Could I get an e-book reader recommendation?

Pale · 02-05-2020, 03:12 AM

Hey everyone,

First of all, I would like to apologize for my previous post on the InkPad and Inkpad Pro. I was only looking at the hardware without considering everything else. I will try to be more specific in this post. Just starting off by saying that my budget is ~$300.

I am currently doing my thesis, so I am mainly reading academic papers (on PDF, as I have the books that vary from 1 MB to 140+ MBs). I suppose a more powerful reader would be a better choice.

To clarify, I am thinking of something that is 7''+ at a maximum of 8'', as I plan on carrying it around with me, so a more portable option is definitely a plus.

Furthermore, I plan on only using the e-reader as one, meaning that I will only be reading books on it with the addition of using the dictionary if need be.

I live in Bulgaria and the E-Book readers I can find here(Since importing would both take too long and the import taxes would hurt) are as follows:

1. Amazon
2. Kobo
3. Pocketbook
4. Prestigio
5. Onyx

Having nice lights, as well as color adjustment being a huge plus. Thank you so much to everyone here!

DNSB · 02-05-2020, 10:04 AM

If you are going to be mainly reading academic PDFs and given your budget, I would suggest that you look at an Android tablet rather than an ereader (eInk screen). I'd also suggest a larger screen. PDFs are page oriented and in your area likely to be formatted for an A4 paper size so an ~10 inch screen would give a better reading experience.

ilovejedd · 02-05-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you are going to be mainly reading academic PDFs and given your budget, I would suggest that you look at an Android tablet rather than an ereader (eInk screen). I'd also suggest a larger screen. PDFs are page oriented and in your area likely to be formatted for an A4 paper size so an ~10 inch screen would give a better reading experience.

+1. There's also the Microsoft Surface.

Pale · 02-05-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you are going to be mainly reading academic PDFs and given your budget, I would suggest that you look at an Android tablet rather than an ereader (eInk screen). I'd also suggest a larger screen. PDFs are page oriented and in your area likely to be formatted for an A4 paper size so an ~10 inch screen would give a better reading experience.

Thank you for your response! I have also thought of that, but I thought that having an e-ink reader would be way better for my eyes, as well as for way fewer distractions, as I plan on being focused while reading. I think that 7''8' would be good enough, as I don't mind changing pages more frequently.

BookCat · 02-05-2020, 11:14 AM

I believe that 10" eink ereaders do exist. I've never looked into eink readers of that size, so can't make any recommendations.

BookCat · 02-05-2020, 11:20 AM

A quick google found this (it's a bit out of date)

https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...-and-notepads/

ZodWallop · 02-05-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

+1. There's also the Microsoft Surface.

Not so sure about a Surface on a $300 budget. But you can get a decent Android tablet for that.

For reading primarily PDF, I, like the others, recommend a tablet.

If you simply MUST have an e-ink device, check out a Kobo Forma. Not sure about local pricing, but here in the States a Forma would fit your budget. It also has a large screen.

Barbara1955 · 02-05-2020, 12:12 PM

Amazon Fire 10" Handles PDF Grrreat! As for the eyes when reading no problem you can Adjust light Background Color Fonts Size ... Anything you want or need to.

stumped · 02-05-2020, 01:15 PM

I second that. Get a cheap 10 inch tablet and a 6 or 7 inch eink reader
Tablet does pdf, colour comics, text books. Reader does stories, works in sunlight, waterproof if you pick that option...

Ps I have both a forma and have 10 inch tablets. There is close to twice as much actual screen area on the tablets

meeera · 02-05-2020, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pale

Thank you for your response! I have also thought of that, but I thought that having an e-ink reader would be way better for my eyes, as well as for way fewer distractions, as I plan on being focused while reading. I think that 7''8' would be good enough, as I don't mind changing pages more frequently.

PDFs are a fixed page layout. With a small tablet you won't be changing pages more frequently, you'll be zooming and squinting.

I third the rec for a 10 inch or larger tablet.

Unless you already have eye problems from looking at phone/tablet screens, you're not going to suddenly develop mysterious "eye issues". Keep the brightness comfortably low, remember to blink, and arrange your screen colours/background comfortably.

DNSB · 02-06-2020, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pale

Thank you for your response! I have also thought of that, but I thought that having an e-ink reader would be way better for my eyes, as well as for way fewer distractions, as I plan on being focused while reading. I think that 7''8' would be good enough, as I don't mind changing pages more frequently.

The problem is that most PDFs do not reflow so you end up either scrolling up/down and left/right to read the page or looking at a very small page which can be rather hard to read (at least for my aging eyes).

As for whether eInk is better for your eyes? There is no conclusive evidence either way. I personally prefer eInk but that's not evidence.

