My ideal reader

Baldrake · 03-23-2009, 11:36 AM

I'm pretty sure my "ideal" e-reader is not (yet) made by anyone.

Much of my work involves reading and commenting on documents people send me. These are mainly in pdf form. Currently, I print them, kick back in an easy chair, and write in comments by hand. I then scan my marked up documents before sending them back. I think this makes me a pretty good candidate for an e-reader. Here's what it would need to do:

Support reading of PDF's at a comfortable text size.
Allow me to hand-write annotations like I can do on a piece of paper. The annotations should be saved back into the PDF. I have already tried this with a tablet PC, but found the input resolution unacceptable.
Provide a light email client. Almost all of the pdfs I need to read come by email. I'd like to download them, mark them up, and return them by email. This should be wi-fi based.
Provide a light web browser; the remaining pdfs I read mainly come from the web.

Does anyone have any comments on annotations in current e-readers? Or thoughts on which reader comes closest to my requirements?

Thanks.

pilotbob · 03-23-2009, 11:48 AM

The only currently marketed devices that allow hand written annotations are the iRex devices. They also have the larger screen sizes that are more suitable to A4 layout sizes.

I don't think they actually have email clients.

BOb

Ervserver · 03-23-2009, 12:35 PM

Netbook computer

Baldrake · 03-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Thanks, guys.

Bob, have you ever used the annotation tools on the iRex reader? To be honest, the reviews I've seen of that one on this site have frightened me off.

Ervserver, like I wrote, I already have a tablet PC. I don't like reading on it, and I find the annotations too low resolution to be practical.

pilotbob · 03-23-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldrake

Bob, have you ever used the annotation tools on the iRex reader? To be honest, the reviews I've seen of that one on this site have frightened me off.

No sorry. Your best bet is to spelunk through the iRex sections here. There are several owners of those devices among our membership.

You only other option is to wait. There will probably be several 9.7inch devices on the market by the holidays. There will be several 6inch devices out soon too that support hand writing, the Onyx Boox is the primary one that comes to mind, but I think one of the Astak promised models is to have this feature too. Then again, they are all 6inch devices so will probably not meet the PDF requierments as well either.

BOb

03-23-2009, 11:36 AM	#1
Baldrake Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 1792 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 3, HTC Mozart	My ideal reader I'm pretty sure my "ideal" e-reader is not (yet) made by anyone. Much of my work involves reading and commenting on documents people send me. These are mainly in pdf form. Currently, I print them, kick back in an easy chair, and write in comments by hand. I then scan my marked up documents before sending them back. I think this makes me a pretty good candidate for an e-reader. Here's what it would need to do: Support reading of PDF's at a comfortable text size. Allow me to hand-write annotations like I can do on a piece of paper. The annotations should be saved back into the PDF. I have already tried this with a tablet PC, but found the input resolution unacceptable. Provide a light email client. Almost all of the pdfs I need to read come by email. I'd like to download them, mark them up, and return them by email. This should be wi-fi based. Provide a light web browser; the remaining pdfs I read mainly come from the web. Does anyone have any comments on annotations in current e-readers? Or thoughts on which reader comes closest to my requirements? Thanks.

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03-23-2009, 11:48 AM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	The only currently marketed devices that allow hand written annotations are the iRex devices. They also have the larger screen sizes that are more suitable to A4 layout sizes. I don't think they actually have email clients. BOb

03-23-2009, 12:35 PM	#3
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	Netbook computer

03-23-2009, 01:26 PM	#4
Baldrake Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 1792 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 3, HTC Mozart	Thanks, guys. Bob, have you ever used the annotation tools on the iRex reader? To be honest, the reviews I've seen of that one on this site have frightened me off. Ervserver, like I wrote, I already have a tablet PC. I don't like reading on it, and I find the annotations too low resolution to be practical.