Hi fellows,
I was wondering to get an eBook reader to read technical books, like programming books. Kindle was the first to come into my mind due to the E-Ink technology which make my eyes comfortable when long reading and so, but a few friends have told me that kindle would be more enjoyable when reading non-technical books, 'cause there'd not be graphics and codes, otherwise, when there are blocks of codes it would be rendered messed up on screen, I've got no clue how bad it would be like. Btw there's when I started to think to get the iPad which graphics and pdf files are rendered perfectly but not sure about long reading on it.
What do ya guys reckon?
T.i.a.
The Kindle is a nice little machine, but I prefer the iPad for a number of reasons. Firstly, reading is only a small small percentage of what the iPad is capable of, so it's a much more useful and versatile machine. I use it for many many things
I also personally prefer the back-lit screen to the e-ink screen. I have 53-year old eyes, and I like the contrast. I have had no issue with eye fatigue from long reading sessions. And as you noted, PDF support is stellar and full color is supported.
Whenever I read outside, it's in shade rather than in full sun (sitting in full Texas sun, even in winter, is a fool's game), so glare is not an issue.
I haven't read anything but fiction on a Kindle so I cannot speak to any rendering issues with tech books.
I have both the Kindle and the iPad. I prefer reading on the Kindle and using the iPad for all the other stuff. The screen is too big and shiny in the iPad, for me. It's also quite heavy and my arm gets fatigued quickly holding the iPad while reading. Tech books only render as good as they are generated. There is really no significant difference in them between the 2 devices in terms of rendering.
Gregg, may I ask you which Kindle you have ? Is it the DX ? Also, are you using pdf files sold by publishers like Manning or Apress ?
I'm buying more and more books in pdf format, so I'm also considering buying a reader. I don't need apps, just something to read my files. I think the Kindle would suit me, unless tech books pdfs are not rendered well.
Christophe Verré wrote:Gregg, may I ask you which Kindle you have ? Is it the DX ? Also, are you using pdf files sold by publishers like Manning or Apress ?
I'm buying more and more books in pdf format, so I'm also considering buying a reader. I don't need apps, just something to read my files. I think the Kindle would suit me, unless tech books pdfs are not rendered well.
I don't have the DX. I have the 6" screen. For me, it's the perfect size. Like reading a paperback. While the kindle seems to render most PDF's just fine, I didn't purchase it to read tech books. I prefer to have physical copies of tech books as well as a PDF on the computer so I can copy and paste code when I need to. And code doesn't render well on the kindle because of the available real estate.
I realize now I responded to Matt without really reading his whole question. He's looking for an eBook reader for tech books. Personally, I don't do that. So take my opinions with a grain of salt.
Bear Bibeault wrote:...reading is only a small small percentage of what the iPad is capable of, so it's a much more useful and versatile machine. I use it for many many things...
Indeed, that's a huge consideration in comparing these!
A Kindle device is a dedicated reader. The iPad is a touch device that runs thousands of different apps, including readers. Of course, the iPad comes with Apple's iBooks app, but you can also download a free (Amazon) Kindle app, as well as a free (Barnes & Noble) Nook app.
"We're kind of on the level of crossword puzzle writers... And no one ever goes to them and gives them an award." ~Joe Strummer sscce.org
Gregg Bolinger wrote:I realize now I responded to Matt without really reading his whole question. He's looking for an eBook reader for tech books. Personally, I don't do that. So take my opinions with a grain of salt.
Thanks Gregg. I have a feel that tech books are not well suited for this kind of device.
marc weber wrote:
The iPad is a touch device that runs thousands of different apps, including readers. Of course, the iPad comes with Apple's iBooks app, but you can also download a free (Amazon) Kindle app, as well as a free (Barnes & Noble) Nook app.
Gregg Bolinger wrote:I realize now I responded to Matt without really reading his whole question. He's looking for an eBook reader for tech books. Personally, I don't do that. So take my opinions with a grain of salt.
Thanks Gregg. I have a feel that tech books are not well suited for this kind of device.
And I don't blame the device. I blame the medium. But not in a negative way. I mean, some things were just meant to be done a specific way.
Image display isn't great on the Kindle for technical books, and for some reason one book had the first page as an image and was almost unreadable. Not sure why they did that.
Matt Couto
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Joined: Jul 10, 2009
Posts: 38
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Thanks for all replies.
So thinking about tech books, the best choice would be an iPad, as It renders much better pdf files and graphics/codes.
As Apple is about to release new versions of iPad, the price of the first model should drop considerably. Not sure if it still is worth to get the first model though.
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