As many of my Twitter followers know I love eBooks. Since I bought my Sony Reader last year the device has become such an important part of my day. As an avid reader I spend a good few hours a day with my Sony Reader. Now I know the price might be a little high for a Sony Reader or the Amazon Kindle. This is where the Aluratek Libre comes in. This unit is sold at Costco in Canada and through many online stores. The price in Canada is $169 which over all is a great price.

The Aluratek does not use e-ink like the other readers. This unit uses an LCD display that does a very good job at making the page look like a real book page. As a Sony Reader user I would say the Sony screen is much better and almost seems like you are reading a real book. The Aluratrek LCD display is not as good.

You can also play mp3′s with the unit and look at pictures. As for eBook this unit does not have it’s own store and titles have to be purchased from eBook stores that support the formats of the eBook reader. When I checked online the prices of eBooks are more expensive from the stores recommended by the manufacturer. You will not get the same amount of eBooks as available with Sony or Amazon. You can read PDF’s and many common eBook formats, but buying digital rights copies of books is limited to a few trusted sites.

My overall impression of the Aluratek eBook Reader is that at this price it makes a nice starter eBook reader. If you can get free PDF eBooks online then this unit is going to make it easy to travel with your eBooks and get some reading done. If you like best sellers then buy the Sony Reader or Amazon Kindle. Until an eBook store is built that supports all the different readers, I would recommend staying with the leaders.

At least if you buy a Sony or Amazon eBook reader you know you will find many titles to buy.

Nice eBook reader, but without it’s own market place you are taking a chance at what you will be able to read on this unit.