Cybook Opus (CYBPE10W)

There is a new kid on the block - Bookeen Cybook Opus (CYBPE10W).

It's the lighter and smaller (4" x 3" - 101mm x 76mm vs Gen3's 4.8" x 3.6" - 122mm x 91mm) brother of well-known Cybook Gen3.

The screen is smaller, but the pixel size is the same, which means there is higher DPI (200 vs 166 dpi).

It still does grok HTML, TXT and PDF, but don't support Palm-based text formats (PRC and PalmDoc), whose fell into oblivion with marginalization of Palm platform. Bad luck for Palm users with tons of eBooks in old format.

Opus also dropped the support of audio playback, which isn't the must-have feature for hardcore readers.

The SD card slot is replaced by microSD card slot. The Opus have more memory and 2x faster CPU, 2x mode RAM and much bigger internat datastore for eBooks (1GB vs 64MB).

It's also cheaper model and cost only €250 (€30 less than smallest Cybook Gen3).

[Overview | Tech Specs | YouTube video | DailyMotion video | Shop]

Actual prices

Cybook seems to be sold-out again, there is

Due to continuing heavy customer demand, Cybook is sold out. Because orders are prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis, please order now to reserve your place in line. We will e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Please note that accessories orders will be shipped ASAP. In all cases your credit card will be automatically charged upon order.

message at the official eshop.

Anyway - the local dealers claim to have several pieces in stock. The another good information is that the price fell to approximately €300 for the basic version and €400 for the de luxe version. All prices are including 19% VAT.

Standard or DeLuxe?

According to the search statistics, the vast majority (80%) of internet searchers are looking for the cheaper Cybook Gen3 Standard version (cybgen310bs priced 350€) in favour of DeLuxe (cybgen310bd priced 450€).

As I mentioned in previous post, there is a lot of people finding just cheap and technologically advanced eBook reader, not luxury peace. Maybe it's message to Bookeen stuff too.

Cybook Gen3 Packages

The Cybook Gen3 comes in two flavors - Cybook model CYBGEN310BS for 350€ and Cybook DeLuxe model CYBGEN310BD for 450€.

Cybook model CYBGEN310BS is the basic eBook reader which should serve as eBook reading device. If you are serious about reading, you can buy Cybook DeLuxe model CYBGEN310BD with brown (chocolate) leather case, earphones, 2GB SD card, external USB 700mA charger and spare 1000mAh battery. The accessories are sold separately too, so one can buy just USB charger or battery.

The external charger should charge empty battery in about 90 minutes (1000mAh / 700mA is little more than 1.4h which is about 85 minutes so adding some energy to produce heat we have about 90 minutes charge cycle).

I'm curious about spare battery as it's possible to change battery only using a small screwdriver. So it's probably not meant to switch it instantly when main battery goes off.

The Cybook Gen3 DeLuxe package is worth 143.75€. I would like to buy only leather case which looks nice, 2GB card for my whole collection of eBooks and maybe the USB charger because my computer is not in the room where I usually read books. My selection package is worth 88.85€.

As I read about 300 to 600 paper pages per month (it's up to 2000 eBook pages per month) I don't expect to kill built in battery soon so I won't buy spare battery. I also want pure eBook reader so earphones are useless for me.