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Bugs · 10-06-2008, 09:20 AM

Hi folks,

I've done some reading through the forums and found a few answers, but lots of what I've found is either very old or contradicted by another post. Perhaps you can help me? At the moment I'm most interested in the Sony Reader PRS-505 or Cybook Gen 3, but feel free to change my mind!

Firstly, I'm in the UK (London) but have friends in the USA and Hong Kong who could probably buy a device locally and post it to me if necessary. I'd prefer one available in the UK though.

My biggest requirement is reading academic papers: Unencypted A4-size .pdf files with a mixture or text and images over typically 4-10 pages. I've read wildly varying reviews of various readers' ability to display large .pdfs: Some say that the Cybook G3 is terrible, others that its vaiable zoom and panning are great for short documents. Some say that the Sony 505 is fine when reflowing or in landscape mode, others not so much. How does your reader cope with this fairly complex file? (Link) Or maybe this one? (Link) Tiny writing is fine provided the font is crisp.

Getting files onto it: I don't have easy access to a Windows-based PC, instead using a mix of Linux and Mac (yes, I'm a big geek). One-time activation of products isn't a problem, but I need a device that I can easily transfer files to without relying on Windows. I see this is fine for the Sony 505; what about others?

DRM: I hate DRM. Of course I'm happy to pay for books, but don't want to sacrifice my whole library if I decide to move to another device. Or when the company just switches off the servers like MSN, Walmart and many others have done before them. Is it possible to legally buy eBooks then strip the DRM so I can view them on my next device after this one? If so, is it easy to buy these ebooks from within the UK?

So in summary:
Available in UK (ideally), Hong Kong, USA
pdf support - how does your device handle the scientific paper above?
Not completely Windows-reliant
...and able to get a wide selection of books, ideally DRM-free.

Things I don't care about:
(wireless) network connection; USB is fine
Annotating files
Touchscreen

I'll be very grateful for any and all advice you can give!

10-06-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
Bugs Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: PRS-505	Which one should I buy Hi folks, I've done some reading through the forums and found a few answers, but lots of what I've found is either very old or contradicted by another post. Perhaps you can help me? At the moment I'm most interested in the Sony Reader PRS-505 or Cybook Gen 3, but feel free to change my mind! Firstly, I'm in the UK (London) but have friends in the USA and Hong Kong who could probably buy a device locally and post it to me if necessary. I'd prefer one available in the UK though. My biggest requirement is reading academic papers: Unencypted A4-size .pdf files with a mixture or text and images over typically 4-10 pages. I've read wildly varying reviews of various readers' ability to display large .pdfs: Some say that the Cybook G3 is terrible, others that its vaiable zoom and panning are great for short documents. Some say that the Sony 505 is fine when reflowing or in landscape mode, others not so much. How does your reader cope with this fairly complex file? (Link) Or maybe this one? (Link) Tiny writing is fine provided the font is crisp. Getting files onto it: I don't have easy access to a Windows-based PC, instead using a mix of Linux and Mac (yes, I'm a big geek). One-time activation of products isn't a problem, but I need a device that I can easily transfer files to without relying on Windows. I see this is fine for the Sony 505; what about others? DRM: I hate DRM. Of course I'm happy to pay for books, but don't want to sacrifice my whole library if I decide to move to another device. Or when the company just switches off the servers like MSN, Walmart and many others have done before them. Is it possible to legally buy eBooks then strip the DRM so I can view them on my next device after this one? If so, is it easy to buy these ebooks from within the UK? So in summary: Available in UK (ideally), Hong Kong, USA pdf support - how does your device handle the scientific paper above? Not completely Windows-reliant ...and able to get a wide selection of books, ideally DRM-free. Things I don't care about: (wireless) network connection; USB is fine Annotating files Touchscreen I'll be very grateful for any and all advice you can give!