8+ Readers in comparison

[Logseman]

The dealer in france is this one:

http://boutique.pocketbook.fr/

The data is all there

[mgmueller]

I've got iPad end of May in the very first batch in Germany.
Then I've bought Dell Streak about 2 months ago.
About 3 weeks ago I've bought Samsung Galaxy Tab.

I've read lots of reviews this month. Most of them in favor of iPad, some of them really devastating for Samsung Galaxy Tab.

So I'd like to give some comments from my perspective re. eBook reading and tablets in general.

I'll add further details. But for now briefly:

Dell Streak:
I like it a lot. It's a real beauty and a perfect compromise of mobility and screen estate.
The pre-installed Android 1.6 is a huge letdown though. I've installed the UK O2 version of 2.1. It's a huge improvement. But in comparison to Samsung Galaxy Tab's 2.2, it's still far behind.
I'm eagerly waiting for 2.2, as for now it simply isn't much fun. A shame, given the unit's potential.
[EDIT]: 2.2 for Dell Streak is here! Huge improvement. Now I absolutely can recommend Dell Streak!

iPad:
To me, it's a "typical" Apple product. Brillantly designed and marketed. Re. features, it's "typical" Apple as well: Genious and unbelievable flaws next to each other.
Personally, I find it a bit bulky and heavy. I totally disagree with Steve jobs: 7" isn't "dead on arrival", it does have huge advantages when on the road.

Samsung Galaxy Tab:
My absolute favorite for now.
It's the perfect form factor for me.
Some are negative about the 16:9 ratio. Personally, I find it perfect. Did love the similar form factor of Sony 900 as well.
I prefer, being able to hold such units in one hand. Not just grabbing them at one corner, but actually closing the hand around it.
7" is big enough for reading, most eBook readers have 6".
I find the colors vivid and brillant, although some reviews state otherwise.

Re. "Android vs. iOS":
I'm undecided.
On one hand, Apple's closed system does have advantages. I think, iPad never has crashed on me so far. My Android units do it once or twice every single day...
On the other hand, I love working on my Android units as I'm used to on PCs. Last week in the hotel, I've downloaded a movie from the usenet. You can't do something like that on iPad without jumping through loops.

More in a few hours...

[kacir]

Thank you.

I find your posts fascinating and very valuable.

[mgmueller]

Briefly:

I don't find the (so called) review anymore. But this morning I've read some harsh criticism about Samsung Galaxy Tab. Stating, it doesn't scale apps, so 99% of the Android apps (originally designed for 3.5" smartphones) don't work or appear highly pixelated.
This may be correct from a reviewer's perspective, toying with each unit for maybe 27 seconds. "Real users" of course know otherwise.
Simply install the app "spare parts" from the Android market. Flag the fullscreen option - voila!
Works flawlessly.
I have to admit: Samsung should have put it there per se.

But still: I hate such reviews, coming from people who obviously didn't spend more then a few minutes with each unit and then write total rubbish.

BTW: Samsung Galaxy Tab actually scales the apps. Way more pleasing then the solution of simply "doubling" iPhone apps on iPad.

[NickBuzz]

Couldn't go through all the thread since it's a bit long, but wanted to ask you: How come you don't have the latest Kindle? From the first post I could see that it's missing. Or did you get it in the meantime?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by NickBuzz

Couldn't go through all the thread since it's a bit long, but wanted to ask you: How come you don't have the latest Kindle? From the first post I could see that it's missing. Or did you get it in the meantime?

I've got it - of course
I've got DX Graphite. And the new one (still not sure, whether I should call it "Kindle 2 Graphite" or "Kindle 3". I prefer "2 Graphite", to be in line with the DX name).
I've bought both directly after their release.
Great for me, as before I only had US versions (= no 3G in Germany) of both Kindles. Now finally I can use the Kindle bookstore when on the road.

I love both Kindles. Small letdown in Kindle 2 Graphite/Kindle 3: I don't like the 5-way-control. I'd prefer it being a bit bigger and a bit less "flimsy".

[NickBuzz]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Small letdown in Kindle 2 Graphite/Kindle 3: I don't like the 5-way-control. I'd prefer it being a bit bigger and a bit less "flimsy".

I couldn't agree more. The control is not an improvement, even the one on iRiver Story better, imo...

[kbaerwald]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

About 3 weeks ago I've bought Samsung Galaxy Tab.

I've read lots of reviews this month. Most of them in favor of iPad, some of them really devastating for Samsung Galaxy Tab.

So I'd like to give some comments from my perspective re. eBook reading and tablets in general.
...
Samsung Galaxy Tab:
My absolute favorite for now.
It's the perfect form factor for me.
Some are negative about the 16:9 ratio. Personally, I find it perfect. Did love the similar form factor of Sony 900 as well.
I prefer, being able to hold such units in one hand. Not just grabbing them at one corner, but actually closing the hand around it.
7" is big enough for reading, most eBook readers have 6".
I find the colors vivid and brillant, although some reviews state otherwise.
...

