Which eINK reader is the best at handling PDF files (ie, textbooks)?

megacoupe · 08-30-2012, 10:00 PM

Without realizing it, I seem to have acquired quite a few eINK readers. I've been using my HP Touchpad (with Android installed) to read textbook PDF files but find that my eyes get tired.

I'd like an eINK reader for reading only. I don't care about annotations, highlights, etc. It would be great if it was easy to jump around and navigate throughout the file without issues. I own the following devices:

Kindle 3G keyboard
Kobo Touch
Nook Simple Touch (not rooted, but planning on it)
Sony Reader PRS-650

I've only attempted to read PDF's on the Sony (a couple of years ago) and the experience was bad enough that I haven't bothered trying again. Are the other devices in my possession any better at handling PDF's? Maybe the Nook with Android installed and the right app could be the best option? Or should I bite the bullet and buy the Kindle DX for the huge screen?

rutherfordpaul · 08-31-2012, 07:40 AM

Try "Duokan - the alternative Kindle OS - in English".

For me, it transforms the .pdf reading experience.

Duokan is Chinese soft ware so see flip's & search for Duokan Quidle FAQ (what a weird spelling).

rutherfordpaul · 08-31-2012, 07:41 AM

Try "Duokan - the alternative Kindle OS - in English".

For me, it transforms the .pdf reading experience.

Duokan is Chinese soft ware so see flip's duokan site & also search for Duokan Quidle FAQ (what a weird spelling).

petrucci · 08-31-2012, 08:10 AM

I too want a eink reader for PDFs. From what I have read, the Kindle DX is the best one on the market. I am waiting for a model with a larger screen than the DX.

Begemot · 09-04-2012, 06:37 AM

Sadly, you will have to wait a long time.

As far as I know, there have been no announcements of a larger than 9.7 e-ink device for sale.

In fact, there is a veritable dearth of 9.7 devices. Basically, you have the 3 year old Kindle DX, then there is Pocketbook 9xx series and Onyx M92, oh and the dismal Jetbook Color.

I suppose you can order 12 inch developer kit from eINK but it must cost at least a few thousand bucks.

http://www.eink.com/concept_showcase_12inch_reader.html

DolphinHD · 09-05-2012, 06:21 AM

Maybe one day there will be a 10.7 " reader with a plastic logic color display. Maybe..

mod186k1 · 09-06-2012, 09:38 AM

I'm quite happy reading technical PDF on Jetbook Color

JSWolf · 09-06-2012, 09:39 AM

For textbooks, get an iPad. No eink reader is going to be satisfactory.

mod186k1 · 09-06-2012, 09:55 AM

...ipse dixit

prconnor · 09-09-2012, 10:17 PM

I purchased a Jetbook Color specifically for reading PDF documents. The firmware updates have made quite an improvement in the product. I have noticed that some of the images don't appear on the screen though. For example look here. The cover shows up on my computer using Acrobat reader, and using Foxit reader, but is absent using Jetbook Color. Various other images, but not all, are also missing.

I am very interested in knowing why this is the case, and if other users have had the same issue.

Namekuseijin · 09-10-2012, 07:17 AM

My 2009 6" iriver Story is good enough: I simply change to landscape view and voilá.

That said, PDF is the lamest thing ever. The fact that you got used to read previews of printed documents on your PC screen doesn't change the fact that fixed layout at this age doesn't cut it for dynamic electronic screens.

JSWolf · 09-10-2012, 10:50 AM

I have a 650 and while it's PDF capabilities are good for eink, it's not a good enough screen size for PDF. No 6" eink screen is good enough no matter how good the software.

David Munch · 09-10-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

For textbooks, get an iPad. No eink reader is going to be satisfactory.

Absolutely agree. I bought my iPad just for PDFs, after surveing the eBook market, and I haven't looked back.

ucfgrad93 · 09-10-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

For textbooks, get an iPad. No eink reader is going to be satisfactory.

Agreed. An LCD tablet is the way to go for reading PDFs.

mod186k1 · 09-11-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prconnor

... For example look here...

I tried it on my unit: It's the first PDF which I experienced this problem. Can you contact the support posting your PDF's link, please?

