Good compact reader for PDF viewing as well as ebooks?

[ePingus]

Hi,

I was wondering what a good eBook reader is for viewing PDF's in addition to ebooks???

-ok most of them (if not all of them) have built-in PDF functionality but I have read some reviews saying that some PDF's don't show or crash the software!!

I'm an engineer so a lot of my reading is done with PDF based manuals, howto's and user-guides; however, I do like finctional books to relax with also.


I am currently comparing and contrasting the Aluratek LIBRE Pro 5" reader and the Amazon Kidnle 7" reader.


The LIBRE seems slightly more appealing due to the size as it seems that it will easily fit into my coat pocket rather then the Kindle which is 2" larger.

Annoyling both devices seem to be the same price with the LIBRE just being £10 cheaper from Amazon.co.uk which doesn't really help in the decision making process.


What I really need however is:

-USB charging
-Flash memory style accessability from computer (no added software to transfer)
-Long battery life
-Sufficient storage (memory card option would be better)
-Ability to bookmark pages and locate back to bookmarks easily
-Ultra protability
-Good build quality


What I would like but not necessity:

-Backlight for low light levels
-Color display for graphic PDF's
-802.11 WiFi a/b/g/n
-Online purchassing of books directly from eReader
-Linux based OS so I can hack the system to provide extra functionality (mainly web, mail, NFS and SSH - ok ok I know eBook reader and not laptop)


Just from a pure size basis the Aluratek LIBRE Pro seems to attract my attention more even though the Kindle has slightly more features but since other then my Blackberry I really don't have anything to compare them with I need to ask more experienced people for help!

Since my branch of engineering is dealing in computers and networks it's no problem being infront of a computer all day in order to purchase books online or download PDF documentation into the reader.

Many thanks in advance. :-)

[gett]

Originally Posted by ePingus

I am currently comparing and contrasting the Aluratek LIBRE Pro 5" reader and the Amazon Kidnle 7" reader.

KF is rooted, very promising in furter community developing, BUT don't have uSD slot...
B&N Tablet is great, BUT have locked bootloader, so... not sure about community support
If you use a lot of PDF's maybe it's wise to look at 10.1 tablets?
Just IMHO

[ePingus]

Thanks for the advise but a 10.1" tablet would be huge and definately not fit in my pocket

I mean I already have a 12.1" notebook and could easily get a tablet based netbook but that's kinda not the point.

I just want something small and portable to be able to read documentation and a few books which I seem to be getting through at a rapid pace these days.

If the LIBRE will be able to display images within PDF's (I need mostly diagrams nothing really hi-res) it should be ok for my purposes as long as the software doesn't crash.....

[WillysJeepMan]

I love the Aluratek Libre Pro. Well built. When reading an ebook, the reflective LCD screen displays pages instantaneously... no annoying flicker that accompanies eInk displays.

However it will not be good for reading PDF reference manuals. Neither will any Kindle. Anything smaller than a 10" screen isn't going to cut it. Also, panning and zooming requires a quality GPU and/or CPU. I'd recommend an iPad2 or a quality 10" Android tablet.

[WillysJeepMan]

Samsung makes a 5" Galaxy. That'll have the horsepower to pan and zoom. And since it is Android-based there are a few choices for viewing apps.

[pata]

Originally Posted by ePingus

Hi,

I was wondering what a good eBook reader is for viewing PDF's in addition to ebooks???

I'm an engineer so a lot of my reading is done with PDF based manuals, howto's and user-guides; however, I do like finctional books to relax with also.

Since my branch of engineering is dealing in computers and networks it's no problem being infront of a computer all day in order to purchase books online or download PDF documentation into the reader.

Originally Posted by ePingus

a 10.1" tablet would be huge and definately not fit in my pocket

I just want something small and portable to be able to read documentation and a few books which I seem to be getting through at a rapid pace these days.

I'm in the same boat as you and have been looking for a similar device. Perhaps my advice will be of use...

Originally Posted by ePingus

If the LIBRE will be able to display images within PDF's (I need mostly diagrams nothing really hi-res) it should be ok for my purposes

PDF is a fixed-layout document so, unfortunately, describing the embedded images as "nothing really hi-res" doesn't make much of a difference. While certain measures can be taken to make a pdf display better on a low-res screen (such as cropping the margins) there isn't much that can be done short of reflowing the text—which works poorly with PDFs containing lots of diagrams and images.

