Almost convinced :)

Vanessa · 04-20-2008, 09:13 AM

Hi !
I've been looking at the eBook readers for a while, now, already wanting to buy one five years ago.
Now a generous and lovely friend decided to offer me one. I really like the iLiad, mostly because of the ability to write on it and because of the big screen.
I'm a writer and I read and correct lots of manuscripts for other writers, all in pdf format or doc format, but the problem is always the same : I don't want to carry my computer all around.

A few questions about the iLiad : I saw in this forum that it is possible to read .doc files, using Abiword. Anybody can confirm that it really works ?
Also, what about reading in a badly lit place ? How much light is necessary to be able to read without trouble ?
Is it possible to read in a sunny environment, like at the beach or sitting on a bench in a parc ? (that's my main problem with the computer)
What about the charger ? I live in Switzerland and we have 220V instead of 110. My computer supports both 110V and 220V, the charger makes the conversion by itself. Is it the same for the iLiad or would I have to buy a universal charger ?
What happens with the warranty if I buy it in the USA ? Do I have to ship it back there if there is any problem with it or can I have it fixed in my own country ? (Apple, for example, has an world-wide warranty)

Sorry, that's a lot of questions, but the iLiad is not cheap and I want to be sure it's the best Reader for me

(and sorry for my English. As you might have guessed, it's not my mother language...)

wallcraft · 04-20-2008, 10:36 AM

If there is enough light to read a paperback book you can probably read on the iLiad, but you may need to increase the font size in low light. E-Ink really works well with bright natural light, either outside or from a full spectrum light.

For .doc, I suggest converting to .rtf and reading with FBReader because it will reflow the text. You can check this will work on your documents by trying FBReader under Windows. I am assuming it is the content and not the layout you care about. Standard PDFs work ok on the iLiad, but it might be worth trying the Windows MobiPocket Reader's capability to convert PDFs to MOBI (i.e. to reflow the PDF). The MOBI file is readable via FBReader and by the iLiad's MobiPocket Reader.

If you want to make notes on the iLiad, then only PDF will do and you should instead convert your .doc files to .pdf (perhaps after changing the page size to fit the iLiad better).

The standard charger is a travel charger with four snap in plugs. This definitely works in the UK, so I think 220V is ok.

The warranty may be better if you buy in Europe, but either way iRex is a small company and all repairs are shipped back to them.

Vanessa · 04-20-2008, 01:09 PM

Ok, great ! Apparently, warranty is worldwide and I live almost next door to Germany, and that's where the iLiad should be sent in case.
I own Acrobat Pro, so no problem to resize any pdf to a more suitable format. I almost always correct pdf texts, but sometimes people prefer that I work on a .doc format. So it's not possible to make notes on this format ?

One more thing before I rush to buy it : I want to have a good protection for it, as I'm going to take it everywhere with me. From the website I plan on ordering on, there is only one cover available, that's the iRex cover (the brown one : https://www.irexshop.com/product_inf...products_id=45). I like it a lot, but I want to be sure the iLiad can be attached to it, because I don't want it to slide out of the cover.
The one from M-edge (https://www.irexshop.com/product_inf...products_id=59) seems to be a little more secure.

Any advise on that ? (it's really minor, but if I can order everything together, I'll save extra shipping costs, and moreover, I can use it right away without fearing scratches and damages)

wallcraft · 04-20-2008, 03:39 PM

I have the M-Edge cover. It holds the iLiad very securely (essentially permanently, I would not want to frequently remove it from this cover), but it does make the flipbar and the keys next to the flipbar harder to press. So I can see advantages to the iRex cover, assuming the velcro holds well enough.

Vanessa · 04-20-2008, 04:15 PM

ok

In the meantime, I read quite a lot of reviews on all those covers, and everybody agrees that no cover is really good ATM. So I guess I'll most probably go for the iRex cover and glue the velcro on the back until I find a better solution (I'll use the stylet, like, all the time...)

About the storage card, any CF will do the trick or do I have to buy a specific card for the iLiad ?

-Thomas- · 04-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanessa

About the storage card, any CF will do the trick or do I have to buy a specific card for the iLiad ?

Have a look at the Wiki's Memorycards list. You probably won't have a problem with the next cheap CF card you buy...

