Palm T|X (TX) or other Handhelds for reading ebooks!

[VillageReader]

My wife got me a T/x for Christmas. The transformer rating is 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz. So, someone from Engineering needs to walk over and inform Marketing the T/x will work outside the US & Canada with the simple addition of the proper connector to plug it into the wall.

[Peaston Ewe]

Doc,
I think we (I don't have one yet) should just get a Reader. It's not that expensive and worth it, first version or whatever. I've played with the SonyReader and am impressed, especially the readability of e-ink. PDAs?, or any handheld device? no comparison. Those expensive little toys are full of stuff you don't need and way the heck too small unless you have eyes of a 7-year olds. Please stay focus on the fact that the Reader are made to do exactly that — READ !! 80-books in one blow, 3-weeks before recharge, thin but not flimsy, Doctor McCoy would love to
have one ! I commute to Manhattan everyday. I'll let you know how well it works.

[mogui]

Thanks VillageReader for the info on TX power. In China you can use both types of US plugs - grounded and ungrounded. There are at least two other types here too, but wall sockets and power strips accommodate them all.

Originally Posted by Peaston Ewe

Those expensive little toys are full of stuff you don't need and way the heck too small unless you have eyes of a 7-year olds.

I have had a palm device since 1997. It has years of notes in it, addresses for people I have long forgotten, and familiar pastimes. it is a big plus that I can read on it too!

But you are right that I would have a better reading experience on a light big-screen einked special-purpose reader. I will probably end up with both. But nobody's getting my Palm!

Now is large text important? My eyes are fairly old and I can read the small text on my MP4 player just fine (see another post of mine). I am finding it quite useful to carry a reader that fits in the watch pocket of my jeans. I have several novels on it, and it is quite handy to sit and read at the bank while my wife does her business, or while I sit in the doctor's waiting room.

Portability is important for all reader devices. Do you ever read at your PC? I don't. The eink devices will be great for lounging on the sofa and having the relaxed experience that a book gives us. The Palm device and the MP4 player give another order of portability. The Palm is easily carried, and the MP4 player is so small that there is no reason not to take it everywhere.

Now can we find a way to synch all these devices?

[Daft Willie]

Not sure how med texts are, but I read a decent number of engineering papers on my TX. The resolution is good but the screen is awfully small for me. It's great for "fun" books, and the Plucker format is great for "fun" reading and captured text, but most of my papers come off citeseer or IEEE and are in .pdf format. The PDF reader is good, but the screen is small. Something twice the size might be great.

I'd try a Sony but I share Alton Brown's aversion to singletaskers.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Palm T3 is my present "reader" (I use eReader because I can mark up my own RTF texts with a Word macro). I do find the screen bothers my eyes after awhile, the white text on black does seem to be easier on them, though. I probably get closer to ~4 hours.

I do like the fact that I pretty much always have it with me so I can pull it out and read when I find myself with a few minutes on my hands. The small screen size isn't nearly so much of an issue for me as glare (reflections) and washout are. I have noted that the brightest setting on a T|X is a good bit less bright than the brightest setting on the T3, so those last two issues would likely be worse in it in a lot of situations.

Personally, I'd far rather have a dedicated e-ink reader.

Nathan,
I agree about the e-ink reader. However on your Palm, you might try light gray on dark gray, rather than white on black. To my eyes it is not quite so harsh.

[NatCh]

Whew! Blast from the past there, slayda!

I see what you're saying, and probably agree with yout. On the other hand it's all kinda moot now, as I don't read on the T3 anymore. I was right in my (then) belief that a dedicated e-ink reader suited me better.

[fireater]

Hi All!
I got myself a Palm T|X and I can't be more pleased with my choice.
The Palm TX costs just a fraction of the e-ink readers, but I can still read almost anything in it.

For those still on the wall, I must urge them to try the TX out. It will allow you the luxury of reading ebooks (I especially recommend the Isilo format among many other choices) without burning a hole in your pockets.

THe battery life is good too.. I recharge it once every 3 days, the text is clear enough, the TX itself neither tiny as most 'smartphones' nor huge as the readers.. its just the right size to read on its screen comfortably as well as drop it into your pant or shirt or coat pockets. It turns on instantly, Isilo remembers where and which page you were on last time you shut the app down, and much of the preferences suited for tweaking.

I am a power reader, still am glad i made the choice. Now I can put off buying an e-ink reader for another year hoping the prices will come down.

Regards!