08-30-2012, 10:00 PM	#1
megacoupe Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 8682 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Kindle Voyage	Which eINK reader is the best at handling PDF files (ie, textbooks)? Without realizing it, I seem to have acquired quite a few eINK readers. I've been using my HP Touchpad (with Android installed) to read textbook PDF files but find that my eyes get tired. I'd like an eINK reader for reading only. I don't care about annotations, highlights, etc. It would be great if it was easy to jump around and navigate throughout the file without issues. I own the following devices: Kindle 3G keyboard Kobo Touch Nook Simple Touch (not rooted, but planning on it) Sony Reader PRS-650 I've only attempted to read PDF's on the Sony (a couple of years ago) and the experience was bad enough that I haven't bothered trying again. Are the other devices in my possession any better at handling PDF's? Maybe the Nook with Android installed and the right app could be the best option? Or should I bite the bullet and buy the Kindle DX for the huge screen?

08-31-2012, 07:41 AM	#3
rutherfordpaul Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Kindle 3	Duokan - the alternative Kindle OS Try "Duokan - the alternative Kindle OS - in English". For me, it transforms the .pdf reading experience. Duokan is Chinese soft ware so see flip's duokan site & also search for Duokan Quidle FAQ (what a weird spelling).

09-09-2012, 10:17 PM	#10
prconnor Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Archos 7 Home Tablet	Jetbook Color and PDF docs I purchased a Jetbook Color specifically for reading PDF documents. The firmware updates have made quite an improvement in the product. I have noticed that some of the images don't appear on the screen though. For example look here. The cover shows up on my computer using Acrobat reader, and using Foxit reader, but is absent using Jetbook Color. Various other images, but not all, are also missing. I am very interested in knowing why this is the case, and if other users have had the same issue. Last edited by prconnor; 09-09-2012 at 10:44 PM. Reason: corrected typo.

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08-31-2012, 07:40 AM	#2
rutherfordpaul Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Kindle 3	Try "Duokan - the alternative Kindle OS - in English". For me, it transforms the .pdf reading experience. Duokan is Chinese soft ware so see flip's & search for Duokan Quidle FAQ (what a weird spelling).

08-31-2012, 08:10 AM	#4
petrucci Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1647827 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I too want a eink reader for PDFs. From what I have read, the Kindle DX is the best one on the market. I am waiting for a model with a larger screen than the DX.

09-04-2012, 06:37 AM	#5
Begemot Zealot Posts: 111 Karma: 18638 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony DPT-S1, Kindle DX, iPad, Kobo Mini,H20,iRiver StoryHD	Sadly, you will have to wait a long time. As far as I know, there have been no announcements of a larger than 9.7 e-ink device for sale. In fact, there is a veritable dearth of 9.7 devices. Basically, you have the 3 year old Kindle DX, then there is Pocketbook 9xx series and Onyx M92, oh and the dismal Jetbook Color. I suppose you can order 12 inch developer kit from eINK but it must cost at least a few thousand bucks. http://www.eink.com/concept_showcase_12inch_reader.html

09-05-2012, 06:21 AM	#6
DolphinHD Member Posts: 20 Karma: 70 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Germany Device: iriver StoryHD, Nexus 7	Maybe one day there will be a 10.7 " reader with a plastic logic color display. Maybe..

09-06-2012, 09:38 AM	#7
mod186k1 Addict Posts: 233 Karma: 256666 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Italy Device: iLiad, PRS-T3, Kobo GLO HD, Paperwhite 2, PB Ultra, Ony Boox Max	I'm quite happy reading technical PDF on Jetbook Color

09-06-2012, 09:39 AM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,957 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	For textbooks, get an iPad. No eink reader is going to be satisfactory.

09-06-2012, 09:55 AM	#9
mod186k1 Addict Posts: 233 Karma: 256666 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Italy Device: iLiad, PRS-T3, Kobo GLO HD, Paperwhite 2, PB Ultra, Ony Boox Max	...ipse dixit

09-10-2012, 07:17 AM	#11
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	My 2009 6" iriver Story is good enough: I simply change to landscape view and voilá. That said, PDF is the lamest thing ever. The fact that you got used to read previews of printed documents on your PC screen doesn't change the fact that fixed layout at this age doesn't cut it for dynamic electronic screens.

09-10-2012, 10:50 AM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,957 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have a 650 and while it's PDF capabilities are good for eink, it's not a good enough screen size for PDF. No 6" eink screen is good enough no matter how good the software.