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Reading PDF Files on eBook Readers   no comments

Posted at 3:13 pm in eBook Readers & PDF,Irex,kindle dx,Random

If you primarily use your ebook reader for reading fiction, then you most probably are seldom if ever concerned about how good a job your ereader does at displaying PDF files.  If, on the other hand, you are a technician, scientist, or work in academia, and use your reader to read technical literature, this feature will become increasingly important to you.

Most of the recent ebook reader models have at least some PDF functionality, but which are best?

Kindle 2:  The Kindle 2 does not natively support PDF files; they must be converted into Kindle format.  This can be done by:

  • Send the PDF file as an attachment to your Kindle’s email address.  Amazon will convert the file and deliver it via Wispernet to your Kindle.  Amazon charges 10 cents per email for this service.
  • Convert the PDF file for free by sending it as an attachment to “your kindle email”@free.kindle.com.  Amazon will do the conversion and email it back to your computer at the email address on file for your account.
  • Convert the PDF file yourself by using MobiPocket Creator .  You can also try saving the PDF document as a Word Doc, and then open the new file with Word and save as txt file which you can then transfer to your Kindle.

Conversion often does not result in perfect documents.  PDF docs with DRM can cause problems, being difficult or even impossible to convert.  The conversion process often messes up charts, tables and images.  Formulae and equations don’t fare well either.

Jesse Vincent’s Savory program, which is a hack for the Kindle 2, seems to do a good job of converting charts, etc.  Besides PDF files, Savory also converts epub files to the Kindle format.  On his web page there is a shot of a converted scientific paper that looks quite nice.  If you go this route, be sure to read all of the instructions and warnings.

Kindle DX:  The Kindle DX can display PDF files without conversion.  Display is speedy, often taking the same time for a page turn as when reading text.  Charts and equations display well.  Unfortunately, you can’t zoom in on PDF documents; they are rendered to fit the screen.  You can look at the document in landscape mode though, which can provide some zoom.  You also cannot annotate PDF documents on the Kindle DX.

Update: 08/18/09;  This post on Gadgets and Toys has some nice screenshots of the Kindle DX displaying medical journals on pdf.

Sony PRS-700BC:  With Sony’s PRS-700BC you can zoom in on PDF files with five different text sizes. You cannot zoom into charts and pictures larger than the width of the screen. This ereader also has a touch screen, which makes navigation easy.  On the downside, the touch screen has a lot of glare and is very difficult to read in sunlight and bright light.  The Sony device also features only 8 shades of gray vs. Kindle’s 16 shades.  ComputerShopper has a very thorough review of the PRS-700BC.

Foxit eSlick:  If reading PDF files with lots of graphs and schematics is the primary purpose you will put your ebook reader to, then this might be a good choice for you.  It allows zooming and panning of PDF documents. This ereader is still nowhere as polished as the Kindles or the Sony products, and should probably only be a first choice if you only want to use it for technical PDF document reading.  To read files other than txt or PDF format you will need to convert into PDF using your computer.

iRex Digital Reader 1000S:  The iLiad does allow handwritten annotation of PDF documents with its touch screen.  You can also zoom into PDF graphics.  You can also buy two Kindle DX readers for the price of one iLiad.  For general reading probably not as convenient as the Kindle DX.  If you need full-featured PDF support and expense is not an issue, then the iLiad is probably the way to go.

Which of the current ebook readers will perform best for you when it comes to reading PDF documents will depend of course on your specific needs.  Are your PDF documents full of intricate graphics and schematics that you need to make annotations on?  Also you may want to balance PDF needs against the other uses you plan to put your ereader to such as general reading; unless, of course, you plan on using it strictly for “business”.

My picks would be as follows:

If heavy duty technical PDF document handling with full featured zoom and panning and the ability to add handwritten annotations is the most important feature set for you, and if you can afford it, go for the iRex iLiad.

For light to medium duty PDF document handling with some graphics, but where tilting to landscape mode will be zoom enough, and if annotating on the device is not a priority, and if you also plan to use your ebook reader for magazines, newspapers, and general reading; go with the Kindle DX.

If you want a smaller and therefore more portable device, consider the Kindle 2 with the Savory software.

 

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Written by Richard on July 26th, 2009

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