Backlit Pocketbook 615. Great choice for study

  • 1. Rating
  • 2. Specifications
  • 3. Stylish design - professionals worked
  • 4. Display - contrast Carta with uniform illumination
  • 5. Linux-based software with a self-written shell
  • 6. Autonomy up to a month, but depends on the backlight
  • 7. Conclusions, pros and cons
  • 8. Pros and cons

The PocketBook company was created in 2007 specifically for the design of e-books. Today it has become the leader of the Russian e-reader market, capturing a 70% share. In 2019, the developers updated the line of budget readers - models with the index 614 and 615 were released. This time we will take a closer look at the older model - PocketBook 615 Plus. Like the younger one, it lacks sensors and connection to the Internet, but is supplemented with backlighting. What other features distinguish a gadget from its youngest relative? Read on.

Information about PocketBook 615 Plus

7.5 Evaluation

Stylish design - professionals worked

The package bundle of the PocketBook 615 Plus reader, frankly, is not luxurious. In a box made of thin cardboard they put the case, instructions and USB cable- micro USB. Oh, yes - there is still a warranty card for two whole years of free repair (for some reason, the manufacturer in all materials focuses on this super important feature). It would be better if they put the cover or the power supply, otherwise, if necessary, all this will have to be bought separately.

By appearance 615 model does not differ from the younger version. All the same rounded body of design work, one button for five positions, are also hidden under the embossed arrows of the paging keys. The front panel is made of matte plastic, the back cover is covered with soft-touch material, the protrusion on it serves as a finger-rest.

The body is assembled with high quality, does not crunch or creak when compressed, it fits well in the hands. Compared to the 614 model, the weight has increased from 170 to 188 g. The LEDs and solder probably weigh an additional 18 grams. At the bottom, there is a micro-USB connector, a micro-SD slot, and a power button. On the forums, it is recommended to insert at least some kind of card into the slot so that dust does not clog (in laptops, such slots are occupied by plastic dummies).


PocketBook 615 Plus design

The 615 model sensors are not assigned by status, so mechanics is the only kind of control. The membranes are pressed clearly and click loudly, giving good feedback.

Display - contrast carta with uniform illumination

Since version 614, the screen diagonal has not changed and everything is also 6 inches. Poems and prose are readable on it, but the graphics and historical documents in DJVU also look uncomfortable. E-inc Carta electronic paper provides an almost perfect white background for black letters, with a contrast ratio of approximately 1:15.

The matrix resolution has unexpectedly increased - up to 1024 × 758, the pixel density has become 212 ppi. It doesn't feel like visual revelation, but the quality of the pictures has become better, the visible dimensions of the steps on the oblique lines have decreased.

Positioning PocketBook 615 Plus as a budget one did not allow engineers to install a touch layer, but the product committee approved the installation of the backlight. And here PocketBook has something to be proud of.

The specialists managed to place the LEDs at the ends of the screen and ensure the uniformity of the glow over the entire area. The brightness of the moon-white light is adjusted in small steps over a wide range, on the upper step the screen shines like a tablet. It's good to take a book on the train to read on the top shelf without disturbing your neighbors.

Linux based software with self-written shell

Manages all the hardware of PocketBook 615 Plus operating system based on Linux kernel. A special shell is responsible for the user interface. It works stably and is updated regularly. In addition to the book viewer, games have been added: "Snake", "Klondike", "Sudoku" and "Chess", as well as applications: "Gallery", calendar, calculator and English-Russian dictionary.


An example of settings for PocketBook 615 Plus

The shell, universal for all PocketBooks, is configured for both touch and button control. And this is its weak side. The keys are not used for direct access to functions, but for navigating through menu items. Finding and applying the desired setting is greatly slowed down. Even adjusting the screen brightness turns into a finger exercise - find a menu item, enter, move the slider with the key to the desired position, exit. All this is acceptable, but not very convenient.

But, if the backlighting needs to be changed rarely, then working with a dictionary on the buttons is comparable to playing "Snake" and just as quickly tires you. For language learning, it is still better to take a touch device.

