Which eReader for many PDFs

McAlsop · 12-12-2010, 10:31 PM

I have done a lot of research, but it's tough to research the interface on these. I have two basic requirements:

1) ePub support (so basically just no Kindle)
2) A way to browse a ridiculous amount of PDFs. These PDFs aren't named obviously, so the only way I can find them easily on the computer is by browsing into sub-folders. This works great in GoodReader on my iPhone because it preserves folder structure.

I'd like to keep the price under $175. I'm currently considering the Nook and the Sony PRS-600. If either of those would work OK with requirement 2, I'd prefer one of those.

Thanks for any advice!

jocampo · 12-13-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McAlsop

I have done a lot of research, but it's tough to research the interface on these. I have two basic requirements:

1) ePub support (so basically just no Kindle)
2) A way to browse a ridiculous amount of PDFs. These PDFs aren't named obviously, so the only way I can find them easily on the computer is by browsing into sub-folders. This works great in GoodReader on my iPhone because it preserves folder structure.

I'd like to keep the price under $175. I'm currently considering the Nook and the Sony PRS-600. If either of those would work OK with requirement 2, I'd prefer one of those.

Thanks for any advice!

You will have to compromise a little bit if you want to get an ereader that satisfies both. The reason for me to say that is that most ereaders are not so good with PDFs and the only I know, based on my experience, which it's good with PDF and uses eink screen is a Kindle DX. Kindle DX does not support epub but the screen is big enough for reading a PDF document, 9.7 inches and you can rotate to landscape mode also.

The Nook supports epubs natively but reading a PDF is not a nice experience, trust me, I've tried, I had one. Also, even though Nook can and will read the PDF it does some internal conversion with the document anyway so you can't say is true PDF support.

I don't know about the Sony-600, but I believe is about 6 inches so it is also kind of small for a PDF.

Last option but not in your own suggestions, an iPAD, but that's LCD and it's a tablet, not an ereader, so we'll be comparing oranges with apples. However, you can nicely read a PDF there and epub books via Nook app. The price is higher too, way higher than $175

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 11:22 AM

Thanks a lot, that was very helpful because I was actually leaning towards the Nook. I did some research on YouTube watching the Sony PRS-600 opening PDFs and it seemed good. I just don't know how easy it'll be to organize. I'll probably try that one out and see...

And I'd definitely prefer the iPad, but the wife wouldn't be having any of that...

jbcohen · 12-13-2010, 11:26 AM

Well the Aluratek meets most of your requirements but it has no search function like the kindle does. All of your ebooks are kept in alphabetical order in folders that you set up on the reader. So the organizational tools are rather basic, however the recent prices for the Aluratek Libra Pro are sub $90.

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Well the Aluratek meets most of your requirements but it has no search function like the kindle does. All of your ebooks are kept in alphabetical order in folders that you set up on the reader. So the organizational tools are rather basic, however the recent prices for the Aluratek Libra Pro are sub $90.

I actually prefer being able to organize everything on my own with folders. I'm reading that it has ePaper technology. I know the newer devices have e-ink, which make it visible in sunlight; is the ePaper similar, or will there be glare in sunlight?

Thanks!

jocampo · 12-13-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McAlsop

Thanks a lot, that was very helpful because I was actually leaning towards the Nook. I did some research on YouTube watching the Sony PRS-600 opening PDFs and it seemed good. I just don't know how easy it'll be to organize. I'll probably try that one out and see...

And I'd definitely prefer the iPad, but the wife wouldn't be having any of that...

Sorry for asking this, but you don't mind reading PDFs in such a small screen? ... Sony PRS-600 screen size is just 6 inches!

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

Sorry for asking this, but you don't mind reading PDFs in such a small screen? ... Sony PRS-600 screen size is just 6 inches!

No, I don't mind that. The only PDFs I read are study materials. For the past year, I've simply done studying on-the-go on my iPhone 4 screen and haven't found it terrible. I will typically use my computer, but I need the PDF ability for times when I don't have access to a computer. For example, when my wife is shopping at the mall.

So I'm basically not reading PDFs, but glancing at the screen periodically while memorizing. Or at most reading for short periods of time.

Thanks!

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 01:40 PM

You know, I actually use Calibre, so I think it'd be easy to convert my ePubs to a different kind for Kindle. Would anyone suggest a Kindle over the Sony PRS-600?

I'm actually planning on stopping at Borders tonight because they have Sony PRS-600 on display so I can try it out. I also plan to try out the Kobo Reader (which they also have out to try) because it seems to have the functionality I'm looking for.

Any suggestions? Is the Kindle superior enough that I should simply deal with converting my ePubs.

jocampo · 12-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McAlsop

You know, I actually use Calibre, so I think it'd be easy to convert my ePubs to a different kind for Kindle. Would anyone suggest a Kindle over the Sony PRS-600?

I'm actually planning on stopping at Borders tonight because they have Sony PRS-600 on display so I can try it out. I also plan to try out the Kobo Reader (which they also have out to try) because it seems to have the functionality I'm looking for.

Any suggestions? Is the Kindle superior enough that I should simply deal with converting my ePubs.

STOP!

You cannot use Calibre to convert DRM protected books! Keep that in mind.

B&N books are epub files , but they are DRM protected. You cannot read those outside of B&N environment, not without breaking the encryption.

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

STOP!

You cannot use Calibre to convert DRM protected books! Keep that in mind.

B&N books are epub files , but they are DRM protected. You cannot read those outside of B&N environment, not without breaking the encryption.

