A NetBook vs. an eBook - Page 3

phenomshel · 11-15-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Well, I make no predictions regarding the sales of tablets, but I don't think that people will want to read novels on screens like computer monitors.

I wonder why no one other than the jetBook manufacturer has picked up on Toshiba's alternative to eInk. But regardless, I think that there will always be a market among reading folk for screens which are not backlit.

Emphasis above mine - That's exactly what I read, novels. And I'm finding that I much prefer reading them on my netbook screen (aka computer monitor). The issue for me was never LCD vs. e-ink, it's always been that I just didn't want to be tied to my desk chair.

I realize I'm an oddball in lots of ways, though, so I'm sure I'm not an indicator of the general feelings on the matter.

RichyRich · 11-15-2009, 01:40 AM

I think a tablet netbook with a 6-cell battery for the extended life and a solid state drive would be pretty good for a reader. The EEEPC I have has a solid state drive and it comes back from sleep mode very quickly, plus I can be rougher with it than I could with one with a regular hard drive.

Crowl · 11-15-2009, 09:36 AM

Personally, I would be more likely to read an ebook on my phone rather than on a netbook or laptop, the portability offsets the small screen size.

narbeauchamp · 11-15-2009, 09:56 AM

I think it ultimately depends on what factors are most important. I find that I really enjoy reading on an ebook reader-like many people today,I spend alot of time looking at a computer screen. I have long since stopped being tethered to a desk chair,no longer having a desktop computer at home.

Over the summer I bought an Asus Aspire One-and while I love the portability (not having to carry my "real" laptops etc)-I wouldn't really want to use it for reading an ebook,granted I am already used to using a dedicated device.Another issue,is that I think at best,my battery life for the netbook is two and a half or three hours (the battery life on my main laptop is about 6 hours,sans wifi)-I still wouldn't want to read on it-its simply not as easy for my to tote around. My ereader fits in just about every bag I own-I can easily pull it out to read a bit while I'm just about anywhere,from subways to bars while waiting for someone to arrive for a drink.

I can see in these times a netbook winning out over a reader,but with more people being aware of readers,and some cheaper alternatives out there-I also think alot of people may consider readers as well.

I recently bought an ipod touch-and am finding that I use my netboook less.I can do alot of the basic reading/browsing stuff from it,and unless I plan to do alot of typing,I often don't even open up the netbook anymore.If I'm reading and find I need to look something up,I usually do it from the touch or my blackberry.....My netbook rarely makes it to bed with me,as it used to.Now I do alot of that stuff from the touch-including reading ebooks with the kindle for iphone app (especially while I was sans my sony reader)....

As for travel,when I travel I am likely to take a laptop with me (these days as soon as I get the MiFi or an external broadband card replacement)-I will start taking the netbook (especially since I discovered I can read from memory sticks as well from it,one less reason to take my sony laptop everywhere)-and yes in that case I would have my ac adapter etc-but I'd still opt to read from the reader...much easier to read from that on a beach-than a laptop...

If someone has never had a reader before,I can see them weighing alot more pros and cons,but for those who have had a reader,I think many people I know would still opt for a reader over a netbook.But then again,most people I know these days have a reader or have had one-and are generally tired of long hours with computers....

To each their own.I look forward to seeing more options come available,noting is perfect but I sure do enjoy getting new gadgets and trying to figure out what I like best

Ea · 11-15-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narbeauchamp

If someone has never had a reader before,I can see them weighing alot more pros and cons,but for those who have had a reader,I think many people I know would still opt for a reader over a netbook.But then again,most people I know these days have a reader or have had one-and are generally tired of long hours with computers....

Most definitely. Even if perfectly possible to read on a netbook - I read on my desktop computer screen for a couple years - there's a world of difference to the experience with a dedicated e-ink device.

narbeauchamp · 11-15-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

Most definitely. Even if perfectly possible to read on a netbook - I read on my desktop computer screen for a couple years - there's a world of difference to the experience with a dedicated e-ink device.

I find I read to get away from being on my computer (even if reading for pleasure).My eyes get weary very easily...and there is a world of difference,I can see it clearly-so to speak...and my back is also thanking me as well !

Lemurion · 11-15-2009, 12:09 PM

My GF just bought a Netbook yesterday, and I'm in serious lust. It's a great gadget, but I know it won't replace my Sony. For me, at least, the Sony is that much better than the Netbook for reading.

This isn't E-Ink good, LCD bad, either - I have two PDAs and I find they're both good for reading: I just find the Sony is better.

narbeauchamp · 11-15-2009, 12:19 PM

That's sort of how I ended up with my netbook.I had considered one before,but kept passing-as my main PC laptop was already very thin and portable etc-then I had to help my other half come up with an interim solution when he was let go from a job and then sans the company laptop....irony is,I ended up buying the machine he originally wanted (and thought he was buying)-I love the netbook-but no way it will replace my reader....and as he points out,it doesn't take much for me to go into gadget lust/envy mode...I point out that compared to the amount I was spending years ago,in theory I am getting more bang for my buck LOL.....