The manufacturer proudly notes that all PocketBooks can handle any files, the official list is as follows: PDF, PDF (DRM), EPUB, EPUB (DRM), DJVU, FB2, FB2.ZIP, DOC, DOCX, RTF, PRC, TXT, CHM, HTM, HTML and MOBI, images in JPEG, BMP, PNG and TIFF formats are viewed (it is not quite clear just why, the quality is 16 gray colors).

The amount of memory on board is very decent - 8 GB, double that of the Kindle. All four hundred detectives by Georges Simenon can easily fit into the reading room, and there will still be room for Agatha Christie. File download is only available via cable or external card memory, wireless adapters not provided. Supports SD cards up to 32GB.

Autonomy up to a month, but depends on the backlight

PocketBook 615 Plus has a built-in non-removable 1300 mAh battery. Of the energy-intensive consumers, it contains only LEDs, the screen requires power only when changing the page, the 1 GHz processor does not heat up and sleeps soundly in the standby state.


Backlit reading on PocketBook 615 Plus

The manufacturer promises that the charge will last for 8000 pages. In practice, autonomy will depend on the reader's activity and the use of backlighting. The maximum lifespan of a gadget is a month; using the backlight will reduce this time by about a week.

Conclusions, pros and cons

Improvements in PocketBook 615 Plus compared to the youngest model have affected the screen. The resolution has slightly increased and the display backlight has appeared. Otherwise, this is the same high-quality reader with a comfortable body and a contrast screen on the new e-inc Carta electronic ink. The lack of touch input can hardly be called a disadvantage; rather, it is a feature dictated by marketing considerations. If you need a sensor, for example, for comfortable learning of languages, you should take a more expensive model. The e-book is recommended for all bibliophiles, children, retirees. Usage model - read and simple games in natural or artificial light, as well as in low light - in a garage, coupe or car.

  • Solid body rests securely in the hands
  • Decent autonomy, even with backlighting
  • Large memory capacity, expandable by SD card
  • Support for most formats on the market
  • The interface is sharpened for the sensor, the finger motor skills are trained on the buttons
  • Screen resolution is good, but not up to print quality
  • Budget model, no wireless file downloads

Today we have a report on testing the budget "reader" PocketBook 615 Plus (7900 rubles). It is interesting at least because it offers the maximum "omnivorous" (read - opens 18 book formats) and the E Ink screen last generation backlit.

It would seem, what else does a modern book lover need to be happy? We believe that this is quite enough. But very inventive people work in PocketBook: they have readers with water protection (PocketBook 641 Aqua 2), and readers with music support (PocketBook 631 Touch HD), and even models for reading complex technical literature with graphs and diagrams (large format 8-inch PocketBook 840 Ink Pad 2). All of this is definitely cool. And the listed models will surely find their buyer. But the real hit, I think, will be the PocketBook 615 Plus. Because the main thing for the reader is still a set of high-quality screen and backlight. And in this model, which, by the way, is the most affordable PocketBook reader with backlight, there are both these components.

SpecificationsPocketBook 615 Plus:

  • screen: 6 inches, E Ink Carta, 1024 x 758 pixels, backlit;
  • processor: 1 GHz;
  • RAM memory: 256 MB;
  • built-in memory: 8 GB;
  • battery: 1 300 mAh;
  • book formats: PDF, PDF (DRM), EPUB, EPUB (DRM), DJVU, FB2, FB2.ZIP, DOC, DOCX, RTF, PRC, TCR, TXT, CHM, HTM, HTML, MOBI, ACSM;
  • weight - 170 g;
  • price: 7900 rubles.

Packaging and equipment

We will start, as usual, with what we put in the box. That is, from the bundle. It includes a MicroUSB cable, short instruction and a warranty card. The latter is an especially valuable thing: the fact is that all PocketBook readers are provided with a 2-year official warranty. Usually they give a year for such gadgets, but here - two years. Pleasantly!



