Quagmire

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-21-2010, 04:53 PM

My first post and reason for registering is simple. There are a ton of different e readers of all shapes and sizes. Is there one that will handle all formats? Which will handle most of them? My son has a Tablet PC that is a couple of years old and broken but can be fixed for about $400.00 or so, would that be best? Please, let me know which way is the better option. All opinions welcome.

LCF · 02-21-2010, 04:58 PM

Hi Crescent_Hawk0! Welcome to MobileRead!

A few very important questions:
Do you need color?
Do you read large PDFs with a lot of pictures / equasions etc, or just text books.
What do you expect form your eReader?

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-21-2010, 05:07 PM

I don't neeeed color, but I wouldn't mind.

No textbooks with equations, long passed that stage.

No PDFs

Simply to enjoy books. I love books and already read a ton.

desertgrandma · 02-21-2010, 05:10 PM

Welcome to MobileRead, quagmire.

Another important facet..........where are you? There are different readers suitable/available in different parts of the world.

Enjoy the forums, and I think you can do way better than $400.

daffy4u · 02-21-2010, 05:16 PM

Do you need/want portability? What size device would be preferable? Do you already own a smart phone or PDA? Do you prefer a back lit LCD or will an e-ink screen work for you (you'll need to provide light in low light environments with e-ink)?

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-21-2010, 05:28 PM

I don't have or want a smart phone. I don't need a PDA. As long as it's the size of a laptop/tablet PC or a normal paperback/MM book thats fine. It also doesn't matter about backlit or e-ink.

BTW I live in the US so availability would probably be fine. I just haven't filled in my profile yet. Ssshhh, I'm at work.

desertgrandma · 02-21-2010, 05:34 PM

Here is our famous ebook reader matrix that lets you compare the different devices side by side.......sorted by size......

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

daffy4u · 02-21-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crescent_Hawk0

I don't have or want a smart phone. I don't need a PDA. As long as it's the size of a laptop/tablet PC or a normal paperback/MM book thats fine. It also doesn't matter about backlit or e-ink.

BTW I live in the US so availability would probably be fine. I just haven't filled in my profile yet. Ssshhh, I'm at work.

I only asked about you owning a smart phone/PDA because there are reading apps available for many.

Do you want a basic reader or would like features like annotation, dictionary support, a touch screen, ability to check out ebooks from you local library or download books without connecting to a computer?

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-21-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Do you want a basic reader or would like features like annotation, dictionary support, a touch screen, ability to check out ebooks from you local library or download books without connecting to a computer?

Basic reader would be fine.

Annotation or dictionary support I don't think I'd need.

Touch screen would be nice.

ebooks from the library would be ok.

Downloading books would be ok but not mandatory.

daffy4u · 02-21-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crescent_Hawk0

Basic reader would be fine.

Annotation or dictionary support I don't think I'd need.

Touch screen would be nice.

ebooks from the library would be ok.

Downloading books would be ok but not mandatory.

How much are you willing to spend?

Logseman · 02-21-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crescent_Hawk0

Basic reader would be fine.

Annotation or dictionary support I don't think I'd need.

Touch screen would be nice.

ebooks from the library would be ok.

Downloading books would be ok but not mandatory.

Fixing the Tablet is out of question. If it has some years, the screen technology would not be as advanced, so you're more prone to suffer eye strain.

If you've seen the matrix a bit, you'll realize that your budget of $400 would allow you for a middle tier which has more many functions than you're asking. Plus, with this kind of devices, the organ creates the neccesity :P

However, based on what you're saying, you could consider a Hanvon WISEreader N518, which does feature a touch screen, in the field of 5 inches.

In the 6 inches tier there is the soon-to-come Pocketbook 302, which features a touch screen, Bluetooth connection and Wifi capabilities. However, the second one might come out of your budget, for I don't know how much it would cost in the US.

In a larger screen tier I would recommend you the Sony Daily Edition PRS-900, which, alongside with the mandatory touchscreen, includes a paid-for 3G capability for downloading books, with a 7,1 inch screen (doubling the one of an iPhone, for example). It costs $399, so it would just fit your budget.

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-22-2010, 09:41 AM

I want to thank everyone that has helped out so far. One my main concern is still formats. There seems to be a very broad spectrum of them. Which way is best in terms of the widest format selection? I don't want to be stuck with something that is practically useless in 4-5 years because it lost the "format" war.

Another concern is memory. I read a lot. When I purchase a book it stays with me. The last time I got rid of or sold any books was 20 years ago.

I have a dedicated room in my house as a library. No, I'm not rich, but I am 45, single, kids are grown and I had an empty bedroom. Before that they were stored in boxes in the garage. I want to make sure I can keep downloading books without worrying about running out of room.

daffy4u · 02-22-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crescent_Hawk0

I want to thank everyone that has helped out so far. One my main concern is still formats. There seems to be a very broad spectrum of them. Which way is best in terms of the widest format selection? I don't want to be stuck with something that is practically useless in 4-5 years because it lost the "format" war.

