AskAboutGadgets Archive

Portable device for reading academic paper PDFs

• posted by: robintw on 2010-07-24
• tagged: pdf
• score: 2

I'm looking for a portable device (e-book reader, iPad-style device or similar) to enable me to read academic papers on the move.

The essential features are:

• Large screen - preferably around A4 size so that the paper appears at true size
• Ability to read and annotate PDFs
• Good battery life

Features which would be ideal are:

• Ability of the device to do other useful things (eg. if I can get a device which can also run other apps, access the internet etc)
• The device not being too locked down (ie. Android would be better than iPad)

Of course, the other factor is price! I'm a student, so cheaper is better, but I'm willing to pay a bit more to get a quality product. I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who is using any device like this to read academic papers.

Answer 673

• posted by: Evan Kroske on 2010-07-24
• score: 3

You need an iPad. The only one of your specifications it doesn't meet is your preference for openness, but it still meets more of your requirements than any other released device. The Kno e-reader may eventually be a better fit, thanks to its massive screens and academic focus, but it will never match the iPad's massive selection of useful apps. If I were you, I would start looking for iPad deals.

Answer 742

• posted by: Thomas on 2010-07-27
• score: 2

While I love the iPad, I am also looking into other alternatives. The Nook seems to be pretty cool. You can hack it and get some pretty cool features as well. Since it's not very expensive (and FREE 3G), it's looking like a pretty viable alternative to me.

Answer 1726

• posted by: bobobobo on 2010-09-03
• score: 0

Well, the iPad isn't the only device out there. Still, you find many things by searching for iPad alternatives, but hey. Maybe the iPad is what just what the doctor ordered.

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