I originally started reading on my Palm pilots,back in the day....they aren't bad,I'd go back to that I suppose...but I really enjoy reading on the ereader.I find as years go by,there are more and more ways to get distracted....I really enjoy getting lost in a book sans distractions...

ctol · 11-15-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Is there a program which will allow the display of the text on the netbook to switch from landscape to portrait mode?

If so, would the reading experience be more like reading a book, and therefore more pleasant?

In answer your inquiry, you might find the following two links of interest. Have not tried the program myself as I do not currently have a netbook, so I have no firsthand experience with it. Hope you find it to be meet your specific needs.

http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10188221-73.html

http://vk.edward.li.googlepages.com/eeerotate

dmaul1114 · 11-15-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

Most definitely. Even if perfectly possible to read on a netbook - I read on my desktop computer screen for a couple years - there's a world of difference to the experience with a dedicated e-ink device.

Yeah, for me it's just the comfort of being able to curl up with an e-reader.

But once some small, affordable tablets are out that will be offset as you could curl up with an tablet device as well. So I may sing a different tune once some good tablets are out that have good battery life etc.

kennyc · 11-15-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctol

In answer your inquiry, you might find the following two links of interest. Have not tried the program myself as I do not currently have a netbook, so I have no firsthand experience with it. Hope you find it to be meet your specific needs.

http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10188221-73.html

http://vk.edward.li.googlepages.com/eeerotate

Wow! That is excellent man! I just installed it and tried it with FBReader (for epub files). When you rotate the arrow key are in just the right place to page-forward and back!

Works pretty good with the mobipocket reader as well.

Thank you! Karma Worthy!

GA Russell · 11-15-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctol

In answer your inquiry, you might find the following two links of interest. Have not tried the program myself as I do not currently have a netbook, so I have no firsthand experience with it. Hope you find it to be meet your specific needs.

http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10188221-73.html

http://vk.edward.li.googlepages.com/eeerotate

Thanks ctol!

The Old Man · 11-15-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctol

In answer your inquiry, you might find the following two links of interest. Have not tried the program myself as I do not currently have a netbook, so I have no firsthand experience with it. Hope you find it to be meet your specific needs.

http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10188221-73.html

http://vk.edward.li.googlepages.com/eeerotate

Many thanks for this. I will give it a try on my Asus Eee 1005HA and report back.

I have the Asus Eee PC 1005HA
The program to switch the screen from landscape to portrait is here:
http://vk.edward.li.googlepages.com/eeerotate

The program worked well with the Barnes & Nobel Reader
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks...r.asp?dltab=pc

It works with the MobiReader
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloa...ualInstall.asp

It works well with the Kindle (Amazon) Reader
http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo

It worked well the TomeRaider Reader. This is a program you must buy but the files (books) are free and you can convert HTML and DOC file for the TomeRaider.
http://www.tomeraider.com/

It works with the Microsoft Reader (lit files)
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/pc.aspx

It works with Adobe (pdf files)
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

It worked but not usable with the Sony Reader
http://ebookstore.sony.com/download/
The left edge was clipped and a few characters on the left side of the screen were unreadable. In other words it can’t be used with the Sony software.

The best programs for reading on a Netbook (my opinion) are the B&N Reader and the MobiReader. They both have a two-page view. They both let you alter the background from white to another color. In B&N’s case it is a tecture. Changing the color from white to some other light background eliminates/reduces glare or reflections and makes for an easier read.

Stormchild · 11-15-2009, 05:57 PM

Umm, perhaps I am missing something here but the Ctrl+Alt+up/down/left/right option is built into the Intel Graphics driver on my Asus.

advocate2 · 11-15-2009, 06:48 PM

I have the Asus 1008ha which is a half pound lighter than the 1005. The supplied graphics driver already rotated the screen easily. It does not rotate the touchpad, however, and becomes confusing. i am looking forward to trying this little program to see if it rotates the touchpad as well as the screen.

I like the 6 inch screen on my Sony, but after reading a few mobi books on my Asus rotated, I stopped using my Kindle DX and just sold it on Ebay. It seems to me that as a travel package a 6 inch screen along with my Asus 1008 are just about perfect. I had been excited about buying a PRS 900 when available, but am now having a hard time justifying the purchase given my use of the Asus in Portrait mode to read books.

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11-15-2009, 01:40 AM	#32
RichyRich Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 511678 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: EZ Reader Pocket Pro	I think a tablet netbook with a 6-cell battery for the extended life and a solid state drive would be pretty good for a reader. The EEEPC I have has a solid state drive and it comes back from sleep mode very quickly, plus I can be rougher with it than I could with one with a regular hard drive.

