e-Readers

ChrisC · 6th August 2012, 04:26 PM

I'm looking for an e-Reader to use in bed and when I'm working in a shop environment. I know we have quite a few users here, so I'm asking for opinions on options since I know very little about them. Features I'd like are:

- Can read .pdf files. This is super important to me since most of the documents I want to be able to read and make portable are in .pdf format. Datasheets, manuals, scans, etc.
- Works with Linux.
- Does not tie me to any particular services or crippling copy-protection schemes. Willing to use workaround methods if they're reliable and not a PITA. I just want a tool that stays out of my way and lets me work.
- Decent resolution so that I can zoom in and see what that small diagram is supposed to be.
- Ability to display basic graphics formats like jpeg and gif would be quite useful.
- Colour would be also useful but a monochrome display is fine if it can do a decent greyscale.
- Isn't terribly expensive since I'm not asking for much (I hope!).

Are there any features that you'd consider a must-have after using your reader for a while?

I'll be purchasing and using this thing in Canada which might be important.

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

DavidS · 6th August 2012, 06:06 PM

Maybe it's just me, but an e-Reader doesn't sound like the right hammer for your nails. If those are really your requirements, methinks you want a tablet or a small laptop, depending whether you want a keyboard or a touchscreen.

Your PDF requirement pretty much culls the herd, IMHO. The de facto fixed layout pretty much requires either large-ish page-sized display or much panning and zooming... which means you want a responsive keyboard or touchscreen, too. That argues against smartphones, small tablets, and slow e-ink devices like (non-Fire) Kindle. If that's the bulk of your effort, I think a light laptop (or netbook) or a big tablet will get you mostest of the bestest for the leastest.

Everything else should be easy enough to satisfy.

What do you mean, "Works with Linux"? Anything with a USB drive-like interface works with Linux, anything without is too specialized for serious consideration, and anything that cares much about another host's OS is wandering way too far from e-Reader turf. What doesn't work with Linux well enough to suit you? With a laptop you can pick your OS; Linux works with Linux, WINE or somesuch should cover 98% of the rest, and there will always be a last 2% you can only get from its own platform.

A laptop or tablet device won't tie you to any particular service or copy-protection scheme. Some services might tie you to particular platforms, but laptops and tablets can get applications to support the popular non-proprietary services and formats. The documents you want might be available only with copy protection or from a particular service. I don't know from iTunes, but Amazon offers a free Kindle reader application for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windoze, and Linux.

Decent resolution and support for color and common graphics formats should be par for the course in any mainstream product. That is, if you want better resolution than most devices offer I think you'll have to compromise on price or features.

What *I* really want from my e-Reader is convenience and availability. For me, that means battery life trumps everything else, since storage on modern devices is plenty for my needs. If it's not ready to read when I am, for as long as I want, without plugging in, I might as well boot up the PC.

My e-Reader's primary use is -- wait for it -- reading prose. My Kindle DX is great for that when ambient light is adequate, tolerable in the dark with a little LED that rides in its cover, and supremely portable. A charge is good for a month or two reading a couple hours per day; no backlit color touchscreen can come close to that level of availability. The Kindle can display PDFs after its fashion, but the interface is slow and klunky; for infrequent reference it's fine, but I'd rather print hardcopy than read PDF frequently on the Kindle. The keyboard is crap, or would be if there was any reason to use it for more than the rare search or seek; there's not.

For more generalized graphics display and computing operations involving frequent input, I use a more generalized computer. I'm considering a Nexus tablet for the bedtime reading role, when power is handy; the illuminated display would be nicer than LED lighting and more convenient than booting the laptop.

YMMV, of course.

Beerina · 6th August 2012, 06:27 PM

If you're gonna be dragging it around in a shop, I'd look for some kind of Otter shell to go around it for protection. I have no idea if they're available for tablet/reader-sized things.

Horatius · 6th August 2012, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by DavidS

Maybe it's just me, but an e-Reader doesn't sound like the right hammer for your nails. If those are really your requirements, methinks you want a tablet or a small laptop, depending whether you want a keyboard or a touchscreen.

Yeah, ^this, and this:

Originally Posted by DavidS

My e-Reader's primary use is -- wait for it -- reading prose. My Kindle DX is great for that when ambient light is adequate, tolerable in the dark with a little LED that rides in its cover, and supremely portable. A charge is good for a month or two reading a couple hours per day; no backlit color touchscreen can come close to that level of availability. The Kindle can display PDFs after its fashion, but the interface is slow and klunky; for infrequent reference it's fine, but I'd rather print hardcopy than read PDF frequently on the Kindle. The keyboard is crap, or would be if there was any reason to use it for more than the rare search or seek; there's not.

I completely agree with the above. I tried using my Kindle DX for reading pdfs at work, and it's not really practical.

The ease of zooming, and importance of pdfs you mention pretty much rule out a dedicated e-reader. Go with some sort of tablet.

Eudaemonic Plague · 6th August 2012, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Beerina

If you're gonna be dragging it around in a shop, I'd look for some kind of Otter shell to go around it for protection. I have no idea if they're available for tablet/reader-sized things.

