Should I get an iPad or...? - Page 2

davidspitzer · 07-27-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetareticuli

I think it is. I got a multi-core laptop (not a netbook) wih 4 GB of RAM and a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive with a Super Multi DVD for $400 US, which is much more powerful than an iPad though much less portable. But then again, Apple products are expensive and quality is usually very good.

And yet people pay $500 or $600 for an unlocked smartphone. The market is definitely strange, but I think apple could have charged more and still sold just as many.

Heck people on this site were paying $800+ for and Irex dr1000.

zetareticuli · 07-27-2010, 07:19 PM

Very true. The market is very strange. The Kindle DX/G, for example, is priced ~ $380 US. With that money or less, you can choose from a selection of netbooks that are significantly more powerful. At one time, the Kindle DX was selling for almost $500 US. For that money you can often find deals of entire desktop systems including a monitor. One of my colleagues from work recently sold his iPhone 4 for $1,000 US (5 days after it was released).

pina · 07-28-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetareticuli

I think it is. I got a multi-core laptop (not a netbook) wih 4 GB of RAM and a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive with a Super Multi DVD for $400 US, which is much more powerful than an iPad though much less portable. But then again, Apple products are expensive and quality is usually very good.

true, but you can't just compare these things. It's like comparing the price of a new Fiat to a new Lexus... My girlfriend bought het 15,4" laptop for 450 euros, I got a MacBook Pro 13,3" of 1.200 euros. And she's having much more problems with het laptop. First of all, her laptop has to be always connected to the outlet since her battery drains completely in 1 hour. I can surf the web during at least 5 hours on 1 charge. Wifi on, youtube, video's, music on etc...And besides, the hardware quality is also poor and last but not least: the software. Never had to re-install my apple, and now she acutally has to do it for the 3rd time...

Apple is expensive because of it's status and brand, but they also deliver quality products. That's why it's working. If it would be priced so high just because it's the apple-brand, they would never have so much success as they're having now. I don't like their closed platform on the iphone and the ipad, but it has got its reasons that actually makes sense. But I also know that they have got their own hidden agenda to keep everything closed: f.e. they can easily 'upgrade' their devices in the future.

They also are lucky that the competition is very poor: microsoft is just no competition since microsoft and windows are really poor, so do better then microsoft is actually easier then do worse. On the mobile platform, they will expect a lot of competition of android and google. I think google is as innovative as apple a couple years ago, but they are more open minded then apple. But on the other hand, I do think google also has got a hidden agenda.

Franky · 07-28-2010, 07:50 AM

so, working with PDF and having an LCD together gives you an Entourage eDGe. fantastic device and very good in handling PDF plus annotations and going on internet on the same time and with the same device. what else do you want?

davidspitzer · 07-28-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franky

so, working with PDF and having an LCD together gives you an Entourage eDGe. fantastic device and very good in handling PDF plus annotations and going on internet on the same time and with the same device. what else do you want?

something not shaped like a small cinder block

zetareticuli · 07-28-2010, 03:24 PM

I have an Entourage eDGe and I enjoy using it. It is a good device. Works as advertised. It does many different things. Yes, it is great. Now, I don't like it as an e-reader. It just won't do it for me so I have completely discarded the eDGe as an e-reader. I do use it for other tasks, though.

Pina, the latop I paid $400 US for is my everyday usage laptop. I use it and abuse it. I installed a larger capacity drive and it is rocking. Never have a problem with it. I am running an open source Linux distribution. I do agree that Apple makes high quality products and most of their products are worth the price. Now, I don't agree that Microsoft Windows is "poor". Although I very much prefer Mac OS or a Linux distro, Windows has come a long way. This is not a forum to discuss the Windows vs. Mac OS cult but suffice it to say I have been running Windows XP at work for years without a problem. My Windows 7 workstation at work is also problem-free. It all depends on how well you maintain your system and how careful you are with the applications you install.

SuprJoinT · 07-29-2010, 06:58 PM

I am really looking at getting an Entourage eDGe. I need to know if there are any apps that allow me to read my .cbr comic files fullscreen???? I can't seem to find much info on this, but this device looks really nice. I am not worried about the size. If this is not the case, I will guess I will get an iPad for my comic viewing.

GeoffC · 07-30-2010, 05:36 AM

SuprJoinT

Welcome to mobileread ....

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I will answer ....

BookishMom · 07-30-2010, 01:50 PM

Pina, based on your priorities, I think the iPad would be a good fit for you. I have both a Kindle and an iPad, and for reading, I much prefer the Kindle (much easier on my eyes). However, the iPad does have the advantages that you mentioned (more readable formats due to access to different apps, color for comics, magazines, etc).

I'm a heavy ebook reader, however, and if I had to choose one, it would be the Kindle. But I'm not you.

rblover · 07-30-2010, 11:18 PM

From what I have been able to find out, it seems the Sony 900 can handle more formats from more sources, than can the iPad...which is the main reason I am leaning towards the Sony. I am, however, waiting until October-if not Xmas-to see what new things Kindle, Apple, etc, offer then. Variety of file formats, and sources, mean more to me than do fad status, font styles, weight, or the like.

HarryT · 07-31-2010, 02:51 AM

Heavens no, the iPad can handle far more formats than any dedicated reader, because you can install multiple reading apps on it. The Kindle app gives you access to all the books that Amazon sell, the B&N app gives you the books that B&N sell, and so on. Then there's Apple's own iBooks app, which not only gives you the iBookstore, but also lets you read any DRM-free ePub file. And then you have the other reading apps like Stanza, which will read numerous different formats.