Vanessa · 04-20-2008, 05:46 PM

Thanks for that link !

It will be hard to wait for the iLiad once I order it...

pilotbob · 04-20-2008, 10:49 PM

She wants to edit books on the iLiad. Is that possible. Do the annotations that are made get stored in the file or is there a seperate annoation files that is happening. In other words, if she send the .doc file back to someone, will they be able to see here annoations?

BOb

HarryT · 04-21-2008, 02:47 AM

You can only annotate PDFs, not DOCs. The annotations get stored as a separate file, but can be "merged" with the original PDF using a Windows program.

Vanessa · 04-21-2008, 07:26 AM

Thank you, both of you !
For my work, I never edit documents, I always comment them on the pdf file or on the doc file. If the notes can be merged with the document, then it will be perfect.

Another thing : I saw today that it's also possible to comment documents on the Kindle with the little keyboard. Which one would you suggest, for my specific use ? Is the Kindle better than the iLiad ?

HarryT · 04-21-2008, 07:36 AM

The Kindle can't display PDF files, and many PDFs can only be very poorly converted to read on a 6" screen, such as the Kindle has. If PDFs are important to you, the iLiad is a much better choice.

Vanessa · 04-21-2008, 07:38 AM

Ok

Final decision taken, it will be the iLiad.
Besides, my boyfriend is even more eager as I am to try it and is hurrying me to order it. Two more days to wait !!!
I already call the customs, they said it's no problem to import it from the US

Thanks everyone for all your advise ! I guess I'll be on this forum more and more once I get the iLiad...

rainer.betrug · 04-22-2008, 12:22 PM

Is it possible to go to the US and buy the iLiad there, so that I will save around 150€ (650€ compared to 700$)?
Is there a shop in the US, where one can buy the iLiad and bring it back to europe personally?

With 150€ I can get almost the flight to the US.

axel77 · 04-22-2008, 03:35 PM

The Iliad is developed in europe. So is there really an advantage in buying in the U.S?

rainer.betrug · 04-22-2008, 03:48 PM

The advantage is the price in the US.
The question is, if there is somewhere a shop in the US where one can buy the iLiad. and if there is no problem to take it back to europe without paying too much.

04-20-2008, 09:13 AM	#1
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	Almost convinced :) Hi ! I've been looking at the eBook readers for a while, now, already wanting to buy one five years ago. Now a generous and lovely friend decided to offer me one. I really like the iLiad, mostly because of the ability to write on it and because of the big screen. I'm a writer and I read and correct lots of manuscripts for other writers, all in pdf format or doc format, but the problem is always the same : I don't want to carry my computer all around. A few questions about the iLiad : I saw in this forum that it is possible to read .doc files, using Abiword. Anybody can confirm that it really works ? Also, what about reading in a badly lit place ? How much light is necessary to be able to read without trouble ? Is it possible to read in a sunny environment, like at the beach or sitting on a bench in a parc ? (that's my main problem with the computer) What about the charger ? I live in Switzerland and we have 220V instead of 110. My computer supports both 110V and 220V, the charger makes the conversion by itself. Is it the same for the iLiad or would I have to buy a universal charger ? What happens with the warranty if I buy it in the USA ? Do I have to ship it back there if there is any problem with it or can I have it fixed in my own country ? (Apple, for example, has an world-wide warranty) Sorry, that's a lot of questions, but the iLiad is not cheap and I want to be sure it's the best Reader for me (and sorry for my English. As you might have guessed, it's not my mother language...)

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04-20-2008, 10:36 AM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	If there is enough light to read a paperback book you can probably read on the iLiad, but you may need to increase the font size in low light. E-Ink really works well with bright natural light, either outside or from a full spectrum light. For .doc, I suggest converting to .rtf and reading with FBReader because it will reflow the text. You can check this will work on your documents by trying FBReader under Windows. I am assuming it is the content and not the layout you care about. Standard PDFs work ok on the iLiad, but it might be worth trying the Windows MobiPocket Reader's capability to convert PDFs to MOBI (i.e. to reflow the PDF). The MOBI file is readable via FBReader and by the iLiad's MobiPocket Reader. If you want to make notes on the iLiad, then only PDF will do and you should instead convert your .doc files to .pdf (perhaps after changing the page size to fit the iLiad better). The standard charger is a travel charger with four snap in plugs. This definitely works in the UK, so I think 220V is ok. The warranty may be better if you buy in Europe, but either way iRex is a small company and all repairs are shipped back to them.

