I need some kind of e-reader. Options?

[HannibalX]

I've got several huge volumes of material in PDF that I need to read (about 2,000 pages). Trying to sit at the desk and read it on my 22" LCD sucks. What are my options for e-readers? I know Amazon has one, will it read PDFs? Anything else out there?

 

[Slick5150]

Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/

It reads PDF files directly. If I remember right, the Kindle has to have them converted to it's native format (which isn't difficult to do). Or maybe it can read them directly now, I'm honestly not sure.

 

[preslove]

The current kindle has direct pdf capability. Amazon added it with a firmware update a couple weeks after the nook was announced, presumably to take away Barnes & Noble's thunder.

 

[corkyg]

BTW - ebook readers are indeed "gadgets,", and this is the right forum.
They can also be classed as "gear." Phones are tertiary.

The B&N Nook is a good call for a portable PDF reader. A small netbook could also work.

 

[HannibalX]

Thanks for the info gang. I've got a netbook (see sig), not the greatest for reading.

Anyone use the jetbook lite?

 

[Slick5150]

Thanks for the info gang. I've got a netbook (see sig), not the greatest for reading.

Anyone use the jetbook lite?

The screen is smaller (5") compared to the Nook or Kindle 2 (6"). It supposedly works well enough though if all you're interested in doing is reading PDF files and whatnot.

 

[HannibalX]

Looks decent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn7Pi_t9SVo

Has a TFT display as opposed to the e-ink display.

 

[Lumathix]

Another vote for the Nook. My wife and I both purchased one, and we love them. The latest firmware made several improvements. And remember, the e-ink display on a reader is much better for READING for extended periods of time than a TFT or LCD screen. Easier on the eyes. Not to mention the superior selection of books from Barnes & Noble.

 

[mooncancook]

Sony's also supports pdf, ePub format, but I think their book selection lags behind. Also make sure your pdf is actually a book, not magazine. I tried reading pdf magazine scans off a ebook and it was a pain.

 

[Madwand1]

I've got several huge volumes of material in PDF that I need to read (about 2,000 pages). Trying to sit at the desk and read it on my 22" LCD sucks. What are my options for e-readers?

In part, this depends on how the pdfs are formatted. If they're just formatted for print layout, then even a "reflow" capable ebook reader might not solve the problem.

E.g.

Original format, note the amount of wasted white space:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/Madwand0/_MG_7196.png

Zoomed in, note the bad layout:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/Madwand0/_MG_7194.png

Some PDFs are much better than others in this respect, and some other formats, e.g. epub avoid this problem to start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats#Portable_Document

 

[idiotekniQues]

last i heard amazon had the largest selection of newer titles. this is not counting the public domain books in the total.

not sure if B&N has changed that.

 

[CKent]

Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/

It reads PDF files directly. If I remember right, the Kindle has to have them converted to it's native format (which isn't difficult to do). Or maybe it can read them directly now, I'm honestly not sure.

How is the battery life? From what I'm reading it has a color screen which would pretty much kill the juice... also, do any of these readers take standard size batteries, or are they all using proprietary packs?

 

[coolVariable]

I would recommend a Kindle or a Sony (although I personally find the Sony too expensive since it does not come with the Kindle's internet access). Stay away from anything not e-ink.
The nook's color screen turns me off ... but I like the possibility of android and tethering.
My Kindle (gen1) was able to hold the battery while I read one 'thick' book which was AWESOME! (I read the whole Song of Fire and Ice series on the Kindle and needed to recharge it approx. once per book)

I am personally in the market for an e-ink ebook reader but do not want to spend more than $150 all in!

 

[Synomenon]

Looking for an e-reader as well and want to know if the Nook has caught up yet w/ the Kindle regarding the lag issue I see in all the Nook reviews.

I've also browsed B&Ns forum and saw some large threads regarding book prices being jacked up for the Nook.

Are ebooks cheaper now for the Kindle?

