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"Good tablet/e-reader out-of-the-box, with more to come." on by edogCO
Pros: No 'walled garden' so can easily access my current library and add more thru expansion SD-slot.
User-replaceable battery. Internal memory upgradeable to at least 16GB.Cons: Slower, resistive touchscreen, but sensitivity seems to improve with each firmware upgrade (latest 8/6/10).
File system to handle large amounts of media files could be better, more like an mp3-player.Summary: Functions well as an e-reader, out-of-the box from Pandigital. MUCH less-expensive than units with similar capabilities, and seems to have good support for enhancements by mfg and on-line community. NOT an iPad, but a worthy alternative that should improve with future firmware releases and user hacks.
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"Poor advertising. Will not do it all. (Yet.)" on by riznstar
Pros: Nice screen,battery and memory options. Nice platform. Now they just need to make it work..
It is one of the better hardware implementations.This is why there is so much after market hacking
going on. The hardware platform works, Software needs time.Cons: Documentation in Quick start very poor. Advertising does not state that it only works with limited types of video, music and e-reader formats. "So go ahead.Read, Surf and Play.Pandigital Novel does it all."
Sorry it just does not do it all.(Yet)Summary: The only video format is mpeg4, and music is mp3. Once I had done a conversion with aftermarket software I could play my videos. Important things to know is that it does NOT support Flash web sites.
I bought mine to listen to internet radio portable. Internet radio and TV sites use flash heavily. It is my understanding that the processor itself will not support flash.
The black one I bought has different hardware than the white one. The black has a slower processor and only one speaker. The white has stereo speakers, and is the more advanced one. Nowhere in the advertising is there any comparison other than color.
If you have one..spend lots of time with the 70+ page manual. The more time I spent reading the
manual the better it worked. There are hidden menus and and pressure points.
Only after digging thru pages of documentation does it become clear what it will and will not do.
I.E. I loaded up a bunch of wav, wmv and avi files expecting them to work. I DID NOT.
Only after they were hand converted to mp3 and mpeg4 files did they "work".
To their credit the product is improving. I am optimistic.
I had the August firmware installed out of the box. It worked OK.
The November firmware update worked smoother.
I will be returning the Black one and wait till after the first of the year for the White one to
run Android 2.2 out of the box.I know that I can hand flash the White one now with Android 2.
But it will void the warranty. I get the feeling that upgrades for the Black one will top out.
Most people impulse buying these have no idea what they are getting,
and neither do the sales people that they are trusting to sell them what they need.
It is my hope to bring some clarity to your purchase expectations. -
"Poor mans Android tablet! The ipad for the rest of us!" on by tomhawes2002
Pros: Low price, Easily hackable to full blown Android Tablet, EASY to use, Can add up tom32GB HD card for additional storage.
Cons: Not much not to like given the price. I guess the fact you have to hack to add functionaity
Summary: I have had TWO for over a month and considering the PRICE and features think it is an outstanding device! I should say if you only want it as an ereader then their may be other better dedicated devices (NOT saying its ebook reader is bad, but as with ALL color devices glare is an issue outdoors (this includes the ipad)), but if you are looking for a device that offers additional features including video, MP3, web browsing and more what not to like! for LESS then half the price of an ipad you get a device that out of the box is very functional. Couple with that that it is EASILY hackable with instructions readily available off the web, and you have a low cost, fully functional Android table computer! If you are comparing it head to head with the Apple ipad you may be disappointed (Especially if you are a worshiper of everything apple!), but as you CANT touch an ipad for even twice the price its impossible to do a head to head comparison with the ipad. I would call this the common mans ipad. I am very happy with mine and believe most of us will be as well!
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"Works Fast For Me" on by muunlitr
Pros: The last 3 upgrades have greatly improved the Pandigital Novel 7 with fast email, web and the android keyboard is clear and bright. I also like the long battery life and the ease of reading my favorite novels and newspapers. Great little ereader.
Cons: When I got it there were problems downloading from puter to ereader but now everything works and I'm joying the ease of checking email, bank, and then hoping over to my current novel or newspaper & catching up on news. Customer Service improved too.
Summary: I would recommend this to people who are familiar with computers and know that there is a learning curve with anything new. Be patient and you will be very happy with this ereader.
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"DOn't Bother to but it" on by Usquebach
Pros: If your into insults, call Pandigital customer service. They don't have a problem letting you know how stupid you are.
Cons: Slow, not intuitive, doesn't do 25% of what it should do.
Summary: Thursday, waited 25 min. to discuss fact that doc's say you can read any epub file using drag & drop and it doesn't work. Cust Svc ans: read the box (STUPID) it says B&N. Saturday, Tried download magazine from B&N. Turns out that most magazines are not compatible. Sunday tried to read by the pool, impossible to read in the sunlight. Wanted to listen to music, earphones didn't work. Had no problem reading or with headphones on my blackberry. Blackberry scanned and found open wifi no problem. Reader didn't. Hard to believe that B&N does business with this outfit. Monday I'm send it back from whence it came.
Pandigital Novel user reviews (black)
Where to Buy
MSRP: $199.99
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