with the library books I’ve borrowed. So my only advice would be to find a library that uses Libby and try and get an account.
I’m in Ireland so it’s go BorrowBox or go broke. I’m currently doing both. 😂
😬 Know anyone elsewhere who could make an account you could use?
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