Looking for an email machine that reads - Page 2

BearMountainBooks · 07-21-2010, 05:37 PM

Thanks Logseman. Good to know.

BearMountainBooks · 07-23-2010, 01:06 PM

Looks like I'm going to go with a netbook for now. The iPod touch really has a lot of great features and I ended up wanting BOTH a netbook and the touch--for completely different reasons. But with only one, I wanted the full keyboard and the bigger screen. I bought one with Windows so I'll be able to use Kindle for PC, Nook for PC and Sony for PC.

The keyboard will let me do full web searches and emails.

The price was pretty much the same for the netbook and a used or refurbed iPod touch.

Really it just made me wish I had the budget for both, but as it turned out, one of them was going to push the budget over the 100 dollar mark. I got the netbook for 120 shipped. I *might* have been able to find a Touch on Craigslist or ebay for 80 to 100 but would have been taking my changes. There were some buy it nows at 130.

Thanks everyone for the input!

Maria

Ea · 07-23-2010, 01:43 PM

I think you'll be happy with the netbook, if you feel you need one. When I first bought mine it was a bit of a luxury item, but over time I've become so glad I bought one. I I had to choose between a Touch and a netbook, I'd definitely buy the netbook, too.

fjtorres · 07-23-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Thanks Harry. Yes, I know the screen size isn't ideal for reading...but ya gotta go with what fits the budget and so far I'm not finding anything else in that price range. There area few tablet PCs I'm looking at...but I hate to buy anything without researching so this is part of the research!!!

I came across this odd-end model on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-7-Touch-MI...item1e5d322589

There's so many knock-offs out there...

For what you're describing an android pad might work for you *if* you like Google Docs. Try that on your PC first and see how you like it.

As for the Android pads, yes, there's a ton. You might want to look for USB host capability or bluetooth capability to plug in a USB keyboard. I've seen plenty of compact USB keyboards in the $10 range so if you can live with Google Docs and you can hook up a USB keyboard...

G'luck!

Edit: Just remembered; a few folks around here have found the Augen "THE BOOK" connected eReader at local Kmarts.
http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...he-book-video/
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84004
It comes with a keyboard and a notepad app. If the onboard browser can get you to Google Docs...
Being that its a B&M product you can always take it back if it doesn't work for you.

BearMountainBooks · 07-23-2010, 02:01 PM

Oh, it's a luxury item, believe me! I have a laptop and I do all my work on it--which means I can't really risk taking it traveling with me. But when I travel, I go a little bit nuts--no email in rural NM, no ebooks so I have to carry 3 or 4 books...

I loved the *idea* of the touch...but price performance...I settled on the netbook. I have high hopes it will meet expectations!! Thanks for the vote of confidence. I admit I had a hard time pushing the "Buy" button because I didn't want to make the wrong choice...

BearMountainBooks · 07-23-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

For what you're describing an android pad might work for you *if* you like Google Docs. Try that on your PC first and see how you like it.

As for the Android pads, yes, there's a ton. You might want to look for USB host capability or bluetooth capability to plug in a USB keyboard. I've seen plenty of compact USB keyboards in the $10 range so if you can live with Googe Docs and you can hook up a USB keyboard...

G'luck!

Thanks. I looked pretty seriously at some knock-off iPad looking things (epad or something like that from China). The problem was that not all of them had USB, none had reviews and...the support for apps just isn't there yet for Android. I don't want to have to re-swizzle my life just for use two to four weeks out of the year. The google books/docs thing is still pretty new. I have one of mine out there and I've messed around with the google docs/books...I just don't think it's prime-time yet. It'll get there. But not in time for this vacation!

fjtorres · 07-23-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

I just don't think it's prime-time yet. It'll get there. But not in time for this vacation!

1- Did you see my edit about the Augen? At $89 it might (or not) work.
2- If you've looked at google Docs then you've likely checked out these other online Word Processors, right?

Things are moving in the right direction with webpads but as you said they're not there yet.

BearMountainBooks · 07-23-2010, 03:56 PM

FJ,

Yes, and I looked at it--It might work, but ALL the readers had concerns over wi/fi and web surfing. The Augen in particular didn't get good "wi/fi" reception at least the one review I read. And I wanted two things--a reader and a web surfer for travel. The 89 price tag is tempting...but only if I could be certain that I could do email and get decent connectivity. I'll be traveling several places and that means the wi/fi conditions will be changing.

That said, it looks like a great reader and were I only in the market for a reader...that's a nice looking one.

I checked out a couple of word processing tools that would work on android. They actually seemed like they would do the job were I needing one, so in that respect, Android as an OS would work fine.

Ultimately I think a webpad would be ideal--but it doesn't exist yet (I think iPad should be multi-tasking and to be in my market it would have to be cheaper!!!).

The good news is that the market is going in that direction. In two years I'll have a lot more to pick from!

Thanks for the input and the link to the Augen.

Maria

Noah98 · 07-23-2010, 04:05 PM

I think the Pandigital Novel might meet all of your requirements. With the new firmware update, and optional hack (very easy to do), it works quite well. With a Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon and $20 rebate it is $124 (that includes tax).

1. It does email really well
2. You can use multiple browsers with the hack (Dolphin HD, Skyfire, Opera Mini, etc.)
3. Many ereader options (Built in Barnes and Noble app + Kindle, Borders/Kobo, FBreader, ereader, etc. with hack)
4. Many Apps for finding restaurants, movies, weather, directions, etc.
5. Good Wifi

BearMountainBooks · 07-23-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah98

I think the Pandigital Novel might meet all of your requirements. With the new firmware update, and optional hack (very easy to do), it works quite well. With a Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon and $20 rebate it is $124 (that includes tax).

