Best / Cheapest Tablet or eReader for reading Paizo PDFs?

[Trinite]

With the upcoming release of the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, I'd like to know what the best options on the market now are for reading Paizo PDFs. I'd really like to get a mobile device that can handle them well, so I can use it at my table when I GM. I have two things that I care about:

1. Function - can it open and display the PDFs in a readable format? I'd like one that won't have any trouble with the bigger and fancier books, like the Bestiaries and the Core Rule Book. Also, it would be good to have one that I can also use to get to the PRD on the Internet.

2. Price - cheaper is better. An iPad is beyond my means. Since PDFs and a little bit of light Internet usage are the only functions I care about, is there something cheaper that would handle those functions fine?

So can I get what I want in an eReader, or do I need to pay a little more to get a tablet? Or would a cheap laptop be a better option? I'd love to get recommendations for specific models.

[Diamond B]

I have a Nook Color and I find it workable. It handle's PDFs reasonably well, though I would recommend using the chapter version of the Core Rules, as the single file is just to unwieldy (no PDF search capablity with the Nook Color out of the box - I've heard that hacked Nooks don't have that problem).

I use it exclusively for one of my games, where I travel away from my library, taking advantage of the internet capability to just access the PRD for play.

I don't know how it compares to anything else, but I'm happy with it.

[LazarX]

Here is the basic truth of life.

As soon as you go below the iPad level of power, reading performance on Paizo PDF's drops like a stone. There's also a major comfort difference between using a 10 inch tablet and a 7 inch or smaller.

You can have cheap or good, but not both.

[digeridork]

We used one of those mini netbooks for gaming. It handled my PDF library well and could get online. If I recall correctly about the price they were in the same ballpark as the Kindle.

I don't know a lot about eReaders so I can't speak to their performance, but the netbook worked for my group.

[Liz Courts]

Moved thread.

[Sunshine Rat!]

LazarX wrote:

Here is the basic truth of life.

As soon as you go below the iPad level of power, reading performance on Paizo PDF's drops like a stone. There's also a major comfort difference between using a 10 inch tablet and a 7 inch or smaller.

You can have cheap or good, but not both.

The A5 and the Fire's OMAP 4430 processor's are similar in performance. That said, I also want to know how the Fire deals with Paizo pdfs. And how the new Nook Color performs.

[LazarX]

Sunshine Rat! wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Here is the basic truth of life.

As soon as you go below the iPad level of power, reading performance on Paizo PDF's drops like a stone. There's also a major comfort difference between using a 10 inch tablet and a 7 inch or smaller.

You can have cheap or good, but not both.

The A5 and the Fire's OMAP 4430 processor's are similar in performance. That said, I also want to know how the Fire deals with Paizo pdfs. And how the new Nook Color performs.

They're not simmilar in what they DO. Clockspeed isn't everything.

[SoulCatcher78]

LazarX wrote:

Here is the basic truth of life.

As soon as you go below the iPad level of power, reading performance on Paizo PDF's drops like a stone. There's also a major comfort difference between using a 10 inch tablet and a 7 inch or smaller.

You can have cheap or good, but not both.

+1

I've tried using several ereaders to display large PDF files (notably the CRB and the Dresden Files RPG). I have yet to find anything short of an iPad to do them both clearly and quickly.

It's sad that my iPod touch does a better job of displaying pdf files than the Toshiba Thrive that I tried (granted that could also be due to the application).

iPad and the good reader application are the way to go. Check out Craigslist for an older model to help keep your cost down.

[pyremius]

Frankly, both my iPad 2 and Transformer suck when using a stock/Adobe PDF reader. Note that I'm talking specifically about using the Core Rulebook single file, rather then the individual chapters.

with RepliGo Reader the Transformer does a good job, especially since it can use the bookmarks included in the files. The book is almost usable on my phone with RepliGo, although the limiting factor there is screen size, not performance.

What I would personally like, is a graphic-free (or at least -very light) version of the books, with the level of linking found in the Core Rulebook. Getting rid of the graphic elements should reduce filesize and graphics load enough to make the books useable on even mid-tier devices.

Anything running Windows is going to have a significant advantage, as the extra RAM allows more to be held in memory at once. More useful at times is the ability to have multiple PDFs open at once, allowing you to review concepts scattered across multiple books more easily.

