What was your first e-reading device? - Page 9

lioslaith · 08-09-2010, 11:16 AM

Mine was a Palm IIIc which I still own and love although it is not Windows Vista compatible like so many of my much loved software and such.

In fact I think that being unable to connect to my IIIc led to me purchasing my first 'real' ebook reader, my Sony 505 last year. I did briefly use my DSLite with one of those R4 cartridges but it didn't compare and I quickly moved onto my 505.

petermillard · 08-09-2010, 12:16 PM

My first portable device was an old Palm M130 (I think) bought cheaply off eBay to try out the whole eBook 'thing', soon replaced with an HP iPaq (don't remember the model number but it had a much better screen) which did the job admirably until I bought my first e-ink reader.

Clytie · 08-10-2010, 06:33 AM

Ooh, do we take this back to reading on mainframes in the late 70s?

For portable devices, I trialled an Apple Newton, but it was just too expensive for me at the time.

1993-2000 Mac laptops
2000-2005 Handspring Visor Prism (and those indispensable extension modules)
2005-2008 Palm Tungsten T3
2008-2010 iPhone 3G
2010+ iPhone 4, being couriered as we speak

Peanut Reader was the Palm ereader, and developed into Palm Reader and then eReader. Mobipocket was the best on Palm IMHO, but eReader beats it on iPhone.

The sad part is having to part with one's beloved gadget. I'm hoping there's a special place in Heaven for hard-working ereaders.

Sweetpea · 08-10-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clytie

Ooh, do we take this back to reading on mainframes in the late 70s?

For portable devices, I trialled an Apple Newton, but it was just too expensive for me at the time.

1993-2000 Mac laptops
2000-2005 Handspring Visor Prism (and those indispensable extension modules)
2005-2008 Palm Tungsten T3
2008-2010 iPhone 3G
2010+ iPhone 4, being couriered as we speak

Peanut Reader was the Palm ereader, and developed into Palm Reader and then eReader. Mobipocket was the best on Palm IMHO, but eReader beats it on iPhone.

The sad part is having to part with one's beloved gadget. I'm hoping there's a special place in Heaven for hard-working ereaders.

Don't you notice that the time for replacements is getting shorter? If you keep going this way, you'll want a new reader next year! (7 - 5 - 3 - 2 years between...)

FlorenceArt · 08-10-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Bookeen Gen3 .... Brilliant - it does what I want and adequately for my needs ....

Same here... unfortunately it broke down much too soon. Now I have an Opus, which is better for carrying around and reading on the subway, but I miss the elegant design and larger screen of the Gen3.

Clytie · 08-10-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Don't you notice that the time for replacements is getting shorter? If you keep going this way, you'll want a new reader next year! (7 - 5 - 3 - 2 years between...)

I did notice the sequence. My gadgetry addiction is increasing! Maybe I can just ... not ... see the SHINY THINGS!

Although I do plan to buy the next model of the iPad...

kevinp · 08-10-2010, 07:32 PM

In the following order:

Palm IIIxe
Sony CLIE PEG-T650C
Toshiba e310
Dell Axim x51V (still use)
Sony PRS-300 (currently using)
HTC Hero (my phone I use while I'm at work)

Xenophon · 08-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Depending on how you count, it was either a VT52 terminal connected to a DEC/20 (a smallish '70s mainframe), or an RCA-1100 (formerly the REB-1100, now the eBookwise-1150 -- I think).

I note that the physical ergonomics of the 1100's design have yet to be equalled--much less surpassed--in the hand-held reader market. Surely one of the manufacturers could learn a lesson or two (or three, or a dozen) from looking at it.

Xenophon

HithNibth · 08-11-2010, 02:34 PM

My first e-reading device was the Palm TX. I still use it.

Bri

Phogg · 08-11-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Handspring Visor Neo.

Me too.

Domas · 08-12-2010, 04:32 AM

My first one was Sony PRS-505 on 2007.

7tronics · 08-17-2010, 01:27 PM

Long history of electronic book reading dating back to 1970s and VT52 and their ilk terminals attached to many mainframe and minicomputers. Short synopsis of truly portable eBook readers:

1980s: TRS-80 Model 100/200 with preview modules for Wordstar docs
1990s: Palm Pilot 1000/5000/IIIxe with same kind of modules for Wordstar docs, now with real eBook reader software
2004: Palm Treo 680 color + Palm OS so all my old Palm programs still work, new programs for document reading and markup. However, not contrast is not as good as older Palms!
2008: Bid for RocketBook readers on eBay, didn't win, couldn't see paying what these were still going for at the time!
2010: Abandon Palm OS, :-( , acquire Augen TB (returned), Pandigital Novel, & Sony PRS-600 all usable with Calibre for managing docs, even the Palm Treo 680 SD card can have content managed with Calibre!

