Ebook reader for college student (reading textbooks) (making notes in them)

silverback88 · 08-18-2010, 10:09 AM

Hi,

I'm looking for an ebook reader that is good for reading textbooks, and making notes in them (touchscreen + stylus preferably).
I don't want to spend more than ~$300.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Anarel · 08-18-2010, 10:35 AM

The thing about textbooks you need to think about when looking for an e-reader is what kind of books you'll be looking at.

For instance, I'm an English major and most of my books are actually public domain texts. So unless a professor wants us to use a specific version of the text, any is fine to use. Because most of the works are stories, the formatting couldn't be more simple.

But if you're into science or math, textbooks with diagrams or books with specific formatting, then you might benefit from an ereader with a larger screen. The Kindle DX for example, has a 9.7 inch screen that can display a lot more text than the 6' and smaller e-readers, and if some of your textbooks can be had in PDF format, all the better to go for an ereader with a large screen.

What will you be studying? This will help in determining which e-reader might be best for you.

vxf · 08-18-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverback88

Hi,

I'm looking for an ebook reader that is good for reading textbooks, and making notes in them (touchscreen + stylus preferably).
I don't want to spend more than ~$300.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Look into the SONY PRS900. It does not have the best screen (in terms of glare and contrast) but if you are looking at a device to use for annotations, then it's almost a forced choice, nowadays.

I guess some of the iRex devices might be an option - but the company is bankrupt and support is weak.

Latinandgreek · 08-18-2010, 11:05 AM

If you can't spend more than $300, the Sony PRS-900 would probably be the best choice for you. I have read some great things about the product and at one point was looking into getting it myself, but I already had a reader at the time and couldn't justify getting another one so soon after buying the first one. Pocketbook should be coming out with a large screen reader soon as well (the 901, I believe), if you are willing to hold out.

silverback88 · 08-18-2010, 11:31 AM

Thanks guys.

I'm starting to think that note taking isn't that important, so I would go for a non touch screen ereader too. I'm really digging the Kindle, but according to Amazon, it will only be shipped before or on the 10th of Sept., and I can't afford to wait that long.

In general, how good are ereaders for text books? I'm thinking of things such as jumping between pages (back and forth) and zooming in and out (quickly)? Basically, I can either buy an ereader and read most of my textbooks on that, or actually get the physical books. I'd prefer the ereader, as it's cheaper and lighter, but if it really makes reading textbooks tough, I won't go with that.

Also, it would be nice to get magazine subscriptions on my reader.

boswd · 08-18-2010, 12:30 PM

The Entourage or iPad but especially the Entourage is the best one suited for your needs.

http://www.entourageedge.com/entourage-edge.html

it is $499 retail which puts in iPad territory and I know you don't want to pay more than $300 but this thing is supposed to be tailored made to suite the needs of students. more so than any other e-reading device. It would be worth the extra money

Certainly a step up and better choice than the Kindle DX.

James_Wilde · 08-19-2010, 11:58 AM

Wow, boswd, thanks for that post. The Entourage looks to me like it is to ordinary e-readers what the Mac is to computers. It's where they should have been all along. I've often wondered why no-one has made an e-reader with facing screens like a real book, and that's what Entourage has done. And then they can, if necessary, use the two screens for different things.

Clabbergirl · 08-19-2010, 12:55 PM

OMG thank you for the link. I have not heard of that device and just got finished drooling over the website and the YouTube vids. I must have one! (Of course I don't have $500 laying around though.)

I agree with James up above - it does seem to be what eReaders should've always been.

parafluie · 08-19-2010, 01:03 PM

I have a new Kindle DX and I'm frustrated that it cannot cut-and-paste so I can use relevant notes. I can save highlighted areas but not print them or email them. And to make notes is not easy if at all. Kindle isn't great for anyone who likes those features. Oh yes, and there's just a tiny little nub for a mouse, and no touch screen. I'm going to look at the other ones y'all mentioned above. Tx

parafluie · 08-19-2010, 01:08 PM

@silverback If you're taking any Lit courses, you do want to be able to take notes! Also, you want to be able to download your textbooks as well as be able to download library loans, or you'll spend a fortune in purchases via amazon. I just started looking, but the iPad seems more supported in libraries.

Good luck

boswd · 08-19-2010, 02:40 PM

You guys are welcome, Yeah the Entourage and the iPad are really the only real e-readers that will work best for students.

i know the entourage is pricey but look around the net on ebay, amazon, etc you might find a bargain for one.

Anarel · 08-19-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parafluie

I have a new Kindle DX and I'm frustrated that it cannot cut-and-paste so I can use relevant notes. I can save highlighted areas but not print them or email them. And to make notes is not easy if at all. Kindle isn't great for anyone who likes those features. Oh yes, and there's just a tiny little nub for a mouse, and no touch screen. I'm going to look at the other ones y'all mentioned above. Tx

You're mistaken about the Kindle DX. In your documents folder, there is a document called MY CLIPPINGS. All your notes and highlights for all the books you made notes in are stored there. You can hook up your Kindle to your computer via the usb and access the my clippings text document there.

