Books vs. ipad vs kindle...

steph746

What does everyone recommend for reading tech books. I've been doing old school style (physical book) until now that I'm considering a kindle or iPad. I like taking notes I suppose, but the cost of books seems to be signicantly cheaper for an iPad or Kindle.

If you recommend an iPad or Kindle, which one would you say has a better library to chose from?

Thanks...

Roguetadhg

Im still a fan of killing trees. Easier to write notes, scribble, pictures, animated drawings. Lots of arrows.

But the eBooks can search, and are definitely portable that you can drive and read. If you're good. I didn't like having an eBook - iPad2

jahsoul

I prefer physical books but I honestly don't have the room for it. But the thing is, I write all my notes in OneNote now so it really don't bother me as much. What kills me is paying more for an epub than I do the physical book. That's crazy..

goldenlight

IF you have the funds, a tablet would be the way to go. Can't really reccomend a brand because the technology changes so fast.

OR you could just do ebooks on your home computer and take notes at the same time.

astorrs

I'm all for Safari Online these days. Can't beat <$50/mo for access to almost every tech book you could want.

Jasiono

astorrs wrote: »

I'm all for Safari Online these days. Can't beat <$50/mo for access to almost every tech book you could want.

Tell me more!

StussyNz

I was asking myself the same question a few weeks ago. I ended up purchasing a Nexus 7 and have been using it to read my Tech books; It's been Fantastic! Not only does it allow for me to move a large library of books around, I've saved myself a lot of money in the long run as you can easily download E-Books.

astorrs

Jasiono wrote: »

Tell me more!

Covers nearly all the usual publishers: Publishers

and here's a list of the ~23k books presently available: Safari Books Online - Browse

Subscription options: https://ssl.safaribooksonline.com/subscribe

DoubleNNs

StussyNz wrote: »

I was asking myself the same question a few weeks ago. I ended up purchasing a Nexus 7 and have been using it to read my Tech books; It's been Fantastic! Not only does it allow for me to move a large library of books around, I've saved myself a lot of money in the long run as you can easily download E-Books.

The 7" screen isn't too small for you? I like reading novels on 7" displays, but I personally don't like studying on them. Seems too small to easily understand graphics included in text books.

---

Personally, I like to print out .pdf files. I do chapter by chapter and highlight/jot down notes. Don't have to carry the huge book around. And don't have to hold your hands on the book to keep it from closing on you while trying to jot down notes (main pet peeve).

I love to use ebooks because of the search function. After going through a book it's sooo much easier to search for those few topics you need to review instead of thumbing though endless pages.

I'm thinking of getting a large tablet for study once funds allow it. Maybe one of the android transformers.

Success101

astorrs wrote: »

Covers nearly all the usual publishers: Publishers and here's a list of the ~23k books presently available: Safari Books Online - Browse Subscription options: https://ssl.safaribooksonline.com/subscribe

Site looks awesome! I'll going to start my trial soon.

Trifidw

I like reading on my phone as each page is in bitesize chunks and it makes you feel like you're doing really well. I prefer studying from a book as I write all over it.

thehourman

If you are looking at the Kindle 6" e-ink, not great for viewing technical drawings. I have the Kindle 6" keyboard, and sometimes when viewing a network diagram some portion of the drawing is missing, so I have to switch to landscape mode to view it.
I do like the idea of whisper sync. Bookmarking is kind of confusing with the Kindle, but if I could rename every bookmarks that I have it would be perfect.

On the iPad/iPhone, I use Goodreader. I think it is the best PDF reader for iDevices.

I just need an app where I can synchronize all my notes, from laptop to mobile devices.

JasonIT

I have an iPad, Kindle, Kindle for PC, but I still love good ole fashioned paper books for technical reading. You simply cannot beat writing in the margins, highlighting, and the smell of a book. Also, a 50+ volume technical library looks awesome in your office!

YFZblu

The only reason I would get a Kindle is so I don't have to carry around a 600 page technical book; that being said the formatting never seems perfect, and that bothers me. So I stick with physical books.

nevanerviss

astorrs wrote: »

I'm all for Safari Online these days. Can't beat <$50/mo for access to almost every tech book you could want.

+1 I am absolutely in LOVE with Safaribooks!!! If there is something in a book that I feel like I need more time with, I will just download the chapter to a .pdf and save it to refer to later...