Appearance and features

Well, we take out the reader and evaluate the design. PocketBook 615 Plus fits perfectly in the hand: thin (8 mm), light (170 g), plus there is a special finger rest on the velvety back panel. So when reading, you do not have to strain your hand: the finger on the machine rests against the ledge and helps to hold the reader. A good solution in terms of ergonomics.

The front panel of PocketBook 615 Plus can be beige or brown. The last version came to us for a test. Looks pretty, although not very bright. On the other hand, does the reader really need brightness? This is, albeit extremely useful, but more utilitarian device than the same smartphone. And nevertheless, we repeat, PocketBook 615 Plus is definitely cute.


With control, everything is both complicated and simple at the same time. Difficult - because nowadays touch screens control of PocketBook 615 Plus is push-button. And simply - because it is elementary, and you can get used to using the keys in a maximum of a day or two. There are several buttons here: the extreme ones are for turning pages, the central one with five positions is for navigating the menu. However, you can also flip through the pages with its help. And it is better to use it: the extreme "arrows" are more rigid, it is more difficult to press them.


What else to say about the case? It is assembled neatly, you will not find fault. And it also does not creak: I remember that some PocketBook models of the 2011-2012 sample. had rather creaky hulls, but now this flaw has been completely eradicated.

The MicroUSB port for charging and connecting to a computer is at the bottom. There is also a place for a slot for microSD cards and power keys.

Screen

We turn to the screen - and we state that it is excellent. The fact is that PocketBook 615 Plus uses an E Ink Carta display. This is the latest generation of E Ink, which has once again increased the contrast and made the background "cleaner". In general, it's nice to see such a display in a budget reader. It would seem, what is there to admire if there is a cheaper PocketBook 614 Plus with the same E Ink Carta screen? Yes, the technology is the same there, but the resolution is lower: 800 x 600 pixels versus 1024 x 758 for PocketBook 615 Plus. So the text on the screen of the hero of this review is clearer and generally more pleasing to the eye.

In terms of reading comfort, the PocketBook 615 Plus display does not differ from paper. Which makes sense: E Ink screens were created as a modern alternative to paper. And if the E Ink display in one or another model is really high-quality, of the latest generations, then there will be no difference with the book.

In short, the screen is the strong point of PocketBook 615 Plus. And if you remember that it is equipped with backlighting, everything turns out very sweet at all. The backlight allows you to read in the dark, be it a train compartment, a bench in an evening park or a bedroom. Earlier, there were clothespin flashlights for readers, but now you can easily do without them. The backlight in PocketBook 615 Plus, by the way, is very pleasant to the eye - it does not turn blue, does not turn yellow, but gives a uniform white light. And it does not irritate the eyes at all, since it does not "beat" the screen into the user's eyes, as in smartphones and tablets, but illuminates the display from the side.

Performance and memory

The operating speed of PocketBook 615 Plus is typical for readers. Yes, this is not a smartphone with an eight-core processor and 4 gigs of RAM, which literally "flies". No, readers (all without exception, not only PocketBook) are somewhat ... more thoughtful. And yet, wandering around the menu does not cause discomfort, all applications and items are opened in a second or two. The basis of PocketBook 615 Plus, by the way, is a 1 GHz processor and 256 MB random access memory... The drive is 8 GB, plus you can insert a 32 GB microSD flash drive. Even 8 GB of internal memory, of which about 7 are available, is enough for 5-6 thousand books.

Autonomous work

You need to charge PocketBook 615 Plus every four to five weeks, provided that you read a couple of hours a day. Thanks for this is the E Ink screen, which "eats" the battery charge only when you turn the page or enter some section of the menu - in general, when the image changes on the display. But a static picture - for example, a book page - can be displayed on it for as long as you like without wasting battery power.

Software and interface

The software capabilities of PocketBook 615 Plus are typical for the models of this company, that is, they are maximum for readers. We will not enumerate all the "little things" in full, we will highlight the main thing.

