Kobo Aura One for pdf's

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Braid

The Kobo Aura One with its native software is definitely not the best dedicated ereader for PDF files. Google "Kobo Aura One PDF". There are other dedicated ereaders that provide a superior PDF reading experience, such as the Kindle Voyage.

Except that the noticeable smaller screen size of the Voyage will compromise the display of the PDF page in a way that shows the Aura ONE display is better. Make sure you read those reviews for how well the Aura ONE displays a PDF. The navigation is a different matter.

Don't bother arguing. We won't agree and I really don't care.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Don't bother arguing. We won't agree and I really don't care.

now that's a line i really do need to try and remember.

best wishes koboy

[Braid]

Here are some quotes from glowing reviews of "the best dedicated ereader for PDFs".

the storage limitations (8GB internal, and no card slot) won't bother anyone because the Aura One is simply unusable for PDFs.
...
As much as I love reading ebooks on Kobo hardware (the formatting options are to die for) I don't use them for PDFs, and never have. The software is simply terrible, and that is true across the board.

The brand new Kobo Aura One is now available and many people are wondering how it handles PDF files. Sadly, the rendering engine really struggles with both large and small files.

You would think that the larger screen on the Kobo Aura One would make it a good option for reading PDFs, but the Aura One is a actually pretty disappointing in that regard.

Kobo’s software is super basic when it comes to PDFs, and it’s rather buggy to boot.

I actually read PDF files myself btw. So it seems strange to request that I "don't bother arguing". I think it is fair that I have and voice my preferences.

The screen is smaller on the Kindle Voyage, but it still provides a superior PDF reading experience because it handles the files better. Turning pages and keeping the text in the center of the screen is a more responsive, reliable experience, allowing me to concentrate on the text. Turning pages and keeping the text placed in the center of the screen on Kobo's native firmware is not reliable or responsive enough to let me concentrate on what I'm reading.

You have shared your opinion that you think screen size is the only factor that matters when it comes to the quality of reading experience reading PDF files. That's great. Most people who actually read PDF files probably disagree with you, but I guess you really don't care.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Braid

I actually read PDF files myself btw. So it seems strange to request that I "don't bother arguing". I think it is fair that I have and voice my preferences.

If I had said, "it's pointless for us to argue", would you have understood what I meant? You have your opinion, which you have expressed. I have mine. The chances of either of us changing the others mind is about equal to the chance of getting a great PDF reading experience out of a 6" e-ink ereader. And, in my opinion, about the same as the likelihood of Kobo making any significant changes to PDF handling.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by Braid

The Kobo Aura One with its native software is definitely not the best dedicated ereader for PDF files. Google "Kobo Aura One PDF". There are other dedicated ereaders that provide a superior PDF reading experience, such as the Kindle Voyage.

Yes, but that's still a 6" screen. No software and no PDF optimizations in the world can overcome a screen that's physically too small for the content. Kindle Voyage has the better UI but for actually looking at PDF content? Aura ONE's ~8" screen beats it and every other 6" device out there.

[Pajamaman]

Personally I'd consider a large Onyx Boox because Android offers more software options. But I'd ask in the Onyx sub-forum how well it handles PDF and what app to use.

Koreader on Kobo is an option, but I don't know how good it is. I've heard the base software is not so good. There is no doubt that more software options is a good thing.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Except that the noticeable smaller screen size of the Voyage will compromise the display of the PDF page in a way that shows the Aura ONE display is better. Make sure you read those reviews for how well the Aura ONE displays a PDF. The navigation is a different matter.

Originally Posted by ratinox

Yes, but that's still a 6" screen. No software and no PDF optimizations in the world can overcome a screen that's physically too small for the content. Kindle Voyage has the better UI but for actually looking at PDF content? Aura ONE's ~8" screen beats it and every other 6" device out there.

I'm just wondering, what is the point of an ereader being able to display a PDF well due to having a bigger screen, if the navigation is poor? Isn't one without the other pretty pointless? Edit, I know nothing about the handling of PDF's on any ereader, so perhaps it's only technical PDF's with lots of graphs/pictures that are handled poorly?

