need a pdf reading tablet

[ChronoReverse]

This is pretty indicative of what I normally view. Not as graphic heavy at the battletech book, but its free.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/97110/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Field-Manual---Core-Rulebook-Revised

For your reference, ezPDF takes about 10 seconds to load the PDF but afterwards, drawing each page takes less than a second even with pre-rendering turned off.

Galaxy S4

 

[Zaap]

This is pretty indicative of what I normally view. Not as graphic heavy at the battletech book, but its free.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/97110/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Field-Manual---Core-Rulebook-Revised

Definitely must be the difference in source and how its optimized. With those manuals, ebookdroid goes through them blazing fast and its Aldiko that chokes. (Pretty much the opposite of what I experience with storyboard files from my work).

Thanks for sharing, I'll keep ebookdroid around for times when I may need it.

 

[Staples]

Whatever you do, don't get a Transformer Infinity Pad. Worst tablet I have had.

Seemed nice with a wonderful screen but once I got it, I quickly saw that the published specs don't mean much when the internal memory is so slow that the device is unusable.

Anyway, Foxit reader is on both platforms. Renders PDFs just fine and it is free.

 

[Midwayman]

For your reference, ezPDF takes about 10 seconds to load the PDF but afterwards, drawing each page takes less than a second even with pre-rendering turned off.

Galaxy S4

Yah, I was testing on a note 1 (so S2 soc) at work. I'd expect it to be substantially different.

 

[Midwayman]

Definitely must be the difference in source and how its optimized. With those manuals, ebookdroid goes through them blazing fast and its Aldiko that chokes. (Pretty much the opposite of what I experience with storyboard files from my work).

Thanks for sharing, I'll keep ebookdroid around for times when I may need it.

Interesting. Just a thought, do your storyboards have much text as vector graphics in them, or are them mainly just scanned images? Some of the rulebooks have very little flattening down to their layout.

 

[T2urtle]

played with a nook HD today at the store. I was short on time but it was interesting. Screen size is solid. Weight and size is good. Interface is weird, while i can see its an android tablet i can see it not being one as well. I guess its kinda like HTC's SenseUI or TouchWiz. I'm not a fan of either i want my vanilla OS.

I didn't get a chance to bring a mico SD with PDF on there. I wasn't ready, it was just a random moment. I do like it and the price tag is easy to take in.

Anyone know of a good store with a solid return policy? Say i dont like it after 5 days of use i can return it for close to what i paid.

 

[Zaap]

Interesting. Just a thought, do your storyboards have much text as vector graphics in them, or are them mainly just scanned images? Some of the rulebooks have very little flattening down to their layout.

All vector- they're exports straight out of ToonBoom storyboard.

Interface is weird, while i can see its an android tablet i can see it not being one as well. I guess its kinda like HTC's SenseUI or TouchWiz. I'm not a fan of either i want my vanilla OS.

You can load an alternate launcher, or better yet, just install CM10.1 (Android 4.2.2) on it. The default B&N software pales in comparison. Some will say, "what about support?" but I find I'm much better off with support from the xda/CyanogenMod community than I ever was or would be from B&N which is a joke basically.

If you buy directly from B&N they have a 14 day return policy. Not sure how it works if you buy from other than B&N.

 

[T2urtle]

All vector- they're exports straight out of ToonBoom storyboard.


You can load an alternate launcher, or better yet, just install CM10.1 (Android 4.2.2) on it. The default B&N software pales in comparison. Some will say, "what about support?" but I find I'm much better off with support from the xda/CyanogenMod community than I ever was or would be from B&N which is a joke basically.

If you buy directly from B&N they have a 14 day return policy. Not sure how it works if you buy from other than B&N.

14 day no BS stuff? No restocking. As long as in give it back like new. I'm down for that once the sesmter starts.

Yea I'm going to need cyanogenmod for this. What's normal battery life on CM10 for this?

 

[lopri]

played with a nook HD today at the store. I was short on time but it was interesting. Screen size is solid. Weight and size is good. Interface is weird, while i can see its an android tablet i can see it not being one as well. I guess its kinda like HTC's SenseUI or TouchWiz. I'm not a fan of either i want my vanilla OS.

I didn't get a chance to bring a mico SD with PDF on there. I wasn't ready, it was just a random moment. I do like it and the price tag is easy to take in.