  • PocketBook 615 Plus supports 18 book formats: PDF, PDF (DRM), EPUB, EPUB (DRM), DJVU, FB2, FB2.ZIP, DOC, DOCX, RTF, PRC, TCR, TXT, CHM, HTM, HTML, MOBI and ACSM. No other manufacturer offers anymore. The support for FB2 is especially pleasing - this book format is the most popular in Russia, and many American models (the same Kindle) do not work with it.
  • There are four dictionaries in the model, including English-Russian and German-Russian. You can call them from the menu and enter a word. Or you can indicate a particular word during reading, after which the reader will show the translation. Convenient function.
  • The type of text can be changed as you like, including hyphens, letter sizes, line spacing and the choice of fonts, of which there are more than 10 types.
  • There are also a bunch of applications that are not directly related to reading, such as a calendar, a calculator, and a few simple toys.

Outcomes

As we said at the very beginning, PocketBook 615 Plus is a potential hit. In general, PocketBook has three quarters of the Russian reader market, that is, the company's models are already in very high demand with us. And such a model - so that an inexpensive (7900 rubles), with a screen of the latest generation of E Ink Carta and backlighting - is generally doomed to popularity. Yes, it has a non-touch screen, which may not please everyone, since people have long been accustomed to touchscreens. But for the rest, this reader is difficult to make any claims. And PocketBook 615 Plus can be safely recommended for purchase.

Pros:

  • backlit E Ink Carta screen;
  • the widest possible support for e-book formats;
  • up to five weeks of work on a single charge;
  • two, not a "standard" one year warranty.

Minuses:

  • the screen is not touch-sensitive;
  • no case included.

Life is an interesting thing. With age, you notice moments that, due to youth and inexperience, were either completely ignored or received with hostility. For example, a seemingly simple and obvious thing is that only a professional who specializes in this area is capable of performing work in a certain area with the highest quality. Why am I doing this? Yes, to the point that if I choose e-book, the most correct decision is to go and look at the assortment of a company that has been on the market for ten years. Desirable - in the role of the undisputed leader. Ideally, it should be developed by the office itself only and exclusively by readers.

For this review, I was motivated by a freshly purchased PocketBook 615 from a company whose share in the Russian reader market is 70%, and its own development of the release of e-books has been established since 2007. My acquaintance with PocketBook began in 2012 with the purchase of an excellent budget employee PocketBook Basic New. The model served faithfully until the summer of 2016, but was given as a gift to one actively and a lot reading relative.

I will say right away that reading from a smartphone or tablet is not an option for me at all. Briefly view and respond to e-mail, dial a phone number, others fast operations- you're welcome. But read from LCD screen I can’t, for the life of me. Eyes immediately begin to ache and water, and the same persimmon and the wife. We read either ordinary books or from electronic paper. I must say that we do not regret our "illness" at all. Unlike a smartphone, an e-book does not glare or fade in the sun. It requires charging once a month, during which you can read at least every day from morning to night. Finally, on the subject of vision - say what you want, but e-paper is completely harmless to the eyes, unlike flickering LCD displays.

I was left without a reader, plus or minus at the moment when PocketBook cleanly updated the entire line of models and released six new products at once, you can see in the table below.

I am not one of the fans of super-advanced devices, specifically in pocketbooks, goodies like touch control, support for MP3 files, or even more so Wi-Fi are not critical for me. A high-quality, reliable device with support for a wide range of book formats is my favorite. Therefore, a short struggle for my wallet unfolded between PocketBook 614 Limited Edition for 6,999 rubles and PocketBook 615 for 8,999 rubles. As you can imagine, PocketBook 614 is the predecessor of the 615th model; instead of E Ink Pearl 800x600 dots, they installed E Ink Pearl HD 1024x758 dots and added backlighting, doubled the memory to 8 GB. As for me, there are enough innovations to pay exactly 2,000 rubles. By the way, the plate clearly shows that PocketBook 615 is the most affordable backlit reader from PocketBook.

