Thread: First eReader, need help
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Old 07-12-2011, 07:30 PM   #2
polly
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Posts: 454
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3
Quote:
Originally Posted by ViewtifulJon View Post
I'm looking to buy my first ereader device. I will be using it for reading/annotating university PDFs, as well as reading some standard fiction novels in English, Russian and Spanish. I have narrowed my consideration down to three devices (prices in USD):

-PocketBook Pro 902 @ $329.99

-Sony PRS-950 + case @ $247.95

-Nook STR + case @ $158.95

I like tinkering with my electronics, so I am comfortable installing PRS+ on the Sony or rooting the Nook Touch. Since Russian/Spanish support is pretty good on all 3 devices (only the Sony is currently missing Russian/English dictionary), the main factor causing my indecision at this point is PDF experience:

-For the PocketBook, I understand that larger screens are best for PDFs, but I'm not sure how convenient it would be to use the d-pad to put in notes/highlight passages etc.

-For the Sony, I hear the Sony readers have one of the best PDF functionality as far as software, but I'm not sure the price difference above the Nook justifies the extra 1 inch added to the screen.

-For the Nook, rooted Android essentially means the software/firmware side is taken care of, but I've heard bad things regarding a 6 inch screen for PDFs.

The only one I can test out locally is Nook STR as far as screen size goes (won't be testing actual Nook, since stock Nook firmware is terrible with PDFs, but I can test a similar device with same screen). I have considered and eventually rejected various other ereaders in my search (Kindle DX, Kobo Touch, etc.), so this is mostly the final step for me. If there is a model that you really strongly endorse however, I'd be happy to hear it. But given the information above, which would all of you pick if you were in my position?

...sorry for the wall of text
I'd say that the user experience depends very much on the type of PDF that you intend to read. If it's full of diagrams, drawings, pictures, tables, etc., the PDF will not reflow well at all on any 6" screen. You'll find yourself doing lots of zooming in and out trying to see them. If the PDF has headers and footers on each page, the way that paper books do, you'll find that those headers and footers are randomly distributed through the text and very distracting. Of course, that assumes that the PDF is text versus an image. If it was built from a scan that was not OCRed, it won't reflow at all and you'll have to zoom in to try to read it. The larger screens of the larger readers help with this, but sometimes the best answer for a PDF is to go look at the tablets. PDFs are really a horrible format for books.
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