Newbie needs advice from pocketbookers

DNT · 12-10-2009, 04:21 PM

Hi there,
I'm brand new to the ebook world. After a few weeks of researching and reading, I've came to a decision that I shall reward myself with an ebook reader this xmas after my first semester at uni.
Right now I can't decide between the 301 and 360. I was thinking of waiting for the 302 since the design is so slick but touchscreen isn't exactly my thing. One of the thing I worried about is built-in light, which none of them has.

(I tend to read a lot in the dark) On performance level, the 301 and 360 seems to be pretty close. To me, the 301 has an advantage of an inch (which I wonder how much difference would it make) and the 360 has a beautiful and unique design (I have a soft spot for beauties

).
So please, any ideas which one I should go with? Any input is much appreciated.
All the best,
Leo.

kacir · 12-10-2009, 04:54 PM

I have an old 6 inch reader.
Now I have purchased PB360 and it is a beautiful thing.

If you have poor eyesight and you need letters as big as possible, then go for 301. If you have good eyes, and you want something you can put into a coat pocket, go for PB 360.

DNT · 12-10-2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking something along those lines too. The 360 is much easier to shove into my pockets, which I do a lot. ^^
But is there that much a difference between 5 and 6 inches? Would the 5 inch readers produce text as big as a normal paperback book?
One more thing, I sometimes read outside as well, does the screen perform well under direct sunlight? Thanks.

Francesco · 12-10-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNT

But is there that much a difference between 5 and 6 inches? Would the 5 inch readers produce text as big as a normal paperback book?

You can adjust the size of the font. Installing new fonts in the pocketbook is as easy as copy and paste, and adjusting the space between the lines is a breeze as well, so you can make it look as close to a paperback book as you want.
The difference, then, between 5 and 6 inches is the number of lines you get in one page, considering fonts of the same size in inches/centimeters (as opposed to pixels).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNT

One more thing, I sometimes read outside as well, does the screen perform well under direct sunlight? Thanks.

I think that's when e-ink devices perform the best.

pilotbob · 12-10-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNT

One of the thing I worried about is built-in light, which none of them has.

(I tend to read a lot in the dark)

Can I ask, how do you read a paper book in the dark... none of them have a built-in light either?

BOb

DNT · 12-10-2009, 10:41 PM

Thanks Francesco, that clear things up quite a bit.

To Bob:
I have a LED light to accompany my habit of reading in the dark. ^^

Another question just arise, how is the loading speed of pdf files on pocketbooks? I saw a video which showed pdf processing speed of the prs-505 and it was horrible.

fjtorres · 12-11-2009, 08:21 AM

PDFs and ebook readers are not a great combination.
PDFs are more of an electronic paper format than an ebook format and are generally targeted at A4 (or larger) paper and/or PC screens of 12in (or larger) size. Even the Kindle DX (9.7') is barely tolerable for PDF use so a 5-6" screen is going to be far from ideal. Text-only PDFs can be pre-processed to repurpose them and some of the newer ones might reflow but you really can't assume PDFs will be readable.
If your needs skew towards pdf use you probably need to look in a different direction; an Archos 9 or Asus T91 tablet, for example. Those will give you a good pdf experience but there is not a single ebook reader on the market that doesn't have issues with pdfs. That they succeed to any degree is commendable but pdf display is not a reason to buy any ebook reader.
It is not a feature you can rely on.
Not today and not soon.

brecklundin · 12-11-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Can I ask, how do you read a paper book in the dark... none of them have a built-in light either?

BOb

hahahaha....snot!! great classic answer though!!

For the OP...there are all manner of hands free lighting options these days, I like using one that clips on the bill of a cap. You can also get heand band lights and look like Peggy Hill in bed reading...hey, it's better than looking like Peg Bundy!!

Then again they both have huge feet...maybe they are one in the same?? hmmmm ...anyway, you will need to be creative with any of this type of ereading device as none of them have backlights because it simply does not work with the panel technology. Sony tried built-in side lighting but it did not succeed as well as people hoped. Currently, for night (in the dark) reading, I have my two handhelds in my signature. Both work well and can be had reasonably cheap these days.

I think you will love the PB360 though. I have yet to read about anyone who was not pleased with the reader....though I am sure they exist.