Surprising but true. I personally know people who fundamentally refused to buy backlit readers. Like, we specifically choose e-books so that there is no such harmful screen. Therefore, I am explaining, as my uncle says "for the especially gifted." In LCD screens, the backlight is needed to form an image, and its constant flickering leads to irritation of the optic nerve. Well, then on an individual basis - from chronic myopia to serious headaches. In the E Ink reader, the backlight is ordinary mini-bulbs, the same as those with which you illuminate your apartment every night. Completely harmless to eyesight.

Well, we figured it out with the backlight, it's time to talk about PocketBook 615 itself.

These are the characteristics given in the instructions.

As you can see, nothing special, but at the same time - a complete set of a solid reader. HD screen, plenty of memory for books, a hefty battery and support for as many as 16 formats.

Perhaps I'll tell you right away about the screen - it uses Pearl HD second-generation electronic paper with sixteen shades of gray and a high contrast ratio of 12: 1. The last parameter means the difference between the lightest and the darkest point on the screen, this is one of the most important indicators of the pocketbook display. The higher - the more natural the image looks on the screen of an e-book and closer to ordinary paper pages. For comparison, the previous generation PocketBook 614 with regular Pearl had a lower contrast - 10: 1.

The substrate of my reader looks light, the better the lighting, the whiter, respectively. There are no adjustments for the page refresh rate, as Pearl HD in itself means an excellent indicator of screen "changeability". From the previous text, no noticeable traces remain at all, there are only barely visible darkish stripes. But in fact, they merge with the background and do not pay attention to themselves.

The backlight turned out to be very powerful - if desired, the reader can even be used as a flashlight. More important, though, is how well the brightness is adjusted, because in the dark or when poor lighting it is important to fine-tune the backlight to suit your taste - so that your eyes are not dazzled, but not too muted. PocketBook 615 has a complete order with this. At the same time, I have not come across situations where there would be a desire to twist the brightness above 20-25%.

For information, the flagship PocketBook Touch 2 in 2013 was the first PocketBook reader with Pearl HD and backlighting. But technologies are becoming more accessible, and now I have received a similar display in a far from the most expensive reader of the company.

In appearance, there are no changes in comparison with PocketBook 614, as far as I can see. However, I did not have the previous model, so I will describe the impressions of the new item. The model weighs 180 grams - this is not a lot, in the subway I calmly read for 20-30 minutes, holding the reader with one hand. The palm does not get tired.

The ergonomics of the case is excellent, the "fault" of all the profile of the lid with a convenient rise in the lower half. My middle finger rests on this ledge, the reader is securely fixed in my hand.

We were surprised by the materials of the model - I believe that only PocketBook practices such a performance. The fact is that the front and back sides are made of different material... The back is made of soft-touch plastic, pleasant to the touch. The front part is an ordinary, slightly glossy plastic with brown, turning into a golden color. The combination is unusual, but healthy. The soft touch is tactilely pleasant, but the best grip with the finger is also provided on the front side, so that the pocketbook does not slip out of your hands. Besides, whatever one may say, Soft-Touch is quite easily soiled and it is not the most practical solution to contemplate this material from the front.

All buttons, except for the power, are installed under the screen. On either side of the central black key there are two buttons merged with the body, one can guess about their existence only by the small triangles. An interesting find, and most importantly - it looks impressive.

In the middle there is an element popular among PocketBook e-books - a large button framed by a four-position circle. Simply put, the circle allows you to execute up-down-right-left press-commands.

The control in the model is non-sensory, but personally I do not experience any inconvenience from this. The reader itself is smart, menu navigation is quick, physical buttons are more than enough for comfortable "command". The buttons merged with the body are quite resilient, you won't accidentally press them. For paging, I use the keys of the joystick circle, it is pressed quite easily, which is what you need while reading.

At the bottom there is a microUSB connector (charging, sharing files with a computer), a microSD card slot and a green backlit power button. It's funny that you don't have a reset button - PocketBook, unlike other manufacturers, is so confident in the stability of its reader. Commendable. I would even say it is encouraging.