Though I think the TRS-80 Model 100/200 series were the first truly portable devices that were of great value to me in the mid-1980s. They had really good high contrast screens and a few programs that allowed for reviewing documents, especially Wordstar docs, under development from the "luggable" PC computers of the day.

Like many who have posted here, my first really portable one-hand eBook reader was a Palm Pilot 1000 (~1998?-2004), and more recently the Palm Treo 680 (2004-now). Reviewed many a PDF on the Treo and worked on many planning documents and spreadsheets as well. Amazing how the great contrast with the early Palm B/W displays was lost until the eInk displays came about! Never quite the same "curling up" with a laptop that generates so much heat. I miss the early version Tandy Model 200 laptops which had LCD displays and were very low energy drain devices!

Finally the Treo has given way to a Pandigital Novel and a Sony PRS-600. I have high hopes for the PRS-600 when PRS+ is available, for now managing content on SD cards just like I did for the Treo! The Pandigital Novel is more for exchange of reading with the rest of the family. On business trips, the relatively heavy and power hungry Novel is great for reading eBooks in the car or train. But for me the Novel doesn't compete with the PRS-600 for PDF document review and markup on trips through airports which is my major use now for an eBook reader.

Color hasn't added much value to eBook reading, 8 level gray scale has been great for my use. However, the Novel is a decent basic "color tablet" (iPad clone) as well as good eBook reader with the recent firmware upgrades. All the devices I've used recently can have eBook content managed with Calibre. Augen's "The Book" is promising, better in brighter light than the iPad clones, but abysmal firmware and updates are non-existent, so returned. Not sure what the next few months hold, but my wife and my budget say we're done for at least another 9 mo before even looking at another eBook reader gadget!

Best, Mark

djpyle · 08-17-2010, 02:05 PM

My first was a Sony CLIE. I can't remember the model number. I used it until I got my Kindle, at which point I passed it on to my mother-in-law.

bwaldron · 08-17-2010, 03:05 PM

I started with a Palm device (probably IIIe?) back in the late 90's, immediately found and used Peanut Press. Used a variety of Palm OS devices to read hundreds of books over the years, until purchasing an e-ink device in 2008. The later Clie models had some of the best ergonomics for ebook reading of any I've owned.

familyhandh · 09-10-2010, 05:27 AM

First Sony Reader PRS 505, and now PRS 900. I really love PRS 900!

08-17-2010, 01:27 PM	#132
7tronics Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NC USA Device: Pandigital Novel (1GB); Sony PRS-600; Augen "The Book" (returned)	Long history of electronic book reading dating back to 1970s and VT52 and their ilk terminals attached to many mainframe and minicomputers. Short synopsis of truly portable eBook readers: 1980s: TRS-80 Model 100/200 with preview modules for Wordstar docs 1990s: Palm Pilot 1000/5000/IIIxe with same kind of modules for Wordstar docs, now with real eBook reader software 2004: Palm Treo 680 color + Palm OS so all my old Palm programs still work, new programs for document reading and markup. However, not contrast is not as good as older Palms! 2008: Bid for RocketBook readers on eBay, didn't win, couldn't see paying what these were still going for at the time! 2010: Abandon Palm OS, :-( , acquire Augen TB (returned), Pandigital Novel, & Sony PRS-600 all usable with Calibre for managing docs, even the Palm Treo 680 SD card can have content managed with Calibre! Though I think the TRS-80 Model 100/200 series were the first truly portable devices that were of great value to me in the mid-1980s. They had really good high contrast screens and a few programs that allowed for reviewing documents, especially Wordstar docs, under development from the "luggable" PC computers of the day. Like many who have posted here, my first really portable one-hand eBook reader was a Palm Pilot 1000 (~1998?-2004), and more recently the Palm Treo 680 (2004-now). Reviewed many a PDF on the Treo and worked on many planning documents and spreadsheets as well. Amazing how the great contrast with the early Palm B/W displays was lost until the eInk displays came about! Never quite the same "curling up" with a laptop that generates so much heat. I miss the early version Tandy Model 200 laptops which had LCD displays and were very low energy drain devices! Finally the Treo has given way to a Pandigital Novel and a Sony PRS-600. I have high hopes for the PRS-600 when PRS+ is available, for now managing content on SD cards just like I did for the Treo! The Pandigital Novel is more for exchange of reading with the rest of the family. On business trips, the relatively heavy and power hungry Novel is great for reading eBooks in the car or train. But for me the Novel doesn't compete with the PRS-600 for PDF document review and markup on trips through airports which is my major use now for an eBook reader. Color hasn't added much value to eBook reading, 8 level gray scale has been great for my use. However, the Novel is a decent basic "color tablet" (iPad clone) as well as good eBook reader with the recent firmware upgrades. All the devices I've used recently can have eBook content managed with Calibre. Augen's "The Book" is promising, better in brighter light than the iPad clones, but abysmal firmware and updates are non-existent, so returned. Not sure what the next few months hold, but my wife and my budget say we're done for at least another 9 mo before even looking at another eBook reader gadget! Best, Mark Last edited by 7tronics; 08-17-2010 at 05:09 PM. Reason: added TRS-80 Model 100/200, PRS-600 favored for PDF markup