 

[rise]

i got an aluratek libre and i like it a lot. it's not e-ink but acts similarly- no glare even in direct sunlight and requires adequate light to read at night.

handles all the formats i need. no wifi if that is important to you.

you can often find "open-box" deals at newegg after someone buys one not knowing what they want/need and return it in perfect condition. iirc mine was $114 a couple few months ago.

 

[bradmckinley]

I think the ebook reader is dead(along with the netbook). Not that no one wants or needs an ebook reader, but now that that iPad is out, what's the point? It can read pdfs.

If you don't want to spend the cheddar on an iPad, lucky for you China has already knocked it off with Android.

http://micgadget.com/2919/7-inch-ipad-knockoff-runs-android-and-cost-very-cheap/

The only real benefit I can imagine is the non-active screens and extra long battery life and "forcing" you to only read and not watch movies.

 

[Deeko]

I have a Kindle 2. Its awesome, and does do PDF directly.

If they are large, technical documents you might consider the Kindle DX.

 

[Lumathix]

Looking for an e-reader as well and want to know if the Nook has caught up yet w/ the Kindle regarding the lag issue I see in all the Nook reviews.

I've also browsed B&Ns forum and saw some large threads regarding book prices being jacked up for the Nook.

Are ebooks cheaper now for the Kindle?

I haven't noticed. The last novel I bought for the Nook which I'm currently reading now was $9.95.

1.2 fixed the lag for my wife's and my Nook. I have not however compared it to a Kindle or Kindle2.

 

[Lumathix]

last i heard amazon had the largest selection of newer titles. this is not counting the public domain books in the total.

not sure if B&N has changed that.

I haven't researched this, but I do not get the impression that B&N is lacking on newer titles. I've been able to find all the new releases I've looked for. There have been however some older novels that I haven't been able to find at B&N or Amazon.

 

[Lumathix]

I would recommend a Kindle or a Sony (although I personally find the Sony too expensive since it does not come with the Kindle's internet access). Stay away from anything not e-ink.
The nook's color screen turns me off ... but I like the possibility of android and tethering.
My Kindle (gen1) was able to hold the battery while I read one 'thick' book which was AWESOME! (I read the whole Song of Fire and Ice series on the Kindle and needed to recharge it approx. once per book)

I am personally in the market for an e-ink ebook reader but do not want to spend more than $150 all in!

To say the nook has a color screen is misleading. You are refering to the small screen at the bottom that replaces the physical letter buttons on a kindle or kindle 2. The main screen is eInk just like the kindle. The color LCD screen at the bottom will however drain a battery longer if you keep it on....which I don't. I find I have to recharge my Nook once a week. The only time the color LCD strip is on is when I'm browsing content via WiFi.

 

[Synomenon]

I think the ebook reader is dead(along with the netbook). Not that no one wants or needs an ebook reader, but now that that iPad is out, what's the point? It can read pdfs.

If you don't want to spend the cheddar on an iPad, lucky for you China has already knocked it off with Android.

http://micgadget.com/2919/7-inch-ipad-knockoff-runs-android-and-cost-very-cheap/

The only real benefit I can imagine is the non-active screens and extra long battery life and "forcing" you to only read and not watch movies.

Try reading a novel for a couple of hours on the iPad's screen then try it on an ebook reader.

 

[Lumathix]

Try reading a novel for a couple of hours on the iPad's screen then try it on an ebook reader.

This x 100.

 

[corkyg]

There is now a new option. Amazon has just relased a FREE Kindle reader software that can be installed on a variety of machines including PC desktops and laptops. If you are already travelling with a laptop, that would give you Kindle with no additional box to carry. And, no additional cost. All we need now is to buy the ebooks. I guess that is the objective. Smart thinking!

 

[Synomenon]

Yes, but then you'd still be looking at the computer's LCD screen instead of an easier on the eyes e-ink display.

 

[zerocool84]

People really have no idea how great eInk is for reading. Much easier on your eyes for reading at any length and uses almost no power. People who recommend anything else have obviously not tried an eInk device yet. Nothing compares to it.