The general answer is that a decent sized tablet is always the best option, so for the OP, have you tried using apps on tablets to minimise eye strain?

[Braid]

Originally Posted by davidfor

The chances of either of us changing the others mind is about equal to the chance of getting a great PDF reading experience out of a 6" e-ink ereader. And, in my opinion, about the same as the likelihood of Kobo making any significant changes to PDF handling.

If you don't want to argue then stop arguing. I will to continue to respond to stuff you write if I feel like it.

There are lots of amazing books that are only available to me digitally as PDF files. I find reading PDF files on my Kindle Voyage a good enough experience to forget about the navigation and display, focusing only on the content. Therefore, I consider it a "great reading experience", because I can focus on enjoying the content of the book, which is what matters - that is where the "great reading experiences" are had. It definitely is not as good as a well-made re-flowable file, but the difference is not huge. I would quite often choose a high quality digital PDF over a mobi file. I would definitely choose PDF on Kindle Voyage over reading on paper. It's not really your place to tell me whether or not I can have a great reading experience on my device of choice.

If you find the Kobo Aura One's PDF reading experience to be "the best" because you've actually enjoyed reading these files on it and you prefer that experience to using other readers, then great. In that case I would understand where you were coming from. I've never encountered anyone online or offline who actually feels this way, but there's a first time for everything.

On the other hand, maybe you don't actually read PDF files on the Kobo Aura One. If that were the case then it would have to be the case that you simply enjoy arguing with people online about an e-reader's capabilities at handling a format you don't use. Different strokes, I guess.

Originally Posted by ratinox

Yes, but that's still a 6" screen. No software and no PDF optimizations in the world can overcome a screen that's physically too small for the content. Kindle Voyage has the better UI but for actually looking at PDF content? Aura ONE's ~8" screen beats it and every other 6" device out there.

I can't/won't argue with your preference... do you actually read PDF files on the Aura ONE? I can't tell if people are talking from their experience or based on something else.

On my Kindle Voyage I only read single column digital PDF files and I really don't find it hard to get used to turning the page three times per actual PDF page turn, while reading in landscape mode. I find that the larger Aura ONE screen would be better if you wanted to display the whole page in one go, but then the font is still a bit small for me - so I prefer to flip into landscape mode and divide the page up into chunks. Therefore in my case a good responsive UI is equally important on both readers, regardless of the screen size.

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Koreader on Kobo is an option, but I don't know how good it is. I've heard the base software is not so good. There is no doubt that more software options is a good thing.

It's great in that it allows you to display PDF files with a readable level of competence. It also lets you read epubs in landscape mode, which is a pretty big deal for me.

There are downsides though. I'd rather not use two operating systems. It's ugly. It's a bit buggy.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

I'm just wondering, what is the point of an ereader being able to display a PDF well due to having a bigger screen, if the navigation is poor?

Because the necessity of zoom and pan is inversely related to the size of the display. At 6" it's mandatory. At ~7" (like my Aura HD) it's nice to have on occasion. At ~8" I haven't touched zoom/pan.

Originally Posted by Braid

I can't/won't argue with your preference... do you actually read PDF files on the Aura ONE? I can't tell if people are talking from their experience or based on something else.

Yes, on both my Aura ONE and my Aura HD as well as my Kindle DX. Also my Nook Color and Nook HD+, a Tegra Note 7, a HiSense Sero 8, and a Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. I never did bother with any of the 6" and smaller readers. They're too small to be useful.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Braid

The Kobo Aura One with its native software is definitely not the best dedicated ereader for PDF files. Google "Kobo Aura One PDF". There are other dedicated ereaders that provide a superior PDF reading experience, such as the Kindle Voyage.

No Reader with a 6" screen provides a good PDF experience. Give it up, the Kindle is not going to display PDF well enough. A Kobo Aura One with KoReader is going to be pretty good for PDF. because of the larger screen display and KoReader's well designed PDF display ability.