DNT · 12-11-2009, 09:50 PM

@fjtorres: Thanks for the clarification. After reading a lot of the discussions in the forums I find out only very few devices work reasonably with PDFs (which is quite a shame).
@brecklundin: Thanks for the advice. Trust me, people in my family enjoy that show so much if I end up looking like Peg I would be the family icon.

I think I would order a 360 too. It's just gorgeous.
Taking in your advice, I should start visiting thrift stores soon. ^^

12-10-2009, 04:21 PM	#1
DNT Member Posts: 17 Karma: 300 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Newbie needs advice from pocketbookers Hi there, I'm brand new to the ebook world. After a few weeks of researching and reading, I've came to a decision that I shall reward myself with an ebook reader this xmas after my first semester at uni. Right now I can't decide between the 301 and 360. I was thinking of waiting for the 302 since the design is so slick but touchscreen isn't exactly my thing. One of the thing I worried about is built-in light, which none of them has. (I tend to read a lot in the dark) On performance level, the 301 and 360 seems to be pretty close. To me, the 301 has an advantage of an inch (which I wonder how much difference would it make) and the 360 has a beautiful and unique design (I have a soft spot for beauties ). So please, any ideas which one I should go with? Any input is much appreciated. All the best, Leo.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
hello- advice for a newbie	lyceemoliere	Introduce Yourself	5	03-24-2010 08:51 PM
Hi - Newbie looking for Advice	chough	Introduce Yourself	11	11-02-2009 05:00 PM
Little advice for a newbie	lmorgh	HanLin eBook	2	05-12-2009 02:56 AM
Newbie looking for advice, please	CanadianContent	Which one should I buy?	7	07-12-2008 12:12 PM
Yet another Newbie looking for advice	Kilarney	Which one should I buy?	15	08-22-2007 03:41 PM

12-10-2009, 04:54 PM	#2
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,463 Karma: 10684861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	I have an old 6 inch reader. Now I have purchased PB360 and it is a beautiful thing. If you have poor eyesight and you need letters as big as possible, then go for 301. If you have good eyes, and you want something you can put into a coat pocket, go for PB 360.

12-10-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
DNT Member Posts: 17 Karma: 300 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Thanks for the advice. I was thinking something along those lines too. The 360 is much easier to shove into my pockets, which I do a lot. ^^ But is there that much a difference between 5 and 6 inches? Would the 5 inch readers produce text as big as a normal paperback book? One more thing, I sometimes read outside as well, does the screen perform well under direct sunlight? Thanks.

12-10-2009, 10:41 PM	#6
DNT Member Posts: 17 Karma: 300 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Thanks Francesco, that clear things up quite a bit. To Bob: I have a LED light to accompany my habit of reading in the dark. ^^ Another question just arise, how is the loading speed of pdf files on pocketbooks? I saw a video which showed pdf processing speed of the prs-505 and it was horrible.

12-11-2009, 08:21 AM	#7
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	PDFs and ebook readers are not a great combination. PDFs are more of an electronic paper format than an ebook format and are generally targeted at A4 (or larger) paper and/or PC screens of 12in (or larger) size. Even the Kindle DX (9.7') is barely tolerable for PDF use so a 5-6" screen is going to be far from ideal. Text-only PDFs can be pre-processed to repurpose them and some of the newer ones might reflow but you really can't assume PDFs will be readable. If your needs skew towards pdf use you probably need to look in a different direction; an Archos 9 or Asus T91 tablet, for example. Those will give you a good pdf experience but there is not a single ebook reader on the market that doesn't have issues with pdfs. That they succeed to any degree is commendable but pdf display is not a reason to buy any ebook reader. It is not a feature you can rely on. Not today and not soon.

12-11-2009, 09:50 PM	#9
DNT Member Posts: 17 Karma: 300 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	@fjtorres: Thanks for the clarification. After reading a lot of the discussions in the forums I find out only very few devices work reasonably with PDFs (which is quite a shame). @brecklundin: Thanks for the advice. Trust me, people in my family enjoy that show so much if I end up looking like Peg I would be the family icon. I think I would order a 360 too. It's just gorgeous. Taking in your advice, I should start visiting thrift stores soon. ^^

Advert

Advert