Help Deciding Which Reader

ghosty86 · 11-29-2009, 09:19 AM

Hi,

I am finally going to get an ebook reader but I am unsure of which one is best suited to me.

My usage will be mainly reading PDF files (scanned, mainly text but sometimes with graphics although the graphics arent super important to view).

I know there are various PDF readers out there such as Kindle DX but the problem I have is that I would like a reader the size of a paperback (or at most, a hardback) book. I would obviously like the PDFs to be readable on such a size with the text not being too small and also not having to scroll around to see the entire page (I have an iPhone and this is the main problem I have with viewing PDFs on it).

I also have no problem with converting the PDFs to another format to be readable on the player as long as it will read the same when on the reader with no errors or jumbled pages/text etc.

Other features I have no real need for are WiFi (Prob wont be purchasing books from any online stores, and if I need a software update I can connect the device to my PC) and touchscreen (I would take a touchscreen reader if its the best for my needs otherwise but it would not be a selling point for me as id rather save the money that touchscreen would cost).

The main reason for wanting to avoid a large reader for PDF is I would like to use it in bed and on the train etc and I feel a large reader would be cumbersome for such things and also I dont want people on a train etc looking over my shoulder at what im reading on the huge screen! :P

If there are no devices that currently meet my needs, are there any coming out soon that I should keep an eye on.

Oh, I also live in the UK if that helps for recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

Katti's Cat · 11-29-2009, 09:25 AM

Hi & welcome to MR

Check out the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book_device for a start to check what might be suitable for you. Plenty of readers about but of course not only a question of file formats but also price (as usual).

ghosty86 · 11-29-2009, 09:31 AM

With regard to price I would obviously like the cheapest reader that meets all of my needs, but I would be willing to pay more for a device if it meant that it could do all I needed it to do.

That link was very informative, thank you. The main problem I have is that some devices are listed as being able to display PDF but I am unsure of how good they are displayed and if it requires scrolling around to view the entire page (like on the iPhone). Also, bookmarks are an important feature for me (although I assume most readers have this function) as I would like it to remember the last page I viewed when I turn it off as this is a problem I currently have viewing PDF's on an iPhone.

wallcraft · 11-29-2009, 09:49 AM

I just added a more detailed list of PDF capabilities to the E-book Reader Matrix. I'm not sure any EInk device with a 6" screen will meet your needs, but the two best options are probably the Sony PRS-600 and the PocketBook 301 Plus. You may be able to find a PRS-600 on display in a store to try for yourself. The PocketBook would be mail order, but it has the most full featured PDF reader software (see Pocketbook 360 test diary). The Reader Matrix also lists larger screen devices, which are intrinsically better for A4/letter PDFs but are either expensive or not yet available.

If your scans are images in PDFs, then "reflow" won't work but there are programs that take one page (image or not) and make it into several pages for better viewing on a small screen.

gwynevans · 11-29-2009, 10:13 AM

It's a bit tricky to advise, as the two requirements about PDF viewing & device size tend to work against each other!

Are the PDFs generated for A4 pages, which I'm guessing that scans would suggest, or smaller pages (A5 or even A6)? The other issue with scans would be that they won't be able to be zoomed as text & to reformat beforehand, you'd either need to run them through an OCR process, or one of the PDF2LRF type of utilities here that again end up with a page displaying an image.

I have a suspicion that as you investigate, you'll need that you can't get what you want (6" reader that can display legible A4 PDFs without zooming/scrolling) and you'll either need to consider scrolling/zooming, in which case the Sony Touch might be suitable (maybe put a couple of example docs on an SD card and try them in a shop before you buy), or a larger reader, in which case there are a few possibles, from the IRex DR range through to Kindle DX (not yet in the UK), the Sony Daily (not yet out even in the US) or others (there are a few larger screened readers expected to appear next year).

Sorry that's not more helpful, but hope it's of some use - See the site in my .sig for some notes about specific readers.

ghosty86 · 11-29-2009, 10:28 AM

Thanks for the replies.

