Anybody reading on PC ?

[Tarana]

The only things I read on the computer are craft and/or cook books. Even those, I will first try out on the Nook HD+.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by WillAdams

I've been kicking myself for not buying one of those back when Amazon had them on sale for $199/$229 --- how is using it as a desktop machine? Do you have much issue w/ the doubled-up USB as charger port?

Have you tried a stylus other than the included one?

What case are you using? (assuming you travel w/ it?)

Have you had to replace your digitizer cable yet? (or considered ordering the spare part pro-actively?)

(Perhaps a mod should move this post to its own thread?)

I personally would not use it as my main desktop machine, mainly because I like playing (modern) pc games and want to run some other heavy applications.

I've used the stylus of my Galaxy Note 8 and of my Surface Pro 2. All of them work. But I prefer the one that is included, it has a very nice tip and, well, it has a slot in the body so I don't have to take another pen with me (which I'd only lose or continually forget).

I use an IVSO case (hard back, folding front), and even though the magnets do interfere a bit with the wacom screen, it's not noticeable enough for me to try to find another one. I especially like the hard back, because my VTN8 goes wherever I go.

And I haven't replaced my cable yet, haven't even opened up my device yet. The few times my pen stopped working, a gentle massage was enough to coax it into an active state again.

I'm afraid you misunderstood me. When I said "the boundaries are blurred", I was referring to the definition of a PC, and I stand by that viewpoint. Is a Windows 8 tablet a PC? Is an Android tablet used with a keyboard a PC? Devices are becoming multi-functional.

A PC = a Personal Computer. I agree that the boundaries are getting blurred. What is a computer? According to the wikipedia:

A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Since a sequence of operations can be readily changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem.

So, even those smart watches of today are a computer. And they're very personal too, so they're also a PC. It was so simply before... You had a mainframe or you had a personal computer. The difference was huge. Now, you have a desktop, a laptop, a tablet (containing any OS, and any screen technology), a smartphone, a smartwatch... All of these things are PC's if you simply look at the definition above... Even an ebook reader can be a PC (take my Boox T68 for instance, the only difference between it and my Galaxy Note 8 is its screen size, screen technology).

I think the title would be more correct if it read "Do you read on non-mobile devices". PCs were the opposite to mainframes, these days we have mobile vs non-mobile devices... (though, my laptop would most likely fit in the second category, with its 3+kg and 2 hour battery life :P)

[Lusitanic]

Reading books only on my ereader, smartphone or real books. On my computer I only read forums, the news, etc, never books. Too tiring and uncomfortable.

[Shades]

I read on my Nexus 4 phone... Rarely on my Nook, but I need to get a better ereader some time.

I never read for pleasure on my PC, just not comfortable.

[Rich_D]

I read on my laptop all the time. I bought a used nook HD off of ebay for cookbooks and have some books on it, but I don't like reading on it. If I'm in the living room and my nook ST is upstairs, I'll just read on my laptop.

[BearMountainBooks]

I have a SCRIBD subscription and the only way I can read the books is on my laptop because I don't have a tablet that supports their various apps. It is not ideal, but I do use it.

[webroot]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

I read on my laptop all the time. I bought a used nook HD off of ebay for cookbooks and have some books on it, but I don't like reading on it. If I'm in the living room and my nook ST is upstairs, I'll just read on my laptop.

I have a feeling that using ereaders on a couch can lead to other health related problems (if not eye) and can bring similar discomfort, although long time PC style posture is equally harmful. But I guess a more relaxed posture provides better concentration.

It can be worth asking question whether e-ink readers are all good for eyes when compared with PCs, because they are viewed from close range and it may lead to shortsightedness.

[Shades]

Originally Posted by webroot

I have a feeling that using ereaders on a couch can lead to other health related problems (if not eye) and can bring similar discomfort, although long time PC style posture is equally harmful. But I guess a more relaxed posture provides better concentration.

It can be worth asking question whether e-ink readers are all good for eyes when compared with PCs, because they are viewed from close range and it may lead to shortsightedness.

While true, LCD's and such have much higher eye strain as compared to ereaders with eink. So I am not exactly sure what you point is. Non-backlit Ereaders can only be as bad as physical books. I have not used a backlit ereader, so I cannot say if that is worse, but I would assume it is still easier on the eyes than a bright LCD a foot or foot and half away from the face...

