Suggestions required for uni student please

[Erinath]

Hi,
I have a Kindle Keyboard, but it's faulty therefore I want to replace it. I mainly want to be able to read my textbooks & journals which are in PDF format. I don't like staring at computer screens for great amounts of time, therefore am reluctant to move away from e ink. I will not need to view intricate diagrams or images in the PDFs, mainly just text. I also study some free online courses, and the latest one only has the book available on the epub format therefore I would like a device which supports that format. It also would mean I could then borrow ebooks from my local library.

I would prefer not to spend more than £200, but can go higher if necessary & am limited to what's available in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[soulfuldog]

Have you been reading your PDF textbooks on your Kindle up to now? If so, and are happy enough with how they look and you appreciate that PDF's on 6" ereaders are far from ideal (a tablet is always the recommendation for someone wanting to read PDFs) your best option is probably a Sony, as while it's far from perfect for PDF's, it's better than the Kobo & Nook.

Either the PRS-T1 or the T2, the latter is slightly newer and faster, has a nicer matte finish and slightly improved battery life, but doesn't have audio capabilities, and has annoying sticky-up buttons). The T2 new costs £119 but you could buy either refurbished direct from Sony for £80-85).

You could perhaps ask in the Sony forum for feedback on which of the two is better for PDF's.

[Erinath]

Originally Posted by l_macd

Have you been reading your PDF textbooks on your Kindle up to now?

Yes I had been, it always seemed a bit awkward but still perfectly manageable.

Thanks for the advice.

[Rizla]

If I were you, I would get an Android e-reader (Sony T1 / T2 or Nook).

They can be rooted, and then you can install a 3rd-party app to read the pdfs. I understand ezpdf is very good.

See this link for pdf handling on a rooted and unrooted Nook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAcdHuI5hw

Nooks root better than Sonys (i.e. are more stable). The T1 is probably easier to root than the T2. If you go with the Sonys, check they can run good pdf handling apps when rooted first.

If you don't want to root, consider the Sonys. Even unrooted, the Sonys at least provide text reflow (don't know about the Nook). Do not touch a later generation Kindle or a Kobo. They do not reflow.

[markom]

Originally Posted by Erinath

Hi,
I have a Kindle Keyboard, but it's faulty therefore I want to replace it. I mainly want to be able to read my textbooks & journals which are in PDF format. I don't like staring at computer screens for great amounts of time, therefore am reluctant to move away from e ink. I will not need to view intricate diagrams or images in the PDFs, mainly just text. I also study some free online courses, and the latest one only has the book available on the epub format therefore I would like a device which supports that format. It also would mean I could then borrow ebooks from my local library.

I would prefer not to spend more than £200, but can go higher if necessary & am limited to what's available in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Your kindle keyboard is good for pdf's and epubs, as good as Sony Prs T1 if you don't need touch screen, but you have to install kindlepdfviewer thereon.

Reading A4 format pdf on any 6" device is not a great experience though, so buying used Kindle DX (kindlepdfviewer installed too) or some other bigger e-reader like M92/Icarus with stylus, is a much better idea.

[meeera]

I don't think that the UK public libraries do lending for Kindles yet, do they?

[Erinath]

Originally Posted by Rizla

If I were you, I would get an Android e-reader (Sony T1 / T2 or Nook). [...]

Nooks root better than Sonys (i.e. are more stable). The T1 is probably easier to root than the T2. If you go with the Sonys, check they can run good pdf handling apps when rooted first.

It is mainly the Sony & Nook I had been looking at, especially as Nook seems to be on offer in the UK at the moment.

Originally Posted by markom

Your kindle keyboard is good for pdf's and epubs, as good as Sony Prs T1 if you don't need touch screen, but you have to install kindlepdfviewer thereon.

Reading A4 format pdf on any 6" device is not a great experience though, so buying used Kindle DX (kindlepdfviewer installed too) or some other bigger e-reader like M92/Icarus with stylus, is a much better idea.

Touch screen isn't an issue one way or the other. Out of curiosity I looked at Icarus & M92 and they are not only difficult to get hold of in the UK, but also considerably out of my price range. Shame really, as the Icarus eXcel looked really good. Was confused by them stating Icarus8 seemed to imply you could use a stylus, but one doesn't come bundled in the box so was unsure.

Originally Posted by meeera

I don't think that the UK public libraries do lending for Kindles yet, do they?

You're quite right, our libraries seem to only offer epub books.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Erinath

You're quite right, our libraries seem to only offer epub books.

Well, as markom says, kindlepdfviewer can handle epub - but that doesn't mean it can handle the library DRM (which I think is ADE). Someone more informed may happen along.

[Erinath]

Originally Posted by meeera

Well, as markom says, kindlepdfviewer can handle epub - but that doesn't mean it can handle the library DRM (which I think is ADE). Someone more informed may happen along.

My Kindle's broken, that's why I need a new e-book reader. Wasn't impressed by Amazon's attitude when I approached them for help about my faulty Kindle, they simply told me "it's out of warranty", so think I'd rather not be sending more money their way.

[soulfuldog]

That's a surprise, Amazon usually seem to offer a reduced price on a replacement model - they seem to be the most savvy when it comes to trying to keep their customers. If you buy any other ereader, you are pretty much guaranteed to be on your own once the warranty period is up, so don't be buying another ereader and hoping to get better service! (Though if it's just faulty you can of course argue that it should have lasted longer and seek a refund/replacement that way).

Perhaps the people that get offered cheap replacements buy Amazon are all pretty good customers, whereas you perhaps haven't bought many ebooks for your Kindle from Amazon, so therefore they aren't so worried about offering you any deals?

Anyway, back to the question in hand, an epub capable reader so you can also read library books... 'Other' brands like Onyx, Pocketboot etc just aren't as easily available and readers with bigger screens are just pretty dear. I hadn't considered the Nook because it's poor for PDF's out of the box, whereas the Sony will be similar to your Kindle. But if you are willing to root it, the Nook could be an option, and a far cheaper option than the Sony.

[Erinath]

I'd always read about the excellent customer service from Amazon, but lately they seem to be severely going downhill (maybe that's just the UK one?) Admittedly, I didn't exactly buy loads of Kindle books from them, but I used to be a regular customer with regards to buying pretty much everything else from them. It wouldn't have hurt them to at least suggest how to get a repair or steps to take to try & resolve the issue. I've since Googled & it seems a pretty common fault (keeps on randomly typing & refreshing the page without being touched - even went back a couple of pages without being touched the other day).

I don't mind the idea of rooting, and from what I can tell the Nook is a little bit more stable when doing so. Though admittedly those refurbished T1s directly from Sony are looking pretty tempting too. My big concern with going down the Sony route is what they are like for stopping people from messing about with their products (such as what they did with the PS3s).

Thanks for all the advice

[Erinath]

Have now got a refurbished Sony PRS-T1 ordered, really looking forward to playing around with it. Thanks again for the advice.

[soulfuldog]

Quick can you cancel that order?

Looks like a new Sony will be on it's way, as they've just offered a 35% discount on a new T2 with the code READER35 getting you it for £77.35 via the Sony Store online.