Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book Readers > Which one should I buy?

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 10-20-2012, 10:33 AM   #1
ziyuang
Junior Member
ziyuang began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 4
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: None
Smile Which tablet is best for paper reading?

Hi, there. I am a new PhD student and need to read a lot of papers. So I want to buy a tablet for the job. Typically, a paper is in A4 PDF. And I need tools like annotation (better with mathematical formula input). Someone recommends the new iPad for me because of the retina display. On the other hand, Kindle Paperwhite has come out, with E-ink suitable for reading. Also, there are tablets with 11.6" or even 13.3" display, which can better fit the size of A4. I am quite confused.

Can you guys give me some suggestions? Thank you.
ziyuang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 10:36 AM   #2
HarryT
eBook Enthusiast
HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
HarryT's Avatar
 
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
The iPad with the "Goodreader" app is quite simply superb for this purpose. I thoroughly recommend it.
HarryT is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 10-20-2012, 01:23 PM   #3
jojoba
Addict
jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 277
Karma: 1039638
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Europe
Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad 3gen, Cybook Odyssey FL HD
I second Harry.

I'm a researcher and use my iPad3 extensively for work. iAnnotate, GoodReader and PDF Expert are all excellent annotation apps and they sync via dropbox. I used to have an iPad2 and while I'm not someone who typically upgrades every time a technological gadget comes in a new version, I exchanged it with a 3gen because of the retina display. When you are reading academic articles/pdfs for several hours a day, the screen resolution makes a difference. The screen size allows for comfortable pdf reading, IMO - I don't have to zoom in to read.

In addition, I also use Sente for bibliography management (this syncs with my mac), but you can also use Mendeley or Papers.

My recommendation is to definitely go for a tablet rather than an e-ink reader. I've outlined some of the reasons here, in other thread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...23&postcount=8

I've found that my iPad has greatly improved my academic work flow, and I warmly recommend it. If you can afford it, I'd go for the 3gen.

Last edited by jojoba; 10-20-2012 at 01:25 PM.
jojoba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2012, 03:37 PM   #4
ziyuang
Junior Member
ziyuang began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 4
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: None
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojoba View Post
I second Harry.

I'm a researcher and use my iPad3 extensively for work. iAnnotate, GoodReader and PDF Expert are all excellent annotation apps and they sync via dropbox. I used to have an iPad2 and while I'm not someone who typically upgrades every time a technological gadget comes in a new version, I exchanged it with a 3gen because of the retina display. When you are reading academic articles/pdfs for several hours a day, the screen resolution makes a difference. The screen size allows for comfortable pdf reading, IMO - I don't have to zoom in to read.

In addition, I also use Sente for bibliography management (this syncs with my mac), but you can also use Mendeley or Papers.

My recommendation is to definitely go for a tablet rather than an e-ink reader. I've outlined some of the reasons here, in other thread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...23&postcount=8

I've found that my iPad has greatly improved my academic work flow, and I warmly recommend it. If you can afford it, I'd go for the 3gen.
Thank you for your answer with great detail! Since Nexus 10 is coming out, will you recommend this tablet?
ziyuang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2012, 05:55 PM   #5
jojoba
Addict
jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 277
Karma: 1039638
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Europe
Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad 3gen, Cybook Odyssey FL HD
Quote:
Originally Posted by ziyuang View Post
Thank you for your answer with great detail! Since Nexus 10 is coming out, will you recommend this tablet?
I don't know much about it, but I'm sure it will do the job in terms of supporting pdf reading and annotation. I don't know how what dedicated android apps are out there for pdf management, but they probably exist. In any case, a folder structure in DropBox combined with iAnnotate for android would get you very far.

I had a quick look at this comparison:

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile...ipad-4-1108524

Seems like the nexus actually beats the iPad for screen specs, at least for ppi, so that's something to consider for reading purposes. On the other hand, the iPad will give you more max storage with 64GB vs max 32GB on the Nexus. 32GB will get you very very far, though, if you're planning to primarily store pdf documents (as opposed to music and videos).