Originally Posted by ePingus

What I really need however is:

-USB charging
-Flash memory style accessability from computer (no added software to transfer)
-Long battery life
-Sufficient storage (memory card option would be better)
-Ability to bookmark pages and locate back to bookmarks easily
-Ultra protability
-Good build quality


What I would like but not necessity:

-Backlight for low light levels
-Color display for graphic PDF's
-802.11 WiFi a/b/g/n
-Online purchassing of books directly from eReader
-Linux based OS so I can hack the system to provide extra functionality (mainly web, mail, NFS and SSH - ok ok I know eBook reader and not laptop)

Many thanks in advance. :-)

if wishes were horses... see under my username for the list of devices that meet our requirements

Spoiler:

none

Jokes aside, there are options out there but none of them are ideal. The first thing you have to keep in mind is that screen resolution and screen ratio are more important for displaying PDFs that the size of the screen itself. A 3.5" 960x480 screen is going to better than a 7" 800x480 screen.

Here is my list:

E-ink eReaders
iRiver Story HD
Sony PRS-950 (discontinued)
iRex iLiad (discontinued—rare item)

Portable Media Devices
iPod Touch 4th Generation
Nook Color
Nook Tablet
Kindle Fire
Sasmung Galaxy Tabs (7" versions)
Kobo Vox
Blackberry Playbook
Sony Tablet P

SmartPhones
iPhone 4/4S
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
HTC Rezound
LG Optimus LTE
Samsung Galaxy Note
Sharp IS03 (Japan only)
Meizu M9 (China only

It's not enough to know that the device supports PDFs so try to find a high-res picture of the device displaying a PDF. I haven't had hands-on experience with all these devices. If you're lucky, you'll find a review as detailed as this one of the Sony PRS-950. If no such reviews are available, ask on these forums and you might get some responses e.g. this thread on the iRiver Story HD.

Good luck.

Oh, by the way, I'm waiting on reviews on the upcoming Kyobo eReader. Perhaps it's the one we've been waiting for?

[ePingus]

Many thanks for the really useful information I will checkout the links you provided shortly!

Currently (pre-looking at links of course) I have come up with another viable solutions:

The Aluratek is still high on my list due to it's price but additionally I have found a way more expensive:

Astak EZreader Pocket Pro which seems to be the same as the BeBook Mini:

http://mybebook.com/5-inch-ereaders/...duct_info.html

One review of it from Amazon.co.uk claimed:

Chose this over the competition for the huge number of formats it can run. It does run them all, but with varying success... Great for epubs, RTFs and PDF's (uses brilliant text reflow for most PDF's). Not so great for doc, txt. lit files load very slowly. However, at least it handles lit files which can save a stack of cash if you know where to get them... Otherwise great matt 'rubbery' feel to the case, decent screen which is perfect size for portability. Could do with extra proper pageturn buttons on right side, but small issue. Overall, great product. If bought, download free 'calibre' program, an 'itunes' for your ebooks - brilliant!

It has much more powerful hardware then the LIBRE: res seems to be 600x800 which is is quite good considering I'm currently using a trial version of PDF software on my Blackberry 9700.....

Now to check on the provided links!

[ePingus]

With regards to the Sony eReader I managed to find this:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/sto...specifications

which is the PRS-950SC

Additionally I also had a look at this:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/sto...specifications

which seems to be much cheaper then the PRS950 but still has a 600x800 screen!

I am just worried with Sony as back during my Mini-Disk days, Sony used to provide special software to make the devices work.

Now that would be fine if running a Windows platform, however since by trade I am a linux/unix engineer all the equipment I have needs to be compatible with that. So if the eReader when docked behaves like a flash memory (USB) stick I won't have any problems.

Actually that reminds me also, if DRM content is provided by Adobe software - do they have a version for Linux? I might be able to find an alternative but will need to do a little quick Google search on it

[polly]

The Sony, when plugged in to the computer, shows up as a flash drive. The Astak was a nice reader until I smashed the screen, but it really only handled a few formats well. All the others listed were buggy, slow, and/or crashed a lot. With Calibre, it really doesn't matter how many formats a reader can use, because it will convert into the format the reader can use. Also, the new Pearl screens really are worth it for the increased print quality they bring and the Astak has the older screen type.

