onyx m92 a step forward?

[imageraw]

can you plz bear with me and advise on the following on the basis of your experience:

i've been using a Sony Prs-650 (+ the prs-plus enhancement software) for a while now - mainly to read pdf articles (mainly academic, etc). It does freeze occasionally, other than that it works all right. Given the size of the screen taking notes on pdf articles can be a pain, though.

from the various forums and reviews i came across, i feel tempted to replace it with an Onyx M92 (its 9.7in screen is quite attractive (size and definition re: reading pdf files). I'm just not sure eReader technology has evolved that much since the Sony was produced or whether it can be expected to evolve much in the near future. I'm not even sure the M92 is a step forward to the Prs-650 (well, other than the screen, obviously), and particularly regarding

- pdf files re-flow, annotation capability, zooming, margins, etc: all right on the Sony, but no margins, and zooming means that every other option is disactivated. M92?;
- multi-tasking: Prs-650 allows to work on one doc at a time. M92?;
- search (key word and/or file name) capability vis-a-vis folder organization: Sony allows to search for key words within documents. M92?;
- wifi: the Prs-650 doesn't have it (a bliss?), though on the M92 can I open a wikipedia page, browse a library catalogue, then send a query to a colleague while working on one or more pdf articles? can i email that very article as well as my annotations on it as an attachment to a colleague? (btw, i came across people who have had problems with the M92's wifi (like it connects to some hubs and refuses to connect to others): true?);
- the Prs-650 works quite well with Linux & Calibre. What about the M92?
- the Prs-650 software is 'open' to some extent. What about the M92 (heard stuff about different versions of the M92, 'open source' and not...
- the Sony comes with a bunch of excellent, top-quality dictionaries, and they document integration is just perfect. I understand that one needs to look out for Stardict dictionaries and install them on the M92...easy to do and does the result compare with the Sony?

sorry for the long post. I can't find any ereader out there that's been specifically designed for academic use (and i don't want a tablet), and bottom line i was wondering if the M92 might be the answer or...possibly not?

[Randy11]

Hello,

- pdf reflow : It's working without loosing the other options.You can make zooms, anotations, etc.
But for the file that I'm testing, you can loose the tabular : you have the data but not the picture of the tabular with the lines for the rows or columns.

- multitasking : Yes with a patch. You can have 4 tasks + 1 explorer opened.

- search for filename : M92 is a Linux device, you can search for a file name containing a word. The books can by displayed using their filename or using the metatada. You can use directories to order yours files.

- search in a book : You can search a word in a book.

- Wifi : Yes, but I'm not a big user of Wifi.

- M92 + Calibre : Yes, no problem.

- Open software : a big part of the code is given. Some users have written some applications. Look on the forum : https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=220

- Dictionary : Stardict dictionary. I'm not a user of the dictionary.

If you want more, ask for it I can make pictures of my M92 with your files for test.

[imageraw]

Thanx tons Randy11. Much appreciated.

It sounds you're quite happy with the M92 (?) I'm still a bit hesitant. Perhaps after having heard about the new Sony reader that's coming up...

I'll certainly get back to you on this and particularly to test PDF files.

[Randy11]

Yes, of course !

Be careful, for the Wifi : I said only that the Wifi exist, but I don't use it, so someone else must give an answer at your question.

[imageraw]

ah! good you told me about that. For some reason i can't get hold of anyone who can tell me about their wifi experience with the m92...is there any chance you could test it for me (whenever you have time: i'm not going to buy anything right away) - for example on the basis of the example i gave above:

- open a wikipedia page (open a new tab) and browse a library catalogue (open a new tab) and send a query to a colleague (leave the three tabs open ) and take a few notes (with the digital pen) on two articles...
- you still have the browser as well as the two articles open...
- you email the two articles to someone.

If you could find the time to do this, i'd IM my email address, if that's a good idea?

thanks again!

[Randy11]

I can make some tests, but I think that the better solution for you it's to post this particular question in the Onyx's forum : https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=220. More people can see your question.

[Rizla]

Cybook is bringing out an 8" e-reader you might want to consider. No idea about pdf abilities.

What you want is a big screen and an open Android OS. Onyx may have that.

For android, Orion Reader is a very good app designed for e-ink. I use it on a Nook ST and it works as well as the 650 with pdf files. I also recommend Briss to chop out unneeded margins.

[imageraw]

wow the 8" Cybook looks really interesting. thanx for the tip!

re: Cybook they're using Linux 2.6 - better than an open Android, arguably?

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by imageraw

wow the 8" Cybook looks really interesting. thanx for the tip!

re: Cybook they're using Linux 2.6 - better than an open Android, arguably?

IMO, probably not. Android is designed for low-power touch devices, like an e-reader. Linux, not so much. I noticed that Kobo can in theory be made to run Debian, which is interesting. But on my rooted Nook ST, I can run a ton of apps designed for low-power, touch devices (including Orion to read pdfs).

Anyway, Cybook might be running Linux, but that doesn't mean you can access its full functionality. Kobo runs Linux (I presume), as did the Sonys. That doesn't mean you can open up a shell and actually use the OS.

If the Onyx is large screen with an open Android OS, I imagine it's unbeatable as an e-ink pdf e-reader. I'd like some form of device from this manufacturer because of the out-of-the-box open Android OS, but it's expensive and I find e-readers have a habit of dying.

You should really be asking about it on the Onyx sub-forum. I'd seriously check it was reliable before dropping big bucks on it.