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08-09-2010, 11:16 AM	#121
lioslaith Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland, UK Device: Sony 505, Kindle, Kobo Vox/Glo, Nook	Mine was a Palm IIIc which I still own and love although it is not Windows Vista compatible like so many of my much loved software and such. In fact I think that being unable to connect to my IIIc led to me purchasing my first 'real' ebook reader, my Sony 505 last year. I did briefly use my DSLite with one of those R4 cartridges but it didn't compare and I quickly moved onto my 505.

08-09-2010, 12:16 PM	#122
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	My first portable device was an old Palm M130 (I think) bought cheaply off eBay to try out the whole eBook 'thing', soon replaced with an HP iPaq (don't remember the model number but it had a much better screen) which did the job admirably until I bought my first e-ink reader.

08-10-2010, 06:33 AM	#123
Clytie Bookworm Posts: 62 Karma: 2200 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Australia Device: iPad2	Ooh, do we take this back to reading on mainframes in the late 70s? For portable devices, I trialled an Apple Newton, but it was just too expensive for me at the time. 1993-2000 Mac laptops 2000-2005 Handspring Visor Prism (and those indispensable extension modules) 2005-2008 Palm Tungsten T3 2008-2010 iPhone 3G 2010+ iPhone 4, being couriered as we speak Peanut Reader was the Palm ereader, and developed into Palm Reader and then eReader. Mobipocket was the best on Palm IMHO, but eReader beats it on iPhone. The sad part is having to part with one's beloved gadget. I'm hoping there's a special place in Heaven for hard-working ereaders.

08-10-2010, 07:32 PM	#127
kevinp Fanatic Posts: 583 Karma: 3549018 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle PW (10th & 11th gen); Fire HD 10	In the following order: Palm IIIxe Sony CLIE PEG-T650C Toshiba e310 Dell Axim x51V (still use) Sony PRS-300 (currently using) HTC Hero (my phone I use while I'm at work)

08-11-2010, 01:08 PM	#128
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	Depending on how you count, it was either a VT52 terminal connected to a DEC/20 (a smallish '70s mainframe), or an RCA-1100 (formerly the REB-1100, now the eBookwise-1150 -- I think). I note that the physical ergonomics of the 1100's design have yet to be equalled--much less surpassed--in the hand-held reader market. Surely one of the manufacturers could learn a lesson or two (or three, or a dozen) from looking at it. Xenophon

08-11-2010, 02:34 PM	#129
HithNibth Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 80 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Samsung NC10 and Palm TX	My first e-reading device was the Palm TX. I still use it. Bri

08-12-2010, 04:32 AM	#131
Domas Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 493302 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London, United Kingdom Device: Sony T1, Sony PRS-505, Elonex (EB600E), Cool-er (EB600EM), Hanvon N516	My first one was Sony PRS-505 on 2007.

08-17-2010, 02:05 PM	#133
djpyle Writer Posts: 70 Karma: 124160 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, MO Device: Oasis, Paperwhite 1, iPhone 6+	My first was a Sony CLIE. I can't remember the model number. I used it until I got my Kindle, at which point I passed it on to my mother-in-law.

08-17-2010, 03:05 PM	#134
bwaldron Wizard Posts: 1,230 Karma: 543210 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Device: Kindles: Paperwhite Signature Ed., Oasis 2, Voyage	I started with a Palm device (probably IIIe?) back in the late 90's, immediately found and used Peanut Press. Used a variety of Palm OS devices to read hundreds of books over the years, until purchasing an e-ink device in 2008. The later Clie models had some of the best ergonomics for ebook reading of any I've owned.

09-10-2010, 05:27 AM	#135
familyhandh Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: iphone	First Sony Reader PRS 505, and now PRS 900. I really love PRS 900!