[Beckett]

I also have a Nook Color, that is modified with Honeycomb. It works amazingly for that, which is my primary use for it. It reads Epub files, which Paizo has started offering for their PF Novel line, which is great, too. Additionally, (by modifying my Nook and getting the Andriod Market), I can I also downloaded the Kindle reader <on my Nook>, so I basically have access to all formats. For the Nook Color, EZ PDF (like $1.99) is absolutely amazing, with the one exception that sometimes it will not display some PDF's thumbnails. Otherwise fantastic. The Nook comes with Adobe, I believe, once you update it, also.

In case you want to know:

There was a Thread here a few months ago that gave links as to where to do that. It is not illegal, requires a Nook Color (registered), Gmail account (for Andriod Market), a SD card, and some form of medium to write to the SD card. A detachable Card reader, for example. And approx 5 minutes.

[LazarX]

I'm not big on the Nook hack because it requires you that you leave a USB drive hanging on the device. On the other hand a decent Android tablet (as well as the iPad) can run the Nook, AND Kindle, AND Books applications.

[erian_7]

Yep, on my ADAM running HoneyComb, I've got the Nook and Kindle apps as well as ezPDF. I stick all my Paizo PDF files on a microSD card and I'm good to go.

[Sunshine Rat!]

LazarX wrote:

They're not simmilar in what they DO. Clockspeed isn't everything.

you posted this before the new nook was even released. Have you actually tried the new nook or the fire? If not, how do you know how paizo pdfs perform? Can't be much worse than my iPad 1 after the new IOS left it with almost no free memory.

Oh, and you don't needed an external USB drive on a rooted nook. I have no idea where you got that idea.

[Trinite]

Thanks for the input, everybody! From the responses, it sounds like my best options are either a Nook Color (that I'd have to root--no problem there!). or else a little netbook. Now I just have to decide before my next birthday. :)

[thenorthman]

Sunshine Rat! wrote:

LazarX wrote:

They're not simmilar in what they DO. Clockspeed isn't everything.

you posted this before the new nook was even released. Have you actually tried the new nook or the fire? If not, how do you know how paizo pdfs perform? Can't be much worse than my iPad 1 after the new IOS left it with almost no free memory.

Oh, and you don't needed an external USB drive on a rooted nook. I have no idea where you got that idea.

Doesn't sound like your upgrade for the iPad 1 is right. Might want to take it into an Apple Store.

I have a ton of memory on mine still.

[Beckett]

LazarX wrote:

I'm not big on the Nook hack because it requires you that you leave a USB drive hanging on the device. On the other hand a decent Android tablet (as well as the iPad) can run the Nook, AND Kindle, AND Books applications.

Not sure I get what you mean. The initial, one time thing, to put rooter system on the memory card requires a USB attachment, (or a converter chip which most mini SD cards come with anyway), so I don't see where the issue is? My wife got a Ipad (one of the newer, better ones), and friends have a toshiba thrive, and I would say neither of them are even close for the things I want (apps, reading books, putting on my PDFs, or just general utility). Even Music and video, I would rather use my Nook so I don't have to screw with things like itunes, (which I pretty much can't now that I'm deployed). Also, I like the fact I can literally cram the Nook into my pocket (cargo).

[samerandomhero]

Ahhh... the goold ol army cargo pocket. Once again my friend now that it uses buttons and not velcro. Thank you battle uniform development.

I have seen some people happy with their Thrive and Nook. I have not seen the fire in use yet. It looks like it would do well spec wise.
One of the cool things for a small netbook is you can edit stuff somewhat easier if you can keep it somewhere.
I am fortunate enough to have an ipad with goodreader, but I have seen quite a few people happy with other things.

[Sunshine Rat!]

thenorthman wrote:

Doesn't sound like your upgrade for the iPad 1 is right. Might want to take it into an Apple Store.

I have a ton of memory on mine still.

Note I wasn't talking about storage flash memory - I was talking about the internal RAM. The Ipad 1 has 256megs, the Ipad 2 twice that. Unfortunately the new IOS seems built for 512, not 256. I seldom have less than 10% free RAM available. It slows down everything, and leads to frequent crashes.