e-reader for a scientist

[Olga Shpak]

Hello,
I am a biologist, and I spend a huge amount of time reading scientific papers in .pdf format (with all graphs and pictures, and tables, etc.).
Would anybody please advise if there is a device that can deal with articles in pdf?
I am not really interested in any other functions, but I am so tired of reading papers from the screen that I am ready to pay $650 for QUE if it is the only option. And is it an option at all?
I and my friends have tried several SONY models: even if they can read ebooks in pdf, they struggle with papers in pdf (either the font is too small if we shrink the page to fit the screen, or only part of page is shown - one column of the journal text, and we can not move to the second column).
If -even with newer more expensive models - to make pdfs with scientific papers readable is still such a nightmare, then the scientists are to keep reading from the computer screens and save money for the ophtalmologists...

[zetareticuli]

I am also a scientist and I have the same requirements for reading as you present here. I am very satisfied with the Entourage eDGe and the way it displays all my technical PDFs. The only problem is that the device is heavy and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time. For scientific papers and technical documents in PDF, a screen larger than 6" is a requirement. If weight is not an issue (3 lbs), then the eDGe will do what you need and much more. If weight is a problem and you definitely need something lighter, I suggest you wait until other large screen readers come out later this year. There is the Jinke A9, there is one from Netronix, there is one from Asus, there is one called Dittobook D9, Skiff Reader, and possibly others I am forgetting here. All these devices are at least 9.7" diagonally, which is almost a requirement for technical PDFs.

[ac4lt]

I guess the Edge and kindle dx are the only ones available today. Coming up the iPad, Adam, A9, Que, etc. I guess the iPad is likely to be the next one available, at least in the US. Of course, we don't know what the pdf capabilities will really be on the unreleased models yet.

I'm leaning towards the iPad as a large format reader that can also do other things, though the Adam is also very intriguing and the Asus DR-900/950 is also on my radar screen.

[Olga Shpak]

Zetareticuli and ac4lt!
thank you for your advice. Well, Entourage is not the best option for me, because I would use e-reader while commuting in public transport and during expeditions, so 3lb is a little bit too much (my 3-season sleeping bag weighs less :-)). Probably, I have to be patient and wait for the models you mention are about to be released. I hope, I will find reviews on their pdf capabilities on this forum as soon as they become available.

[TGS]

Originally Posted by Olga Shpak

Hello,
I am a biologist, and I spend a huge amount of time reading scientific papers in .pdf format (with all graphs and pictures, and tables, etc.).
Would anybody please advise if there is a device that can deal with articles in pdf?
I am not really interested in any other functions, but I am so tired of reading papers from the screen that I am ready to pay $650 for QUE if it is the only option. And is it an option at all?
I and my friends have tried several SONY models: even if they can read ebooks in pdf, they struggle with papers in pdf (either the font is too small if we shrink the page to fit the screen, or only part of page is shown - one column of the journal text, and we can not move to the second column).
If -even with newer more expensive models - to make pdfs with scientific papers readable is still such a nightmare, then the scientists are to keep reading from the computer screens and save money for the ophtalmologists...

The IREX DR800 handles pdfs well, is light and has got a nice sized screen. The only problem for your purposes is that, at the moment, you can't zoom pdfs. You can reflow them but that screws up the formating and can destroy graphs and the like. However, IREX say they are going to update the firmware so that you will be able to zoom pdfs, and do lots of other funky things, in April. I use one for reading academic journal articles but sometimes I just have to revert to the laptop if the notation is too much for it to handle.

[CoolDragon]

I have tried quite a few PDF files on my IREX DR800SG. Some are quite readable with the current firmware, some are not due to small font. But as TGS pointed out, once the zoom feature is out in the next firmware release, the DR800 should be a good option for reading normal PDF files. I just hope the referred "zoom feature" can automatically do the "fit visible" function as Adobe reader on desktop does in the landscape mode.

[johndoesecond]

Hi Olga,

I had more or less the same requirements as you (besides wanting to read books as well). And I concluded Kindle DX offered me a reasonable compromise, PDF features and all the rest.

It's far from perfect (no annotations on PDF being the biggest lack), but I'm very happy with it and - reading 15+ PDF scientific articles per week - I must say worthwhile.

But yes, if you wait, new better machines will pop up. They always do, being this a truism of a sort ...

Good luck.

[trob]

anyone knows when skiff reader comes out?

[Dulin's Books]

middle to late part of this year.

[davidspitzer]

shhhhhhheewwshhhhhhhh

...the sound of the vapor coming from the skiff reader - My guess it will be much longer before we see that monster device