[Q] How is the 10" form as a reader

[nook-color]

I've got 2 primary uses for this device

1) standard reader ( I convert alot of files to read on cheap LCD ereader I'd like to upgrade ). I read every night in bed - mostly Calibre converted to epub doc's. Some of the content is not worthy of formatting to epub b/c of graphics - tables - so I have to read that on printed paper when the lights are on.

2) Browser / .pdf reader. - Currently I have no ability to do this besides desktop. I'd like my content to be a little more portable - so I can read it on the go.

I really like the 7" form - for epub - but never tried reading off a 10" device.

My main question - is how is this 10" form factor as an e-reader - say lying in bed - or on a couch. I'm not worried about the portability of the 2 sizes - mainly whether or not - the 10" form is cumbersome as being too large to hold as a reader ( too heavy / bulkly )?

My gut says it'll be fine - but would like some reassurances from those who have used this size as a reader for a period of time.

Thanks

 

[Chandelure]

I love it, but it's really what you like. Go to best buy and try out reading a chapter.

 

[iluxion]

I have the original Nook as my first e-reader and now I use the Transformer. It's a bit heavy while reading in bed and holding it..BUT I prefer it over the Nook as an e-reader for the following reasons:
1. TF has backlight
2. I can read PDF's and not worry about converting them.
3. I can surf the web and do other good stuff on a whim while reading.

 

[gandda12]

It can be a bit heavy with one hand or if you don't have a stand. I haven't tried any other reader. I usually get my reading from Kindle app and I am happy with it. I also love it because I can play music while reading.

 

[jerrykur]

I much prefer my Color Nook. 7 inches is the sweet spot for readers.

 

[levenite]

I also have a nook (bw) and have tried the nook color.

1. The backlight cannot be dimmed nearly as much as the nook color for night reading. Aldiko at least has a night reading mode but it is still too bright for total darkness.
2. Most have light bleeding which is annoying especially for night reading.
3. Need two hands to hold (1.5lb).
4. I find the nook color a bit heavy for single handed reading.
5. Nook for android has color which is nice for magazines and has nice two page landscape view.
6. Landscape and portrait reading modes
7. Battery life should exceed nook color.
8. It is 150ppi vs 170ppi higher quality screen for nook color and the difference is noticeable.
9. It is highly reflective.
10. It handles pdf files quite well (adobe reader has reflow option and pinch to zoom) definitely preferable for technical pdf files over nook color.

 

[jerirat]

I started reading on Palm Pilots years ago and always wanted a larger screen. I've also owned several eInk readers which are the best, IMO, for novels. I've read on a 7" Android screen (Galaxy TAB) and liked that but I love the 10" screen for reading at home. Fewer page turns and great reading apps are available. The one included with the TF allows you to read 2 pages in landscape mode and you can set it up to recognize your Adobe ID so your encrypted ePubs will be readable without resorting to removing the DRM. You could also use your Nook reading app or one of many others available.

If you work with PDFs, they are better on a 10" screen.

I have no light bleed (and many others don't either) and read in night mode all the time with no issues. My OG Droid has far more light bleed than my TF.

The larger form factor takes a hit when it comes to portability but using the Kindle app on my phone allows me to continue reading the same book on the go.

 

[Kilmar]

I also carry a nook color and my TF in the bag and prefer to read on the nc in the subway due to the weight and size.

 

[cooldragon777]

I mainly use my TF as a reader. Here are my thoughts:

1. It's perfect for reading PDFs. Especially for PDFs with a lot of graphs, tables, equations etc, because zooming and panning and page turning are so fluid. Try Repligo for non-scanned PDFs, use ezPDF for scanned PDFs.

2. It's good for reading text heavy documents too. But in that case, a Kindle will be enough.

3. It's very good for normal web browsing and looking up stuff. You cannot do that with Eink.

4. You won't feel comfortable holding the TF for a long time. I just put it in the keyboard dock to free my hands, which is perfect for me.

 

[wynand32]

I have an original Nook 3G, and have found myself using the TF more often everywhere except in the direct sunlight. It's particularly better for annotations.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[mlpjunior]

I personally love reading in landscape with two pages side-by-side, and a 10" screen is great for this. Unfortunately, the Kindle app doesn't support this feature yet -- it just uses the whole width of the screen to display one page (kind of silly, and tiring on the eyes).

