10-14-2008, 10:09 PM | #1 |
In eBook Heaven
Posts: 11
Karma: 50
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia, USA
Device: iPhone (owned), Kindle
|
Might as well post my requirements for eBook readers...
Well, everybody and their sister are looking to be more environmentally friendly, and I'm no different. I read quite a few books within the span of a year or so, so saving trees is becoming quite the priority for me personally (and buying used real books doesn't seem to ease my conscience...).
Here are my main requirements:
I think that covers it. So, any thoughts? Any suggestions? in advance for your advice. BJ |
10-15-2008, 11:33 AM | #2 |
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
|
Most any e-INK eBook reader will meet your needs depending on how you define things. What does sync to a mac mean? All the units will mount as a memory device to the mac and to the pc. This means you can drag files across the boundary back a forth. If you want a program to manage the eBook interface then that is a different thing.
PDF support is on all readers except the Kindle which will translate it for you if you submit the file to their web site. however PDF support works very different among the various readers. Read the first article in the sticky portion of this forum for more details. PDF support is problematic for all readers less that the 10.2" version by iRex. Dale |
Advert | |
|
10-15-2008, 12:06 PM | #3 |
I'm Super Kindle-icious
Posts: 6,734
Karma: 2434103
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia
Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis
|
What kind of PDFs are you wanting to use? Are they mostly text or full of complicated graphs and tables?
|
10-15-2008, 12:26 PM | #4 | ||
In eBook Heaven
Posts: 11
Karma: 50
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia, USA
Device: iPhone (owned), Kindle
|
Quote:
Quote:
BJ |
||
10-15-2008, 12:38 PM | #5 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,451
Karma: 1550000
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Maryland, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE
|
Well, I think for the most part, buying ebooks and being able to read them quickly is a given on most any of the readers, eInk or not. Personally, I was not particularly happy with the synching ability of any of the readers for Macs; you might be able to upload to the reader through the Mac, but reading books on a Mac could be a bit trickier if you wanted to read DRM'd books. None of the big three formats (Sony's .lrf, Amazon's Kindle and Mobi) that are popular on dedicated eBook readers provides software for reading on a Mac (Though Sony and Mobi can both be read on a PC). You can read non-Drm'd books via Stanza or FBread.
PDF's are the biggest problem. I think at the moment, that Sony is the only one that supports re-flowable PDF's. Without that ability you either have to look at only part of a page at a time or deal with really tiny type. You could also get one of the larger IREX readers but they are quite a bit more expensive. Anyway, I hope this helps. -- Bill |
Advert | |
|
10-15-2008, 12:43 PM | #6 |
I'm Super Kindle-icious
Posts: 6,734
Karma: 2434103
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia
Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis
|
Well if the PDFs are mostly text, I think the Kindle fits your requirements (yes, I'm prejudiced).
* Easy to use (total dealbreaker if it's not easy to use) The Kindle is very easy to use * e-ink display (doesn't have to be color, but dealbreaker if it isn't e-ink) No e-ink readers available to the public are color. * PDF support (isn't an absolute dealbreaker requirement, but it'd be nice nevertheless to have true PDF support without some sort of stupid workaround if absolutely necessary) For text PDFs, amazon will do the work of converting them for you and send them directly to your Kindle via Whispernet. The turnaround for conversion is very fast. Usually minutes and once in a blue moon an hour or more (if it's wireless network problem). * Ability to sync with Macintosh (in the case of Kindle, what if I'm in a wireless dead zone? If I can't sync with a Mac, it's a dealbreaker for me) Use this link to check availability or strength of Whispernet in your area. I've had my Kindle wireless work in areas where my cell phone didn't... go figure. You can still download to your computer and transfer books via USB cable. * Ability to purchase eBooks and be able to read them within a few hours (left intentionally broad for a reason) You can start reading within minutes of purchasing Amazon books on the Kindle. You can also try the Kindle for 30 days and return it for a refund if it doesn't work for you. |
10-15-2008, 04:05 PM | #7 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
One really doesn't need "sync" or "management software"; all modern devices simply mount as a drive via USB, and one copies files to them as one would any other drive.
|
10-15-2008, 04:11 PM | #8 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,451
Karma: 1550000
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Maryland, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE
|
Quote:
-- Bill |
|
10-15-2008, 04:15 PM | #9 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
|
|
10-15-2008, 04:41 PM | #10 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,451
Karma: 1550000
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Maryland, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE
|
|
10-15-2008, 04:54 PM | #11 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
True about HTML, but I've never thought of it as an "eBook format". You're correct about ePub - it's basically a renamed ZIP file with HTML content, but there again that's pretty much what LIT and MobiPocket books are too.
|
10-15-2008, 08:14 PM | #12 | |
In eBook Heaven
Posts: 11
Karma: 50
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia, USA
Device: iPhone (owned), Kindle
|
Quote:
BJ Last edited by BJWanlund; 10-15-2008 at 08:20 PM. |
|
10-15-2008, 08:37 PM | #13 |
I'm Super Kindle-icious
Posts: 6,734
Karma: 2434103
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia
Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis
|
Yay!
|
10-15-2008, 08:43 PM | #14 |
Enjoying the show....
Posts: 14,270
Karma: 10462841
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Arizona
Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir
|
And we have another convert......enjoy! And if you haven't already, go to Amazon's Kindle page, and watch the informational video.....thats what sold me. Ignore the 'celebrities' videos......
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...XGWP875P4A5MF5 Last edited by desertgrandma; 10-15-2008 at 08:45 PM. |
10-15-2008, 10:29 PM | #15 |
In eBook Heaven
Posts: 11
Karma: 50
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia, USA
Device: iPhone (owned), Kindle
|
I've seen that video already. Seeing it again.
BJ EDIT: I also like seeing testimonies from celebs, Martha Stewart, et al. Last edited by BJWanlund; 10-15-2008 at 10:56 PM. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
U.S. says eReaders don't meet ADA requirements | gastan | News | 40 | 07-02-2010 06:10 PM |
contradictions in ereader device requirements | Liviu_5 | Which one should I buy? | 5 | 05-31-2006 04:15 PM |