You can also access all your notes nd highlights online via this page.

parafluie · 08-19-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarel

You're mistaken about the Kindle DX. In your documents folder, there is a document called MY CLIPPINGS. All your notes and highlights for all the books you made notes in are stored there. You can hook up your Kindle to your computer via the usb and access the my clippings text document there.

You can also access all your notes nd highlights online via this page.

That's great to know Anarel. Thanks! Is it a .txt file? I'll check it outl

Anarel · 08-19-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parafluie

That's great to know Anarel. Thanks! Is it a .txt file? I'll check it outl

Yes, it's a Text file.

arcadata · 08-20-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parafluie

I just started looking, but the iPad seems more supported in libraries.
Good luck

Nope, the iPad does not support the DRM used on library books (Adept epub & pdf). You'll have to stript away the DRM first.

That Entourage is very very tempting, and it's half the price of the Toshiba dual-screen Libretto W100 which went for $1,100, and quickly sold out on Amazon.

08-18-2010, 10:09 AM	#1
silverback88 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: none	Ebook reader for college student (reading textbooks) (making notes in them) Hi, I'm looking for an ebook reader that is good for reading textbooks, and making notes in them (touchscreen + stylus preferably). I don't want to spend more than ~$300. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

08-18-2010, 10:35 AM	#2
Anarel Evangelist Posts: 424 Karma: 61399 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: K1, GKDX, K3	The thing about textbooks you need to think about when looking for an e-reader is what kind of books you'll be looking at. For instance, I'm an English major and most of my books are actually public domain texts. So unless a professor wants us to use a specific version of the text, any is fine to use. Because most of the works are stories, the formatting couldn't be more simple. But if you're into science or math, textbooks with diagrams or books with specific formatting, then you might benefit from an ereader with a larger screen. The Kindle DX for example, has a 9.7 inch screen that can display a lot more text than the 6' and smaller e-readers, and if some of your textbooks can be had in PDF format, all the better to go for an ereader with a large screen. What will you be studying? This will help in determining which e-reader might be best for you. Last edited by Anarel; 08-18-2010 at 10:39 AM.

08-18-2010, 12:30 PM	#6
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	The Entourage or iPad but especially the Entourage is the best one suited for your needs. http://www.entourageedge.com/entourage-edge.html it is $499 retail which puts in iPad territory and I know you don't want to pay more than $300 but this thing is supposed to be tailored made to suite the needs of students. more so than any other e-reading device. It would be worth the extra money Certainly a step up and better choice than the Kindle DX. Last edited by boswd; 08-18-2010 at 12:38 PM.

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08-18-2010, 11:05 AM	#4
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	If you can't spend more than $300, the Sony PRS-900 would probably be the best choice for you. I have read some great things about the product and at one point was looking into getting it myself, but I already had a reader at the time and couldn't justify getting another one so soon after buying the first one. Pocketbook should be coming out with a large screen reader soon as well (the 901, I believe), if you are willing to hold out.

08-18-2010, 11:31 AM	#5
silverback88 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: none	Thanks guys. I'm starting to think that note taking isn't that important, so I would go for a non touch screen ereader too. I'm really digging the Kindle, but according to Amazon, it will only be shipped before or on the 10th of Sept., and I can't afford to wait that long. In general, how good are ereaders for text books? I'm thinking of things such as jumping between pages (back and forth) and zooming in and out (quickly)? Basically, I can either buy an ereader and read most of my textbooks on that, or actually get the physical books. I'd prefer the ereader, as it's cheaper and lighter, but if it really makes reading textbooks tough, I won't go with that. Also, it would be nice to get magazine subscriptions on my reader.

08-19-2010, 11:58 AM	#7
James_Wilde Guru Posts: 802 Karma: 4727110 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Iriver Story	Wow, boswd, thanks for that post. The Entourage looks to me like it is to ordinary e-readers what the Mac is to computers. It's where they should have been all along. I've often wondered why no-one has made an e-reader with facing screens like a real book, and that's what Entourage has done. And then they can, if necessary, use the two screens for different things.

08-19-2010, 12:55 PM	#8
Clabbergirl Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-600	OMG thank you for the link. I have not heard of that device and just got finished drooling over the website and the YouTube vids. I must have one! (Of course I don't have $500 laying around though.) I agree with James up above - it does seem to be what eReaders should've always been.

08-19-2010, 01:03 PM	#9
parafluie Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle 3,	I have a new Kindle DX and I'm frustrated that it cannot cut-and-paste so I can use relevant notes. I can save highlighted areas but not print them or email them. And to make notes is not easy if at all. Kindle isn't great for anyone who likes those features. Oh yes, and there's just a tiny little nub for a mouse, and no touch screen. I'm going to look at the other ones y'all mentioned above. Tx

08-19-2010, 01:08 PM	#10
parafluie Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle 3,	@silverback If you're taking any Lit courses, you do want to be able to take notes! Also, you want to be able to download your textbooks as well as be able to download library loans, or you'll spend a fortune in purchases via amazon. I just started looking, but the iPad seems more supported in libraries. Good luck

08-19-2010, 02:40 PM	#11
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	You guys are welcome, Yeah the Entourage and the iPad are really the only real e-readers that will work best for students. i know the entourage is pricey but look around the net on ebay, amazon, etc you might find a bargain for one.

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