[theducks]

Originally Posted by webroot

I have a feeling that using ereaders on a couch can lead to other health related problems (if not eye) and can bring similar discomfort, although long time PC style posture is equally harmful. But I guess a more relaxed posture provides better concentration.

It can be worth asking question whether e-ink readers are all good for eyes when compared with PCs, because they are viewed from close range and it may lead to shortsightedness.

I have been a couch slouch reader for decades

Let me tell you that holding a typical hardback is going to cause a lot more health issues than reading on my PEz or K4 (besides, there is more chest room for the cat)

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by webroot

It can be worth asking question whether e-ink readers are all good for eyes when compared with PCs, because they are viewed from close range and it may lead to shortsightedness.

Any extended close-up work (including reading and working on a computer) may lead to nearsightedness. So it is not really fair to single out eink readers. If anything we should slouch on the chouch and read from the TV across the room. I wonder when we will see 46" sized ereaders with recliner and drinks holder advertized.

Originally Posted by Shades

While true, LCD's and such have much higher eye strain as compared to ereaders with eink.

Says who? Reading itself can causes eye strain - some say because we don't blink as much when reading thus getting dry eyes. Especially reading in the dark is more straining. Amazon used to say that their lighted eink readers are good to read in the dark. After some complaining they changed it to "good to read in low light environments" - apparently there is people that get a discomfort from reading in the dark. LCD displays are a lot better to read on in the dark than an unlighted eink reader. Eink (whether lighted or not) really shines in bright environments including full sunlight. So that will make the eink appear to be less eye straining as it is better suited in well lit environments. So it is not really at all clear from this if eink has an advantage according to eye strain over LCD.

[Shades]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Says who? Reading itself can causes eye strain - some say because we don't blink as much when reading thus getting dry eyes. Especially reading in the dark is more straining. Amazon used to say that their lighted eink readers are good to read in the dark. After some complaining they changed it to "good to read in low light environments" - apparently there is people that get a discomfort from reading in the dark. LCD displays are a lot better to read on in the dark than an unlighted eink reader. Eink (whether lighted or not) really shines in bright environments including full sunlight. So that will make the eink appear to be less eye straining as it is better suited in well lit environments. So it is not really at all clear from this if eink has an advantage according to eye strain over LCD.

More based on my personal experience. I find it harder to keep staring at an LCD trying to read for long periods of time as opposed to an eink display. Like I said though, I have not used a backlit eink device, so I can't comment on it.

Another reason I like text to speech and audio books, the ability to rest my eyes for a while...

[taosaur]

Five or six years ago I was reading ebooks on a Windows 7 netbook, but I couldn't see reading long-form text on a large, stationary monitor. I will read comic books on my PC from time to time--seeing the full two page layout larger than life is sometimes more appealing than the comfort and convenience of a tablet.

Reading from LCD doesn't bother me, so long as it's a manageable size and brightness controls are handy. I was a late convert to dedicated e-readers, starting with a KPW2, and maybe the screen is somewhat more comfortable, maybe? The weight, size, and battery life are bigger factors for me. Also, being a dedicated device, I can generally pop open the cover and resume reading without fiddling with menus or home screens or task switchers.

Honestly, between emails, work docs, blogs, news, and forums, I wouldn't be surprised if I take in a higher word count via PC than any other class of device. It just all comes in short bursts and scanning for relevant information, not settling in for an immersive experience.

[leebase]

Originally Posted by Shades

More based on my personal experience. I find it harder to keep staring at an LCD trying to read for long periods of time as opposed to an eink display. Like I said though, I have not used a backlit eink device, so I can't comment on it.

FYI - many many folks who could never read long form on a PC/Laptop do just fine on a tablet. Not saying this applies to you...but some folk have mistakenly assumed their "reading on a computer" experience would be the same when reading on a tablet/smartphone.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by webroot

I have a feeling that using ereaders on a couch can lead to other health related problems (if not eye) and can bring similar discomfort, although long time PC style posture is equally harmful. But I guess a more relaxed posture provides better concentration.

It can be worth asking question whether e-ink readers are all good for eyes when compared with PCs, because they are viewed from close range and it may lead to shortsightedness.

Just for the record, I read in a chair, not a couch and use a lap desk that brings the laptop monitor up to eye level. I use a wireless mouse on the armrest to turn pages.

[Phogg]

Given the thread derailment, can we assume that the only healthy way to read is on a large reader attached to your treadmill?