It seems i'll need to go for a bigger device.....which device is considered the best larger PDF viewer (id rather not go as large as an A4 sized reader). I seen that iRex do an Iliad reader thats 8" is that a good size for PDF?

gwynevans · 11-30-2009, 07:09 PM

See this thread - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61848 - It seems that the iRex is very good for PDFs but has a whole load of issues that mean that it's typically a love/hate relationship!

The other option might be the Kindle DX, but that's a personal import only for us in the UK - more here

Book Depository · 12-01-2009, 06:34 AM

If I wanted an ereader I would consider the following:
- availability of format
- styling and design
- reputation

It seems there are so many different supported formats on so many different devices that it's hard to make a decision, although I don't think I would by the Kindle purely for the fact that it only supports eBooks from Amazon.

It's a bit restrictive isn't it?

HarryT · 12-01-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Book Depository

although I don't think I would by the Kindle purely for the fact that it only supports eBooks from Amazon.

I'm sorry, but that is completely untrue. You can read any DRM-free Mobipocket book on the Kindle.

Book Depository · 12-01-2009, 08:55 AM

Appologies HarryT, I was unaware of that.

Thats is good news that I didn't know. Obviously I need a bit more research before I speak.

Wouldn't it be great though if it and many other eReaders supported all the formats all time.

HarryT · 12-01-2009, 09:02 AM

Pretty much every reading device except the Kindle supports ePub. It is becoming very much THE standard, especially here in Europe, where Amazon are very much of a "non presence" (in the eBook market, that is).

Book Depository · 12-01-2009, 10:07 AM

Thanks HarryT.

I do like the Kindle for it's lightness and slimness but I found th screen a bit too small for it's actually size. It worked well for me too. I just want to be able to buy eBooks from wherever and use them on the eReader of my choice. Something we are trying to get to ourselves.

I have started a new post about how people search/buy eBooks:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63847

Would love to hear what you think.

11-29-2009, 09:19 AM	#1
ghosty86 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	Help Deciding Which Reader Hi, I am finally going to get an ebook reader but I am unsure of which one is best suited to me. My usage will be mainly reading PDF files (scanned, mainly text but sometimes with graphics although the graphics arent super important to view). I know there are various PDF readers out there such as Kindle DX but the problem I have is that I would like a reader the size of a paperback (or at most, a hardback) book. I would obviously like the PDFs to be readable on such a size with the text not being too small and also not having to scroll around to see the entire page (I have an iPhone and this is the main problem I have with viewing PDFs on it). I also have no problem with converting the PDFs to another format to be readable on the player as long as it will read the same when on the reader with no errors or jumbled pages/text etc. Other features I have no real need for are WiFi (Prob wont be purchasing books from any online stores, and if I need a software update I can connect the device to my PC) and touchscreen (I would take a touchscreen reader if its the best for my needs otherwise but it would not be a selling point for me as id rather save the money that touchscreen would cost). The main reason for wanting to avoid a large reader for PDF is I would like to use it in bed and on the train etc and I feel a large reader would be cumbersome for such things and also I dont want people on a train etc looking over my shoulder at what im reading on the huge screen! :P If there are no devices that currently meet my needs, are there any coming out soon that I should keep an eye on. Oh, I also live in the UK if that helps for recommendations. Thanks in advance!

12-01-2009, 06:34 AM	#8
Book Depository Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eton Device: iPhone 3G S, Kindle	If I wanted an ereader I would consider the following: - availability of format - styling and design - reputation It seems there are so many different supported formats on so many different devices that it's hard to make a decision, although I don't think I would by the Kindle purely for the fact that it only supports eBooks from Amazon. It's a bit restrictive isn't it? Last edited by Book Depository; 12-01-2009 at 06:36 AM. Reason: typo's

12-01-2009, 09:02 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Pretty much every reading device except the Kindle supports ePub. It is becoming very much THE standard, especially here in Europe, where Amazon are very much of a "non presence" (in the eBook market, that is). Last edited by HarryT; 12-01-2009 at 09:05 AM. Reason: Clarification.

