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oivavoi · 10-10-2011, 10:52 AM

I have been struggling with the same issue for the last weeks. The papers/pdfs in my academic field (social science) are usually not that technical, but I still want a reader that handles pdfs as good as possible. For me an ereader must fulfill two needs:
1) Reading books
2) Handling pdfs REALLY well
3) It must be eink, as my eyes get sore from all the screen watching, and it interferes with my sleep if I surf on my ipad or iphone just before I go to bed (eink doesn't have the same effect)

For reading books you could choose almost any device on the market (I currently have a kindle 3 but I think the Nook touch might provide the best reading experience of the readers currently available), but for the pdf-thing the options are not abundant.

I have been doing A LOT of research on the web for the last couple of weeks, and this is what I've come down to:
- the Kindle DX can handle pdfs well if you install the alternative, chinese-developed OS, Duokan. But you still have to make notes with the keyboard, as it's not a touch screen. (Duokan: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=105847 )

- another large ereader is the pocketbook 903, with a 9.7 inch screen that is touch sensitive, so you can make notes on it with a stylus. However, from what I've seen users have had mixed experiences with it, and many think the Kindle DX with duokan does a much better job.

- the new sony reader - T1 - is currently the superior reader for handling pdfs, IMO. It can crop margins in pdf files ON the device, zoom, and keep the layout when you turn the page. My impression is that these features are currently unrivalled among other readers. And you can download pdfs directly to the reader from the built in web browser. So I think the t1 will handle technical pdfs better than other large ebook-readers now available, since you can easily zoom in and out.

I had decided to purchase a t1, and was just about to register my order... when I discovered this, which I think it really might be worth waiting for:

- a new reader from the french company Bookeen called Cybook Odyssey, which will be released in approx. two weeks time: http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/07/cyb...eb-navigation/

The new feature this reader boasts is an e-ink screen that can handle much more information and detail without refreshing - which means that you can actually surf web pages more or less like you can on a iPad. I would guess that this also will provide a smoother pdf experience: Easily zoom in and out, etc. However it remains to be seen what specs it will have. And, it will be sold in Europe only, so if you're based in the States you need to find a way to get around that. (but that's possible, I've ordered U.S. only stuff to Norway without much hassle)

Hope this was helpful! Good luck.

10-10-2011, 10:52 AM	#4
oivavoi Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Norway Device: Sony 950	I have been struggling with the same issue for the last weeks. The papers/pdfs in my academic field (social science) are usually not that technical, but I still want a reader that handles pdfs as good as possible. For me an ereader must fulfill two needs: 1) Reading books 2) Handling pdfs REALLY well 3) It must be eink, as my eyes get sore from all the screen watching, and it interferes with my sleep if I surf on my ipad or iphone just before I go to bed (eink doesn't have the same effect) For reading books you could choose almost any device on the market (I currently have a kindle 3 but I think the Nook touch might provide the best reading experience of the readers currently available), but for the pdf-thing the options are not abundant. I have been doing A LOT of research on the web for the last couple of weeks, and this is what I've come down to: - the Kindle DX can handle pdfs well if you install the alternative, chinese-developed OS, Duokan. But you still have to make notes with the keyboard, as it's not a touch screen. (Duokan: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=105847 ) - another large ereader is the pocketbook 903, with a 9.7 inch screen that is touch sensitive, so you can make notes on it with a stylus. However, from what I've seen users have had mixed experiences with it, and many think the Kindle DX with duokan does a much better job. - the new sony reader - T1 - is currently the superior reader for handling pdfs, IMO. It can crop margins in pdf files ON the device, zoom, and keep the layout when you turn the page. My impression is that these features are currently unrivalled among other readers. And you can download pdfs directly to the reader from the built in web browser. So I think the t1 will handle technical pdfs better than other large ebook-readers now available, since you can easily zoom in and out. I had decided to purchase a t1, and was just about to register my order... when I discovered this, which I think it really might be worth waiting for: - a new reader from the french company Bookeen called Cybook Odyssey, which will be released in approx. two weeks time: http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/07/cyb...eb-navigation/ The new feature this reader boasts is an e-ink screen that can handle much more information and detail without refreshing - which means that you can actually surf web pages more or less like you can on a iPad. I would guess that this also will provide a smoother pdf experience: Easily zoom in and out, etc. However it remains to be seen what specs it will have. And, it will be sold in Europe only, so if you're based in the States you need to find a way to get around that. (but that's possible, I've ordered U.S. only stuff to Norway without much hassle) Hope this was helpful! Good luck.