Handheld PDF viewer

By bmaynard, in Deathwatch

So rather than carry around a bag full of DH/RT/DW books, I want to get a portable device I can load them all onto in PDF form (once the DW stuff hits PDF form of course). I've been checking them out online and none seem to be good for what I want: a color screen that's 7" or greater that views pdfs that I can search through and that turns pages rapidly. One that doesn't cost an arm and a leg would be great too. They all either take forever to load the pages (most android tablets I've read about), have no search function (ipad knockoffs), or are too small or have a black & white screen (Kindle/Nook, etc...)

Has anyone had any luck with a device for this purpose yet? I do have a netbook, but it's somewhat slow, kind of buggy and I'd really prefer a handheld device as opposed to a laptop/netbook if I can find one.

Thus far I've been resisting entering into the e-reader market since, at least for me, I don't think that there is anything out at the moment to fulfill all my needs. Some threads/links that you might find useful:

http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=71580

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9183458/E_reader_roundup_8_devices_compete_for_the_crown?pageNumber=11#goto

From what I can currently tell, I'm waiting for this...

http://www.best-ereaders.com/2010/02/14/asus-eee-reader/

At present, if I were to get involved in a f2f game, I would just use my tablet PC on a stand. At the moment my "in the pocket" PDF takes the form of my phone, but that's just for quick browsing. I've got a large number of my GURPS PDF sitting on there for when I'm out, have a quick thought and want to scribble it down. (Android Fascinate Galaxy S, BTW...)

Let me know if you find any contenders!

Kage

I have an Arcos 700 series, but I don't reccomend it (or any Arcos product), the things are way too fragile

For Rogue Trader I use my laptop, as it also has the various programs and spreadsheets I regularly use. The screen is good enough for hiding any dice rolls I make, so my gm screen becomes a quick reference for the players to look at.

I've been using my iPad, and I always have my laptop along with all the pdfs as well, just in case.
The iPad screen large enough that it makes full page viewing easy on the eyes, and its pretty close to the size of the actual book as well.

iPad here as well, doubles as a player handout datapad as well. Generally if you spend a lot of time in trains, planes and bus' ect then its a great buy.

+1 for iPad

Highly suggest the GoodReader app as well. Far superior to iBooks.

Thanks for the input folks.

After checking out that SJGames forum and the pics there I'm impressed with the Kindle DX and yeah, I kind of want an ipad, but I'm really looking for a somewhat cheaper, somewhat tinker-able alternative. I plan on picking up a Pandigital Novel from, of all places, Bed Bath and Beyond (20% off coupon = 135.99 + tax). Once I play around with it a bit and have had a chance to get used to it, I'll let you know what I think.

Yeah I'm not a huge fan of Apple overall, their stuff is expensive, but if they annouce a product it gets released on/near the date they say. I like that business model. I don't need to hear about the products that will never be released.

I do have to give them a lot of credit though, they actually have a nice device on the market for awhile now. Most competitors either aren't as nice in many ways, get canceled, or still have a future release date. I mean the ipad2 will be out in about the same time as others get their products released.

I kind of want an ipad, but like you haven't been willing to splurge all that cash for it. I've just been using my laptop for the pdfs. Not ideal but works OK.

"Apple Sauce" was used as a stand-in swear wood at one of the job-sites I've visited and, well, I find it oddly appropriate. iPod was the extent of my Apple purchases and, I hope, the last. Not saying that their products are not quality (well, someone might want to send their designers for some of their products back to ergonomics school), but over-priced coupled with... Meh.

If you twisted my arm (read: gave me one) I would probably use and love the iPad. I'll just stick and wait to see if ASUS ever get around to releasing that eee-Reader since another company (I forget who) has already released a double touchscreen netbook...

Kage