Best 7-10" Tablet for Performing at Readings?

[Prestidigitweeze]

For years, I've used e-ink readers for performances and author's readings. The advantages are not carrying books or loose papers, and always being able to access the latest-revised version in an easy-to-read format.

The big disadvantages: Slow page turns and occasional freezes and restarts.

Does anyone else use electronic devices other than cell phones for performing at readings and book signings? If so, which device has proved most reliable for you? Do you use a tablet? If so, which kind?

For the moment, I'm thinking of using a Nexus 7.2 (the form factor seems perfect), but I'll also be quite curious to see the next iterations of the Nexus 10, Galaxy Note III and iPad Mini.

Ideas, anyone?

[Zetmolm]

As if all E Ink readers are the same.
Slow page turns is a thing of the past for many recent models.
And I've used my current reader extensively for over a year now, and never ecperienced a freeze or had to restart.
If those are the only disadvantages you experienced then why not go for a more stable E Ink reader with a good processor?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

As if all E Ink readers are the same.
Slow page turns is a thing of the past for many recent models.

I appreciate your response, but this is not about your personal assessment of e-ink readers versus mine, Zetmolm. No reason to dismiss a public performance-related problem based on your impressions of personal use. The stakes are completely different.

This site is full of threads about tablets versus e-ink. Whereas I've never even seen a post asking about e-readers for public performances during the three years I've been on MR.

E-ink readers were created primarily for personal use. I've never seen anyone other than myself try to use them in a performance. It isn't a put-down to say that the e-ink readers I've used have worked best under the conditions for which they were designed.

So far, I've used the PRS-350, PRS-950 and the Kobo Aura HD for public readings. I own, but have not used for that purpose, the Kindle Keyboard as well. All have proved just unreliable enough to interrupt performances from time to time.

The 350 and KK are older models. However, the Aura HD is bleeding edge and has one of the fastest processors of all e-ink e-readers.

It still choked in a crucial situation last weekend, and page turns and other operations were not transparent enough during the performance. That's why I'm looking at tablets -- not to read at home, but to use onstage.

See the distinction? It's not a personal matter. It's the concern of a person doing readings in public situations to promote published work -- situations in which the person is being video'd and watched by a crowd. Frequent technical difficulties mean something more dire than personal frustration in cases like that.

iPads are used frequently by professional musicians without many freezes or even drastic latency (if things are set up correctly). I know this because I'm a studio musician and have talked to other keyboard players about their setups.

But I'm also a writer. Since I need to use an easy-to-read tablet for public readings rather than musical performances, I don't need Apple's development and support of professional music software. What's important here is blisteringly fast page turns, great readability and zero freezes.

An occasional freeze is perfectly acceptable when reading a book to yourself in private. Not so when a hundred people are watching you read from a tablet and the video goes on youtube or is archived at a university. Then you look like a writer who doesn't know how to perform or hasn't rehearsed enough.

Do you understand? The OP isn't another invitation to argue about whether e-ink readers are better or worse than tablets.

Instead, it poses a specific question to people who own tablets already:

Which ones demonstrate the best readability, most reliable page turns and least frequent freezes?

[Arios]

Maybe you can have a look to this thread (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=220280), even if it's related to android and a bit general (i.e. not directly related to your needs).

Have have a nice day.

[5thWiggle]

Since pretty much all the lastest hardware from major manufacturers are pretty robust, and the latest versions of both Android and iOS are fairly stable, I think it's going to come down to the apps, not the hardware or OS.

Which type of files will you use? That will determine the type of app and then you can inquire as to stablitly. From the recomended app, which ones can you configure it in a way that you are comfortable with? Do you gesture whilst orating? If pressing or swiping the screen will break your flow, is there a bluetooth "clicker" that can be configured with the apps chosen?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Thank you for the relevant questions!

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

Since pretty much all the lastest hardware from major manufacturers are pretty robust, and the latest versions of both Android and iOS are fairly stable, I think it's going to come down to the apps, not the hardware or OS.

The hardware is important in terms of reliability and speed, but especially in the sense of having an exceptionally readable screen and flexible navigation.

Which type of files will you use? That will determine the type of app and then you can inquire as to stablitly. From the recomended app, which ones can you configure it in a way that you are comfortable with? Do you gesture whilst orating? If pressing or swiping the screen will break your flow, is there a bluetooth "clicker" that can be configured with the apps chosen?

I tend to prefer to read from epub files. I haven't done shows using standalone apps yet; I generally use Moonreader on my cleverphone.

