KF vs. KF HD vs. KF HD 8.9 for PDF textbooks?

Alohamora · 12-02-2012, 10:57 AM

I can barely manage technical textbook .pdf files on a e-ink Kindle (KK), but the size of the screen makes it not quite comfortable reading and as a result I don't read texts as much as I want to. I also don't want to accumulate any more big heavy text books that just suck up shelf space, so I'm thinking about a tablet. The books I want to read all appear to be available in .pdf format. There are diagrams but generally no really complex photos or illustrations.

Is anyone regularly reading technical textbook .pdf files on one of the KF units? Which one? Are you satisfied with the clarity, speed of rendering and scrolling on your unit? Why or why not?

Is a 7 inch KF HD good enough? Does the 8.9 KF have enough horsepower to handle .pdfs in HD resolution?

HarryT · 12-02-2012, 10:59 AM

A 7" screen is really not big enough for this type of use. You might be able to get by in landscape mode, but it's a heck of a lot better to be able to see the whole page at once.

A KF 8.9" might be OK, but the outstanding device for this purpose is the iPad - no doubt about it.

VaultBoy · 12-02-2012, 11:45 AM

The bigger screen would be better, I would imagine. But, the ipad would be better than what amazon offers if you need pdf goodness.

Alohamora · 12-02-2012, 11:55 AM

I'm not willing to consider ipad due to cost and my general unwillingness to adopt the apple way of doing things.

I would consider some other android tablet (depending on cost). Acer ICONIA A700 looks interesting, but one of the reviews on Amazon specifically dings it for slow pdf handling.

Shack70 · 12-02-2012, 12:18 PM

I would guess it depends on the PDF. If there are many drawings/diagrams the bigger Kindle Fire would be the better device. If it's all straight text you might be OK with the 7". Either way the bigger the better with PDF files.

ucfgrad93 · 12-02-2012, 12:57 PM

For PDFs a larger screen is better. Since Apple is out, I would recommend one of the Samsung Galaxy tablets.

Skydog · 12-02-2012, 01:03 PM

As previously mentioned, a 7" tablet is not suitable for the task. I currently use both a Xoom (10 in.) and the Fire HD 8.9" for reading/highlighting/annotating my PDF tech pubs. Both work very well. The aspect ratio of 16:9 on the Xoom is particularly nice as it resembles the dimensions of the printed publications.

wizwor · 12-02-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaultBoy

The bigger screen would be better, I would imagine. But, the ipad would be better than what amazon offers if you need pdf goodness.

of course

Jessica Lares · 12-02-2012, 03:18 PM

HD 8.9" definitely.

12-02-2012, 10:57 AM	#1
Alohamora Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 8897438 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Device: Android phone, Fire tablet, ios phone	KF vs. KF HD vs. KF HD 8.9 for PDF textbooks? I can barely manage technical textbook .pdf files on a e-ink Kindle (KK), but the size of the screen makes it not quite comfortable reading and as a result I don't read texts as much as I want to. I also don't want to accumulate any more big heavy text books that just suck up shelf space, so I'm thinking about a tablet. The books I want to read all appear to be available in .pdf format. There are diagrams but generally no really complex photos or illustrations. Is anyone regularly reading technical textbook .pdf files on one of the KF units? Which one? Are you satisfied with the clarity, speed of rendering and scrolling on your unit? Why or why not? Is a 7 inch KF HD good enough? Does the 8.9 KF have enough horsepower to handle .pdfs in HD resolution?

12-02-2012, 11:55 AM	#4
Alohamora Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 8897438 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Device: Android phone, Fire tablet, ios phone	I'm not willing to consider ipad due to cost and my general unwillingness to adopt the apple way of doing things. I would consider some other android tablet (depending on cost). Acer ICONIA A700 looks interesting, but one of the reviews on Amazon specifically dings it for slow pdf handling. Last edited by Alohamora; 12-02-2012 at 12:09 PM.

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12-02-2012, 10:59 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A 7" screen is really not big enough for this type of use. You might be able to get by in landscape mode, but it's a heck of a lot better to be able to see the whole page at once. A KF 8.9" might be OK, but the outstanding device for this purpose is the iPad - no doubt about it.

12-02-2012, 11:45 AM	#3
VaultBoy Addict Posts: 206 Karma: 1683142 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle of many shapes, PIPBoy 3000	The bigger screen would be better, I would imagine. But, the ipad would be better than what amazon offers if you need pdf goodness.

12-02-2012, 12:18 PM	#5
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	I would guess it depends on the PDF. If there are many drawings/diagrams the bigger Kindle Fire would be the better device. If it's all straight text you might be OK with the 7". Either way the bigger the better with PDF files.

12-02-2012, 12:57 PM	#6
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,360 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	For PDFs a larger screen is better. Since Apple is out, I would recommend one of the Samsung Galaxy tablets.

12-02-2012, 01:03 PM	#7
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,243 Karma: 7400001 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Forma, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Kindle Oasis3, Voyage	As previously mentioned, a 7" tablet is not suitable for the task. I currently use both a Xoom (10 in.) and the Fire HD 8.9" for reading/highlighting/annotating my PDF tech pubs. Both work very well. The aspect ratio of 16:9 on the Xoom is particularly nice as it resembles the dimensions of the printed publications.

12-02-2012, 03:18 PM	#9
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	HD 8.9" definitely.