Otherwise, nothing special, there is only a PocketBook inscription on the back and some information in small print, including the full name of the model.

As for the menu, I specifically checked the PocketBook instructions, the changes are minimal and mostly of a cosmetic nature. All sorts of icons have been redrawn, they are made more in the Material Design style, although readers are likely to find a more accurate comparison-definition of the visual style of the PocketBook 615 software. The main part of the main menu is occupied by a kind of RSS feed, which displays the last loaded and opened books. Below is a menu for accessing the library, settings, notes and full list programs.

I don't see much point in turning the review into a retelling of the manual, so I will briefly dwell on the main points. The library is convenient, there are many options for sorting and presenting books in the reader's memory.

A special honor and praise to PocketBook for the fact that the model is not "empty" - about 500 books have been downloaded at once, of which a little less than half are classics of Russian writers. To be honest, for a week I did not even touch my downloaded books, but re-read the works of our classics. Traditionally, those who study foreign languages ​​are also lucky. The model has an English-Russian dictionary Korolev, Webster "s 1913, as well as English-Russian and German-Russian dictionaries directly from PocketBook. So while reading a foreign book, you can call up the dictionary, select the desired word and find out its meaning.

Additional programs include a calendar, a calculator and a set of casual games - snake, kerchief, sudoku and chess. Situations are different, sometimes on the way home the smartphone has already run out, and you are reluctant to read - there are great ways to brighten up a 10-20 minute metro ride.

Of course, the main thing in PocketBook 615 is big number supported formats, namely: PDF, PDF (DRM), EPUB, EPUB (DRM), DJVU, FB2, FB2.ZIP, DOC, DOCX, RTF, PRC, TCR, TXT, CHM, HTM, HTML, MOBI, ACSM. Frankly, from the entire list I mostly use only EPUB, FB2.ZIP, DOCX and RTF. But this is more than enough to not even look in the direction of all kinds of overseas Amazon Kindle with a scanty set of MOBI and TXT (among text formats). Yes, there is support for DOC and DOCX, but only through conversion. Do not misunderstand me - I am not against the same Kindle, but I appreciate my comfort and do not want to get involved in the study of the best converters, especially looking for services with books in MOBI. I want to be sure that in whatever format I downloaded the edition, I just need to copy it into the memory of the pocketbook without any problems and read it calmly.

All the necessary page settings are in place - you can change the font, line spacing, page margins and turn hyphenation on / off. For PDF pages, there is a set of modes that allows you to best organize reading depending on the layout of the content on the page. For example, there is a mode for the most convenient reading of columns of text on the pocketbook.

As for the autonomy, it is still difficult for me to draw final conclusions. For about two weeks of reading the pocketbook for 1.5-2 hours a day without backlighting, I used up 36% of the charge, while from time to time I also played. I suspect that even with more intensive reading, one charge is enough for at least a month. If you regularly use the backlight, then you will have to turn to the outlet in two weeks.

What's the bottom line? PocketBook 615 is a high-quality reader for those who only need really useful new technologies and are not interested in additional chips such as a touch screen or Wi-Fi. My model is the case when for secondary and not always useful options you don't overpay a dime. What I liked about PocketBook is a lot of memory (8 GB), an excellent HD-screen, an unusual two-texture and ergonomic case, a functional menu and, in the end, an attractive design. Well, as the PocketBook readers believe, support for almost all possible text formats. So in my opinion, for its 8,999 rubles, this is more than a reasonable and successful purchase of a pocketbook.

