Astak EZ Reader PocketPro E-Book Reader

The Astak EZ Reader PocketPro is about the same size as the Sony Reader Pocket Edition. Both have 5-inch, 8-grayscale E Ink screens and cost $199, putting at the small (and inexpensive) end of the e-book reader continuum. But some significant differences--pro and con--distinguish the two; and for all its extra features, the Astak's limited and rather strange font size options are a serious drawback.

First, the Astak's pluses: It weighs 6 ounces (versus the Sony's surprisingly hefty 7.75 ounces), a nice match for its 6.0-by 4.1-by-0.4-inch dimensions. Available in six colors (black, navy, white, red, pink, and purple), it comes cradled inside a handsome, sturdy flip-open leatherlike cover with clear plastic tabs that keep the device securely in place during use. Also included are a small screwdriver and spare screws for the removable battery, and a hand strap that attaches through holes in the bottom left corner of the device.

Another selling point: The PocketPro's built-in MP3 player lets you play music while you read (the Sony Pocket Edition lacks an MP3 player). Audio quality through the ...

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Yardena Arar, PC World