Best $200 or less e-ink with epub + pdf + expansion please

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I own both a Kindle 3 and a PRS-950, and when it's time to read PDFs, you couldn't bribe me to use my K3. In fact, for everything other than (i) mobi and (ii) testing books and magazines as eBooks for the Kindle, I prefer the 950.

That's why it's good to have a choice. I have a Kindle and a Sony PRS-350, and the device I find myself using every day is the Kindle. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes. I'm not personally over-fond of touch screens on readers, although I think it's inevitable that Amazon's next device will have a touch screen.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Were you under the impression, Harry, that because I owned both devices, I presumed to speak for all users who did? I hope not, because that wasn't my intention.

The point of comparing the two readers was to address ProfCrash's feature list for the OP. The point of offering specific opinions was to add to the range of consensus -- also for the OP.

Ironically, they seem to be choosing a Kobo.

I own a 350 as well and find myself using it least of all, so I can understand how you feel.

I'll be using it more, however, when I visit White Plains this weekend, as it's the most portable full-featured reader I own, and the only one that will fit in my overnight bag with my clothes and netbook and presents.

Perhaps it serves that purpose for you as well.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Were you under the impression, Harry, that because I owned both devices, I presumed to speak for all users who did?

Good Heavens, no.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's why it's good to have a choice. I have a Kindle and a Sony PRS-350, and the device I find myself using every day is the Kindle. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes. I'm not personally over-fond of touch screens on readers, although I think it's inevitable that Amazon's next device will have a touch screen.

It is indeed good to have a choice.

I also think it nearly inevitable that the next Amazon offering will be a touch screen device, though I wouldn't hazard even a guess whether it will be an Android LCD Nook Color clone, or something closer to the eInk Nook STR.

Hopefully, one of each!

If Amazon does offer both a eInk and LCD tablet, I hope they go the B&N route of making BOTH Android based devices that are either unlocked right from the factory, or at the very least, are not too hard to root, like the B&N Nooks.

B&N got it right on that one.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by delphin

If Amazon does offer both a eInk and LCD tablet, I hope they go the B&N route of making BOTH Android based devices that are either unlocked right from the factory, or at the very least, are not too hard to root, like the B&N Nooks.

B&N got it right on that one.

I've never understood this "rooting" business myself. If you want an Android tablet, why not just buy a "proper" Android tablet in the first place? It's not as though they're in short supply!

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never understood this "rooting" business myself. If you want an Android tablet, why not just buy a "proper" Android tablet in the first place? It's not as though they're in short supply!

Rooting is important on certain Android devices because it removes proprietary limitations, allowing for freedoms that enhance the devices' specific functions. Free tethering on my phone, for example, and the ability to view virtually any format on certain readers.

[HarryT]

You misunderstand me. What I meant was, why buy a dedicated device such as a nook, and then spend a lot of effort to try and convert it into a general-purpose Android tablet? If a general-purpose tablet is what you want, why not get one of those in the first place?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You misunderstand me. What I meant was, why buy a dedicated device such as a nook, and then spend a lot of effort to try and convert it into a general-purpose Android tablet? If a general-purpose tablet is what you want, why not get one of those in the first place?

I believe I did understand you, actually. Some people do want to turn random Android devices into underpowered tablets, and I appreciated that. But a lot of the excitement expressed here about rooting devices like the Nook Touch is in anticipation of configuring and customizing a more versatile reader.

Anyway, there seems to be a crossed circuit between us at the moment, so I'll leave off until the miscommunication dust settles.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Ditchleyportrait

the sony have reportedly used lesser quality pearl screens, but not recently

This is untrue. The pearl screens are all the same. Sony used the very same screens as Amazon.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never understood this "rooting" business myself. If you want an Android tablet, why not just buy a "proper" Android tablet in the first place? It's not as though they're in short supply!

people do root "proper" android tablets and phones as well. Use them to install custom ROM's, as other's have pointed out, unlock any propritary restrictions, uninstall manufactures "bloatware", overclock your processor for more power, the list goes on and on.

and also let's not forget the price difference, the nook colors spec to price ratio is insane. Any high end Android tablet is going to be almost doubled the amount.

You truely become Lord of your device.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by boswd

and also let's not forget the price difference, the nook colors spec to price ratio is insane. Any high end Android tablet is going to be almost doubled the amount.

You truely become Lord of your device.

This answers Harry's question quite nicely in the case of the older Nook color.

For the new Nook STR, Harry effectively answered his own question when he refereed to 'dedicated devices'.

In the case of the new Nook STR, because it is a dedicated eReader device, it has features you will NEVER find on a generic Android tablet device -

1.) An eInk display - This is great for a 'dedicated' eReader device, but sucks for multimedia (which is too important to sacrifice in a general purpose device.)

2.) Ultra low power consumption for weeks of battery life (not achievable on a general purpose device with a backlit screen.)

3.) Page Turn Buttons.

Going the other way, why bother rooting? Because there are literally thousands of Apps that should be able to run JUST FINE on an eInk device, dispite it's slower screen updates and black and white graphics.

- Better PDF viewers with advanced capabilities, like marking up PDFs in place, and saving the annotations directly to the PDF so it can be sent to someone else for review.

- Better EPUB viewer

- Android Bookstore apps from other suppliers like Kobo, and Amazon.

- An advanced scientific, business or other special purpose calculator, for students, engineers, and other professionals.

- Personal productivity tools like day planner, note organizer, e-mail app with Sync to your PC/Mac (the first e-readers were apps running on PDA's, and though they may never have been more than so-so as eReaders, with Android, the Nook STR can be OUTSTANDING as a PDA device.

- Enhanced Wikipedia interface.

- And let's not forget *gag* social networking access.

I could go on for sixteen pages . . . but you get the idea. Basicaly anything you need a powerful daylight readable touch tablet computing device with outstanding battery life for.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You misunderstand me. What I meant was, why buy a dedicated device such as a nook, and then spend a lot of effort to try and convert it into a general-purpose Android tablet? If a general-purpose tablet is what you want, why not get one of those in the first place?

A rooted nook touch is better then a Kindle. In fact, it makes a better Kindle as it has a touch screen, ePub, and it can run the Amazon app. The rooted nook has the best of both worlds and it doesn't have the physical keyboard to get in the way. So really, a rooted nook is going to blow away a K3.

[Ditchleyportrait]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is untrue. The pearl screens are all the same. Sony used the very same screens as Amazon.

i've read posts that said the sony screen was worse than the kindle due to maunfacturing problems or worse contrast or something or both. i could care less honestly either way as i rock the best possible screen with the most real estate #swag

[HarryT]

I have a Sony and a Kindle. The Kindle has (to my eyes, at least) a nicer font, but the actual appearance of the screens on the two devices is identical.

[Ditchleyportrait]

ah, i see. sorry for propagating misinformation.