[Braid]

Lol, "give it up". Maybe it doesn't display them well enough for your preferences. Personally I enjoy reading PDF books in landscape mode on my Kindle Voyage.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Braid

If you don't want to argue then stop arguing. I will to continue to respond to stuff you write if I feel like it.

Fine. And I'll keep deciding whether to ignore you or not. Unfortunately, you have made a statement below I cannot ignore.

There are lots of amazing books that are only available to me digitally as PDF files. I find reading PDF files on my Kindle Voyage a good enough experience to forget about the navigation and display, focusing only on the content. Therefore, I consider it a "great reading experience", because I can focus on enjoying the content of the book, which is what matters - that is where the "great reading experiences" are had. It definitely is not as good as a well-made re-flowable file, but the difference is not huge. I would quite often choose a high quality digital PDF over a mobi file. I would definitely choose PDF on Kindle Voyage over reading on paper. It's not really your place to tell me whether or not I can have a great reading experience on my device of choice.

Were did I say that YOU didn't have a satisfactory PDF experience with the Kindles? I have been very careful for everything I have said to be a PERSONAL opinion. That opinion is based on MY experiences plus my readings in this and other forums. And reading reviews. Based on that, I would expect the larger screen of the Aura ONE to partially overcome the poor navigation while reading PDFs. And based on how many people have complained about zooming in on PDFs for ALL 6" ereaders, the lot lower zooming needed on the 7.8" Aura ONE should make it a better experience.

If you find the Kobo Aura One's PDF reading experience to be "the best" because you've actually enjoyed reading these files on it and you prefer that experience to using other readers, then great. In that case I would understand where you were coming from. I've never encountered anyone online or offline who actually feels this way, but there's a first time for everything.

On the other hand, maybe you don't actually read PDF files on the Kobo Aura One. If that were the case then it would have to be the case that you simply enjoy arguing with people online about an e-reader's capabilities at handling a format you don't use. Different strokes, I guess.

I can't/won't argue with your preference... do you actually read PDF files on the Aura ONE? I can't tell if people are talking from their experience or based on something else.

Are you paying that little attention? Were did I say I have used an Aura ONE? I have a lot of experience with the other Kobo ereaders. I understand how they work. I understand how they handle PDFs. I noticed the improvement in readability of PDFs going from the 6" to 6.8" screens. I pay attention to comments made by Aura ONE users here. I derived my OPINION from all that and expressed it.

And yes do enjoy discussing this sort of stuff in the forums. Sometimes I learn something useful, sometimes I don't.

[Desdinova]

Or cut the Gordian knot and read PDFs on a tablet. Had a Kindle, have a Kobo - never enjoyed reading PDF's on either.

But my Android tablet is great for reading PDF's. I don't think e-ink readers really do PDF well as they could. Its either a compromise between screen size and/or speed of rendering.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Desdinova

Or cut the Gordian knot and read PDFs on a tablet. Had a Kindle, have a Kobo - never enjoyed reading PDF's on either.

But my Android tablet is great for reading PDF's. I don't think e-ink readers really do PDF well as they could. Its either a compromise between screen size and/or speed of rendering.

To me, the problem with PDF on eInk is readability. Most PDF are made with very large margins and on a 6" screen, the readability is not all that good. I now it gets better the larger the screen. One feature that all eInk Readers (that handle PDF) should have is the ability to crop the margins. Not all do and that's a problem.

KoReader does have such a feature and that helps a lot with PDF.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

To me, the problem with PDF on eInk is readability. Most PDF are made with very large margins and on a 6" screen, the readability is not all that good. I now it gets better the larger the screen. One feature that all eInk Readers (that handle PDF) should have is the ability to crop the margins. Not all do and that's a problem.

Certainly true, but even with KOReader there are some PDFs that just can't be helped. The aforementioned RPG rule books are good examples and I point at White Wolf as a worst case. They layer all of the content on top of complex full-page background images which makes automatic crop fail. Their paragraph boxes aren't sequential which makes reflow fall apart in random-seeming places. I've had a little luck performing surgery on WW's PDFs using Acrobat Pro but as a practical matter they are terrible on everything.