Following on the heels of the Amazon Kindle and the Foxit eSlick eReader, the Elonex eBook 511EB is set for launch in South Africa on 16 December 2009. Compact with a 5" display, the 511EB sports a full QWERTY keyboard for making notes as well as typing your comments on books.

The Elonex eBook features eInk technology, which ensures that reading eBooks on its flicker-free screen isn’t too taxing on the eyes and the display has a high 800 x 600 native resolution. The 511EB’s memory is expandable up to 32 GB and it can store up to 8 000 different eBooks via the free 4 GB Micro SD card it comes package with. It weighs only 190 g and has dimensions of 173 x 116 x 10 mm.

The device’s battery life looks to be rather impressive, allowing you to read up to 8 000 pages between charges. You’ll also be able to listen to MP3s and audio books and the device features a 3.5 mm jack, integrated microphone and integrated stereo speakers. You can utilise the latter two for recording and playing back voice memos or playing music via the speakers. There’s also a touch-screen version (511tEB), but that won’t be coming to the country just yet. 

“While the eBook sector is still very much in its infancy, new products like the Elonex eBook give readers a whole host of new ways to enjoy reading their favourite books. With 8 000 books weighing the same as an elephant – how else are you going to fit 8 000 books in your suitcase!” explained Sam Goult, Marketing Manager at Elonex.

But why buy the Elonex eBook 511EB over the Kindle? Well for starters it is available off the shelf, so there is no waiting period for delivery. It also comes with 100 pre-loaded classics, which should save you some bandwidth.

The Elonex is a little pricey however at R2499. While cheaper than the Foxit eSlick it is similarly priced to the Kindle, but lacks the same free 3G connectivity and is an inch smaller in screen size. It will be available from selected CNA and Edgars stores.