11-15-2009, 09:36 AM	#33
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	Personally, I would be more likely to read an ebook on my phone rather than on a netbook or laptop, the portability offsets the small screen size.

11-15-2009, 09:56 AM	#34
narbeauchamp Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 98 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York,NY Device: PRS700BC/PRS505/TZ350N/MacBook/Aspire One/iPad/iPhone/BB 9630	I think it ultimately depends on what factors are most important. I find that I really enjoy reading on an ebook reader-like many people today,I spend alot of time looking at a computer screen. I have long since stopped being tethered to a desk chair,no longer having a desktop computer at home. Over the summer I bought an Asus Aspire One-and while I love the portability (not having to carry my "real" laptops etc)-I wouldn't really want to use it for reading an ebook,granted I am already used to using a dedicated device.Another issue,is that I think at best,my battery life for the netbook is two and a half or three hours (the battery life on my main laptop is about 6 hours,sans wifi)-I still wouldn't want to read on it-its simply not as easy for my to tote around. My ereader fits in just about every bag I own-I can easily pull it out to read a bit while I'm just about anywhere,from subways to bars while waiting for someone to arrive for a drink. I can see in these times a netbook winning out over a reader,but with more people being aware of readers,and some cheaper alternatives out there-I also think alot of people may consider readers as well. I recently bought an ipod touch-and am finding that I use my netboook less.I can do alot of the basic reading/browsing stuff from it,and unless I plan to do alot of typing,I often don't even open up the netbook anymore.If I'm reading and find I need to look something up,I usually do it from the touch or my blackberry.....My netbook rarely makes it to bed with me,as it used to.Now I do alot of that stuff from the touch-including reading ebooks with the kindle for iphone app (especially while I was sans my sony reader).... As for travel,when I travel I am likely to take a laptop with me (these days as soon as I get the MiFi or an external broadband card replacement)-I will start taking the netbook (especially since I discovered I can read from memory sticks as well from it,one less reason to take my sony laptop everywhere)-and yes in that case I would have my ac adapter etc-but I'd still opt to read from the reader...much easier to read from that on a beach-than a laptop... If someone has never had a reader before,I can see them weighing alot more pros and cons,but for those who have had a reader,I think many people I know would still opt for a reader over a netbook.But then again,most people I know these days have a reader or have had one-and are generally tired of long hours with computers.... To each their own.I look forward to seeing more options come available,noting is perfect but I sure do enjoy getting new gadgets and trying to figure out what I like best

11-15-2009, 12:09 PM	#37
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	My GF just bought a Netbook yesterday, and I'm in serious lust. It's a great gadget, but I know it won't replace my Sony. For me, at least, the Sony is that much better than the Netbook for reading. This isn't E-Ink good, LCD bad, either - I have two PDAs and I find they're both good for reading: I just find the Sony is better.

11-15-2009, 12:19 PM	#38
narbeauchamp Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 98 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York,NY Device: PRS700BC/PRS505/TZ350N/MacBook/Aspire One/iPad/iPhone/BB 9630	That's sort of how I ended up with my netbook.I had considered one before,but kept passing-as my main PC laptop was already very thin and portable etc-then I had to help my other half come up with an interim solution when he was let go from a job and then sans the company laptop....irony is,I ended up buying the machine he originally wanted (and thought he was buying)-I love the netbook-but no way it will replace my reader....and as he points out,it doesn't take much for me to go into gadget lust/envy mode...I point out that compared to the amount I was spending years ago,in theory I am getting more bang for my buck LOL..... I originally started reading on my Palm pilots,back in the day....they aren't bad,I'd go back to that I suppose...but I really enjoy reading on the ereader.I find as years go by,there are more and more ways to get distracted....I really enjoy getting lost in a book sans distractions...

11-15-2009, 05:57 PM	#44
Stormchild Evangelist Posts: 466 Karma: 878943 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cornwall UK Device: BeBook 1. BeBook Mini. BeBook Neo and Club. BeBook Live. BeeBook Pure.	Umm, perhaps I am missing something here but the Ctrl+Alt+up/down/left/right option is built into the Intel Graphics driver on my Asus.

11-15-2009, 06:48 PM	#45
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	I have the Asus 1008ha which is a half pound lighter than the 1005. The supplied graphics driver already rotated the screen easily. It does not rotate the touchpad, however, and becomes confusing. i am looking forward to trying this little program to see if it rotates the touchpad as well as the screen. I like the 6 inch screen on my Sony, but after reading a few mobi books on my Asus rotated, I stopped using my Kindle DX and just sold it on Ebay. It seems to me that as a travel package a 6 inch screen along with my Asus 1008 are just about perfect. I had been excited about buying a PRS 900 when available, but am now having a hard time justifying the purchase given my use of the Asus in Portrait mode to read books.

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