Electronic ebook reader or tablet PC?

[Acreo Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Hmm, I believe the question was about tablets, not netbooks. I agree with you 100% on netbooks, but not on tablets

The two basically offer similar hardware. In some cases, like that new Lenovo hybrid, it's less-than-current-netbook hardware in terms of specs.

I do think a dedicated ebook reader using e-ink tech is a better option over tablets and whatnot. The battery life and paper-like display are its too biggest selling points that are not easily matched on any tablet given a similar price range. Weight is another factor as I have yet to see a full-fledged MID tablet that weighs in at 1 pound or less (typical weight of most readers minus larger screen ones).

Also in today's super-connected world, do we really need to have a internet-able device at our sides 24/7?

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas

I do think a dedicated ebook reader using e-ink tech is a better option over tablets and whatnot. The battery life and paper-like display are its too biggest selling points that are not easily matched on any tablet given a similar price range. Weight is another factor as I have yet to see a full-fledged MID tablet that weighs in at 1 pound or less (typical weight of most readers minus larger screen ones).

For me, e-ink is not a better option over LCD. The only reason I really wanted an e-ink was the battery life. But I hardly use it at home, my LCD device sees about 99% of my reading time.

[HarryT]

Restart from suspend works a heck of a lot better with Windows 7 than with XP.

[spud36]

For what its worth...

I considered the same option as the original poster. I live in the UK and it
is unlikely we will have tablet pcs here at anywhere near the price of an
ereader in the near future. Reading the post it appears that he has neither
device like me. I saw two options:

1. Continue buying paperback/hardback book until a suitable tablet is released.

2. Buy an ereader until tablet PCs are avaialble at reasonable price. Then get

a tablet.

I chose the second option for one consideration only, Cost.

I bought a kindle but have not actually bought any amazon books but got books that are free versions or from websites which sell Kindle compatible versions. The savings I have made over continuing to buy paperbacks (free ebooks cost as paperbacks) means I am £50 away from recouping the initial outlay of the Kindle. Before anyone asks I chose the Kindle because it suited me (reading experience that is and not being locked to one provider). It seems the Kindle is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.

Which means when I come to buy a tablet PC I will have an established library of books, will have saved money instead of waiting for the better piece of kit to be released and won't have a huge pile of paperbacks to replace as ebooks or to take down to the charity shop. This option suited me but I guess it does depend on your reading material etc as to wheather this is a cost effective option.

[Marseille]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Restart from suspend works a heck of a lot better with Windows 7 than with XP.

I don't doubt it (also... it had better). Still I'm on the fence about whether I want my future ereader/media tablet to run 7 or a nice low overhead mobile OS like Android. I suspect B&N already has an Android reader program in the works (since their child company fictionwise does), and the platform is bound to at least be on Amazon's radar. With those two additions, it would make a very tempting package.

The mobile OS would be more tempting if it were the same as my smartphone at the time. Currently I run WinMo, but if WinMo7 doesn't suit my needs, my next device could be Android. Sharing their other applications between them could be useful.

[John1997]

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

Hi John1997

My advice about your tabletpc, just hibernate instead of turning it off.
It will be not so fast to open next time as a eBook reader is but it will be much faster then power on from “zero”.

Best regards,

That's a good point, and I've been doing that as well. Once in a while it hangs up coming out of StandBy.

I'm not ready to upgrade to upgrade to windows 7. The XP works reasonably well and I'm reluctant to fix something that's not really broken. Although Win7 does have a tablet option. Hmm, maybe I _should_ try it.

I also have an older Fujitsu 3500 that I'm trying to switch to Mandriva Linux. So far haven't got the touch screen working. It was my first tablet ereader, but I had Windows Me and the B&N reader wouldn't run on it. I saw the 4121 and went with it. It's lighter and better suited as an eReader.

[LS650]

The right tool for the right job: I own a 15" widescreen that I use for large spreadsheets and other office work, a 9" Acer Aspire that I use for general purpose usage, an iPod Touch for when I am travelling and want a pocket-size device for email/web browsing, and an eReader for reading books in bed or while travelling.

Each of them works best for a particular purpose. Now that I have the iPod, I find that the Safari browser on that does almost everything I need, so I may sell the 9" netbook in the future. Then again, it's always nice to have an extra little laptop around just in case you might need it...!

[zetareticuli]

If the Apple tablet is as good as rumors say, then it might be worth waiting until it hits stores. It is supposed to be a netbook, media player, and ebook reader all-in-one. There are rumors even that future generations will include a projector.

[Marseille]

Originally Posted by zetareticuli

If the Apple tablet is as good as rumors say, then it might be worth waiting until it hits stores. It is supposed to be a netbook, media player, and ebook reader all-in-one. There are rumors even that future generations will include a projector.

Apple makes absolutely nothing that I want right now. If, however, they throw the right screen tech in there, it would be a very, very tempting media package. The right screen tech being multimedia-friendly (LCD + reflective layers or some other similar alternatives) while still delivering 20ish hours for reading. If they use the iPhone OS, then they've already got reader applications from virtually every ebook retailer.

[splendor]

Originally Posted by John1997

I just started using a Fujitsu ST4121 tablet largely as an eReader. My experience is largely positive. I tried this while waiting for the Jetbook Lite I bought to get some firmware that would make it usable (and thanks to Ectaco for v15)

Yes, it is considerably heavier than the Jetbook Lite. And it does run hotter. Neither bother me particularly as I generally sit in a chair while reading. I never sit in one posture for very long, so sometimes I find myself supporting it on my knees, sometimes I'm just holding it in one hand (it's really not _that_ heavy). Even if I decide to read lying in bed it's comfortable to hold and read--more so than a real book.

The charge will last for a solid five hours, longer than I usually read at one time. When I get up, I just plug it in while I'm not reading. I have a rectifier from Radio Shack, so I can charge it in the van if need be. That said, it is nice not to have to worry about a charge on the JBL.

On the real plus side, I can read almost any format on it--actually I think I could read anything, I just haven't gotten all the possible readers. I have Adobe Digital Edition, the eReader.com ereader, the B&N eReader, and mobipocket. I haven't branched out beyond that. The large size is really great with the ADE books. I'm reading The Jesus Dynasty right now. I previewed the eReader version, and it doesn't have the illustrations. With ADE all the drawings and photos are right there on the page where they should be. It's great. Plus, I can browse the ebook stores, buy books, check my email, all those useful things. It has excellent handwriting recognition. But if I want I can prop it up on a stand, connect a usb keyboard and mouse, and use it very much like a standalone computer.

The one remaining negative is that it takes a long time to boot up. The JBL is almost instant on. I'm still working on that. Mine runs Tablet XP, and there may be some tweaking I can do to speed up the boot process. It also came with only 256 Meg of memory. I'm getting another 512 Meg (about $50) and I think that alone will help a lot.

I won't give up the JBL or even my pocketable Tungsten E, but for general reading the tablet has become my favorite.

hello John, your Fujitsu ST4121 suggestion sounds good for me, i dont care about the battery life or the speed, but could you tell me if using it as an ereader, is it comfortable with your eyes? could the backlight be turned off, and read it like an ereader?
i just want less eye strains, since i read a lot
thanks

[Acreo Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

For me, e-ink is not a better option over LCD. The only reason I really wanted an e-ink was the battery life. But I hardly use it at home, my LCD device sees about 99% of my reading time.

Out of curiosity, do you happen to work in a design or technical field?

Originally Posted by HarryT

Restart from suspend works a heck of a lot better with Windows 7 than with XP.

Same goes for Vista.