If Otter hasn't done it yet, I'll be shocked. Heh. I'm glad you mentioned it, so I might remember to get some more of their stuff when I get a little more cash in my pocket.

Myself, I chose a Nook Simple Touch over the Kindle, because I prefer an open format for my books. I'm also one of those people who bought one for reading text, and for nothing else. I was a bit disappointed at the handling of PDFs, but any PDF I have that isn't graphically oriented should be converted to epub without too awful much effort (I'll find out soon enough).

For what the OP wants, I agree that a tablet would be a much better choice. Especially if you can get an Otter box for it.

ETA: I just checked Otterbox's site. If you can't find a case for your device, it's probably only because your device is too new. They don't appear to have one for the Galaxy S III, yet. It's been years since I last looked at their selection, and boy has it grown.

ChrisC · 6th August 2012, 07:25 PM

Kind of the answer I expected, really. Way to dash my hopes, JREFers.

I've never actually held an e-reader so perhaps I overestimated their abilities.

By "works with Linux", I mean I don't spend piles of time trying to get the two to communicate properly. I'm fairly comfortable with Linux, but in the past I've run into devices that don't cooperate due to any number of reasons. Usually someone with more knowledge either fixes the problem or develops a good kludge. The state of hardware compatibility is way better now, but like I said, my experience with e-readers is nil.

Shop use should be fairly low abuse but it will definitely be more likely to get dropped or dirty. I'd planned on some sort of techno-condom for whatever I end up with.

Thanks to all for the feedback on this one. I'll start looking in the lower end of tablets for something more suitable. I think I'm more comfortable going down that road anyway.

DavidS · 6th August 2012, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisC

Kind of the answer I expected, really. Way to dash my hopes, JREFers.

I've never actually held an e-reader so perhaps I overestimated their abilities

Oh, well... so it goes. You'll be happier if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Something e-readers are not is very capable generalized GUI displays.

If you like reading, especially older works that are free (or nearly), you might enjoy an e-reader more than you expect. They do that very well; they just don't do other stuff so well.

Until I got mine as a gift because I couldn't think of anything better, I thought they were solutions in search of a problem. I've used it most days for a couple years now, which is a lot more than I would've exercised the only other wish I had at the time (someday I will have a Penn 30TSW rig... and the boat to carry it)

6th August 2012, 04:26 PM	#1
ChrisC Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 467	e-Readers I'm looking for an e-Reader to use in bed and when I'm working in a shop environment. I know we have quite a few users here, so I'm asking for opinions on options since I know very little about them. Features I'd like are: - Can read .pdf files. This is super important to me since most of the documents I want to be able to read and make portable are in .pdf format. Datasheets, manuals, scans, etc. - Works with Linux. - Does not tie me to any particular services or crippling copy-protection schemes. Willing to use workaround methods if they're reliable and not a PITA. I just want a tool that stays out of my way and lets me work. - Decent resolution so that I can zoom in and see what that small diagram is supposed to be. - Ability to display basic graphics formats like jpeg and gif would be quite useful. - Colour would be also useful but a monochrome display is fine if it can do a decent greyscale. - Isn't terribly expensive since I'm not asking for much (I hope!). Are there any features that you'd consider a must-have after using your reader for a while? I'll be purchasing and using this thing in Canada which might be important. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!
	__________________ Take stuff from work. It's the best way to feel better about your job. Never buy pens or pencils or paper.

6th August 2012, 06:06 PM	#2
DavidS Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 519	Maybe it's just me, but an e-Reader doesn't sound like the right hammer for your nails. If those are really your requirements, methinks you want a tablet or a small laptop, depending whether you want a keyboard or a touchscreen. Your PDF requirement pretty much culls the herd, IMHO. The de facto fixed layout pretty much requires either large-ish page-sized display or much panning and zooming... which means you want a responsive keyboard or touchscreen, too. That argues against smartphones, small tablets, and slow e-ink devices like (non-Fire) Kindle. If that's the bulk of your effort, I think a light laptop (or netbook) or a big tablet will get you mostest of the bestest for the leastest. Everything else should be easy enough to satisfy. What do you mean, "Works with Linux"? Anything with a USB drive-like interface works with Linux, anything without is too specialized for serious consideration, and anything that cares much about another host's OS is wandering way too far from e-Reader turf. What doesn't work with Linux well enough to suit you? With a laptop you can pick your OS; Linux works with Linux, WINE or somesuch should cover 98% of the rest, and there will always be a last 2% you can only get from its own platform. A laptop or tablet device won't tie you to any particular service or copy-protection scheme. Some services might tie you to particular platforms, but laptops and tablets can get applications to support the popular non-proprietary services and formats. The documents you want might be available only with copy protection or from a particular service. I don't know from iTunes, but Amazon offers a free Kindle reader application for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windoze, and Linux. Decent resolution and support for color and common graphics formats should be par for the course in any mainstream product. That is, if you want better resolution than most devices offer I think you'll have to compromise on price or features. What I really want from my e-Reader is convenience and availability. For me, that means battery life trumps everything else, since storage on modern devices is plenty for my needs. If it's not ready to read when I am, for as long as I want, without plugging in, I might as well boot up the PC. My e-Reader's primary use is -- wait for it -- reading prose. My Kindle DX is great for that when ambient light is adequate, tolerable in the dark with a little LED that rides in its cover, and supremely portable. A charge is good for a month or two reading a couple hours per day; no backlit color touchscreen can come close to that level of availability. The Kindle can display PDFs after its fashion, but the interface is slow and klunky; for infrequent reference it's fine, but I'd rather print hardcopy than read PDF frequently on the Kindle. The keyboard is crap, or would be if there was any reason to use it for more than the rare search or seek; there's not. For more generalized graphics display and computing operations involving frequent input, I use a more generalized computer. I'm considering a Nexus tablet for the bedtime reading role, when power is handy; the illuminated display would be nicer than LED lighting and more convenient than booting the laptop. YMMV, of course.
DavidS Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 519