Anyone know of a good store with a solid return policy? Say i dont like it after 5 days of use i can return it for close to what i paid.

My time with the Nook HD+ was short, too, but I came away very impressed. The built-in PDF viewer was very capable for handling average PDF documents, which surprised me greatly because I hadn't been satisfied with the options available on my Nexus 7 for PDF's. Beautiful screen, too. I may pick one up for office use.

 

[T2urtle]

So i had a couple hours with one. I'm still up in the air about spending the money. Too bad i need it in a classroom setting. Plus no idea on battery life. I'm in the a classic dilemma now, HD+ or new ipad.

HD+ barebones. Does what i need an nothing more. After classes is over, it should just be a paperweight most likely. $150 isn't much for this. Plus in a sense i save money. Each text book is $150-300. I got 3 classes this semester, so roughly $450-900. I already found a PDF of one book i need. My other 2 classes didn't post up what books i need yet. So its kinda like buying a book but i had a HD+

I thought least with a Ipad 3/4/5 I can find so usage for it. Used one seems to roam around the $400 mark or give it to my parents for their skype using. Really tough call for me.


edit... i couldn't get a chance to root it but the while my PDF read great. Everything else was freaking annoying.

 

[peacefulheart]

If i were you ,ipad mini would be my choice....i think there is no need to buy the mst updated tool ,cos you can't catch up with them eventually..

 

[T2urtle]

If i were you ,ipad mini would be my choice....i think there is no need to buy the mst updated tool ,cos you can't catch up with them eventually..

Not sure if the mini is decent to read PDF text books. I know the iPad 2 is solid for that.

 

[Tom]

So i had a couple hours with one. I'm still up in the air about spending the money. Too bad i need it in a classroom setting. Plus no idea on battery life. I'm in the a classic dilemma now, HD+ or new ipad.

HD+ barebones. Does what i need an nothing more. After classes is over, it should just be a paperweight most likely. $150 isn't much for this. Plus in a sense i save money. Each text book is $150-300. I got 3 classes this semester, so roughly $450-900. I already found a PDF of one book i need. My other 2 classes didn't post up what books i need yet. So its kinda like buying a book but i had a HD+

I thought least with a Ipad 3/4/5 I can find so usage for it. Used one seems to roam around the $400 mark or give it to my parents for their skype using. Really tough call for me.


edit... i couldn't get a chance to root it but the while my PDF read great. Everything else was freaking annoying.

You can do all kinds of things with the Nook HD+, as long as you don't need a camera. And you don't have to root it to change the interface, you can load launchers you can download from Google Play store.

 

[T2urtle]

It in the end i think i'm just going to do the HD+ because of its price and i can get $20 gift card right now. I did notice a HUGE downside is that its not a normal MicroUSB and no aftermarket makes one so its going to cost me $25. I mean WTF who doesn't make a microUSB these days other then apple (they have their reasons).

I wasn't able to get the Aldiko reader to work. Only ebookdroid, it had some lag. Any other good pdf apps? I didn't try the stock pdf app, what is it called?

I would agree on not rooting part but its part of my nature to root everything. Nova launcher would help that tablet out a good amount.

I'm going to try and get by with a laptop this week if not it will have to be a HD+

 

[Tom]

It comes with a usb cable but it is annoying its not standard microusb. Why is it going to cost you $25 ? You mean for a spare ?

At one time Staples had chargers on clearance for $5 but I doubt you could find one now.

 

[Zaap]

It in the end i think i'm just going to do the HD+ because of its price and i can get $20 gift card right now. I did notice a HUGE downside is that its not a normal MicroUSB and no aftermarket makes one so its going to cost me $25. I mean WTF who doesn't make a microUSB these days other then apple (they have their reasons).

I'm curious who makes a > 8" tablet that charges via a normal MicroUSB port? I honestly don't know. I'm guessing the Nexus 10? Personally, I'd rather have a proprietary charger for a larger device if it means charging faster, and the HD+ charges very fast whereas it would probably take forever with a standard microUSB charger.

Anyway, the HD+ charger will cost you $25 if you buy both the wall charger and cable. The cable by itself is $15. And of course you get both with the HD+ so you must be talking about buying extras. I sometimes plug my HD+ cable into my Samsung Note 2's charger and it charges the HD+ fine.

