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Specs:

Our Analysis:

How I conducted my analysis of the BeBook Mini:

Reviewing the BeBook Mini reminded me a lot of my review of the Sony PRS-300 Pocket edition. For this review I went to five authority websites and also read around 12 different customer reviews online. The BeBook Mini turned out to be one surprising eBook reader. Enjoy.

What I thought of the BeBook Mini:

I always wondered why the 5" eBook reader category was invented. I mean, the 5" screen is even smaller than the 6" screen, which I think isn’t big enough, so why make it even harder for people to read? Apparently, mini eReaders (eBook readers) were invented for one of two purposes: Either you’re new to the eBook reader market (and you need an affordable way to check out if you like these kinds of devices), or you just really want to stuff your eReader inside your pocket.

The BeBook Mini will probably answer both of these needs. Well, almost—it doesn’t quite fit into your pocket but it will fit nicely into a handbag. It’s really small, perhaps not as small as the Sony PRS-300 Pocket edition, but still, it’s small. You almost do not feel it in your hand because it is so light, and it will give you all the basic eReader functions you will need.

The e-ink display it uses is crisp and clear, and reading from it is pretty easy. The battery lasts long enough and the best thing about it is that it has one of the largest varieties of formats available on an eBook reader—18 formats including DOC and PPT!

So what are the downsides? Well, there are a few. First, the BeBook Mini isn’t the most beautiful device around. Compare it to the Kindle, Sony, or Nook and you will automatically be envious of these other sleek, well-designed devices. You’ll also have to give up any wireless capabilities for this price.

Furthermore, finding your way around the device is not intuitive at all. With the BeBook Mini, much like his older brother the BeBook, one uses a navigation system which is based on a numbered keyboard. You will need to press the number related to the action you want to take. Sounds confusing? It is, sort of, especially when compared to the touch screen navigation the Sony or Nook has and even to the Kindle’s keyboard and joystick.

The last thing that is a bit of a hassle is finding eBooks to read on the BeBook Mini. Of course, you have the 20,000 free eBooks that come with the device, but when you want to get a title from B&N or Amazon and you live outside the U.S. or don’t own a Kindle, you will have a hard time doing so. This leaves you with dedicated 3^rd party bookstores only, which isn’t the best solution.

Online experts’ opinions of the BeBook Mini:

Several websites helped me in compiling this review, among them CNET, Gizmodo, PC World, Engadget, and PC Advisor. Most of these websites compared the BeBook Mini to the leading brand in the Mini eReader market, which is the Sony PRS-300 Pocket edition, and said that although the BeBook Mini isn’t as sleek as the Pocket edition it’s a great alternative for those who live outside the U.S. and cannot order the PRS-300 from Sony’s websites.

 CNET condemned the BeBook Mini for its unintuitive user interface; Gizmodo talked about the fact that downloading books isn’t as easy without the wireless, as it is on the Kindle, for example; but all in all the expert websites agree that this is a decent entry level eBook reader.

What customers who bought the BeBook Mini thought about it:

Customers who enjoyed the BeBook Mini loved its variety of formats, its portability (P. King—“Amazon” reviewer), and its relatively fast start-up time (Justy—“Justy Rambling” blog).

Customers who didn’t like the BeBook Mini that much complained about the fact that if you want to read A4 documents (such as DOCs or PDFs) on the device you will have to reformat them one by one using a program called “calibre” (“Beranger” blog), and also that for $60 more you can get the leading brands such as the Amazon Kindle 2 or the Barnes and Noble Nook.

The verdict:

The BeBook Mini is no doubt a decent entry level eBook reader with its wide choice of file formats, clear display, and decent battery life. You get your money’s worth here, but if you are a little more serious about eReading you’ll probably get a lot more by spending another $60 and getting a leading brand eBook reader. If you are not able to spend another $60 and can’t get your hands on a Sony PRS-300 Pocket edition—this is no doubt the way to go.

Our Sources:

For this review I have also used reviews from the following websites:

and also PC Advisor, Play.com, Beranger, Best Tablet Review, BeBook forum and Buziaulane.

*Prices are only estimates and may vary from time to time, eReader central does not guarantee the stated prices.