PCs are best for e-reading, Microsoft's Ballmer says

jankovicgood · 10-09-2009, 12:54 PM

update

luqmaninbmore · 10-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jankovicgood

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv...5974OZ20091008

Note to Ballmer: Barnes and Nobles software already works on the PC AND on various mobile platforms, including Windows Mobile.

ilovejedd · 10-09-2009, 01:10 PM

So does Adobe Digital Editions and Mobipocket (at least on the PC). I think only Kindle format ebooks are not viewable on the PC (without removing DRM, that is).

neilmarr · 10-09-2009, 01:19 PM

From my experience, you're both dead right. I can read every single ebook in my various libraries (I don't have Kindle and don't want one) on PC, laptop and netbook as well as on my Sony PRS-505. I've been work reading on screen for over ten years: all my recreational reading is now on my 505. Ever tried taking a PC to bed or slipping a laptop into your inside pocket? Hoots. Neil

JayCeeEll · 10-09-2009, 01:51 PM

I always find using a 17" LCD screen in the bath quite challenging, and I will NEVER again use one in the shower (shudder!)

pilotbob · 10-09-2009, 01:53 PM

But PC's are big, bulky, heavy and have awful batter life. Well, compared to a Sony or such.

I wonder if Balmer ever uses the competition and alternative devices that he trashes.

BOb

GhostHawk · 10-09-2009, 02:02 PM

My PC is in the office, and yes its where I started reading Ebooks.

My jetbook is normally by my recliner, but goes to the deck, the kitchen, the office, the lake cabin, and anywhere else where I might have 5 min of uninterrupted time.

Including the River Bank if the fishing is slow.

I love both, but the one does not replace the other.

hal_9000 · 10-09-2009, 02:06 PM

maybe one of those mini-laptop PC's that are tiny, but a desktop or standard size notebook? i dont think the screen size outweighs the inconvenience of not being able to just go down to the coffee shop or the park.

ilovejedd · 10-09-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

But PC's are big, bulky, heavy and have awful batter life.

Not necessarily. We're seeing more and more ultra-portables being released in the past few months. We now have a couple of reasonably-priced ultra-thin notebooks (e.g. Acer Aspire Timeline, ASUS UL, MSI X340). We're bound to see Intel's CULV processors on tablets/slates sooner or later. Then, there's the Atom. Sure, battery life still can't compare to e-ink but a PC certainly has more functionality.

Besides, Microsoft isn't the best when it comes to marketing. If they do release an ebook reading device, it'll probably flop so they're better off leaving the gadget making to hardware companies and just encourage companies to release software readers for their operating systems.

Steve Jordan · 10-09-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal_9000

maybe one of those mini-laptop PC's that are tiny, but a desktop or standard size notebook? i dont think the screen size outweighs the inconvenience of not being able to just go down to the coffee shop or the park.

Not everybody reads when they go out. For those who only read at home at their desks, there's nothing wrong with using a computer for reading (or a laptop, to give yourself a bit more mobility).

AnemicOak · 10-09-2009, 02:34 PM

I believe he's right though, for now. The PC/Mac is the most popular reading device out there. Most ebook readers don't have a dedicated device or even a PDA or Smart Phone.

Steve Jordan · 10-09-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I believe he's right though, for now. The PC/Mac is the most popular reading device out there. Most ebook readers don't have a dedicated device or even a PDA or Smart Phone.

A recent survey by O'Reilly seems to bear this out, as it indicates that PDF is still the dominant e-book format. It is considered to be flexible, but best read on computers and laptops, suggesting that the combination of PDFs on full computers and laptops ably dominate the industry.

(Interesting, though, as I've never sold a single novel in PDF, and when I removed PDF from my selections, I was never asked to put them back in. But they could be creating their own from RTF files...)

