Looking for a Good Manga E-reader

[jakedj93]

I am looking for a good E-reader for manga, I am searching and searching but I cannot seem to find one with everything I want. I was hoping someone could help me find one with the following specs:

1. High resolution (such as 1600x1200)
2. 9.7 inch display size
3. Some sort of back light for night
4. Expandable memory slot
5. Touchscreen capabilities (with infrared for finger use)

6. Color perhaps (but this isn't necessary)

Are there any readers that fit this criteria? I would be willing to use a ship forwarding service if there is something like this overseas also.

[AcidWeb]

AFAIK there is no e-reader that meets your specs.

That specs look like you searching for tablet not e-reader.

E-Ink devices that are currently best manga readers are:
- Kindle Paperwhite 2
- Kobo Aura HD

Not tested second one but I've heard good feedback.

[mcrow]

Yes, E-readers are not going to be 9.7" or high res like that or be in color.

You could look at the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9", iPad Air or a bunch of other devices which are more suited for what you are looking for.

[jakedj93]

Well, I have found e readers with color, and that high resolution in a 9.7 inch screen, so the technology is there, but I guess no one is smart enough to put them all together yet. I didn't really want a tablet because the lcd screen's effect on my eyes but I might have to go down that path.

Hanvon has some advertised e readers with some of these specs but I cannot seem to find anyone selling them anywhere.

[AcidWeb]

If you want e-ink screen you don't have much choice. Already posted you two best models :-)

[petrucci]

As noted, no e-reader has those features. I am certain that many people will recommend an i-pad.

If you must have e-ink, then you have to decide which features you want. If you want a large size, the main ones are the Kindle DX, Onyx Boox m92, and Ectaco Jetbook Color. The Kindle is the least expensive, as it is on sale for 170 right now, which is approximately half the cost of the others. If you want resolution then the Kindle PW2 or Aura HD are good choices.

Size is probably very important in reading the text. Zooming/scrolling with e-readers is unpleasant.

[Crimmers]

I love E-Ink technology for reading books, but I have to tell you that for manga/graphic novels, you are going to be MUCH better off with a tablet. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10") a couple years back really cheap from Costco, and its perfect for this purpose. I've heard very good things about the new Google Nexus tabs these days.

On android, there are free apps that basically have every manga in the world, and you just click on their name and it automatically downloads volumes to your device instantaneously, for free. There are also excellent cbr/cbz readers that can work with your current collection. Just drop all your manga into a 16gb or 32gb microsd card, keep all your folder structures, and pop it into your android tablet. Open your comic reader and you're good to go. You can do things like set the volume rocker to do page turns, and also flip things so a left swipe/tap will go to the next instead of the previous page, to coincide with manga reading directions. You're just not going to be able to beat this with a reader.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Crimmers

On android, there are free apps that basically have every manga in the world, and you just click on their name and it automatically downloads volumes to your device instantaneously, for free.

How can this be legally possible? Surely the overwhelming majority of Manga are copyrighted works, are they not?

[Rbneader]

The Kobo Aura HD is the only ereader that might be close, but it's only an 8 inch screen and no color.

The Nook HD+ sounds like very close to what you want. I found it much easier on my eyes than my other Android tablet. It's around $150 new right now which is an absolute steal.

You can really control the screen brightness. It was a surprise to realize how limited my other tablet's brightness controls were, and being able to turn the brightness down more really helped with eyestrain. The HD+'s resolution is really good (1920 x 1280) and that also helped.

[KayLee]

Maybe Kindle DX, Free 3G, 9.7" E Ink Display, 3G Works Globally

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-DX-Wire...ords=kindle+dx

[Crimmers]

Originally Posted by HarryT

How can this be legally possible? Surely the overwhelming majority of Manga are copyrighted works, are they not?

I'm not sure. If I recall, the ones they have are mostly "fan subs", meaning that fans do their own translations of the Japanese manga. Of course, since the art is the work of the Japanese publishers, this is not 100% ok, but its a bit of a gray area and apparently the publishers never go after these fans. The fan groups are usually good about stopping distribution of these subs when and if a U.S. company licenses the work and does an official translation and release. I think the thinking of the Japanese companies is that it is this type of fan work that has promoted and made anime and manga popular in the US, so in the end it actually helps them.
If the apps do have licensed works, maybe they have some sort of ad sharing agreement? Or maybe they don't. But anyway the apps are freely downloadable from the Google Play Store, so I'm not sure its the consumers job to look into all the rights issues. I assume Google has some ability to remove infringing apps from its store.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by HarryT

How can this be legally possible? Surely the overwhelming majority of Manga are copyrighted works, are they not?

Not legal.But tolerated by publishers, who realize they would make their readers angry by putting a stop to that. Unless a way can be found to speed up translation.