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11-29-2009, 09:25 AM	#2
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	Hi & welcome to MR Check out the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book_device for a start to check what might be suitable for you. Plenty of readers about but of course not only a question of file formats but also price (as usual).

11-29-2009, 09:31 AM	#3
ghosty86 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	With regard to price I would obviously like the cheapest reader that meets all of my needs, but I would be willing to pay more for a device if it meant that it could do all I needed it to do. That link was very informative, thank you. The main problem I have is that some devices are listed as being able to display PDF but I am unsure of how good they are displayed and if it requires scrolling around to view the entire page (like on the iPhone). Also, bookmarks are an important feature for me (although I assume most readers have this function) as I would like it to remember the last page I viewed when I turn it off as this is a problem I currently have viewing PDF's on an iPhone.

11-29-2009, 09:49 AM	#4
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	I just added a more detailed list of PDF capabilities to the E-book Reader Matrix. I'm not sure any EInk device with a 6" screen will meet your needs, but the two best options are probably the Sony PRS-600 and the PocketBook 301 Plus. You may be able to find a PRS-600 on display in a store to try for yourself. The PocketBook would be mail order, but it has the most full featured PDF reader software (see Pocketbook 360 test diary). The Reader Matrix also lists larger screen devices, which are intrinsically better for A4/letter PDFs but are either expensive or not yet available. If your scans are images in PDFs, then "reflow" won't work but there are programs that take one page (image or not) and make it into several pages for better viewing on a small screen.

11-29-2009, 10:13 AM	#5
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	It's a bit tricky to advise, as the two requirements about PDF viewing & device size tend to work against each other! Are the PDFs generated for A4 pages, which I'm guessing that scans would suggest, or smaller pages (A5 or even A6)? The other issue with scans would be that they won't be able to be zoomed as text & to reformat beforehand, you'd either need to run them through an OCR process, or one of the PDF2LRF type of utilities here that again end up with a page displaying an image. I have a suspicion that as you investigate, you'll need that you can't get what you want (6" reader that can display legible A4 PDFs without zooming/scrolling) and you'll either need to consider scrolling/zooming, in which case the Sony Touch might be suitable (maybe put a couple of example docs on an SD card and try them in a shop before you buy), or a larger reader, in which case there are a few possibles, from the IRex DR range through to Kindle DX (not yet in the UK), the Sony Daily (not yet out even in the US) or others (there are a few larger screened readers expected to appear next year). Sorry that's not more helpful, but hope it's of some use - See the site in my .sig for some notes about specific readers.

11-29-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
ghosty86 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	Thanks for the replies. It seems i'll need to go for a bigger device.....which device is considered the best larger PDF viewer (id rather not go as large as an A4 sized reader). I seen that iRex do an Iliad reader thats 8" is that a good size for PDF?

11-30-2009, 07:09 PM	#7
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	See this thread - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61848 - It seems that the iRex is very good for PDFs but has a whole load of issues that mean that it's typically a love/hate relationship! The other option might be the Kindle DX, but that's a personal import only for us in the UK - more here

12-01-2009, 08:55 AM	#10
Book Depository Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eton Device: iPhone 3G S, Kindle	Appologies HarryT, I was unaware of that. Thats is good news that I didn't know. Obviously I need a bit more research before I speak. Wouldn't it be great though if it and many other eReaders supported all the formats all time.

12-01-2009, 10:07 AM	#12
Book Depository Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eton Device: iPhone 3G S, Kindle	Thanks HarryT. I do like the Kindle for it's lightness and slimness but I found th screen a bit too small for it's actually size. It worked well for me too. I just want to be able to buy eBooks from wherever and use them on the eReader of my choice. Something we are trying to get to ourselves. I have started a new post about how people search/buy eBooks: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63847 Would love to hear what you think.

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