The Google Books app does put two pages side-by-side in landscape, but unfortunately its catalog of books is significantly smaller in my experience.

 

[Itaintrite]

I believe the 7" form is still the best for reading. Period. It's quite uncomfortable to use the TF for reading in bed. Got a Galaxy Tab for my sister and now I don't want to let it go ;P Thankfully I have a Nook color coming Perfect for reading books and manga (yes!).

I use the Nook app to sideload epubs. It's my favourite reader, very smooth animation. The TF is still a much better tablet and RSS reader of course

 

[dfin13]

I personally love reading in landscape with two pages side-by-side, and a 10" screen is great for this.

Same here. The Nook app supports this, and ePub, so that's what I use 99% of the time. I mainly read in bed, so I prop the TF up on my stomach to read, the weight doesn't really bother me in that case. Reading in portrait on a 10" tablet just feels ... odd.

 

[javroch]

From what I understand, most LCD / IPS type computer screens are bad for nighttime reading if that's your thing. There have been studies that back-lit displays in general, unlike the Kindle "e-paper" surface, can be bad on the eyes and can cause insomnia by inhibiting the release of melatonin.

If reading is your primary objective, I'd suggest sticking with an e-reader personally.

 

[wynand32]

From what I understand, most LCD / IPS type computer screens are bad for nighttime reading if that's your thing. There have been studies that back-lit displays in general, unlike the Kindle "e-paper" surface, can be bad on the eyes and can cause insomnia by inhibiting the release of melatonin.

If reading is your primary objective, I'd suggest sticking with an e-reader personally.

Very true. I should have added in my earlier note that I also use my Nook 3G for reading before falling asleep. And the Nook app's great syncing capability is perfect all around.

 

[nook-color]

Very true. I should have added in my earlier note that I also use my Nook 3G for reading before falling asleep. And the Nook app's great syncing capability is perfect all around.

LCD reading is fine for night reading. I use one right now - and it's great not to have to worry about lamp - or switches before turning over for the night's sleep.

 

[frosty5689]

I can read longer on my eink sony ereader without fatigue. Lcd backlit tends to make your eyes blurry afterwards

Sent from my Transformer TF101

 

[javroch]

I can read longer on my eink sony ereader without fatigue. Lcd backlit tends to make your eyes blurry afterwards

This is true, and it's also just more of a chemical thing supposedly at least. Apparently most forms of artificial light inhibit the release of melatonin to some degree, which makes it harder to sleep at night. whereas e-paper surfaces tend to reflect the light already present in the environment, from what I understand, and it's obviously not as strong as a back-lit LCD.

 

[ConstantineXVI]

I only use my Transformer for PDFs and anything graphics-heavy, thanks to the screen size. 7" devices will always be more comfortable, I use my Kindle when I don't need the above.

 

[xun3]

Hi Nook-Color,

I personally went from a nook color to the transformer and I found that the size of your reader really depends on your reading habits.

I Personally read a lot of engineering papers (with lots of equations and such), magazines and comics. I have to keep the screen full size for the papers because whenever there's a text reflow, it really messes them up.

Magazines and comics are much nicer on a larger screen.

I find that I do not read text heavy content like novels, so a bigger screen is a must. If your reading contents are mainly text, you'll be better off with a smaller reader.

As for handling, it's no Kindle DX or nook color, as it's much heavier, but i've gotten used to it. I tend to rest my tablets on my stomach when im in bed (really helps with the weight). It's close to the weight of an average Tom Clancy novel, so it's not like you can complain much if that's your primary reading material).

Reading on a couch is also about the same, you'll most likely have to start resting it on an armrest or your leg (if you have a recliner) for long periods.

You'll also have to stay away from any bright lights or a window in the background as the screen is a mirror and will make reading difficult.

The back is also a bit slippery, as it doesn't have the nice rubber back of the nook color so it does get tiring when gripping it. But a silicon case will definitely help (if/when one ever comes out).

Other than that, having a big screen to read is just nice, especially for graphic intensive media.

hope this helps.