Jow Wickert of O'Reilly says ePub is a distant second, but as more devices and apps add the format to their list, this may change quickly...

hal_9000 · 10-09-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Not everybody reads when they go out. For those who only read at home at their desks, there's nothing wrong with using a computer for reading (or a laptop, to give yourself a bit more mobility).

true. but more fundamentally: when i read for pleasure, i want to feel like i'm reading for pleasure, and not back at the office where i just spent 10 hours staring into a backlit computer screen. holding a book-size ereader with no backlit screen at least comes somewhat close to putting me in that mode.

Steve Jordan · 10-09-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal_9000

true. but more fundamentally: when i read for pleasure, i want to feel like i'm reading for pleasure, and not back at the office where i just spent 10 hours staring into a backlit computer screen. holding a book-size ereader with no backlit screen at least comes somewhat close to putting me in that mode.

As your wording suggests, that's fundamental for you... not necessarily for everyone else. Lots of people see computers as devices for recreation, not just work, and therefore don't have trouble reading from them after working with them for hours.

I understand how you can feel that way, plenty of other people do as well, and there's nothing wrong with that opinion. We just have to understand that it isn't everybody's opinion... and apparently, it isn't even the majority opinion. Yet.

Elfwreck · 10-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

no need for its own e-reader, since it already supplies the software that runs the most popular device for electronic reading

That device is hell to read on a crowded train. Also, not so good for standing in line at the lunch counter. Troublesome to read aloud to a child curled up on my lap, too.

10-09-2009, 12:54 PM	#1
jankovicgood Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 584 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: sony	PCs are best for e-reading, Microsoft's Ballmer says update Last edited by jankovicgood; 12-16-2009 at 10:32 AM.

10-09-2009, 01:53 PM	#6
pilotbob Grand Wizard Posts: 12,327 Karma: 38310 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Classic	But PC's are big, bulky, heavy and have awful batter life. Well, compared to a Sony or such. I wonder if Balmer ever uses the competition and alternative devices that he trashes. BOb __________________ It is desirable that we should have a supply of good books; we cannot have such a supply unless men of letters are liberally remunerated; and the least objectionable way of remunerating them is by means of copyright. -- Thomas Macaulay, 1841

10-09-2009, 02:34 PM	#11
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 2,597 Karma: 8713 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: Opus / Kindle 2 / Sony 505 / HTC Hero (Android Phone)	I believe he's right though, for now. The PC/Mac is the most popular reading device out there. Most ebook readers don't have a dedicated device or even a PDA or Smart Phone. __________________ ~Brian "The test of any good fiction is that you should care something for the characters; the good to succeed, the bad to fail. The trouble with most fiction is that you want them all to land in hell, together, as quickly as possible." - Mark Twain

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10-09-2009, 01:10 PM	#3
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 555 Karma: 843 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: iPhone 3GS	So does Adobe Digital Editions and Mobipocket (at least on the PC). I think only Kindle format ebooks are not viewable on the PC (without removing DRM, that is).

10-09-2009, 01:19 PM	#4
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 737 Karma: 2193 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	From my experience, you're both dead right. I can read every single ebook in my various libraries (I don't have Kindle and don't want one) on PC, laptop and netbook as well as on my Sony PRS-505. I've been work reading on screen for over ten years: all my recreational reading is now on my 505. Ever tried taking a PC to bed or slipping a laptop into your inside pocket? Hoots. Neil

10-09-2009, 01:51 PM	#5
JayCeeEll Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 204 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK Device: Sony Reader	I always find using a 17" LCD screen in the bath quite challenging, and I will NEVER again use one in the shower (shudder!)

10-09-2009, 02:02 PM	#7
GhostHawk Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 226 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook	My PC is in the office, and yes its where I started reading Ebooks. My jetbook is normally by my recliner, but goes to the deck, the kitchen, the office, the lake cabin, and anywhere else where I might have 5 min of uninterrupted time. Including the River Bank if the fishing is slow. I love both, but the one does not replace the other.

10-09-2009, 02:06 PM	#8
hal_9000 Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 84 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Orlando FL Device: Kindle 2	maybe one of those mini-laptop PC's that are tiny, but a desktop or standard size notebook? i dont think the screen size outweighs the inconvenience of not being able to just go down to the coffee shop or the park.