PocketBook Basic 611

Reviews: E-Book Readers

Pocketbook specialises in the design of mobile reading devices and has made a name for itself on the back of the quality of its products. Founded in 2007 in Hong Kong, with subsidiaries in the USA, Germany, France and Russia, the company manufactures its readers in the Foxconn factories in China and develops its software in Europe. In 2008, PocketBook made its first model, the PocketBook 301 and Virgin was first to buy into the brand. Pocketbook has enriched its range of products with three, new, high-end models presented at IFA, including this 611. Its measurements (122 x 176 x 9.7 mm for a weight of 175g) are comparable to other current readers. Having such a light model is very nice indeed. All in plastic, the reader is available in two colours: dark grey or white. The test model is white on one side and black on the other. The anti-slip coating on the back isn't the most aesthetic but it does stop the 611 slipping out of your sweaty mitts. In contrast to the Cybook Odyssey and Fnacbook, the Basic 611 doesn't come with a touchscreen. You navigate using a directional pad and physical buttons. Users who are used to a touchscreen will feel as if they're going back in time and find it a lot less intuitive to the readers they're used to. The content organisation is pared back.