Best eReader for textbooks?

andersonb47 · 09-04-2011, 01:03 PM

I'm going to be a college freshman in a few days and im wondering if its a good idea to get my textbooks in the form of eBooks.

My main concern is that something like a nook or a kindle would have too small a screen for a textbook and I'm wondering if someone could shed some light on this matter.

I'm also wondering if I, say, buy a kindle, will the only books i can read on it have to be purchased from the amazon kindle store? Or will i be able to purchase books from a third party?

If i decide to go the way of the eReader I'm thinking the Onyx Boox M90 would be the best choice given the size of its screen.

anjirlly · 09-04-2011, 01:44 PM

What's your fall course schedule like? What are you thinking of majoring in? Do you know what format(s) the textbooks you're interested in use? If PDF, then yes, screen size is a concern.

A big drawback of eReaders as compared to physical books is that it's hard to flip around quickly and to compare information across different sections. They're also not as easy to annotate; this is a deal killer for learners like me, who scribble lots of paraphrases and questions in the margins. Onyx Boox M60/BeBook Neo has one of the better reputations for annotation, but the M90 has had lots of hardware and firmware issues since its release. I personally wouldn't want to be adapting to college and fighting with my support tools at the same time.

Have you read up on the Entourage Edge in the Android subforum? There's no longer a company standing behind the product, but a lot of enthusiastic users have already figured out how to make good use of the hardware.

charmian · 09-04-2011, 03:22 PM

You may also want to consider a tablet, should the e-textbooks be in PDF format. As you've already figured out, a 6" screen is often inadequate for large PDFs.

If you buy a Kindle, you can only read Kindle books or DRM-free books, unless you break the DRM. However it is against forum rules to explain DRM-stripping in detail. I am not sure if Amazon's e-textbook offerings are available for the Kindle (as opposed to Kindle for PC) anyway, though.

mst · 09-12-2011, 08:17 AM

I believe the Kindle is not ideal, as most textbooks are available in pdf format only. I am myself looking for a reader other than my laptop, but have not found anything yet. Among the tablets, I would prefer not to have to buy an iPad, so I hope there is something other pdf enthusiasts have found and tested.

charmian · 09-13-2011, 12:01 AM

mst: You are correct, the Kindle is not ideal. You don't necessarily have to buy an iPad. People say Android tablets of a sufficient size also work. You may want to ask about this in the Android forum.

fishface · 09-13-2011, 10:35 AM

If you want a backlit LCD, don't get the iPad, it's useless for annotation which you'll need for academics.

Asus EP121 or Samsung series 7 (not yet released) would be my favourite tablet PCs for school right now. They've also got enough muscle to be your primary computer so you don't need another laptop.

If you use the keyboard alot though you should consider a convertible like the HP 2760p.

rumplestiltskin · 09-28-2011, 09:59 AM

Goodreader for iPad does annotation, highlighting, re-flow, etc.

Do understand, however, that tablets without real keyboards (as opposed to virtual keyboards) are mainly for content consumption rather than content creation. A "keyboard case" is available (from many sources for cheap$) and does the job but iOS devices are not OSX Macs; even Apple's iApps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) are awful when compared to their OSX counterparts.

Rich_D · 09-28-2011, 10:04 AM

I'm a college student, although much older than the average freshman... I use ebooks for almost all my classes. You will do better with a tablet or netbook instead of an e-ink device. I went with a netbook for several reasons, but mostly personal comfort and adaptability.

HarryT · 09-28-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishface

If you want a backlit LCD, don't get the iPad, it's useless for annotation which you'll need for academics.

On the contrary; the iPad with the GoodReader app is outstanding for annotating PDFs.

monkeyluis · 10-01-2011, 11:52 AM

I use the iPad for my textbooks. It's great for highlighting, annotation, notes, etc.

fishface · 10-01-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

On the contrary; the iPad with the GoodReader app is outstanding for annotating PDFs.

You're quite right; I was thinking solely of equation annotation. It would be great for the humanities, maybe even social sciences and so forth.