Poppaea · 02-06-2020, 04:40 AM

Like everyone else I'd recommend a 10" tablet for PDF's. Any other device will get cumbersome VERY fast. There are high resolution android tablets that offer a 4:3 ratio that is great for reading. I've had one in 8 inches that had a resolution like the IPad mini and the 4:3 ratio made it perfect for reading. The 8" were nice to do some forum reading, but were to small to have fun reading newspapers, magzines or PDF's. There should be similar devices in 10", too.

If you are set on buying a large e-ink reader take a look at the Pocketbook X. It is 10", has a good availability in your country, but is considerably more expensive than your budget will afford you. It is around 450€ here in Germany.

Pale · 02-07-2020, 10:13 AM

Hello there everyone,

I went to a store that sells e-readers in my country and I have to admit that I was wrong. 10''+ inch e-readers would be the best options as many have suggested. I will be looking into it from here on out.

Thank you all for helping me out with recommendations!

I love you all!

DaleDe · 02-07-2020, 12:21 PM

Even with a 10" it is a good idea to use landscape mode if supported. This will allow full page width and you can scroll down to get the rest of the page. A 10" screen will have a bit over 8" wide display when turned horizontally which will allow nearly full size.

02-05-2020, 03:12 AM	#1
Pale Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Bulgaria Device: None	Could I get an e-book reader recommendation? Hey everyone, First of all, I would like to apologize for my previous post on the InkPad and Inkpad Pro. I was only looking at the hardware without considering everything else. I will try to be more specific in this post. Just starting off by saying that my budget is ~$300. I am currently doing my thesis, so I am mainly reading academic papers (on PDF, as I have the books that vary from 1 MB to 140+ MBs). I suppose a more powerful reader would be a better choice. To clarify, I am thinking of something that is 7''+ at a maximum of 8'', as I plan on carrying it around with me, so a more portable option is definitely a plus. Furthermore, I plan on only using the e-reader as one, meaning that I will only be reading books on it with the addition of using the dictionary if need be. I live in Bulgaria and the E-Book readers I can find here(Since importing would both take too long and the import taxes would hurt) are as follows: 1. Amazon 2. Kobo 3. Pocketbook 4. Prestigio 5. Onyx Having nice lights, as well as color adjustment being a huge plus. Thank you so much to everyone here!

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02-05-2020, 10:04 AM	#2
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 35,498 Karma: 145557716 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	If you are going to be mainly reading academic PDFs and given your budget, I would suggest that you look at an Android tablet rather than an ereader (eInk screen). I'd also suggest a larger screen. PDFs are page oriented and in your area likely to be formatted for an A4 paper size so an ~10 inch screen would give a better reading experience.

02-05-2020, 11:14 AM	#5
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	I believe that 10" eink ereaders do exist. I've never looked into eink readers of that size, so can't make any recommendations.

02-05-2020, 11:20 AM	#6
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	A quick google found this (it's a bit out of date) https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...-and-notepads/

02-05-2020, 12:12 PM	#8
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Amazon Fire 10" Handles PDF Grrreat! As for the eyes when reading no problem you can Adjust light Background Color Fonts Size ... Anything you want or need to.

02-05-2020, 01:15 PM	#9
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	I second that. Get a cheap 10 inch tablet and a 6 or 7 inch eink reader Tablet does pdf, colour comics, text books. Reader does stories, works in sunlight, waterproof if you pick that option... Ps I have both a forma and have 10 inch tablets. There is close to twice as much actual screen area on the tablets

02-06-2020, 04:40 AM	#12
Poppaea Lucifer's Bat Posts: 2,536 Karma: 19491715 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Earth/Berlin Device: Kobo Libra 2	Like everyone else I'd recommend a 10" tablet for PDF's. Any other device will get cumbersome VERY fast. There are high resolution android tablets that offer a 4:3 ratio that is great for reading. I've had one in 8 inches that had a resolution like the IPad mini and the 4:3 ratio made it perfect for reading. The 8" were nice to do some forum reading, but were to small to have fun reading newspapers, magzines or PDF's. There should be similar devices in 10", too. If you are set on buying a large e-ink reader take a look at the Pocketbook X. It is 10", has a good availability in your country, but is considerably more expensive than your budget will afford you. It is around 450€ here in Germany.

02-07-2020, 10:13 AM	#13
Pale Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Bulgaria Device: None	Hello there everyone, I went to a store that sells e-readers in my country and I have to admit that I was wrong. 10''+ inch e-readers would be the best options as many have suggested. I will be looking into it from here on out. Thank you all for helping me out with recommendations! I love you all!

02-07-2020, 12:21 PM	#14
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Even with a 10" it is a good idea to use landscape mode if supported. This will allow full page width and you can scroll down to get the rest of the page. A 10" screen will have a bit over 8" wide display when turned horizontally which will allow nearly full size.