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IRL (In Real Life) => General Discussion => Topic started by: W8taminute on July 06, 2012, 10:58:04 AM

Title: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: W8taminute on July 06, 2012, 10:58:04 AM
I'm not sure I'm liking it.  When I pick up my tablet at work the first thing that comes to my mind is using it at a meeting in lieu of a paper notebook. 

When I pick up my tablet at home the first thing I think about is gaming.  It's been real hard reading Descent of Angels on my tablet because of these reasons.  I just can't get into reading on a tablet.  Is something wrong with me or am I the only one who prefers his books the old fashioned way, in hard copy?
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: mirth on July 06, 2012, 11:01:46 AM
I'm the same way. I find it very difficult to read long passages in a digital format. I'm okay with news articles and such, but when it comes to books it's still hard copy all the way.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Shelldrake on July 06, 2012, 12:22:59 PM
I much prefer reading pdfs as hard copy rather than on a screen...but I enjoy reading books on my Kobo e-reader even more so than reading a traditional paperback. Go figure!
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 12:35:49 PM
Sounds like the issue is backlit LCDs vs eInk. LCDs can make eye fatigue. After a while you want to get up to be away from the screen.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 12:42:49 PM
9" color eink reader
http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html (http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html)
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Shelldrake on July 06, 2012, 01:50:41 PM
Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 12:42:49 PM
9" color eink reader
http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html (http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html)

Nice. I will keep color e-ink in mind when it come time to upgrade from my gray-scale Kobo.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: meadbelly on July 06, 2012, 05:00:18 PM
I like owning books and bookshelves.

I was dead set against using an e-reader until someone from WG pointed out the ease of e-reading while eating for the simple reason ereaders lie flat. This completely screwed me over, because now I want my books, bookshelves, and easy reading while eating. Curse you o choices of convenience!
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Staggerwing on July 06, 2012, 06:46:02 PM
Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 12:42:49 PM
9" color eink reader
http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html (http://www.hanvon.com/en/products/ebook/products-C920.html)

It looks terrific. Only thing is... I can't find anyone who actually sells it! Where the Hel do you get your hands on one and how much does it cost?
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 07:29:47 PM
There is a company re-labeling it for $500. http://www.ectaco.com/jetBook_Color/?refid=1425&gclid=CNX21rWnhrECFQgJRQod6wtQIQ (http://www.ectaco.com/jetBook_Color/?refid=1425&gclid=CNX21rWnhrECFQgJRQod6wtQIQ)


The company does translation software for the US military so its jacked up with all kinds of education stuff. Primarily sold to schools (Why Russian ones?)
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Staggerwing on July 06, 2012, 07:36:24 PM
Yep, the Jetbook is geared to educational markets. The company you linked to makes the guts for it but the actual device linked looks to be that company's own foray into ebook readers with an OS geared to the general market. Hopefully the price will be lower in that case as well.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on July 06, 2012, 07:44:35 PM
The hardware is the same as the Chinese company. Basically sub-contracted out.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: LongBlade on July 07, 2012, 10:09:43 AM
I like my Kindle Fire. It has grown on me.

The one advantage I really like to it is that when I run across a word I don't know it's easy to put my finger to it and look it up.

I love books and still buy plenty, but my Fire is portable and easy to read when going to bed.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: meadbelly on July 07, 2012, 11:01:35 PM
^How do you decide which titles to buy paper vs electronic format? Just curious.

I still read too many .pdf manuals to do just a kindle. So now I have a kindle (B&W), my 12 inch thinkpad, and paper books. It's more than a little nutty.
Title: Re: Reading books on tablet devices
Post by: LongBlade on July 08, 2012, 11:12:27 AM
Quote from: meadbelly on July 07, 2012, 11:01:35 PM
^How do you decide which titles to buy paper vs electronic format? Just curious.

Can't say that there's a real methodology.

I've bought a few Fire books I would rather have on paper simply because I wanted to have them on-hand in case I had my Fire with me. Probably like most of you, I tend to buy several books. If I don't like one or two I figure I have enough back-ups that at least one of them will be good.

The advantage to the Fire is that I can have a book immediately. I'm also finding that I like to download the Kindle sample. Usually that's enough to figure out the book is good, and then I'll often buy it.