Ideally, whatever app I use could be set to open to the exact page last read when restarted, should anything go wrong.

And, yes, as a lifelong keyboard player, I do make gestures, but I'm also very comfortable incorporating them into a sweep that ends with a pressed button or key or the swipe of a finger across a screen.

The problem I've had with the Aura is that swiping doesn't always have the desired (or indeed any) effect.

Truthfully, my favorite thing to do has always been to play piano while reading. A tablet would seem to be perfect for that, since you don't have to worry about anchoring turned or loose pages and can place your device on the music stand without consequences.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by Arios

Maybe you can have a look to this thread (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=220280), even if it's related to android and a bit general (i.e. not directly related to your needs).

Thanks, Arios. The Nexus 7.2 does seem to get a lot of love on that thread, and while I believe that tablets ought to have a generous amount of internal storage (and/or an SD slot), the idea of using the 32 GB Nexus primarily for readings does sound like a great solution -- especially if long-term use makes me as fond of the screen as Mizo seems to be on that thread.

[Arios]

You are welcome Prestidigitweeze!

Indeed the Nexus 7.2 seems to be the best 7" android tablet around (spec and qualities). There are just two shortcoming to me: a too small screen and lack of a memory card capacity.

Oh! just a suggestion: I your are on stage and if the tablet can move, you can secure it with one part adhesive velcro on the back and the other on the base (a piece of arborite perhaps). It's just what I did with my home made case and it is very stable.

Let we know what you have chosen!

[Zetmolm]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I appreciate your response, but this is not about your personal assessment of e-ink readers versus mine, Zetmolm. No reason to dismiss a public performance-related problem based on your impressions of personal use. The stakes are completely different.

This site is full of threads about tablets versus e-ink. Whereas I've never even seen a post asking about e-readers for public performances during the three years I've been on MR.

Thank you for your very clear and extensive response. I do get your point.

I was not trying to start yet another discussions about tablets versus E Ink. What triggered my response is that in your post you seem to suggest that E Ink readers are 'by definition' slow and unstable. That is not the case. That's basically what I wanted to say.

I've been in front of audiences hundreds of times. I know what it is when hundreds of people are watching and listening to you and a camera is running. I've never done your type of public reading, but if I had to, I would trust my ereader because it never failed me yet for private reading.

But my point is not that I'm trying to persuade you to try yet another E Ink reader. Your experience with these devices is different than mine, and it seems that your requirements as to page turning speed are stricter than mine. When you're out there on the stage you should be fully comfortable with whatever tools you are using, so that you can focus completely on your performance without any worry that something might go wrong. Based on what you're saying it's clear that a tablet is more likely to do that for you than an E Ink reader.

Given that fact, any top model from one of the major brands would do the job. As you are going to have to spend quite some money anyway, I would also consider the iPad. As to the reading app that's best, probably none of the existing ones was developed with public reading in mind, and a lot depends on personal preference. I'd try out a number of them and see which one works best for you.

[Istvan diVega]

I should think that just about any fairly current tablet will perform just fine in the scenario in which you'll use it. Speed/performance is an absolute non-issue if you're just going to read from epubs. Screen quality will be more than adequate if you pick a tablet from a known brand (as opposed to an obscure Chinese or Korean make) and storage is another non-issue if you pick a tablet with a card slot.

Personally I've often used my Galaxy tab 2 when holding talks and lectures and have found it ideal. The screen is great, despite being lower res than most new offerings and processing power is, as mentioned before, not something that even enters the equation. It's also quite robust, having survived being dropped on the floor or swiped off the table numerous times.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Zetmolm:

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I'd be interested to know what sort of work/artistic endeavor has placed you in front of crowds "hundreds of times." That's not an experience shared by everyone, but it's one that we have in common.

Istvan diVega:

Thanks so much for posting the first specific experience-based endorsement of a tablet on this thread! Whether or not I choose a Galaxy Tab 2, your comments about its durability, resolution, performance and real-time use for talks and lectures are very much appreciated.

What sort of talks and lectures do you give?

[Istvan diVega]

You're very welcome. I'm sure many, many other devices will do the job just as well, but I just happen to own a Galaxy Tab and to be very happy with it.

I do some travel writing on and off and usually get asked to do some talks in relation to that. Also I occasionally give talks on history, at times and when possible in relation to the travel talks. I hasten to add that this is stuff I do for fun, not as a profession. For that sake not even, particularly, for profit.