One-time UK PC giant takes on iPad

We're not sure we'd agree with HMV's claim that Elonex is "world renowned for their e-book readers", not least because the UK company only released its first one a year ago, and that appears to have faded away with Elonex's bookshop partner of the time, Borders UK, which went into administration in November 2009.

However, Elonex is now having another go, this time with something a little different.

Well, different from most, E Ink-based e-book readers - this one, like the iPad, has a colour screen. It looks like the iPad, too, judging from the tiny pics on HMV's website and on Elonex's own.

The 710EB's display is only a 7in panel. It comes with a 4GB memory card for e-book and MP3 audio storage.

HMV, which is selling the gadget, wants £120 for it, though it also says there's a 21-24 day wait for the machine.

Alas, HMV's customers haven't written up reviews of the 710EB so we have no handle on what it's actually like to use, but two anonymous visitors to the site have given it three stars. Read into that what you will. ®