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View Full Version : E-Reader v. Tablet



CLW
11-27-2010, 01:42 PM
My wife is a big reader and I was thinking of getting her either an E-reader (Nook Color) or a Tablet PC (Samsung Galaxy) for Christmas.

We both have Android Phones so if I was to get a Tablet, I think I'd stick with an Android device over the Ipad.

#1 Do any of you own either an e-reader or a tablet PC? (and if so your thoughts)

#2 Are there any Android OS Tablet PCs in the 7 to 10 inch range other than the Samsung Galaxy that are either out now or will be before Christmas?

#3 One of my biggest hesitations about the tablet is the idea of having to fork over a monthly fee for 3G/4G access - Does anyone know if you can hook up your Droid phone and use the PdaNet app (or a similar app) to give your taplet internet access when a WIFI connection is not available?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

morsdraconis
11-27-2010, 04:48 PM
My wife is a big reader and I was thinking of getting her either an E-reader (Nook Color) or a Tablet PC (Samsung Galaxy) for Christmas.

We both have Android Phones so if I was to get a Tablet, I think I'd stick with an Android device over the Ipad.

#1 Do any of you own either an e-reader or a tablet PC? (and if so your thoughts)

#2 Are there any Android OS Tablet PCs in the 7 to 10 inch range other than the Samsung Galaxy that are either out now or will be before Christmas?

#3 One of my biggest hesitations about the tablet is the idea of having to fork over a monthly fee for 3G/4G access - Does anyone know if you can hook up your Droid phone and use the PdaNet app (or a similar app) to give your taplet internet access when a WIFI connection is not available?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

#1 - Don't personally own one, but I definitely would like to as I think I'd be more inclined to read more. I've always had my eye on the Kindle (which Amazon is selling for $189 with free 3G+Wifi support) as it's definitely the preferred E-reader IMO.

#2 - PocketBook IQ eReader (http://gorumors.com/pocketbook-iq-ereader-review-specs/2754535) - enTourage Pocket Edge Dualbook (http://www.kokeytechnology.com/internet-news/entourage-pocket-edge-dualbook-android-os-tablet-and-ereader-technical-specs/) - Sylvania 7" TabletPC (http://www.kokeytechnology.com/wireless-gadgets/1039-sylvania-7-cheap-android-2-1-os-tablet-pc-has-no-access-to-android-market/) - Adam Tablet (not out yet but set for Q4 of 2010) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_tablet) just to name a few that I found via searching google for Android os ereaders.

#3 - To do that, I'm pretty sure you have to break your cellphone provider's agreement and use tethering to give the tablet internet access (unless there have been new developments in the Android apps since the last time I looked 6-8 months ago).

JeffHCross
11-27-2010, 09:36 PM
Since you emphasized that she's a big reader, I'd go the E-reader route. I don't own either, but I've considered an E-reader for all the reading I do ... the tablet would be considered to replace a laptop, not to compliment my reading.

CLW
11-28-2010, 09:36 AM
#1 - Don't personally own one, but I definitely would like to as I think I'd be more inclined to read more. I've always had my eye on the Kindle (which Amazon is selling for $189 with free 3G+Wifi support) as it's definitely the preferred E-reader IMO.

#2 - PocketBook IQ eReader (http://gorumors.com/pocketbook-iq-ereader-review-specs/2754535) - enTourage Pocket Edge Dualbook (http://www.kokeytechnology.com/internet-news/entourage-pocket-edge-dualbook-android-os-tablet-and-ereader-technical-specs/) - Sylvania 7" TabletPC (http://www.kokeytechnology.com/wireless-gadgets/1039-sylvania-7-cheap-android-2-1-os-tablet-pc-has-no-access-to-android-market/) - Adam Tablet (not out yet but set for Q4 of 2010) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_tablet) just to name a few that I found via searching google for Android os ereaders.

#3 - To do that, I'm pretty sure you have to break your cellphone provider's agreement and use tethering to give the tablet internet access (unless there have been new developments in the Android apps since the last time I looked 6-8 months ago).

I looked at the Kindle but according to CNET (which I trust) it doesn't support EPUB files. Epub is used by public libraries which allows you to read books for free. I feel pretty sure my wife would use that pretty heavily.


Since you emphasized that she's a big reader, I'd go the E-reader route. I don't own either, but I've considered an E-reader for all the reading I do ... the tablet would be considered to replace a laptop, not to compliment my reading.

Yeah I think I'm going to go the E-reader route. #1 there aren't a TON of Android Tablets out right now. #2 I can get an e-reader for 1/2 the price.

JeffHCross
11-28-2010, 10:52 AM
I saw an ad this weekend that pointed out that Android has a free Kindle reader, so you can transition from a Kindle to something running Android without having to repurchase your books. Might want to see if they have the same for Epub. Not to use it in your decision process, but it's nice to know for the future if you can transition to something else.

psuexv
11-30-2010, 01:12 PM
I have a Kindle and love it. It's the older style but does exactly what I need it to do. I'm not sure about the ePub files but I can say one thing that does suck is that all the books are around $9.99, which is nice for some but some you can get used for a lot cheaper if you bought a hard copy. Also the Kindle app for the iPhone is pretty sweet and I'm sure it's comparable to the one on Android.

morsdraconis
12-01-2010, 12:34 AM
I'm pretty positive that the Kindle can use normal ebook formations though. There are certainly ways to get around $9.99 for older books...

psuexv
12-01-2010, 07:54 AM
There are certainly ways to get around $9.99 for older books...

That there is :) I know it will read .mobi files.

psuexv
12-01-2010, 10:02 AM
Just saw this today - http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2373654,00.asp may make the tablet more appealing.

gschwendt
12-01-2010, 10:26 AM
One thing to keep in mind, how long will the person reading the screen be reading them for? If hours at a time, I'd definitely recommend an e-reader over a tablet. A tablet's screen will cause eye-strain over a long period of time of staring at the screen whereas the e-reader is much more crisp in it's text and won't cause anymore eye-strain than reading an actual book.

oweb26
12-01-2010, 11:20 AM
If you go with the kindle they have a crap ton fo free ebooks of course alot of them are older books but hey they are great WTF reads. They also give a newer f ree book every week, and also they give coupons on the NOOK when you are inside an B&N. I love the thing.

Be careful with the 3G wifi ones though, all of them allow you get online if you are in a hotspot, the ones that actually advertises it is really only allow you to get the B&N's bookstore anywhere not the web, so in order to get to the web you will still have to be in a wifi hotspot. Its pretty confusing stuff.