Looking for my first reader.

[jbloudg20]

Hello everyone!

I have had my eye on an E-book reader since I first saw the PRS 500. However, since my reading seems to come in spurts, I have yet to take the plunge. Also added to that, was not seeming to find the right 'fit' for a device.

I am reconsidering entering the market again, and again I can't seem, to find a perfect device for me. Here is why:

Cost: I'd really like to keep this around $350ish. I realize it may not be possible, and as a result I may have to hold off on the big purchase for a while.

Format: This is the kicker. Most of my reading this will be used for is PDF. From research papers (journal articles) to class notes in PDF format, to emagazines in PDF. I NEED very good PDF support. I read the occasional .txt from project Guttenburg, but it seems almost any device will support that just fine.

Compatibility: I do not use Windows. Probably 80/20 Linux/Mac. I do not have regular access to a windows machine, and I am unwilling to install it anywhere, including a virtual machine.

Note function might be of use, I really won't know until I have the device, so its hard to base a decision on that.

From my research, it seems the iLiad is one of my best choices, but at $700+ I find that hard to justify. I like the price of the PRS-505, (or 700 if I'd like the note taking/highlighting), but it seems PDF support may not be up to snuff. What about in landscape mode? Does that help out?

I'd appreciate some insight from you experts!

Thanks a lot!

[Liviu_5]

Originally Posted by jbloudg20

Format: This is the kicker. Most of my reading this will be used for is PDF. From research papers (journal articles) to class notes in PDF format, to emagazines in PDF. I NEED very good PDF support. I read the occasional .txt from project Guttenburg, but it seems almost any device will support that just fine.

Compatibility: I do not use Windows. Probably 80/20 Linux/Mac. I do not have regular access to a windows machine, and I am unwilling to install it anywhere, including a virtual machine.

Note function might be of use, I really won't know until I have the device, so its hard to base a decision on that.

The 700 has excellent PDF support - keeping in mind screen size of course. Fast and even if the pdf does not reflow well in font change, or is image based so it does not reflow period, the horizontal reading makes them generally readable.

The zoom works nicely too inside the pdf and is useful for images

The downside is that I heard that Linux/Mac support is not that good for the Sony line, so that may be a no-no

A tablet may be a better solution in that case...

[jbloudg20]

Originally Posted by Liviu_5

The 700 has excellent PDF support - keeping in mind screen size of course. Fast and even if the pdf does not reflow well in font change, or is image based so it does not reflow period, the horizontal reading makes them generally readable.

The zoom works nicely too inside the pdf and is useful for images

The downside is that I heard that Linux/Mac support is not that good for the Sony line, so that may be a no-no

A tablet may be a better solution in that case...

From what I am reading, it will show up as an external drive, and I can just copy the files to/from it. Plus Linux and Mac support for clibre seems to be a big benefit.

Thanks for your input!

I'll add that I have very good eyes, and right now I have been reading my magazines on my ipod touch, with an approximate font size of about 5 or 6 (standard word processor font).

[Liviu_5]

Originally Posted by jbloudg20

From what I am reading, it will show up as an external drive, and I can just copy the files to/from it. Plus Linux and Mac support for clibre seems to be a big benefit.

Thanks for your input!

I'll add that I have very good eyes, and right now I have been reading my magazines on my ipod touch, with an approximate font size of about 5 or 6 (standard word processor font).

I used the iPod Touch too for pdf's - before the 700, it was the only "small" device - not tablet or laptop - that would do pdf's fast enough to be readable using Safari and some hacks and I read math pdf's on it.

Now with the 700 I do not expect to use the iTouch for books anymore at least as long as my 770 still lives since that is my fast-on-the-go alternative.