Ebook gadget for med student?

jyl · 06-01-2010, 05:50 AM

I'm an incoming med student, and I'm really looking into buying an ebook gadget to help me with my readings in school because I have to commute for 1-2 hours everyday, and the books we use are really heavy.

however, i'm torn between a netbook and an ebook reader because of the ff reasons:

1. they cost the same but the netbook has many functions
2. an ebook reader is lighter to carry
3. most of my ebooks are in pdf and only good ebook readers hadnle pdfs well ( i have a tight budget)

so can anyone help me decide?

fishface · 06-01-2010, 08:53 AM

Do you need annotation?

If no, then get the Que or Skiff.
If yes, get a tablet PC. The Entourage Edge is also an option.

Those are your only options currently. Don't even think about doing the zoom-and-pan thing on technical PDFs on a 6" e-ink screen.

HarryT · 06-01-2010, 09:06 AM

The iPad is also worth considering. It has a number of superb PDF applications.

jyl · 06-01-2010, 10:07 AM

unfortunately, your suggestions are way over my budget XD I only have below $200 budget... but yes, i'm in need of something that i can use for note-taking

jerome · 06-01-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

unfortunately, your suggestions are way over my budget XD I only have below $200 budget... but yes, i'm in need of something that i can use for note-taking

the readers today functions best as a reader..some may have additional apps like a web browser, organizer, games, but it's all pretty basic and no match for a netbook.

and considering that you would want to read and annotate on PDFs, the larger screen readers are more optimal, like Sony PRS-900 and Irex series. unfortunately large screen readers are all above USD$300 now, but if you're lucky you can find a good condition one at the FleaMarket forum here at a good price (beware of scammers, though!).

most of the 6" devices work with PDFs, and some have good zooming capability, but it takes a bit of work navigating through the large page documents. the most basic 6" reader with freehand annotation support is the Sony PRS600, which is USD$199(!) on the sony website.

otherwise, you have a range of MIDs (mobile internet devices), which has all the netbook functionalities, lightweight, able to keep you busy on your train ride and still within the budget.

however, since this is so called the year of the ereaders/tablets, more devices are coming up and prices will likely be more competitive. (*fingers crossed)

fishface · 06-01-2010, 03:16 PM

Nothing's going to be satisfactorily functional for this application at the sub $200 price point.

Wait a few years, save up some money...

SandyBrooks · 06-03-2010, 12:20 AM

I'd get a netbook. I have one and wouldn't use it for reading fiction, but for textbooks (assuming they are available as e-books) a large screen would be really handy. You can get one for around $200 if you keep your eye out for sales (check slickdeals.net). I got my lenovo s10-2 for $217 after a sale and bing cashback.

jyl · 06-04-2010, 01:11 AM

thank you for the responses... I guess i shouldreally get a netbook...

but i'm wondering, have you heard of the china ebook readers being sold below $200? like this:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/28...IFI_touch.html

do you guys think this is a good buy?

davidspitzer · 06-04-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The iPad is also worth considering. It has a number of superb PDF applications.

i echo this ipad + Iannotate = Heaven

Logseman · 06-04-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

thank you for the responses... I guess i shouldreally get a netbook...

but i'm wondering, have you heard of the china ebook readers being sold below $200? like this:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/28...IFI_touch.html

do you guys think this is a good buy?

The Alibaba site is meant for bulk buying. They won't let you get just one reader.

gastan · 06-05-2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

thank you for the responses... I guess i shouldreally get a netbook...

but i'm wondering, have you heard of the china ebook readers being sold below $200? like this:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/28...IFI_touch.html

do you guys think this is a good buy?

That is the Boox 60 ... which is also the Bebook Neo. Both have their own boards here on MR.

jerome · 06-05-2010, 11:25 AM

even if you could purchase just 1 item from alibaba.com, you should always beware of scammers. generally, you should not to offer payment in other methods than paypal.

check this link:
http://www.antharjalaya.com/how-to-n...e-wholesalers/

06-01-2010, 05:50 AM	#1
jyl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: NOOK, JE200	Ebook gadget for med student? I'm an incoming med student, and I'm really looking into buying an ebook gadget to help me with my readings in school because I have to commute for 1-2 hours everyday, and the books we use are really heavy. however, i'm torn between a netbook and an ebook reader because of the ff reasons: 1. they cost the same but the netbook has many functions 2. an ebook reader is lighter to carry 3. most of my ebooks are in pdf and only good ebook readers hadnle pdfs well ( i have a tight budget) so can anyone help me decide?

06-01-2010, 08:53 AM	#2
fishface Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 56 Join Date: May 2010 Device: none	Do you need annotation? If no, then get the Que or Skiff. If yes, get a tablet PC. The Entourage Edge is also an option. Those are your only options currently. Don't even think about doing the zoom-and-pan thing on technical PDFs on a 6" e-ink screen. Last edited by fishface; 06-01-2010 at 08:55 AM.

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06-01-2010, 09:06 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The iPad is also worth considering. It has a number of superb PDF applications.

06-01-2010, 10:07 AM	#4
jyl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: NOOK, JE200	unfortunately, your suggestions are way over my budget XD I only have below $200 budget... but yes, i'm in need of something that i can use for note-taking

06-01-2010, 03:16 PM	#6
fishface Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 56 Join Date: May 2010 Device: none	Nothing's going to be satisfactorily functional for this application at the sub $200 price point. Wait a few years, save up some money...

06-03-2010, 12:20 AM	#7
SandyBrooks Member Posts: 24 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Device: Sony pocket	I'd get a netbook. I have one and wouldn't use it for reading fiction, but for textbooks (assuming they are available as e-books) a large screen would be really handy. You can get one for around $200 if you keep your eye out for sales (check slickdeals.net). I got my lenovo s10-2 for $217 after a sale and bing cashback.

06-04-2010, 01:11 AM	#8
jyl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: NOOK, JE200	thank you for the responses... I guess i shouldreally get a netbook... but i'm wondering, have you heard of the china ebook readers being sold below $200? like this: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/28...IFI_touch.html do you guys think this is a good buy?

06-05-2010, 11:25 AM	#12
jerome Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 330 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kindle 2, Entourage Edge, Dell Streak	even if you could purchase just 1 item from alibaba.com, you should always beware of scammers. generally, you should not to offer payment in other methods than paypal. check this link: http://www.antharjalaya.com/how-to-n...e-wholesalers/