I think e-readers are awesome for linear, text-based material. I don't think they're great for reference or things that need specific formatting or have a lot o

I think e-readers are awesome for linear, text-based material. I don't think they're great for reference or things that need specific formatting or have a lot of visual data; like textbooks, something with code snippets, cookbooks, or newspapers. But tablets or desktop computers work fairly well. Since those aren't single-use machines and don't have great vertical integration they can be cumbersome (and a bit of an eye strain for long sessions). The smallish size and slow screen loading make it really hard to skim (and requires decent search and UX). Because of the small screen info can get reflowed, making code snippets or charts very awkward--if it even renders. Basically, I'm just reiterating what you're saying. I haven't found a solution to what you're describing. In an effort to minimize physical books, I try to utilize the library as much as possible and buy digital versions to reference on the computer months or years later. I've seen solutions like putting pdfs into Dropbox. Sadly, a lot of the reading software that allows highlighting or writing in margins don't sync between a tablet and desktop (at least last time I investigated). Academics seem to have the most motivation for finding a solution to something like this, but that may be tailored to their own needs.