There's no dedicated reader which has anything like the flexibility of the iPad.

GeoffC · 07-31-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Heavens no, the iPad can handle far more formats than any dedicated reader, because you can install multiple reading apps on it. The Kindle app gives you access to all the books that Amazon sell, the B&N app gives you the books that B&N sell, and so on. Then there's Apple's own iBooks app, which not only gives you the iBookstore, but also lets you read any DRM-free ePub file. And then you have the other reading apps like Stanza, which will read numerous different formats.

There's no dedicated reader which has anything like the flexibility of the iPad.

what happens if you prefer only one of those reading apps ? Can you reposition books from one app to another ?

[Bolden type in quote] ... I was told by three different sales assistants in the store that that was not possible !!!!!

murraypaul · 07-31-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

what happens if you prefer only one of those reading apps ? Can you reposition books from one app to another ?

DRM books bought in one of the bookseller apps (iBooks, Kindle, B&N, Borders, Kobo) are stuck inside those apps, and can only be read there.

GeoffC · 08-01-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraypaul

DRM books bought in one of the bookseller apps (iBooks, Kindle, B&N, Borders, Kobo) are stuck inside those apps, and can only be read there.

Thanks ...

How about books already purchased for another reader, the Sales assistants were incorrect (I think), but what app would allow them to be read if downloaded to an iPad ?

HarryT · 08-01-2010, 11:55 AM

DRM-free ePub books can be read by a number of different applications, such as iBooks and Stanza.

If you're asking whether a book can be put on the iPad for one reading app, and then read by another, I don't believe so. You'd need to delete it from the first app, and re-add it to the second. Each app maintains its own private storage area for files.

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07-27-2010, 07:19 PM	#17
zetareticuli Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aztak Mentor	Very true. The market is very strange. The Kindle DX/G, for example, is priced ~ $380 US. With that money or less, you can choose from a selection of netbooks that are significantly more powerful. At one time, the Kindle DX was selling for almost $500 US. For that money you can often find deals of entire desktop systems including a monitor. One of my colleagues from work recently sold his iPhone 4 for $1,000 US (5 days after it was released).

07-28-2010, 07:50 AM	#19
Franky Nameless Being	so, working with PDF and having an LCD together gives you an Entourage eDGe. fantastic device and very good in handling PDF plus annotations and going on internet on the same time and with the same device. what else do you want?

07-28-2010, 03:24 PM	#21
zetareticuli Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aztak Mentor	I have an Entourage eDGe and I enjoy using it. It is a good device. Works as advertised. It does many different things. Yes, it is great. Now, I don't like it as an e-reader. It just won't do it for me so I have completely discarded the eDGe as an e-reader. I do use it for other tasks, though. Pina, the latop I paid $400 US for is my everyday usage laptop. I use it and abuse it. I installed a larger capacity drive and it is rocking. Never have a problem with it. I am running an open source Linux distribution. I do agree that Apple makes high quality products and most of their products are worth the price. Now, I don't agree that Microsoft Windows is "poor". Although I very much prefer Mac OS or a Linux distro, Windows has come a long way. This is not a forum to discuss the Windows vs. Mac OS cult but suffice it to say I have been running Windows XP at work for years without a problem. My Windows 7 workstation at work is also problem-free. It all depends on how well you maintain your system and how careful you are with the applications you install.

07-29-2010, 06:58 PM	#22
SuprJoinT Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: kindle	I am really looking at getting an Entourage eDGe. I need to know if there are any apps that allow me to read my .cbr comic files fullscreen???? I can't seem to find much info on this, but this device looks really nice. I am not worried about the size. If this is not the case, I will guess I will get an iPad for my comic viewing.

07-30-2010, 05:36 AM	#23
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	SuprJoinT Welcome to mobileread .... Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I will answer ....

07-30-2010, 01:50 PM	#24
BookishMom Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 1038 Join Date: May 2009 Device: K1, K2, and iPad. :)	Pina, based on your priorities, I think the iPad would be a good fit for you. I have both a Kindle and an iPad, and for reading, I much prefer the Kindle (much easier on my eyes). However, the iPad does have the advantages that you mentioned (more readable formats due to access to different apps, color for comics, magazines, etc). I'm a heavy ebook reader, however, and if I had to choose one, it would be the Kindle. But I'm not you.

07-30-2010, 11:18 PM	#25
rblover Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 26 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none as yet	From what I have been able to find out, it seems the Sony 900 can handle more formats from more sources, than can the iPad...which is the main reason I am leaning towards the Sony. I am, however, waiting until October-if not Xmas-to see what new things Kindle, Apple, etc, offer then. Variety of file formats, and sources, mean more to me than do fad status, font styles, weight, or the like.

07-31-2010, 02:51 AM	#26
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Heavens no, the iPad can handle far more formats than any dedicated reader, because you can install multiple reading apps on it. The Kindle app gives you access to all the books that Amazon sell, the B&N app gives you the books that B&N sell, and so on. Then there's Apple's own iBooks app, which not only gives you the iBookstore, but also lets you read any DRM-free ePub file. And then you have the other reading apps like Stanza, which will read numerous different formats. There's no dedicated reader which has anything like the flexibility of the iPad.

08-01-2010, 11:55 AM	#30
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	DRM-free ePub books can be read by a number of different applications, such as iBooks and Stanza. If you're asking whether a book can be put on the iPad for one reading app, and then read by another, I don't believe so. You'd need to delete it from the first app, and re-add it to the second. Each app maintains its own private storage area for files.