Another concern is memory. I read a lot. When I purchase a book it stays with me. The last time I got rid of or sold any books was 20 years ago.

I have a dedicated room in my house as a library. No, I'm not rich, but I am 45, single, kids are grown and I had an empty bedroom. Before that they were stored in boxes in the garage. I want to make sure I can keep downloading books without worrying about running out of room.

Pick a reader that reads DRM'd ePub and can use an SD card for additional book storage and you're good to go.

Bremen Cole · 02-22-2010, 12:02 PM

Welcome!

Just so you know, you store your library on your computer, and keep on the device the books you read. My total library is right at a thousand books.... and I have not hit 1 gig of storage yet..... so don't worry, you will not run out of space since modern computers often have 250 gig plus hard drives. ....

As far as dedicated readers I would recommend the PocketBook readers (301, 302...etc) They read a lot of formats and seem to be good all around basic readers. (I don't actually own one, but folks who have them seem to like them)... Also of course the Sony's are good, reads ePub, PDF,...etc... and easy to find in retail stores (Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart) as so easy to get and try out and return if they are not right for you.

Crescent_Hawk0 · 02-25-2010, 09:01 AM

Again, thanks to everyone that has answered my requests. I think I might just get one of the Asus t91m netbooks they seem to be able to do everything that I would like to do. LOL, plus I think I'm going to get a dedicated reader as well.

02-21-2010, 04:53 PM	#1
Crescent_Hawk0 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: None	Quagmire My first post and reason for registering is simple. There are a ton of different e readers of all shapes and sizes. Is there one that will handle all formats? Which will handle most of them? My son has a Tablet PC that is a couple of years old and broken but can be fixed for about $400.00 or so, would that be best? Please, let me know which way is the better option. All opinions welcome.

02-21-2010, 04:58 PM	#2
LCF Wizard Posts: 1,472 Karma: 9795311 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germany Device: Hanlin V3 (LBook), GS3	Hi Crescent_Hawk0! Welcome to MobileRead! A few very important questions: Do you need color? Do you read large PDFs with a lot of pictures / equasions etc, or just text books. What do you expect form your eReader?

02-21-2010, 05:07 PM	#3
Crescent_Hawk0 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: None	I don't neeeed color, but I wouldn't mind. No textbooks with equations, long passed that stage. No PDFs Simply to enjoy books. I love books and already read a ton.

02-21-2010, 05:10 PM	#4
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MobileRead, quagmire. Another important facet..........where are you? There are different readers suitable/available in different parts of the world. Enjoy the forums, and I think you can do way better than $400.

02-21-2010, 05:16 PM	#5
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Do you need/want portability? What size device would be preferable? Do you already own a smart phone or PDA? Do you prefer a back lit LCD or will an e-ink screen work for you (you'll need to provide light in low light environments with e-ink)?

02-21-2010, 05:28 PM	#6
Crescent_Hawk0 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: None	I don't have or want a smart phone. I don't need a PDA. As long as it's the size of a laptop/tablet PC or a normal paperback/MM book thats fine. It also doesn't matter about backlit or e-ink. BTW I live in the US so availability would probably be fine. I just haven't filled in my profile yet. Ssshhh, I'm at work.

02-21-2010, 05:34 PM	#7
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Here is our famous ebook reader matrix that lets you compare the different devices side by side.......sorted by size...... https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

02-22-2010, 09:41 AM	#12
Crescent_Hawk0 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: None	I want to thank everyone that has helped out so far. One my main concern is still formats. There seems to be a very broad spectrum of them. Which way is best in terms of the widest format selection? I don't want to be stuck with something that is practically useless in 4-5 years because it lost the "format" war. Another concern is memory. I read a lot. When I purchase a book it stays with me. The last time I got rid of or sold any books was 20 years ago. I have a dedicated room in my house as a library. No, I'm not rich, but I am 45, single, kids are grown and I had an empty bedroom. Before that they were stored in boxes in the garage. I want to make sure I can keep downloading books without worrying about running out of room.

02-22-2010, 12:02 PM	#14
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	Welcome! Just so you know, you store your library on your computer, and keep on the device the books you read. My total library is right at a thousand books.... and I have not hit 1 gig of storage yet..... so don't worry, you will not run out of space since modern computers often have 250 gig plus hard drives. .... As far as dedicated readers I would recommend the PocketBook readers (301, 302...etc) They read a lot of formats and seem to be good all around basic readers. (I don't actually own one, but folks who have them seem to like them)... Also of course the Sony's are good, reads ePub, PDF,...etc... and easy to find in retail stores (Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart) as so easy to get and try out and return if they are not right for you.

02-25-2010, 09:01 AM	#15
Crescent_Hawk0 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: None	Again, thanks to everyone that has answered my requests. I think I might just get one of the Asus t91m netbooks they seem to be able to do everything that I would like to do. LOL, plus I think I'm going to get a dedicated reader as well.

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