Quote:
Originally Posted by clangkamp
Hi Everyone
I am looking to buy a large screen *device* to read Scientific papers which I have in PDF format. The question has been posed several times, but always with a one-off answer. My brother has an Ipad, my mum a Kindle3 (6''). I have tried both, but both don't fully do it in the medium run. At the moment I am reading on a 24'' screen, which sort of works, but not for long. The problem will stick as I just started a doctorate, and hence will be reading scientific stuff for the next 2+y
The Ipad is the integrated device, useful etc., but it is closed up, and the backlit part makes it difficult to read and concentrate for hours.
I love the kindle ink surface, but apart from reading you cannot do anything with it. And reading PDF scientific only works with a 90 ° Rotation, and then you only see a third of the page on the 6''. In particular I am missing fast scrolling, proper annotation, searching. The user interface is a desaster. Nevertheless it is perfect for actual reading- not straining the eye at all.
I don't want to buy my way through all the various items and incremental improvements (e.g. upgrading from a Kindle6'' to a Kindle DX), but would like to see whether there is likely to be a 'definitive device' coming online in the next 6-9 months (i.e. a Kindle4DX with better file management or even touchscreen, an Ipad with an ink surface, a netbook with a not-so eyestraining screen). Also one that is likely to last for the next 3 or 4 years without constant regrets.
So - what is the entourage edge thing like ?
What are the others current 9.7+ inch screens available ?
What is the likelihood of a device that is tailored to the academic community coming online ? I think the question might be rephrased as to whether there is the likelihood of a device with the potential to become a standard for the scientific community.
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The device you want simply does not exist, yet. I've been hunting such a device for years now. The closest upcoming device will be the Eee 121. However the trade off is it's LCD though it's an IPS panel and the announed battery life is a paltry 4.5hrs or so. It however runs Win 7 so you can install and run any app for your needs vs. the compromises on the true purpose of the device and that is getting your research done and organized. None of the current E-ink based devices come even close to having proper study or research management tools and can't handle multiple documents open at the same time.
While it might not be ideal, the candid truth is LCD is going to be your only real option for around two more years until some sort of color EPD panels come out AND the device software matured OR Windows or even OSX devices move to use those panels in order to improve battery life.
PDF handing reported is not quite adequate on good days and completely dismal on bad days. I can confirm from my own observations recently that the KDX is absolutely not going to be worth a darn as a study or research device.
I have pared down the current devices enough that the Adam fell out of the list because they seem to have buggered the whole thing and if they do recover it will take time. Then the iPad, well, it doesn't do a lot of what you will likely need, the Edge is a nice device but don't be mislead but the cheerleader post -- it's not even close yet. The promised updates and such are near to a year behind already and the current generation device will not likely ever run Android 3, at least when I checked last. I LIKED the idea of the Edge but the execution is, in the end, not where I would need it to be right now. It does still have promise.
So maybe right now the best option would be wait for the the final version of the Eee 121 AND add the Eee Note EA-800 as your mobile notepad. You can annotate and read your PDF's on the 121 then keep your notes on the 800, maybe, I dunno.
Of course we still have not seen the production version of the WebOS large format device from HP. But the issue I see there is simply the software might not be there yet to meet your needs in your field.
Basically there is a ton of bluster in the industry but not that much substance yet for the the devices and what they bring to the table.
I would, also keep an eye on what happens with the software which was supposed to be on the Kno before the platform was recently left by the side of the road for dead. They seemed to be on to the right track for the software side as well as the nice 14" diagonal in a nice screen ratio that is NOT a widescreen format and more geared toward study uses.
Good luck and hope your ideal device happens this year. I've been waiting since the '90s though.
