5 ms·
I got a Kindle about a month ago but have since returned it. It seems to be an excellent device for reading any book that should be read serially (e.g. novels)
by waffle_ss 15y ago
I got a Kindle about a month ago but have since returned it. It seems to be an excellent device for reading any book that should be read serially (e.g. novels), but any type of book that requires "random access" (e.g. reference/technical) doesn't work well due to the small screen, inability to jump to page X (which makes it difficult to use an index since you can't easily jump to it from anywhere), and poor search functionality.
Even if these features were implemented better, it would probably still be annoying as Kindles are sluggish, low-power devices (which is probably a boon for the serial-reading use case as it encourages you to just flip pages and not get sidetracked, as well as providing amazing battery life).
Then again, maybe I'm just missing something as my coworker seems fine using his Kindle for this purpose.
- kmiyer 15y agoThat's pretty true. The DX is slightly better (mainly due to its size), but for the kind of reading you describe you ideally want something more ipad-esque (which I suspect is why med schools decided to go with ipads instead of kindles)
- vital101 15y agoI have a Kindle, but any technical books I read are physical. It's much easier to thumb through information quickly with a physical book when you aren't quite sure what you're looking for.
- zem 15y agomy general rule of thumb these days is to buy fiction on the kindle and nonfiction in paper.
- drivebyacct2 15y agoI agree. Between the refresh rate of the e-ink screen and the general speed of the Kindle, I could never imagine using it as a programming reference or some such. Though, I've yet to try it and the ability to search would be great. Some books, even reference books, have pitiable indicies.
- joelhooks 15y agoFor general reference while working I just crack open the desktop app.
- manojlds 15y agoTechnical books are so HEAVY and I actually prefer the Kindle for them than carrying those books. Also, reading a huge technical book in say, an airport, would bring you lots of stares ( don't say you don't care about them!) Yeah it is tough to jump around and some books just cannot be read on a 6" screen ( and I doubt that the DX fares better.) but for most books I found that I am good with reading them on Kindle. The benefits far outweigh the cons for me.
- joelhooks 15y agoThe DX is fantastic for tech books. Code and diagrams look great.
- jedc 15y agoI specifically got the Kindle DX for manuals and other tech books, and it's been awesome. And approximately the same size/weight as an iPad...
- r00fus 15y agoI use my e-ink Kindle for reading stories. For technical or reference manuals it is woefully incapable. Screen sizing for 6 or 7" devices probably makes pdf reading difficult even if it's render-able. The iPad (ie, any 10" tablet) shines for reading content that's best served as a PDF over ebook format (ie, included pictures, possibly video). Interactive content really does require at least a tablet.
- gte910h 15y agoDX does not fare better. iPad + pdf version is far easier than the DX for the 2 books I tried.
- gte910h 15y agoIMO, non-formatted ebooks don't really work for technical books. I have used kindle on iPad even, doesn't hold a flame to pdf on iPad. For normal sized kindles and kindles on android phone/iPhone, don't even start. While the kindle DX is bigger, it's still not very nice for reading tech docs. I'd buy an ipad instead and use the PDF version (and I buy all my books ebook unless not sold that way).