Not sure what problem you had with Aldiko for opening .pdf files.

You don't need root to use Nova or any other launcher on the HD+ since it has access to play store apps right out of the box.

Still, I would recommend just biting the bullet and installing CM 10.1 native emmc on it. The HD+ now has official CM support. You couldn't pay me to ever go back to the stock Nook ROM vs. CM. (Of course you can always back up your stock ROM just incase).

There's a CM 10.2 ROM as well, but it's unofficial still and probably has some issues to iron out, but for me, CM10.1 (with the Tablet UI mod) is flawless on my HD+.

 

[desura]

the ipad is the best tablet.

THat said, the Nook HD+ would suit your needs. and it's really cheap now too.

 

[T2urtle]

With class just starting I was in a pinch. $58.99 etext via the kindle app is a lot better then $250 for a real textbook. Times that by 3 classes. The nook pretty much paid for itself. And I have a new toy now. I got my nook HD+ for $139 after taxes via $20 off staples coupon. I got a free class 4, 8gb microsd coupon from micro center. Win win so it seems. One nook is smaller and lighter then 3 textbooks.

Plus I just rooted and cm 10.1 that thing.

One of my PDF was written weird. So it comes up laggy on the PC and tablet.

While I think an iPad 3/4 would do me better. The price point is very very hard to beat. And this screen does feel like a retina.

I'll post back after a couple weeks of class.

 

[lopri]

BTW, making a Nook HD+ look like a Nexus tablet is a single free launcher away even without root. Free version of Apex or Nova will do. T2urtle's Nook HD+ w/CM10.1 looks just like a Nexus tablet.

Another positive about it is how light it is for its class (size-wise). Only other tablet that gives you bigger screen and is lighter is Sony Xperia Z tablet which is pretty awesome on its own. But it's not for everyone and the large bezels tend to make portrait operation cumbersome, which I suppose is fatal for PDFs.

 

[Zaap]

I'll post back after a couple weeks of class.

Unless you're fine with the stock UI, I'd highly recommend the TabletUI mod. Download to the SD card and flash it in recovery:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2275939

There's also an undo flash if find you prefer stock.

Main difference is it puts the nav buttons over to the left where they belong rather than centered (which annoyed me to no end on a tablet) and it consolidates the dual top and bottom task bars back to one taskbar at the bottom of the screen. (I personally couldn't stand how the dual bars wasted so much screen real estate in comparison).

Screenshot from the xda thread:

By the way, for future reference incase you don't know, you can add screenshot to the power-button menu in CM10.1 by going to Settings/System/Power Menu and checking screenshot.

Enjoy the HD+, I hope it works well for you in class.

 

[T2urtle]

Thanks Zapp. I'll give the tabletui I look. And u answered an issue I was having,the screenshot. I was holding the power and "n" for a while trying to make it work.

I think I'll be able to enjoy this for class. The lack of camera and GPS wasn't an issue. Only down side I might see is my pages not loading fast enough ( no trouble in the 100s page but some issues in the 300) and battery life (might need it to last 7-8 hours screen on at tiMes)


How does one book into recovery? Holding Volume down/up link other androids?

 

[T2urtle]

I tried to flash that tabletui. And it bricked, could figure how to boot it into recovery. No battery to pull. So I let all the battery drain. Made another bootable SD card from and did it all over again

I'm on cm10.1 last version of it. 8/13

Ive heard negatives on cm10.2 so waiting for bugs to get ironed out.

I think my issue was I was on 8/13 10.1 ROM and I flashed 8/26 tablet ui. Not sure if its 10.2 or 10.1

I can wait it out or try another ROM.

 

[T2urtle]

Aside from not being able to get tabletui working. I'm enjoying the tablet.

There is a lag/delay but its something I can personally deal with. Took it to class and it can easily last me the whole day and then some. Screen dimmer doesn't work on my cm10.1

might try another ROM. Once I figure out how to emmc install everything. I need the kindle app so I can move to 10.2 just yet.

 

[you2]

On many of these tablets/phones if you hold down a certain key sequence (vol up/down power) for 10 seconds it will force a reboot.
--
From this thread:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/NOOK-HD-HD-Support/How-do-you-do-a-hard-reset/td-p/1430773
-
It sounds like you need to hold the power/home key for 15 seconds.