So as I await delivery of my iPhone 4 (Liz and I both have one which is now in the Maritimes en route to us 
) I was looking through a few flyers last night and I came across an interesting item at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was for an item called the Pandigital Novel. It was on for $199 but had a coupon on the back for 20% off (I think it did anyhow) so for under $200 you could have this reader.
I’m not sure of the general consensus out there for an e-book reader, but I for one think it’s a pretty slick idea… it is however, VERY tough for me to justify the very expensive price tag of an iPad. The way I see it, these are basically netbooks with touchscreens. Not that there is anything wrong with that, like I said.. I want one. I want one for one basic reason though – reading PDF files.
I don’t know about you, but I find reading PDF’s on the screen of a computer to be a pain in the butt. I can get all kinds of great material online in PDF format, full books, magazines, tutorials, web sites, etc – and to be able to read it on a little tablet while I’m chilling out at home in bed, or on the patio, or waiting for a haircut – whenever I have a spare moment really, would be ideal and I think very beneficial. It certainly doesn’t go on my list of must-haves and there are PLENTY of other things I want to do first (like get rid of my line of credit debt) – but I do like the idea for sure.
There is also another promising device called the Cruz Tablet which seems to be another cheaper iPad alternative and that seems to be getting a lot of attention as well. So all in all, it’s an exciting new technology which appears to be gathering steam. What do you think? Save up for the premium iPad? Or get something a bit cheaper?
- if you want to keep up with the latest on tablets, may I suggest this link which searches the latest information on Engadget for anything “tablet” related.
Fairly bad review form engadget. The Kindle seems to be a cheaper and better option for pdf reading. The screen looks like paper.
I guess I just don't like the price point and "one-function" of the kindle.. I read the article on engadget about the pandigital and pretty much axed that idea…
Samsung has a cool one rumored to be coming up as does the CRUZ.. we'll see what happens.. I'm in NO rush to go out and spend anymore money just yet
I like the look of this guy http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/08/exop… if it evers comes to fruition – probably more of direct ipad competitor rather than "e-book reader trying to do more" type
Video of using PS CS2 on Exopc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71hpxSzMNmc
Just to confirm I don't work for the company
– just find the potential real world application for the exopc much more appealing than the app's that apple lets you use on ipad (&itouch, Iphone)
That's pretty slick now isn't it?? Yeah I think I'll wait a bit before I jump on any other purchases really, I see nothing but good things in the future for portable readers though. I'm sure they'll just get more powerful, and better.. allowing for more applications like you say that can do more than just the limited stuff apple apps can do.