04-20-2008, 01:09 PM	#3
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	Ok, great ! Apparently, warranty is worldwide and I live almost next door to Germany, and that's where the iLiad should be sent in case. I own Acrobat Pro, so no problem to resize any pdf to a more suitable format. I almost always correct pdf texts, but sometimes people prefer that I work on a .doc format. So it's not possible to make notes on this format ? One more thing before I rush to buy it : I want to have a good protection for it, as I'm going to take it everywhere with me. From the website I plan on ordering on, there is only one cover available, that's the iRex cover (the brown one : https://www.irexshop.com/product_inf...products_id=45). I like it a lot, but I want to be sure the iLiad can be attached to it, because I don't want it to slide out of the cover. The one from M-edge (https://www.irexshop.com/product_inf...products_id=59) seems to be a little more secure. Any advise on that ? (it's really minor, but if I can order everything together, I'll save extra shipping costs, and moreover, I can use it right away without fearing scratches and damages)

04-20-2008, 03:39 PM	#4
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	I have the M-Edge cover. It holds the iLiad very securely (essentially permanently, I would not want to frequently remove it from this cover), but it does make the flipbar and the keys next to the flipbar harder to press. So I can see advantages to the iRex cover, assuming the velcro holds well enough.

04-20-2008, 04:15 PM	#5
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	ok In the meantime, I read quite a lot of reviews on all those covers, and everybody agrees that no cover is really good ATM. So I guess I'll most probably go for the iRex cover and glue the velcro on the back until I find a better solution (I'll use the stylet, like, all the time...) About the storage card, any CF will do the trick or do I have to buy a specific card for the iLiad ?

04-20-2008, 05:46 PM	#7
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	Thanks for that link ! It will be hard to wait for the iLiad once I order it...

04-20-2008, 10:49 PM	#8
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	She wants to edit books on the iLiad. Is that possible. Do the annotations that are made get stored in the file or is there a seperate annoation files that is happening. In other words, if she send the .doc file back to someone, will they be able to see here annoations? BOb

04-21-2008, 02:47 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You can only annotate PDFs, not DOCs. The annotations get stored as a separate file, but can be "merged" with the original PDF using a Windows program.

04-21-2008, 07:26 AM	#10
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	Thank you, both of you ! For my work, I never edit documents, I always comment them on the pdf file or on the doc file. If the notes can be merged with the document, then it will be perfect. Another thing : I saw today that it's also possible to comment documents on the Kindle with the little keyboard. Which one would you suggest, for my specific use ? Is the Kindle better than the iLiad ?

04-21-2008, 07:36 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The Kindle can't display PDF files, and many PDFs can only be very poorly converted to read on a 6" screen, such as the Kindle has. If PDFs are important to you, the iLiad is a much better choice.

04-21-2008, 07:38 AM	#12
Vanessa French newbie Posts: 134 Karma: 34733 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland / France Device: iLiad v2, Sony PRS-T1, Kindle Voyage	Ok Final decision taken, it will be the iLiad. Besides, my boyfriend is even more eager as I am to try it and is hurrying me to order it. Two more days to wait !!! I already call the customs, they said it's no problem to import it from the US Thanks everyone for all your advise ! I guess I'll be on this forum more and more once I get the iLiad...

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04-22-2008, 12:22 PM	#13
rainer.betrug Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Nokia N800	Is it possible to go to the US and buy the iLiad there, so that I will save around 150€ (650€ compared to 700$)? Is there a shop in the US, where one can buy the iLiad and bring it back to europe personally? With 150€ I can get almost the flight to the US.

04-22-2008, 03:35 PM	#14
axel77 Fanatic Posts: 584 Karma: 914 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: iliad	The Iliad is developed in europe. So is there really an advantage in buying in the U.S?

04-22-2008, 03:48 PM	#15
rainer.betrug Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Nokia N800	The advantage is the price in the US. The question is, if there is somewhere a shop in the US where one can buy the iLiad. and if there is no problem to take it back to europe without paying too much.