Another consideration is the operating system. If you have a mac or an iPhone, you might want consistency and go for the iPad; if you have an android phone, that could make you lean towards the Nexus.

Seems like the Nexus doesn't have a 3/4G version yet, which would be a deal breaker for me, but it comes down to use patterns - a lot of people with iPads have wifi only and don't feel the need for 3g.
jojoba is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 11-02-2012, 04:18 AM   #6
HansTWN
Wizard
HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HansTWN ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 4,538
Karma: 264065402
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Taiwan
Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD
you might also consider the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. The screen resolution isn't as good as the iPad's, but you have a WACOM digitizer with a pen that works like a real pen for drawings, handwritten notes, etc.

You can also display two programs on the screen, something no Apple device nor any other Android device can do. It helps a lot when making comparison or looking things up on the web, etc.

Last edited by HansTWN; 11-02-2012 at 04:22 AM.
HansTWN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2012, 11:14 AM   #7
jojoba
Addict
jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jojoba ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 277
Karma: 1039638
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Europe
Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad 3gen, Cybook Odyssey FL HD
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansTWN View Post
You can also display two programs on the screen, something no Apple device nor any other Android device can do. It helps a lot when making comparison or looking things up on the web, etc.
Yes, I'm quite jealous of that feature. It's nice.
jojoba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:07 PM   #8
ziyuang
Junior Member
ziyuang began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 4
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: None
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojoba View Post
I don't know much about it, but I'm sure it will do the job in terms of supporting pdf reading and annotation. I don't know how what dedicated android apps are out there for pdf management, but they probably exist. In any case, a folder structure in DropBox combined with iAnnotate for android would get you very far.

I had a quick look at this comparison:

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile...ipad-4-1108524

Seems like the nexus actually beats the iPad for screen specs, at least for ppi, so that's something to consider for reading purposes. On the other hand, the iPad will give you more max storage with 64GB vs max 32GB on the Nexus. 32GB will get you very very far, though, if you're planning to primarily store pdf documents (as opposed to music and videos).

Another consideration is the operating system. If you have a mac or an iPhone, you might want consistency and go for the iPad; if you have an android phone, that could make you lean towards the Nexus.

Seems like the Nexus doesn't have a 3/4G version yet, which would be a deal breaker for me, but it comes down to use patterns - a lot of people with iPads have wifi only and don't feel the need for 3g.
Thanks very much again for your kindness! Actually I want to buy a Nexus 4 too so Nexus 10 may be my first choice.

Also, I usually stay in the campus so I think there will be quite a few hotspots.

Thanks for your advices

UPDATE: I did some quick search and found the Android version of iAnnotate

Last edited by ziyuang; 11-03-2012 at 03:16 PM.
ziyuang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:11 PM   #9
ziyuang
Junior Member
ziyuang began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 4
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: None
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansTWN View Post
you might also consider the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. The screen resolution isn't as good as the iPad's, but you have a WACOM digitizer with a pen that works like a real pen for drawings, handwritten notes, etc.

You can also display two programs on the screen, something no Apple device nor any other Android device can do. It helps a lot when making comparison or looking things up on the web, etc.
Why does Galaxy Note have this feature? I mean, it is running Android too... are there some hotkeys on the device?
ziyuang is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Project: E-Paper Tablet (touch-typable!) andrewed General Discussions 112 12-10-2014 11:28 AM
E-Paper Writing Tablet HarryHutton General Discussions 21 11-25-2013 10:43 PM
Tablet computers: Will devices like the iPad replace paper? EricDP News 83 10-04-2010 10:59 AM
reading paper vs using an eReader ps56k News 12 11-22-2009 07:28 PM
Environmental study: 30 min of e-paper reading = 30 mins of print reading Steven Lyle Jordan News 36 12-14-2007 03:29 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:37 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.