6th August 2012, 06:27 PM	#3
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	If you're gonna be dragging it around in a shop, I'd look for some kind of Otter shell to go around it for protection. I have no idea if they're available for tablet/reader-sized things.
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right?

6th August 2012, 06:46 PM	#4
Horatius NWO Kitty Wrangler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 21,890	Originally Posted by DavidS Maybe it's just me, but an e-Reader doesn't sound like the right hammer for your nails. If those are really your requirements, methinks you want a tablet or a small laptop, depending whether you want a keyboard or a touchscreen. Yeah, ^this, and this: Originally Posted by DavidS My e-Reader's primary use is -- wait for it -- reading prose. My Kindle DX is great for that when ambient light is adequate, tolerable in the dark with a little LED that rides in its cover, and supremely portable. A charge is good for a month or two reading a couple hours per day; no backlit color touchscreen can come close to that level of availability. The Kindle can display PDFs after its fashion, but the interface is slow and klunky; for infrequent reference it's fine, but I'd rather print hardcopy than read PDF frequently on the Kindle. The keyboard is crap, or would be if there was any reason to use it for more than the rare search or seek; there's not. I completely agree with the above. I tried using my Kindle DX for reading pdfs at work, and it's not really practical. The ease of zooming, and importance of pdfs you mention pretty much rule out a dedicated e-reader. Go with some sort of tablet.
	__________________ Obviously, that means cats are indeed evil and that ownership or display of a feline is an overt declaration of one's affiliation with dark forces. - Cl1mh4224rd

6th August 2012, 06:52 PM	#5
Eudaemonic Plague Thinker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 137	Originally Posted by Beerina If you're gonna be dragging it around in a shop, I'd look for some kind of Otter shell to go around it for protection. I have no idea if they're available for tablet/reader-sized things. If Otter hasn't done it yet, I'll be shocked. Heh. I'm glad you mentioned it, so I might remember to get some more of their stuff when I get a little more cash in my pocket. Myself, I chose a Nook Simple Touch over the Kindle, because I prefer an open format for my books. I'm also one of those people who bought one for reading text, and for nothing else. I was a bit disappointed at the handling of PDFs, but any PDF I have that isn't graphically oriented should be converted to epub without too awful much effort (I'll find out soon enough). For what the OP wants, I agree that a tablet would be a much better choice. Especially if you can get an Otter box for it. ETA: I just checked Otterbox's site. If you can't find a case for your device, it's probably only because your device is too new. They don't appear to have one for the Galaxy S III, yet. It's been years since I last looked at their selection, and boy has it grown.
	Last edited by Eudaemonic Plague; 6th August 2012 at 06:56 PM.

6th August 2012, 07:25 PM	#6
ChrisC Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 467	Kind of the answer I expected, really. Way to dash my hopes, JREFers. I've never actually held an e-reader so perhaps I overestimated their abilities. By "works with Linux", I mean I don't spend piles of time trying to get the two to communicate properly. I'm fairly comfortable with Linux, but in the past I've run into devices that don't cooperate due to any number of reasons. Usually someone with more knowledge either fixes the problem or develops a good kludge. The state of hardware compatibility is way better now, but like I said, my experience with e-readers is nil. Shop use should be fairly low abuse but it will definitely be more likely to get dropped or dirty. I'd planned on some sort of techno-condom for whatever I end up with. Thanks to all for the feedback on this one. I'll start looking in the lower end of tablets for something more suitable. I think I'm more comfortable going down that road anyway.
	__________________ Take stuff from work. It's the best way to feel better about your job. Never buy pens or pencils or paper.

6th August 2012, 10:47 PM	#7
DavidS Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 519	Originally Posted by ChrisC Kind of the answer I expected, really. Way to dash my hopes, JREFers. I've never actually held an e-reader so perhaps I overestimated their abilities Oh, well... so it goes. You'll be happier if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Something e-readers are not is very capable generalized GUI displays. If you like reading, especially older works that are free (or nearly), you might enjoy an e-reader more than you expect. They do that very well; they just don't do other stuff so well. Until I got mine as a gift because I couldn't think of anything better, I thought they were solutions in search of a problem. I've used it most days for a couple years now, which is a lot more than I would've exercised the only other wish I had at the time (someday I will have a Penn 30TSW rig... and the boat to carry it)
DavidS Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 519