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you sir name · 02-14-2019, 04:36 PM

Hi all,
I guess this is the place to ask this sort of thing… nonetheless, this got a bit long, so I’ve highlighted the key bits:

So I've finally decided I'm going to shell out the big buck for a large E-reader (13”, possibly 10” if there are compelling reasons); I want it mainly for academic work, which means reading a ton of pdfs: Journal articles with or without figures, low quality scans of book chapters, and sometimes digitized versions of historical music theory treatises like this one, etc.
Being able to annotate those pdfs (and to export those annotations) would be a plus, and speed is important (i.e., faster navigation/skimming; and having multiple files open at the same time — since you don’t read these things cover to cover usually). Not sure at the moment whether I need/want a stylus.

What would also be nice is if I could use the thing for basic text entry duties as well (via an external keyboard; the onyx boox max claims it can do that). I am aware that this entails a slow refresh rate, but I imagine I can get used to that if the trade-off is less distraction and eye strain.
(If that stuff could somehow be made to integrate/sync with scrivener, that would be even better).

In terms of memory, I’ll need at least 32GB, or an SD slot (my collection of pdfs is currently about 18GBs… probably not healthy, but whatever). Wireless synchronization (with a Mac) is nice too but I can live with doing that per USB or the SD card.

Lastly, since these large readers are rather expensive and I’m not exactly loaded, I’m a bit worried about what happens if it breaks or stops working – so support/warranty/repairability is also a factor. (I had a Pocketbook 840 that worked for two years and then just stopped, and I have no idea how or where to fix it…).

No need for lights and audio out, or any other applications beyond what I’ve mentioned;
I guess as OS, Android would be useful as I imagine this would leave me with the largest choice of reader engines (?), but also with a larger temptation of installing distracting bullshit apps. I’m also fine with installing a non-factory OS like KSM, should that be necessary.

Models that I’m currently aware of (I’m in Canada/Montreal, btw, and getting the Sony is for some reason less simple than you’d think it would be):

Good e-reader 13”
Sony DPT-CP1
Onyx Boox Max2

---Is that all there is? Any recommendations, warnings, experiences (not necessarily with these same models, but manufacturers, OSs, etc.)?

I wonder what I should look for in the specs of the available models – is RAM or CPU more important for the things I mentioned?

At any rate, thanks! Any input is much appreciated. (I just hate buying expensive things and am really bad at making decisions.)

02-14-2019, 04:36 PM	#1
you sir name Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2019 Device: none	Large reader for academic PDF reading Hi all, I guess this is the place to ask this sort of thing… nonetheless, this got a bit long, so I’ve highlighted the key bits: So I've finally decided I'm going to shell out the big buck for a large E-reader (13”, possibly 10” if there are compelling reasons); I want it mainly for academic work, which means reading a ton of pdfs: Journal articles with or without figures, low quality scans of book chapters, and sometimes digitized versions of historical music theory treatises like this one, etc. Being able to annotate those pdfs (and to export those annotations) would be a plus, and speed is important (i.e., faster navigation/skimming; and having multiple files open at the same time — since you don’t read these things cover to cover usually). Not sure at the moment whether I need/want a stylus. What would also be nice is if I could use the thing for basic text entry duties as well (via an external keyboard; the onyx boox max claims it can do that). I am aware that this entails a slow refresh rate, but I imagine I can get used to that if the trade-off is less distraction and eye strain. (If that stuff could somehow be made to integrate/sync with scrivener, that would be even better). In terms of memory, I’ll need at least 32GB, or an SD slot (my collection of pdfs is currently about 18GBs… probably not healthy, but whatever). Wireless synchronization (with a Mac) is nice too but I can live with doing that per USB or the SD card. Lastly, since these large readers are rather expensive and I’m not exactly loaded, I’m a bit worried about what happens if it breaks or stops working – so support/warranty/repairability is also a factor. (I had a Pocketbook 840 that worked for two years and then just stopped, and I have no idea how or where to fix it…). No need for lights and audio out, or any other applications beyond what I’ve mentioned; I guess as OS, Android would be useful as I imagine this would leave me with the largest choice of reader engines (?), but also with a larger temptation of installing distracting bullshit apps. I’m also fine with installing a non-factory OS like KSM, should that be necessary. Models that I’m currently aware of (I’m in Canada/Montreal, btw, and getting the Sony is for some reason less simple than you’d think it would be): Good e-reader 13” Sony DPT-CP1 Onyx Boox Max2 ---Is that all there is? Any recommendations, warnings, experiences (not necessarily with these same models, but manufacturers, OSs, etc.)? I wonder what I should look for in the specs of the available models – is RAM or CPU more important for the things I mentioned? At any rate, thanks! Any input is much appreciated. (I just hate buying expensive things and am really bad at making decisions.)