Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew73249
Thanks for clarifying this. If the pdfs at Smashwords are just conversions from epub or some other format that isn't intended to retain information about page layout, then you're right, this is not what I was looking for.
So I guess it looks like the only options for purchase of fixed layout, "print replica" ebooks as of January, 2019 are - the original publishers (who rarely make them available)
- Google Play "original pages" (which frequently have issues)
- Amazon "print replicas" (which are rarely available)
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I'm a little late to the party, but
eBooks.com offers ADE downloads in PDF when the publisher makes one available. That's becoming more rare with new books and publishers are even removing the PDF option on some older ones, but there are still a number of books with a PDF option. You can even download both formats with the same purchase.
If you go that route, eBooks.com enforces a max number of downloads that is set by the publisher
and not disclosed anywhere. It's usually five, but it's occasionally three or (fortunately rarely) even one. Second, the available formats can change. I have books that had PDF available when I bought them, but don't any longer. Third, eBooks.com tends to have higher prices on average (often MSRP for print versions) and seems to be included in publisher sales less often. I usually check them, though, and have been pleasantly surprised a few times.
The
advanced search allows you to select format ("PDF" means a PDF with ADE DRM). A book with both PDF and epub available will have a line below the description that says, "Read online, or download in secure PDF or secure EPUB format."