What function is the most in demand in readers today? The answer is obvious: backlighting. After all, it is she who is able to make the process of using the pocketbook many times more comfortable. But Wi-Fi, cameras, support for pen input and other similar chips, albeit pleasant, but ... In general, you can do without them in a reading device. It's like with smartphones: it seems that almost all of us would like to have in “ smart phone» fast processor and a cool camera, but if you really choose, then the lion's share of users would put in the first place powerful battery... In the case of readers, the role of this most important option is played by the backlight. In this review, we will consider PocketBook 615 - the most affordable (8,999 rubles) backlit reader from PocketBook. The latter has been the undisputed leader of the Russian market for many years. electronic devices for reading. By 2016, its share had reached an impressive 70% - against 40% two or three years earlier. The growth is driven by both the supply of quality devices and the destruction of almost all competitors. Indeed, if in 2011-2012. readers in Russia offered about 50 brands, today - about 5-6. The rest disappeared, unable to withstand just the same competition with PocketBook - neither in quality, nor in technology, nor in price.

So, PocketBook 615. This is a 6-inch model with E Ink Pearl HD screen, replacing PocketBook 614. Let's compare their characteristics in the table and see what has changed / improved.

As you can see, there are not many changes. However, they concern the most important, one might even say the key part of the pocketbook - the screen! Firstly, its resolution has become higher: if a display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels was used in PocketBook 614, then in PocketBook 615 - 1024 x 758 pixels. This directly affected the clarity of the image: the letters are now sharper and, as a result, pleasing to the eye. Secondly, the illumination already mentioned above appeared. It has a fairly long dial, so that almost any user can set the brightness to taste. In our opinion, the best option is the "20 to 50 percent" range. By the way, a very important point: the backlighting of E Ink screens has nothing to do with the backlighting of color LCD screens of smartphones, laptops, tablets. In the case of E Ink, the backlight is absolutely harmless to the eyes; somewhat exaggerating and not delving into the technical subtleties, we can say that the principle of its operation is the same as that of an ordinary table lamp. Whereas in LCD screens, backlight is almost the main means of image formation. In displays of this type, the backlight flickers, due to which it harms the eyes.

The E Ink Pearl HD screen, which the PocketBook 615 is equipped with, behaves perfectly in the sun - it does not fade or glare. As, however, and any other "electronic ink" displays. And yet - and this is the most important thing - such screens are practically harmless to eyesight during prolonged reading: they look exactly like ordinary paper. Consequently, reading a lot from pocketbooks is practically harmless - unlike smartphones, tablets and laptops, which can quickly tire the reader's eyes, and in the long term, completely spoil his eyesight and "present" myopia.

PocketBook 615 has a plastic case. The front and sides are brown and solid, while the back is black and rubberized. It is quite a logical step: inveterate "literalists" often read until they start falling asleep, and in such a situation the hand relaxes and the book may fall out. So the "rubber" on the back of the pocketbook provides the most reliable "grip" of the device with your fingers. PocketBook 615 weighs, by the way, not so much - 188 g. This is within the normal range for 6-inch readers. I don't even want to discuss the build quality - after we failed to make the reader creak as a result of strong compression.

The device is controlled by a five-position joystick and two page turning keys - all this stuff is under the screen. Unfortunately, the PocketBook 615 has a non-touch screen - which, however, is justified by the low price (recall, it is 8,999 rubles). Yes, controlling a gadget with buttons is an unusual experience in 2016, but you can get used to it. Moreover, getting used to it happens quickly and painlessly: this pocketbook has a very simple and well-thought-out interface. In order to get to this or that option, you need to make two or three or four clicks. Which is not so much and takes a couple of seconds. Here are some screenshots of the interface:

And here, in fact, the very same five-way joystick:

Other controls and connectors are located on the bottom edge of the case: this is a MicroUSB port for charging and connecting to a computer, slots for a MicroSD card and a power button. There is nothing else: PocketBook 615 is not on friendly terms with music, so the model lacks a speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

However, music is far from the most important thing. The most important thing is how the given pocketbook is friends with books. And with this, our hero is in perfect order: he can open books and documents in 18 different formats. That is, almost all the literature that can be found on the Internet will open without problems on PocketBook 615 and other models of this brand. And this is a really serious advantage. Because the same flagship American Amazon Kindle reader can open only two or three formats, which becomes almost a disaster for Russian reality. And yes, there are as many as 8 GB of internal memory in PocketBook 615 - versus 4 in its predecessor, PocketBook 614. This means that several tens of thousands of books can be stored in the new pocketbook. Considering that you are unlikely to be able to read them in your entire life, you will probably be left with a bunch of free space... It can be used as a USB stick for other data - why not? Yes, you have to carry a USB cable with you to do this, and still.