1. It does email really well
2. You can use multiple browsers with the hack (Dolphin HD, Skyfire, Opera Mini, etc.)
3. Many ereader options (Built in Barnes and Noble app + Kindle, Borders/Kobo, FBreader, ereader, etc. with hack)
4. Many Apps for finding restaurants, movies, weather, directions, etc.
5. Good Wifi

that does sound like a good one--so next time I'm looking, I'll check it out. Meanwhile anyone else still looking might be very interested! Thanks for the feedback!

maria

JSWolf · 07-23-2010, 08:08 PM

Also have a look at http://www.newtrent.com/ for external batteries for your iPod Touch. You may find yourself needing one.

JSWolf · 07-23-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah98

I think the Pandigital Novel might meet all of your requirements. With the new firmware update, and optional hack (very easy to do), it works quite well. With a Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon and $20 rebate it is $124 (that includes tax).

1. It does email really well
2. You can use multiple browsers with the hack (Dolphin HD, Skyfire, Opera Mini, etc.)
3. Many ereader options (Built in Barnes and Noble app + Kindle, Borders/Kobo, FBreader, ereader, etc. with hack)
4. Many Apps for finding restaurants, movies, weather, directions, etc.
5. Good Wifi

Opera Mini is garbage. Cannot speak of the other browsers.

Noah98 · 07-23-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Opera Mini is garbage. Cannot speak of the other browsers.

I use Skyfire and Dolphin HD. They work well. I have Opera Mini, but I don't use it much. It is fast though...

JSWolf · 07-23-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah98

I use Skyfire and Dolphin HD. They work well. I have Opera Mini, but I don't use it much. It is fast though...

Opera should just go away. It's like a square wheel on a car.

Logseman · 07-23-2010, 08:42 PM

Mmm... the desktop version works quite fine: there was a time when I used it as a primary source because of its good performance. Is Opera Mini such trash?

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07-21-2010, 05:37 PM	#16
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Thanks Logseman. Good to know.

07-23-2010, 01:06 PM	#17
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Looks like I'm going to go with a netbook for now. The iPod touch really has a lot of great features and I ended up wanting BOTH a netbook and the touch--for completely different reasons. But with only one, I wanted the full keyboard and the bigger screen. I bought one with Windows so I'll be able to use Kindle for PC, Nook for PC and Sony for PC. The keyboard will let me do full web searches and emails. The price was pretty much the same for the netbook and a used or refurbed iPod touch. Really it just made me wish I had the budget for both, but as it turned out, one of them was going to push the budget over the 100 dollar mark. I got the netbook for 120 shipped. I might have been able to find a Touch on Craigslist or ebay for 80 to 100 but would have been taking my changes. There were some buy it nows at 130. Thanks everyone for the input! Maria

07-23-2010, 01:43 PM	#18
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I think you'll be happy with the netbook, if you feel you need one. When I first bought mine it was a bit of a luxury item, but over time I've become so glad I bought one. I I had to choose between a Touch and a netbook, I'd definitely buy the netbook, too.

07-23-2010, 02:01 PM	#20
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Oh, it's a luxury item, believe me! I have a laptop and I do all my work on it--which means I can't really risk taking it traveling with me. But when I travel, I go a little bit nuts--no email in rural NM, no ebooks so I have to carry 3 or 4 books... I loved the idea of the touch...but price performance...I settled on the netbook. I have high hopes it will meet expectations!! Thanks for the vote of confidence. I admit I had a hard time pushing the "Buy" button because I didn't want to make the wrong choice...

07-23-2010, 03:56 PM	#23
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	FJ, Yes, and I looked at it--It might work, but ALL the readers had concerns over wi/fi and web surfing. The Augen in particular didn't get good "wi/fi" reception at least the one review I read. And I wanted two things--a reader and a web surfer for travel. The 89 price tag is tempting...but only if I could be certain that I could do email and get decent connectivity. I'll be traveling several places and that means the wi/fi conditions will be changing. That said, it looks like a great reader and were I only in the market for a reader...that's a nice looking one. I checked out a couple of word processing tools that would work on android. They actually seemed like they would do the job were I needing one, so in that respect, Android as an OS would work fine. Ultimately I think a webpad would be ideal--but it doesn't exist yet (I think iPad should be multi-tasking and to be in my market it would have to be cheaper!!!). The good news is that the market is going in that direction. In two years I'll have a lot more to pick from! Thanks for the input and the link to the Augen. Maria

07-23-2010, 04:05 PM	#24
Noah98 Eccentric Posts: 510 Karma: 342150 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Device: The nook, ipad 3, Kindle Fire HD (8.9), Kindle Paperwhite	I think the Pandigital Novel might meet all of your requirements. With the new firmware update, and optional hack (very easy to do), it works quite well. With a Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon and $20 rebate it is $124 (that includes tax). 1. It does email really well 2. You can use multiple browsers with the hack (Dolphin HD, Skyfire, Opera Mini, etc.) 3. Many ereader options (Built in Barnes and Noble app + Kindle, Borders/Kobo, FBreader, ereader, etc. with hack) 4. Many Apps for finding restaurants, movies, weather, directions, etc. 5. Good Wifi

07-23-2010, 08:08 PM	#26
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,878 Karma: 146918083 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Also have a look at http://www.newtrent.com/ for external batteries for your iPod Touch. You may find yourself needing one.

07-23-2010, 08:42 PM	#30
Logseman Orisa Posts: 2,001 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	Mmm... the desktop version works quite fine: there was a time when I used it as a primary source because of its good performance. Is Opera Mini such trash?

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