PCs are best for e-reading, Microsoft's Ballmer says

[jankovicgood]

update

[luqmaninbmore]

Originally Posted by jankovicgood

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv...5974OZ20091008

Note to Ballmer: Barnes and Nobles software already works on the PC AND on various mobile platforms, including Windows Mobile.

[ilovejedd]

So does Adobe Digital Editions and Mobipocket (at least on the PC). I think only Kindle format ebooks are not viewable on the PC (without removing DRM, that is).

[neilmarr]

From my experience, you're both dead right. I can read every single ebook in my various libraries (I don't have Kindle and don't want one) on PC, laptop and netbook as well as on my Sony PRS-505. I've been work reading on screen for over ten years: all my recreational reading is now on my 505. Ever tried taking a PC to bed or slipping a laptop into your inside pocket? Hoots. Neil

[JayCeeEll]

I always find using a 17" LCD screen in the bath quite challenging, and I will NEVER again use one in the shower (shudder!)

[pilotbob]

But PC's are big, bulky, heavy and have awful batter life. Well, compared to a Sony or such.

I wonder if Balmer ever uses the competition and alternative devices that he trashes.

BOb

[GhostHawk]

My PC is in the office, and yes its where I started reading Ebooks.

My jetbook is normally by my recliner, but goes to the deck, the kitchen, the office, the lake cabin, and anywhere else where I might have 5 min of uninterrupted time.

Including the River Bank if the fishing is slow.

I love both, but the one does not replace the other.

[hal_9000]

maybe one of those mini-laptop PC's that are tiny, but a desktop or standard size notebook? i dont think the screen size outweighs the inconvenience of not being able to just go down to the coffee shop or the park.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

But PC's are big, bulky, heavy and have awful batter life.

Not necessarily. We're seeing more and more ultra-portables being released in the past few months. We now have a couple of reasonably-priced ultra-thin notebooks (e.g. Acer Aspire Timeline, ASUS UL, MSI X340). We're bound to see Intel's CULV processors on tablets/slates sooner or later. Then, there's the Atom. Sure, battery life still can't compare to e-ink but a PC certainly has more functionality.

Besides, Microsoft isn't the best when it comes to marketing. If they do release an ebook reading device, it'll probably flop so they're better off leaving the gadget making to hardware companies and just encourage companies to release software readers for their operating systems.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by hal_9000

maybe one of those mini-laptop PC's that are tiny, but a desktop or standard size notebook? i dont think the screen size outweighs the inconvenience of not being able to just go down to the coffee shop or the park.

Not everybody reads when they go out. For those who only read at home at their desks, there's nothing wrong with using a computer for reading (or a laptop, to give yourself a bit more mobility).

[AnemicOak]

I believe he's right though, for now. The PC/Mac is the most popular reading device out there. Most ebook readers don't have a dedicated device or even a PDA or Smart Phone.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I believe he's right though, for now. The PC/Mac is the most popular reading device out there. Most ebook readers don't have a dedicated device or even a PDA or Smart Phone.

A recent survey by O'Reilly seems to bear this out, as it indicates that PDF is still the dominant e-book format. It is considered to be flexible, but best read on computers and laptops, suggesting that the combination of PDFs on full computers and laptops ably dominate the industry.

(Interesting, though, as I've never sold a single novel in PDF, and when I removed PDF from my selections, I was never asked to put them back in. But they could be creating their own from RTF files...)

Jow Wickert of O'Reilly says ePub is a distant second, but as more devices and apps add the format to their list, this may change quickly...

[hal_9000]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Not everybody reads when they go out. For those who only read at home at their desks, there's nothing wrong with using a computer for reading (or a laptop, to give yourself a bit more mobility).

true. but more fundamentally: when i read for pleasure, i want to feel like i'm reading for pleasure, and not back at the office where i just spent 10 hours staring into a backlit computer screen. holding a book-size ereader with no backlit screen at least comes somewhat close to putting me in that mode.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by hal_9000

true. but more fundamentally: when i read for pleasure, i want to feel like i'm reading for pleasure, and not back at the office where i just spent 10 hours staring into a backlit computer screen. holding a book-size ereader with no backlit screen at least comes somewhat close to putting me in that mode.

As your wording suggests, that's fundamental for you... not necessarily for everyone else. Lots of people see computers as devices for recreation, not just work, and therefore don't have trouble reading from them after working with them for hours.

I understand how you can feel that way, plenty of other people do as well, and there's nothing wrong with that opinion. We just have to understand that it isn't everybody's opinion... and apparently, it isn't even the majority opinion. Yet.

[Elfwreck]

no need for its own e-reader, since it already supplies the software that runs the most popular device for electronic reading

That device is hell to read on a crowded train. Also, not so good for standing in line at the lunch counter. Troublesome to read aloud to a child curled up on my lap, too.