There are plenty of text settings in the pocketbook. Sizes, fonts, indents - all this can be changed. There is a list of recent open books, there are pre-installed dictionaries. After turning on the reader, the last read book can open automatically. In a word, everything is for the reader - and it is really convenient to use PocketBook 615. Among other features software it is worth noting a set of pre-installed software, among which there is a calendar, calculator, chess, snake, Sudoku and Solitaire "Klondike". Probably, pocketbook games are needed for situations when you are already tired of reading, but you still want to entertain yourself with something.

What else to say? Oh yeah time autonomous work... E Ink screens consume a charge only at the moment of changing the image, that is, for example, when turning a page. A static picture can be displayed on E Ink for as long as you like. As a result, PocketBook 615 has to be charged once every 20 days when using the backlight, and if you abandon it, you can read without turning to an outlet for about a month.

The conclusions from all of the above are very simple. PocketBook 615 is a high-quality pocketbook for reading from the market leader of classic e-readers. It (the device) reflects the main "reader" trend of recent times - backlighting. Considering the ability to work with 18 formats, the excellent E Ink Pearl HD screen and the high speed of PocketBook 615 can be called almost an ideal entry-level device for electronic reading. It definitely costs its 8,999 rubles. What is meant by "entry level"? Lack of Wi-Fi for buying books in the PocketBook online store, inability to translate text into audiobooks, as well as inability to play finished audiobooks. All this is available in more advanced PocketBook models - for example, PocketBook 631 Touch HD for 12,499 rubles. However, if you are somewhat limited in the budget, then you can take exactly PocketBook 615. You will not regret it.

The 6-inch e-book from PocketBook is very popular with customers. It lacks support for voice reading and Wi-Fi, has the usual push-button control, but copes well with its main function.

"Reader" PocketBook 615 is made in a classic design with a rounded bottom edge. It is brown in front and black in the back. A 5-position joystick is complemented by a switchable green indication. The power button, memory card slot and microUSB connector (for data transfer and charging) are located at the bottom.

The device is compact, weighs 180 grams, which is lighter than most books and textbooks.

Backlit safe display

PocketBook 615 received a 6-inch paper-like screen with an eye-friendly eINK Pearl HD matrix. It provides a clear and legible picture, visual display of letters and other symbols.

The advantage of the model is the uniform illumination of the screen. It allows you to read in any light level, does not tire your eyes even when the room is completely dark. The backlight can be turned off, for example, in order to save energy: with it, the reader works autonomously for up to 2 weeks, and without it - up to a month.

The product is rather fragile and may suffer from falling, strong pressure on the screen, mechanical damage. To mitigate these risks, consider purchasing an e-book cover.

Lots of memory, all formats, additional features

"Reader" is equipped with 8 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded by microSD for another 32 GB. The model supports 18 popular formats text files, including PDF, DOC, TXT, EPUB, DJVU, MOBI, etc. Additionally, PocketBook 615 has a calculator and dictionaries (English-Russian and German-Russian), which can be useful in studies. And for entertainment, built-in games are provided (snake, kerchief, sudoku and chess).

Great choice for study

Simplicity and safety for sight make the e-book the same good choice for both a schoolchild and an elderly person. Parents can consider PocketBook 615 as a valuable gift if they want to instill in their children a love of reading and increase their academic performance. In addition, the lack of numerous multimedia features inherent in tablets will help you focus on a useful activity.

Note that the PocketBook 615 version with the Plus prefix is ​​also available on sale today. It features an eINK Carta HD screen, is 10 grams lighter and is also available in beige.