09-04-2011, 01:03 PM	#1
andersonb47 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Sony PRS-950	Best eReader for textbooks? I'm going to be a college freshman in a few days and im wondering if its a good idea to get my textbooks in the form of eBooks. My main concern is that something like a nook or a kindle would have too small a screen for a textbook and I'm wondering if someone could shed some light on this matter. I'm also wondering if I, say, buy a kindle, will the only books i can read on it have to be purchased from the amazon kindle store? Or will i be able to purchase books from a third party? If i decide to go the way of the eReader I'm thinking the Onyx Boox M90 would be the best choice given the size of its screen.

09-12-2011, 08:17 AM	#4
mst Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Reader for pdfs I believe the Kindle is not ideal, as most textbooks are available in pdf format only. I am myself looking for a reader other than my laptop, but have not found anything yet. Among the tablets, I would prefer not to have to buy an iPad, so I hope there is something other pdf enthusiasts have found and tested.

09-13-2011, 10:35 AM	#6
fishface Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 56 Join Date: May 2010 Device: none	If you want a backlit LCD, don't get the iPad, it's useless for annotation which you'll need for academics. Asus EP121 or Samsung series 7 (not yet released) would be my favourite tablet PCs for school right now. They've also got enough muscle to be your primary computer so you don't need another laptop. If you use the keyboard alot though you should consider a convertible like the HP 2760p. Last edited by fishface; 09-13-2011 at 10:41 AM. Reason: to clarify it's not e-ink

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09-04-2011, 01:44 PM	#2
anjirlly Groupie Posts: 155 Karma: 58410 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: SE Michigan Device: Kindle on Android phone; PB360; Sony 950	What's your fall course schedule like? What are you thinking of majoring in? Do you know what format(s) the textbooks you're interested in use? If PDF, then yes, screen size is a concern. A big drawback of eReaders as compared to physical books is that it's hard to flip around quickly and to compare information across different sections. They're also not as easy to annotate; this is a deal killer for learners like me, who scribble lots of paraphrases and questions in the margins. Onyx Boox M60/BeBook Neo has one of the better reputations for annotation, but the M90 has had lots of hardware and firmware issues since its release. I personally wouldn't want to be adapting to college and fighting with my support tools at the same time. Have you read up on the Entourage Edge in the Android subforum? There's no longer a company standing behind the product, but a lot of enthusiastic users have already figured out how to make good use of the hardware.

09-04-2011, 03:22 PM	#3
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	You may also want to consider a tablet, should the e-textbooks be in PDF format. As you've already figured out, a 6" screen is often inadequate for large PDFs. If you buy a Kindle, you can only read Kindle books or DRM-free books, unless you break the DRM. However it is against forum rules to explain DRM-stripping in detail. I am not sure if Amazon's e-textbook offerings are available for the Kindle (as opposed to Kindle for PC) anyway, though.

09-13-2011, 12:01 AM	#5
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	mst: You are correct, the Kindle is not ideal. You don't necessarily have to buy an iPad. People say Android tablets of a sufficient size also work. You may want to ask about this in the Android forum.

09-28-2011, 09:59 AM	#7
rumplestiltskin Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 1282284 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: West of the Pecos Device: FireHD8, iPad	Goodreader for iPad does annotation, highlighting, re-flow, etc. Do understand, however, that tablets without real keyboards (as opposed to virtual keyboards) are mainly for content consumption rather than content creation. A "keyboard case" is available (from many sources for cheap$) and does the job but iOS devices are not OSX Macs; even Apple's iApps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) are awful when compared to their OSX counterparts.

09-28-2011, 10:04 AM	#8
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	I'm a college student, although much older than the average freshman... I use ebooks for almost all my classes. You will do better with a tablet or netbook instead of an e-ink device. I went with a netbook for several reasons, but mostly personal comfort and adaptability.

10-01-2011, 11:52 AM	#10
monkeyluis Banned Posts: 725 Karma: 656644 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Central Florida Device: iPad "3", Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4S	I use the iPad for my textbooks. It's great for highlighting, annotation, notes, etc.