LF: Best way to read pdf files on the bus

[3-putt]

I have bunch of e-books (pdf, chm, html) that I would like to read while I am commuting. So I'm looking for a portable device that I can transfer them to, and view on the bus.

I already have a Pocket PC and a laptop, but neither fits the bill. The Pocket PC screen is too small, as the pdf's are optimized for 800x600 or 640x480. The laptop doesn't work either, because I don't really feel like pulling out a laptop on the bus. So I'm looking for something in between.

Any suggestions?

[3-putt]

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[3-putt]

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[SwiZz]

Print them out at your office for free?

[5abSingh]

if the formatting of the pdf's doesn't matter (i.e. no images) and you just need to be able to read the text, get an ebook reader for the ppc and convert the pdf>txt>ppc ebook format.i think there are also applications that reformat pdf's for ppc???

[mebiuspower]

There's a feature in Acrobat that you can reformat the PDF file so it automatically resize the text to fit for reading on the PDA.

I don't have much problem reading on my PPC (4" screen) but I hope Adobe will update the program with smooth scrolling, faster load time, etc.

[mrlarouc]

yeah I dunno about PPC acrobat, but the Palm version has a feature in the options that allows you display the text in "small, medium, or large". I actually prefer the small because you can fit more on the page before you have to scroll!

[eelfliw]

If you need something physically smaller than a laptop but can display 800X600, try a slate.

ThinkPad X41t

[3-putt]

Print them out at your office for free?

I could do that, and I have a laser printer at home too, but I have about 50 computer programming eBooks, at probably 500 pages each. My body would be getting more of a workout than my brain. Heheh.

I'll look around for a eBook reader, and continue playing around with Acrobat. Thanks for your suggestions.

[3-putt]

If you need something physically smaller than a laptop but can display 800X600, try a slate.

ThinkPad X41t

Damn, nice, but an expensive book reading tool.

[renhui]

No reason to buy a x41t anymore unless it's really CHEAP, as x60t is here with pretty much the same price.



But seriously, I think a UMPC will fit your needs the best.

Damn, nice, but an expensive book reading tool.

[matkun]

Do a google search for "Sony reader"

It's a tablet-like electronic display that can display PDFs apparently, though might want to look since in my glossing over it I read something about having to translate it to Sony's format (which wouldn't surprise me the least bit with Sony's fetish for proprietary formats of their own making)

[john widow]

What about buying a PSP? I heard you can hack it or something and use it to read pdf files. ....then when ur on the bus, every one will think, "Oh, he's just a hardcore gamer playing his diablo", when ur reading about "love, 50 pages of it in pdf format".

[kocoman]

Opening/using the notebook/laptop on the bus is not safe. someone can steal it off you at some point. (while its different story on airplane). anyone else have a solution? e-paper?? I feel insecure on the bus to use expansive ipod/umpc/treos. Especially at 8:30am or 3:00pm when teenagers go to high school by bus, or during off peak hours when its so quiet.