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October 23, 2009 1:42 PM PDT

Can Astak's EZ Reader Pocket Pro compete with the big boys?

by David Carnoy
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You may not have heard of Astak, but it's one of several non-name-brand companies that are jumping into the e-book reader space with a range of new models, including the 5-inch EZ Reader Pocket Pro.

While this model is smaller than the Amazon Kindle, which has a 6-inch screen, we actually like the size of the Pocket Pro and other 5-inch nontouch-screen e-readers, such as the Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300). This model, like the Sony, has a list price of $199, so it makes sense to compare the two units, especially since both models have Adobe Digital Editions compatibility, which allows you to read downloadable e-books in the secure ePub format that's increasingly becoming the standard--outside of Amazon's Kindle--for online e-booksellers.

So, is it any good?

Read the full review of the Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro to find out.

Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
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by scdadbob November 12, 2009 11:40 AM PST
i downloaded kindle for pc two days ago and it works great.
i have very bad arthiritis and i cannot hold a book or a kindle so this is wonderful.
i would recommend it for anyone with hand disabilities and my teenage grandson has put it on his laptop and is reading books which before kindle for pc was a chore for him.
thanks amazon
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