Plea for help...reading my Dragon, Dungeon mags

[caudor]

I want to read my magazines (pdfs). Let me tell you what I have tried...

My largest reading device is my PC (20 inch LCD). The text is large enough to read, but after several pages, the it becomes uncomfortable reading at the computer. I'm not sure if it is the eye strain, ergonomics, cheap computer chair, or combination of all...it just doesn't work for me.

I bought a Barnes & Noble Nook. While great for reading my novels (the e-ink is absolutely a pleasure). Unfortunately, the text is too tiny reading pdfs.

I bought a netbook (10 inch). It is a little better if I set the size to 'fit-width', but I find some text is still to small to read comfortably. For example, I can barely make out the table of content page. Still, too small.

Not only am I running out of money, I'm running out of options. What's left? Perhaps buying a different e-reader? Printing services? Buying a new printer with lower ink consumption? Something I haven't thought of?

I'm open to any suggestions. Perhaps you found something that works for you. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[MichaelSomething]

Well, since you can't identify why reading on a computer doesn't work, I can't say what to change about it to make you more comfortable.

If your really want to read it, you could print it out. However, that might be too expensive for you.

Have you considered simply using a zoom/text enlargement option to make it easier to read on your preferred platform?

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I hesitate to recommend an iPad. It's in between an ebook reader and a netbook, which you've tried both.

It has a free .pdf reader in the iBooks app. Tiny charts are easily magnified onto with the pinch touch gesture, then zoomed back out with the reverse.

As a device, it's a bit spendy for just a .pdf reader, though it does it very well. It obviously does a lot more than that . . .

 

[jaerdaph]

Another option - get yourself a second monitor for your computer that you can rotate to portrait and read your PDFs on that monitor instead as one full page. I've been doing that for years for reading PDFs and working with Word documents, at home and at work. It's much easier that way for me - less eye and wrist strain (from constantly grabbing the mouse and moving the document around the screen).

Here is an example:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VP201b-Rotating-Monitor-Black/dp/B002KSU6LS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1284257755&sr=8-3]Amazon.com: 20.1" ViewSonic VP201b DVI Rotating LCD Monitor w/USB 2.0 Hub (Black) - Rotates to Portrait or Landscape View!: Electronics[/ame]

If your believe your chair and computer desk setup are making you uncomfortable, I *highly* recommend taking care of that ASAP because that can cause health problems for you down the road, even with casual daily computer use.

 

[IronWolf]

I still find reading PDFs for an extended period time on the computer difficult. With that said, many of the setups you've mentioned should have a zoom option to help with the text size. With my netbook I will occasionally rotate the PDF through the reader software (FoxIt in my case) and then tilt the netbook on its side to get a more comfortable reading layout.

I am ultimately waiting for one of the eReaders to handle PDFs more gracefully or for an iPad type device to drop in price at which point I will likely switch to one of those for more frequent PDF reading.

 

[caudor]

Thanks for the tips!

I checked about zoom capabilites on my Nook and it turns out that the 1.4 update has added panning and zooming for pdfs (I didn't know that). I'm not sure how that will work on a 6 inch screen, but I'm about to go try it.

Hum, the iPad. It has pinch and zoom, that might be easier. Touch screen and can read at my recliner. Has anyone tried the iPad with the magazines?

A large rotating monitor is a good idea as well. I surely need to make my PC space more comfortable though...perhaps a better chair and a wireless keyboard if I have to go this route. Heck, I need to get a better chair anyway.

If anyone else has ideas, please feel free to add your suggestions.

Very helpful comments. Thanks again!

 

[caudor]

Didn't work out with the Nook. Turns out it does not have pan & zoom after-all (evidently the Kindle does though).

Anyway, thanks again for the tips. I have ideas to research now. Thanks

 

[falcarrion]

I own a Kindle Dx and an Ipad. The Ipad is the way to go.
the zoom ability is fast, easy, and works great. The zoom on the kindle is poor.
With the ipad you get so much more. You can also get a Kindle app to read kindle books. Not to mention all the different apps available.

 

[caudor]

I own a Kindle Dx and an Ipad. The Ipad is the way to go.
the zoom ability is fast, easy, and works great. The zoom on the kindle is poor.
With the ipad you get so much more. You can also get a Kindle app to read kindle books. Not to mention all the different apps available.

Thanks. I've already invested in many ebooks from Barnes & Noble; however, I think I read that there is an iPad B&N reader app as well. Hum...

On the iPad, do you need to zoom in order to read the pdfs? Is the text fairly readable if you hold it in landscape mode? Just curious. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[falcarrion]

In landscape you can read all three collums. Or at least I can and I don't have the greatest vision any more. If you can't read it a simple gesture and you zoom in nice and smooth. And with the acssories you can purchase a vga adapter. i can't wait to try it out with a projector or monitor. With the camera kit adaptors you get a sd card reader and a usb port. From a gamer point of view you can't beat it. character sheet pdfs to dice rollers to other gaming aps you can't go wrong.