Yeah I knew that, but fortunately none of my current ePubs are DRM... well, maybe one or two which I could live without, but I only have 10-15 books.

Thanks, though!

McAlsop · 12-13-2010, 02:21 PM

Actually, scratch the Kindle, my local library is getting eBooks which uses Adobe Digital Editions. So the Kindle won't work with that. I'm now back to checking out Sony PRS-600 and the Kobo eReader tonight.

It sounds like I can use Windows explorer to simply drag & drop PDFs onto the Kobo which would be nice. But it sounds like they show up in Documents on the Reader which may or may not have subfolders. If it doesn't show subfolders I'd be stuck with a single folder containing some 5,000 PDFs....

LoneTech · 12-15-2010, 07:50 PM

Pocketbook readers can browse folders for files, have Adobe viewers and a lot of other formats supported.

Kobo apparently maintains a database which could get messed up. Still, that thread is about fixing it, so that's not irreparable.

That's better than the Sony readers, which require special software to even see books. It appears this can be worked around with third party software.

I haven't had the chance to test any of them thoroughly, and don't know the pricing where you are, but I hope you'll find something useful!

v1k1ng1001 · 12-15-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneTech

Pocketbook readers can browse folders for files, have Adobe viewers and a lot of other formats supported.

You need a Pocketbook.

LoneTech · 12-19-2010, 08:57 PM

I must revise my statement. I've since found several notes in this forum that Sony readers can in fact discover files simply placed in them. However, it seems they are still not suitable for large collections, because they spend time reindexing all installed files. I still do not have personal experience.

vxf · 12-19-2010, 11:08 PM

I have used a PRS900 and then a PRS950 for PDFs. It's not ideal, but it works, especially in landscape mode.

But really, the only device I find myself comfortably reading PDFs on is an iPad. It does strain your eyes (it's an LCD, not e-ink...), but the large screen is just great. If you couple it with iAnnotate, it's a great solution (but not a cheap one...).

12-12-2010, 10:31 PM	#1
McAlsop Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Stanza on iPhone	Which eReader for many PDFs I have done a lot of research, but it's tough to research the interface on these. I have two basic requirements: 1) ePub support (so basically just no Kindle) 2) A way to browse a ridiculous amount of PDFs. These PDFs aren't named obviously, so the only way I can find them easily on the computer is by browsing into sub-folders. This works great in GoodReader on my iPhone because it preserves folder structure. I'd like to keep the price under $175. I'm currently considering the Nook and the Sony PRS-600. If either of those would work OK with requirement 2, I'd prefer one of those. Thanks for any advice!

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12-13-2010, 11:22 AM	#3
McAlsop Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Stanza on iPhone	Thanks a lot, that was very helpful because I was actually leaning towards the Nook. I did some research on YouTube watching the Sony PRS-600 opening PDFs and it seemed good. I just don't know how easy it'll be to organize. I'll probably try that one out and see... And I'd definitely prefer the iPad, but the wife wouldn't be having any of that...

12-13-2010, 11:26 AM	#4
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Well the Aluratek meets most of your requirements but it has no search function like the kindle does. All of your ebooks are kept in alphabetical order in folders that you set up on the reader. So the organizational tools are rather basic, however the recent prices for the Aluratek Libra Pro are sub $90.

12-13-2010, 01:40 PM	#8
McAlsop Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Stanza on iPhone	You know, I actually use Calibre, so I think it'd be easy to convert my ePubs to a different kind for Kindle. Would anyone suggest a Kindle over the Sony PRS-600? I'm actually planning on stopping at Borders tonight because they have Sony PRS-600 on display so I can try it out. I also plan to try out the Kobo Reader (which they also have out to try) because it seems to have the functionality I'm looking for. Any suggestions? Is the Kindle superior enough that I should simply deal with converting my ePubs.

12-13-2010, 02:21 PM	#11
McAlsop Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Stanza on iPhone	Actually, scratch the Kindle, my local library is getting eBooks which uses Adobe Digital Editions. So the Kindle won't work with that. I'm now back to checking out Sony PRS-600 and the Kobo eReader tonight. It sounds like I can use Windows explorer to simply drag & drop PDFs onto the Kobo which would be nice. But it sounds like they show up in Documents on the Reader which may or may not have subfolders. If it doesn't show subfolders I'd be stuck with a single folder containing some 5,000 PDFs....

12-15-2010, 07:50 PM	#12
LoneTech Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 7767 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: PocketBook Pro 903	Pocketbook readers can browse folders for files, have Adobe viewers and a lot of other formats supported. Kobo apparently maintains a database which could get messed up. Still, that thread is about fixing it, so that's not irreparable. That's better than the Sony readers, which require special software to even see books. It appears this can be worked around with third party software. I haven't had the chance to test any of them thoroughly, and don't know the pricing where you are, but I hope you'll find something useful!

12-19-2010, 08:57 PM	#14
LoneTech Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 7767 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: PocketBook Pro 903	I must revise my statement. I've since found several notes in this forum that Sony readers can in fact discover files simply placed in them. However, it seems they are still not suitable for large collections, because they spend time reindexing all installed files. I still do not have personal experience.

12-19-2010, 11:08 PM	#15
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	I have used a PRS900 and then a PRS950 for PDFs. It's not ideal, but it works, especially in landscape mode. But really, the only device I find myself comfortably reading PDFs on is an iPad. It does strain your eyes (it's an LCD, not e-ink...), but the large screen is just great. If you couple it with iAnnotate, it's a great solution (but not a cheap one...).

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