Personally, I think you're going to need two devices to meet your requirements. Small and graphical PDFs are never going to go with each other because there's simply not enough screen real estate to show the entire graphic at a size where you can see it. I've found that my 10" tablet is about as small as I can go to see intact PDFs. I've also found that the tablet is a little large to haul with me for the wait at the doctor's office. Have you looked to see if you can find a Sony 350? That's a very nice reader with a 5" screen. As a discontinued model, prices for it have dropped sharply.

[ePingus]

Have you looked to see if you can find a Sony 350? That's a very nice reader with a 5" screen. As a discontinued model, prices for it have dropped sharply

Thanks for that!

I found it here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reader-Pocke...2406175&sr=8-1

It does look smart and I'm certain that it's using aluminium for the casing as I've read about 'previous' Sony's doing this.

The ui (user interface) seems better then the Aluratek Libre Pro, however it does not seem to have the MP3 playing capability of the Libre meaning that I will need to use my MP3 player as well while reading. Not a major issue however!

Also I am not sure if this device works as USB flash drive as the tech-specs were talking about provided Sony software???

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/rd-reader-ebook/prs-350

Unfortunately since I don't use MS Windows or even Mac OS I won't be able to make any use of it; like my mothers iPhone which turned out to be a glamorized cell eventually as none of it's features could be used properly due to iTunes not being available for Linux.


So Libre Pro or PRS350......???

That is the question! {HELP!} :-S


Thanks

[jocampo]

You may want to take a look on this thread

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=158397

But in short, PDF is not an ebook format so your best option is a 10 inches tablet.

Trust me, any eink device will be painfully slow and too small for most PDFs. You may also need landscape mode which take lot of current readers out of the equation.

Sony and Kindle give you basic PDF reading capabilities though.

[Abtacha]

Originally Posted by ePingus

Also I am not sure if this device works as USB flash drive as the tech-specs were talking about provided Sony software???

It does show as an USB drive and it works very well with Calibre. But since the 350 doesn't have WiFi I think you need either the Sony Software or Adobe Digital Editions to authorize it if you want to read e-pubs with DRM.

[ePingus]

Form the link provided by jocampo this is a really good quote:

Engineer here, reading computer and technical books most of the time.

The bad news, maybe you know this already. PDF is not an ebook format. There is no ebook reader out there that can give you a decent experience, and with "decent" I mean not a reading experience, but interaction, writing notes, editing, etc.

I was just referring to reading text based PDF's with the occasional diagram in them which my current setup using my BB handles the images with scroll bars.

One could infact just reformat them to fit even though fiddly but still.... I think it's worth it for portability reasons. I mean putting a larger eReader in a backpack is fine and all if one carries one of those around but if not and a coat pocket is the only means of physical storage that one has.

To be honest after hearing everyone's thoughts I am now inclined to stick with my original idea of purchassing the Libre Pro but I may also purchase the PRS 350 additionally.

The Libre is nice as it has an mp3 player embedded, SD card slot and can listen and read at same time without needing extra Mp3 device. Means I can keep my BB attached to my belt clip and not need to mess with it unless it rings or checking emails.


If I need something larger later on I may just go for a touchscreen Netbook tablet but I can really only see something of that sizes' use in the datacenter at work when remote loggging into equipment and multi-tasking other bits and pieces.


Thanks everyone!

[Greg_E]

I had some test done for me on the Story HD, it will display the PDF but the letters are so small that reading will be difficult. As said the smallest you can go for full screen pdf (a whole page at a time) is 10 inch, reading part of a page holding the reader in landscape mode and a 7 inch might work. Considering you mentioned technical documents, you may need to refer to pictures and charts that are on the page which means full screen display.

Aldiko for Android allows remembering the last read page, table of contents, and bookmarks (haven't used bookmarks yet). Acrobat for Android does not remember the last read page and I don't remember if it has a bookmark feature, I no longer use it because of the lack of remembering the last read page.

Android is almost Linux based, it uses the kernel and then slaps a Java layer on top of everything to make the user interface. I think it would have worked better had they just put a good Gnome UI on it and made it completely Linux.

[jojoba]

Originally Posted by ePingus

One could infact just reformat them to fit even though fiddly but still.... I think it's worth it for portability reasons. I mean putting a larger eReader in a backpack is fine and all if one carries one of those around but if not and a coat pocket is the only means of physical storage that one has.

You might want to read this before you decide. I wanted an e-ink reader for PDFs but I found that a 7inch reader just wouldn't cut it for me and I've gone for an iPad.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=156702