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Google Books Downloader review

As its name implies, Google Books Downloader converts Google Books into PDFs or images available for offline viewing. This very basic software comes with just a handful of options and requires the URL of the book you'd like to download; there is no in-app Google Book store.

Pros

Easy to use: With its main window featuring just a few options, Google Books Downloader is very easy to use. The hardest part is getting the correct book URL from Google Books.

Fast: We tested the app with a 220-page book. Once we pressed Start, it took 3 minutes and 33 seconds for the book to be downloaded, converted, and saved to our desktop.

Features handy options: Despite its basic nature, the app does come with a handful of useful options, namely image resolution, output format, and output directory. The software can generate PDF books as well as JPEG/PNG images with a resolution of up to 1280 pixels.

Cons

Shaky legal ground: Unlike most of its other services, Google ships its books with DRM, meaning that you have to use software approved by Google in order to read its books. This app circumvents this limitation and may be considered unlawful by some.

Bottom Line

If you enjoy Google Books but don't like the idea of reading a book in your Web browser, you may appreciate the convenience of the Google Books Downloader. This freeware is extremely easy to use and will save your book for offline reading in minutes.

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