Reading PDFs on iPads

Hey,
I have many PDF books that I purchased from Manning, Pragmatic Programmer and other publishers.
I'm thinking to get iPad for late night reading but there is one issue?
Is it possible to transfer these PDFs to the iPad?
AFAIK, iPad has no USB ports.
And if it is possible to transfer PDFs to it, is it possible to read PDF files on iPad?
Thanks.

Absolutely.

There are any number of ways to get them onto the iPad -- I usually just grab them over the Net (using DropBox).

iBooks will now read PDFs, and the free GoodReader app will as well.

I'm reading Grails in Action on mine as we speak.

And I must say that jQuery in Action (plug plug plug) with its color figures looks fabulous!

P.S. I also have all of the Servlet, JSTL, JSP and other Specification PDFs on mine as well for quick reference.

I use DropBox and GoodReader. When I asked what iPad apps people use there were other approaches recommended as well. That thread is worth a look.

So it is not possible to transfer PDFs into the iPad local file system?

Who said that? Yes, the PDF is uploaded to the iPad.

Bear Bibeault wrote:Who said that? Yes, the PDF is uploaded to the iPad.

Via what? iPads don't have USB ports.
If PDFs are upload-able to iPad, why some prefer the DropBox approach?

John Todd wrote:Via what?

Wifi or 3G or USB.

iPads don't have USB ports.

The iPad most certainly does have a USB port. That's how you connect it to a Mac or PC.

If PDFs are upload-able to iPad, why some prefer the DropBox approach?

Because it's one of the easiest ways to do it. The DropBox app performs the upload with amazing ease.

You can upload PDFs via USB through iTunes, but it's just easier to upload them over the Net.

So to sum it up:
1. Apple iBook can be used to view PDFs.
2. PDFs can be copied to iPad.
I would like to share with you what I'm thinking about.
I read a lot, some reads require the laptop in case it is about programming and other don't (I have MacBook Pro).
Recently I'm thinking to get an iPhone but the iPad idea passed in front of my mind.
I read a lot and the iPad makes sense but why to get an iPad? I already have a MBP.
So what do you advice me, get an iPhone or an iPad?

John Todd wrote:1. Apple iBook can be used to view PDFs.

I assume you mean iPad. The iBook was the laptop predecessor to the macBook.

2. PDFs can be copied to iPad.

Yes.

So what do you advice me, get an iPhone or an iPad?

Personally, I would not want to use an iPhone (or my iPod Touch -- same size screen) for reading. I'd be blind in a week!

Yes, an iPhone can do a lot that the iPad can, but the screen size, in my opinion, is impossibly cramped for things like surfing or reading. I'd only get the iPhone if I wanted a phone, not a reader.

I have a MacBook Pro as well, but I think laptops are a poor form factor for reading. I love my iPad, not only for reading, but for everything else that it does, and does well.

John Todd wrote:So to sum it up:
1. Apple iBook can be used to view PDFs.

I agree with Bear that you probably meant iPad. Or maybe you meant the iBooks application which is one choice for reading PDFs.

I also agree with Bear that the iPad is much better than the iPhone for reading books.

Sorry, yes I mean iBooks application.
Thanks for help and time.

John Todd wrote:Sorry, yes I mean iBooks application.

Ah, ok. Yes, PDFs can be read via the iBooks app. There are also other apps that will read PDFs. You can pick which one you like best.

GoodReader++ for the existing DropBox integration. I really dig the iPad for some things, although for reading I'm still somewhat partial to my Kindle DX, primarily for battery life and outdoor readability. The lack of iPad multitasking is a real hindrance, and the development model makes me want to ounce myself on the face. Repeatedly. I can't wait for a decent android tablet... Until then, iPad is pretty cool, and is my go-to device until my Lenovo tablet arrives. Or I buy a ModBook :(

iOS 4 is coming to iPads in the second half of 2010.
I don't think multitasking is an issue for iPad once Apple ported iOS 4 to iPads.

I personally don't find it much of an issue now. Apps start up in a snap and usually retain their state well, so the fact that they're not really still running in the background is rather moot. But the update will still be welcome and open up more possibilities.

John Todd wrote:I don't think multitasking is an issue for iPad once Apple ported iOS 4 to iPads.

So... Once the ipad has multitasking, multitasking isn't an issue? Well yeah.

David Newton wrote:

John Todd wrote:I don't think multitasking is an issue for iPad once Apple ported iOS 4 to iPads.

So... Once the ipad has multitasking, multitasking isn't an issue? Well yeah.

What I want to say if multitasking is an issue for iPad, things will be better as Apple is porting iOS 4 to iPad (which could within the couple of months).

Yeah, I know. We'll see... Ultimately, Android is *substantially* more appealing to me, just waiting for hardware.