Electronic book questions

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 11:42

Hi all. I'm thinking of getting a e-book type thingy and I thought I'd ask for your thoughts on the matter.
it needs to be have:
-built in wi-fi
-be able to read pdf files
-reasonably small
-web browsing
-doesn't need to have a keyboard but some sort of input method is needed.
-connectable to my PC
I don't know if I should be looking at a palm pilot type thingy, or the new microsoft thingy or just a very small lappy...........all ideas/suggestions appreciated

---------- Post added at 11:42 ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 ----------

Forgot to mention.....I need to be able to make notes on it as well......i.e. annotate the stuff I am reading on it......

Aragorn · 05-05-2006, 11:44

Is the screen on an iPaq too small?

The latest iPaq's tick all your boxes - I use mine to read both MS Reader e-books and pdf files. Used to use it when reading Narnia to the kids as I have them as e-books.

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Is the screen on an iPaq too small?

The latest iPaq's tick all your boxes - I use mine to read both MS Reader e-books and pdf files. Used to use it when reading Narnia to the kids as I have them as e-books.

I'll have a look at that...........any thoughts on a pocket pc or a xda type thingy?

edit....I see that the ipaq is a pocket pc!

bopdude · 05-05-2006, 11:51

Why not go the whole hog and get a text to speech prog in case you can't be bothered to read yourself or are on the move, nice set of headphones...Bob's ya uncle

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Why not go the whole hog and get a text to speech prog in case you can't be bothered to read yourself or are on the move, nice set of headphones...Bob's ya uncle

It's a nice idea but I first need to wade through this jungle of technology.....

bopdude · 05-05-2006, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Why not go the whole hog and get a text to speech prog in case you can't be bothered to read yourself or are on the move, nice set of headphones...Bob's ya uncle

It's a nice idea but I first need to wade through this jungle of technology.....

Ok, to help you more, tell us what sort of inviroment your gonna be using this piece of kit in, home / work / travel, is it for you or for the benifit of others, i.e. kids stories

And do you want to be able to multi-task or just read books........soooo many questions.

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 ----------

Just re-read your first post, you want to be able to edit the books

handyman · 05-05-2006, 12:25

You might want to look at a xda mins s. It can do pdf, has a good screen and a small keyboard. I would have thought that it would work with a bluetooth keyboard for something a bit more substantial to type on.

Also another product to look at would be a fly book, they are around ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£1300 and even Terry Wogan has one

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Ok, to help you more, tell us what sort of inviroment your gonna be using this piece of kit in, home / work / travel, is it for you or for the benifit of others, i.e. kids stories

And do you want to be able to multi-task or just read books........soooo many questions.

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 ----------

Just re-read your first post, you want to be able to edit the books

Annotate pdf's and books............it's for my research. I need to be able to pull stuff off the web (via my wireless router) or at a pinch load stuff onto it from my pc and then read and make notes on it. I'm getting tired of having to sit at my pc for hours reading research papers when I could be relaxing in bed reading research papers.....
It would be handy if it had a USB socket on it as well....for my USB pen drive.

---------- Post added at 13:39 ---------- Previous post was at 13:38 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by handyman

Also another product to look at would be a fly book, they are around ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£1300 and even Terry Wogan has one

A 'fly book' sounds interesting but I'd have a problem convincing my financial controller to let me buy one

Aragorn · 05-05-2006, 13:51

Sounds like a tablet PC would be ideal - big screen, USB & Wireless, pen - but probably out of budget, which brings you back to a pocket PC (doesn't have USB, but most have SD slots and will dock with your desktop).

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:48 ----------

HP tablets start at ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£950 + vat!

bopdude · 05-05-2006, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Sounds like a tablet PC would be ideal - big screen, USB & Wireless, pen - but probably out of budget, which brings you back to a pocket PC (doesn't have USB, but most have SD slots and will dock with your desktop).

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:48 ----------

HP tablets start at ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£950 + vat!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

or just a very small lappy...........all ideas/suggestions appreciated

I think you might have answered your own question in the first post

might be the more practicable option

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Sounds like a tablet PC would be ideal - big screen, USB & Wireless, pen - but probably out of budget, which brings you back to a pocket PC (doesn't have USB, but most have SD slots and will dock with your desktop).

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:48 ----------

HP tablets start at ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£950 + vat!

For that price I may as well get a flybook!....and I know my financial controller would want one of those!

---------- Post added at 13:56 ---------- Previous post was at 13:55 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

I think you might have answered your own question in the first post

might be the more practable option

.....and expensive!

bopdude · 05-05-2006, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

I think you might have answered your own question in the first post

might be the more practicable option

.....and expensive!

You could get a low end lappy cheap enough and it would still be better than a ppc or the likes....I think, and cheaper

Aragorn · 05-05-2006, 14:03

Novatech sell some laptops in the 400 - 500 price range (ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£490 + del). Might find a refurbed brand even cheaper.

Ramrod · 05-05-2006, 14:05

Hmmm............some sort of pda/xda sixed thing would be best for size and ease of use.....making notes on etc....lappy/flybook/tablet all need rather lengthy bootup times. I need this to be as functional as possible whilst being nearly as easy to use as a book.

---------- Post added at 14:05 ---------- Previous post was at 14:04 ----------

I'm going to bluewater tomorrow so I'll have a mooch in Dixons etc...

TheBlueRaja · 05-05-2006, 14:44

What about that new thing that Microsoft released the other week - that origami project thing.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/24/m...igami-project/
http://www.origamiproject.com/

Isnt this kind off what you looking for?

No idea about the price though bud!

Also have a look here:-

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx