Best tablet for reading photography and software programming books?

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jonneymendoza

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Has the title says. what do you recommend for reading these books?

i want one that doesnt strain my eyes while reading onscreen.

Thanks
 
I used to use a Sony prs-800 as it used to be the only one where you can search in a PDF. Since the iPad was launched I haven't looked back.

I've got lots of reference manuals and not least huge contracts on there. The ability to read (and annotate and share those annotations via standard PDF comments) a full page of a4 comfortably should not be underestimated.

There might now be other tablets on the market, but for the last nearly four years I've been very happy with the iPad.
 
You pointed to one the big advantage of the ipad in its A4 screen layout, and with the retina displays there is no blur just pin sharp text.
 
iPad was a hit & miss for me, until the mini came about. Perfect form factor :thumbs:

But, I openly admit to being an Apple fanboy!

Go have a play at your Apple store before you fork out any £.
 
Wail said:
iPad was a hit & miss for me, until the mini came about. Perfect form factor :thumbs:

But, I openly admit to being an Apple fanboy!

Go have a play at your Apple store before you fork out any £.
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Can you read comfortably a full page from a reference manual for software programming on a mini? I couldn't, too small which was the problem with the PDFs on a kindle like device like my ors-600, you are constantly zooming in/out which just doesn't give the right experience, diagrams can't be seen in full. To me for this purpose (which is my main purpose) the small device just do not work...
 
The simple answer, yes. iPad mini is just about the form for me. That's not to say it would be for everyone. That's why I strongly suggest having a play first.

Keep in mind, you list a % of screen real estate, but also shave about 50% off weight.
 
dejongj said:
Can you read comfortably a full page from a reference manual for software programming on a mini? I couldn't, too small which was the problem with the PDFs on a kindle like device like my ors-600, you are constantly zooming in/out which just doesn't give the right experience, diagrams can't be seen in full. To me for this purpose (which is my main purpose) the small device just do not work...
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Kindle app automatically repaginates and you can set text size. The default size is slightly too small on a mini. It's ideal for normal books though.

I expect the retina version of the mini whenever that arrives would be fine. For now I'd get the full size one if you look at a lot of a4 format things. The amateur photographer mag is just readable on a mini but I expect its perfect on a full size ipad.
 
srichards said:
Kindle app automatically repaginates and you can set text size. The default size is slightly too small on a mini. It's ideal for normal books though.

I expect the retina version of the mini whenever that arrives would be fine. For now I'd get the full size one if you look at a lot of a4 format things. The amateur photographer mag is just readable on a mini but I expect its perfect on a full size ipad.
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Yes for novels etc the kindle and other ebook readers and small tablets are fine. However when you have a block of code you don't want it to repaginate ;) when you have uml diagrams or data models on the page you don't want to have to scroll to see little bits of them. Also how the ePub format works, diagrams may not even display at all, if you are lucky alt text was defined otherwise you see nothing.

I think iPad or nexus 10 is a wise choice. I'd suggest to look into the ecosystem and double check the books you want are available.
 
IPad with the iBooks program is ideal for reading technical books and PDF files. You can even move from page to page in the PDF just by touching the relevant page number or reference. I store all my camera and similar manuals on mine and also use it for A4 size legal documents. I recommend the iPad unreservedly. I have looked at the new iPad Mini but for me the screen is too small.
 
not only is the screen too small but it is low res. not even 720p which is found on the kindle hd and nexus 7

i basically do not want to log around large programming books that are thicker then the Bible at A4 size that weighs a lot as i cant read them while traveling.

photography books are quite large as well.
 
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I too would agree the ipad mini screen is too small and too low resolution for the type of use you require. I think you need one of the 10" tablets for comfortable PDF viewing.



Why apple have done this is strange to me, ipad has retina , the tiny ipad ( ok they call it iPod ) has retina but not the middle product, well not for a couple of months yet anyway.
 
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jonneymendoza said:
not only is the screen too small but it is low res. not even 720p which is found on the kindle hd and nexus 7

i basically do not want to log around large programming books that are thicker then the Bible at A4 size that weighs a lot as i cant read them while traveling.

photography books are quite large as well.
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It is exactly why i bought one. Big programming books, and other large technical books. I had one client who always had a 10K'ish size contract on the table. I put it on the iPad. Then use good reader with multiple bookmarks, highlighting and annotations which can be exported separately. It was brilliant.
 
My iPad 1 carries all of my reference books etc and it is ideal, easy to read, papers are markable in Goodreader (highlighter and notations) - just an ideal way of carrying a library around.
 
Good news my missus giving me her iPad 3rd gen and she will get the iPad mini. Already started using it a bit for reading and the sharpness and clarity is very good
 
Sounds like a very good solution, and will slot nicely in that nice bag of yours :) I can really recommend Good Reader in addition to the standard iBooks that is included. Putting PDF in iBooks or Good Reader is both very easy.

And with one of the many air display type apps, you can also use it as an external screen to your laptop ;) Very useful especially with the high resolution of the iPad3...

Enjoy it...
 
Where can u get pdf files of programming books and photography books? Kindle has a load of books u can buy but they are not pdf format
 
dejongj said:
Sounds like a very good solution, and will slot nicely in that nice bag of yours :) I can really recommend Good Reader in addition to the standard iBooks that is included. Putting PDF in iBooks or Good Reader is both very easy.

And with one of the many air display type apps, you can also use it as an external screen to your laptop ;) Very useful especially with the high resolution of the iPad3...

Enjoy it...
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Hi i just recieved the fstop loka and wow :clap::clap::clap:

pretty blooming amazing. i can put my dell xps laptop and my tablet too!
 
jonneymendoza said:
Where can u get pdf files of programming books and photography books? Kindle has a load of books u can buy but they are not pdf format
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Depends a bit what you want, some of mine come direct from the publisher, others from a corporate distribution account, some direct from iTunes iBook store, others I've found online...
 
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