I would be really interested in the Samsung if it can make points against the current (small) 9.7 inch group of eReaders. My current position is "the larger the screen the better" for technical and scientific pdf.

On the other hand - there not many large screens ereaders on the market: Kindle DX available but clumsy for pdf, the new PocketBook 902/3 struggling its way into public perception (see German threads in this forum), the announced ASUS not to being visible as of today and the IREX reader line being dead for some months now!

mgmueller - would you be able to give us some insights into the reading world of the Samsung? How does it handle specifically the technical pdf? Thanks.

Klaus

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by kbaerwald

I would be really interested in the Samsung if it can make points against the current (small) 9.7 inch group of eReaders. My current position is "the larger the screen the better" for technical and scientific pdf.

On the other hand - there not many large screens ereaders on the market: Kindle DX available but clumsy for pdf, the new PocketBook 902/3 struggling its way into public perception (see German threads in this forum), the announced ASUS not to being visible as of today and the IREX reader line being dead for some months now!

mgmueller - would you be able to give us some insights into the reading world of the Samsung? How does it handle specifically the technical pdf? Thanks.

Klaus

So far, I haven't found an acceptable solution for technical documents on my Android units.
"Goodreader" on iPad seems better than what I've found for Android.
But even "Goodreader" doesn't stand a chance to my favorites for technical documents/complex PDFs: iRex 800, iRex 1000S or even BeBook Neo.
All of them touchscreen units. All of them offering various zoom levels (I'm not using "reflow" for technical documents, as I don't want to "kill" graphs, formulas and the likes), i. e. zoom to width, zoom to height, fit page...
Or you even can mark the area of interest with your stylus and explode to full screen.
Theoretically, this can be done with various PDF readers on iPad or Android as well. But somehow they all fail...
So far, some of the dedicated ePaper units win hands down against the multi-purpose tablets...

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I've got it - of course

I think you have to start listing the devices you don't have in your profile. It would be a shorter list. Or, we've got to get Alex to expand the length of that field.

BOb

[Polyglot27]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Theoretically, the zoom of Sony's readers would be okay.
But you have to set it for every single page.
And it's a bit annoying, using the sliders.
It's way more convenient on the iRex readers. Or on Onyx Boox/BeBook Neo.
You just mark the area of interest with your stylus and explode this region to full screen. I call this "intelligent zoom".
(Same can be done on iPad of course, which some consider best for PDFs.)
I expect the same from PocketBook.

Sorry to be pointing this out so late but the new Sony PRS-650 can "lock" the zoom so you can turn the page without having to zoom in again.
Thank you for this thread mgmueller. I find it the most useful thread for comparing and discussing features on the various readers.
I am surprised that you have not mentioned the Toshiba Folio 100 as another Android tablet. It claims to have Android 2.2 and has the advantage of having a full size SD card slot. I feel that micro SDs are simply too small. That is one reason I am staying away from the Archos 101, another 10 inch Android tablet.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Polyglot27

I am surprised that you have not mentioned the Toshiba Folio 100 as another Android tablet. It claims to have Android 2.2 and has the advantage of having a full size SD card slot. I feel that micro SDs are simply too small. That is one reason I am staying away from the Archos 101, another 10 inch Android tablet.

I've checked out Toshiba Folio last week in German "Media Markt".
I've been a fan of Toshiba notebooks (pricy but excellent) for years, so it did seem interesting enough.
But unfortunately, the extremely negative reviews seem to be correct.
It's of surprisingly low quality (considering Toshiba's reputation for high-end notebooks).
You actually can press the housing at certain points and feel the entire frame shift. Some retailers in UK took it out of sales due to the huge return rate of frustrated customers. I guess you understand why, as soon as you hold it in your hand.
I didn't check the features intensively though. Performance might be okay, but I'd never purchase a gadget that feels "wrong" the very first minute you touch it.
Personally, I find € 500 for a great gadget a way better invest, than spending € 300 for a compromise solution or even worse...

[HansTWN]

Now that Dell Duo convertible looks real tasty. The first tablet I would actually be interested in.

[TheArtfulDodger]

Hello to all:

First, what a wonderful find this forum is! I have been trolling the web for quite a few days, picking up little pieces of information but here it ALL is - in one (well 57 as I write this) place! Fantastic!

To my questions - I like the look of the Sony 950 (not available yet in the UK from whence this comes - does anyone know when it will appear here?) but I like the availability of books for the Kindle - Will I be able to access the Amazon bookstore for the Kindle from the 950?

Thanks for the information in advance and thanks for all of your inputs.

Is it possible to produce a linked index of each reader to the comments for each?

Regards,

Sparky

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

<snip> I like the availability of books for the Kindle - Will I be able to access the Amazon bookstore for the Kindle from the 950?

In a word... no.

BOb