$20/mo for just about every tech book in the Milky Way... Ya can't beat it...

spicy ahi

I can't bring electronics into my work areas so I am "forced" to buy physical books if I want to study at work. However, I do enjoy having tech books on tablets and not having to lug a large book around. If you find yourself out and about constantly, then I'd say look into a tablet. But if most of your studying is done in a static space (home, office, etc.) buying physical books is still cheaper and you can always sell them off when you're done vs. kindle books which once you've bought, you own them. I used to subscribe to Safari online, and might do so again now that they have the token option. My issue was not having mobile internet access so safari was useless to me. But I'm planning to pick up an ipad mini (or retina ipad; haven't decided yet) with LTE so that may no longer be a hindrance.

Paperlantern

For my CISSP I used physical books to study FROM and used an iPad to take my notes. GoodNotes is great and is basically the same as carrying a single notepad with you, but you can easily convert your notes to pdf or hard copy later if you wish. Importing of pictures is also a plus, i like being able to take a picture of a figure that is important right in the text book, and drop it into my "notebook". I also use the iPad and GoodNotes for all my note taking (meetings, research, etc) but thats beside the topic in this thread. After passing a cert i'll convert my notebook to pdf and archive on a disk somewhere in case anyone follows me and would like them and can brave reading my handwriting.

MickQ

YFZblu wrote: »

The only reason I would get a Kindle is so I don't have to carry around a 600 page technical book; that being said the formatting never seems perfect, and that bothers me. So I stick with physical books.

I'm like this, too. I have PDFs of my books on my phone for when I'm in datacentres and need references, but I'm holding off on getting an e-reader of any sort until things improve another bit.
Besides, you get more interesting looks when you take a tome out of your bag to read.

astorrs

spicy ahi wrote: »

I used to subscribe to Safari online, and might do so again now that they have the token option. My issue was not having mobile internet access so safari was useless to me. But I'm planning to pick up an ipad mini (or retina ipad; haven't decided yet) with LTE so that may no longer be a hindrance.

It's even easier now, Safari now has apps for iOS and Android that allow you to download 3 books to your device at a time for offline reading: Mobile Apps | Safari Books Online

networkjutsu

I was a Kindle DXG user. Sold it and now using iPad 2.

Ivanjam

I prefer paper books but WGU gives you access to tons of e-books, so I plan to get an electronic device. I tried reading technical books using a kindle app on my phone but that was a horrible experience, so I am going to get a 10-inch tablet. Right now I am considering the Google Nexus 10 by Samsung:

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_10_16gb&feature=microsite&hl=en

kurosaki00

Im still all for physical books too
But I do enjoy short reads on tablets/digital (like magazines or newspapers)

Patel128

I am a fan of physical books, but it is convenient to have the digital copies on a device though.

kohr-ah

I prefer book but use tablet. Reason being is using EZPDF Reader on my Kindle I can still highlight, bookmark, make notes, etc. I just only have to carry a 1lb tablet and not a 6lb book :P

JustFred

Got the Kindle, but when back to killing trees as nothing will ever replace the smell of opening a new book. Love love love books

dave330i

The tactile feedback from reading a book helps us remember the material better. This is changing for those growing up on tablets, but if you grew up reading books, you're better off studying off a book.

Akaricloud

I've been using the kindle app on my Nexus 7 and it works out great for me personally. I can't stand physical books and like small print on a smaller screen. Technical drawings are crystal clear and very easy to look at.

DoubleNNs

Akaricloud wrote: »

I've been using the kindle app on my Nexus 7 and it works out great for me personally. I can't stand physical books and like small print on a smaller screen. Technical drawings are crystal clear and very easy to look at.

I'm actually thinking about getting either the Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7 for my little sister (but I'll probably end up using it more than she will haha). Same price. Similar devices. Hard to decide between the 2.

For study-purposes, when I have to take notes on what I'm reading, I def prefer tablet over physical. Physical only when I'm reading for leisure.

Page404

Nice to see physical books are still popular! I travel alot though so all my reading is done on my ipad! Easy to use and the books aren't too bad to buy either!

Will definitely be trying this safaribooksonline though - hadn't heard of it before but sounds great!

adamroya

i like physical..

inscom.brigade

I just sold my tablet, It was cool lots of stuff could fit in it but it was a hassle to charge it.(you know one more battery, one more charger, I just din't need it).
When I am caring a book I feel funny, like people look at me like i am from the stone age, bit I don't care. " I LIKE a BOOK".

Once at the airport i lost my mini sd for my tablet, it sucked cause I had 16gig .pdf books were the mini sd.