Playstation Portable as an E-reader? Or other cheap ones

MrSands · 10-10-2007, 10:55 AM

I have been using my good old franklins ebookman for about 5 years now and it has served me quite well, I would convert pdf files into txt files and read from there. However I have come to some books that are heavily graphics based and I think its time to move on to newer devices.

I was thinking of getting a PDA or a Smartphone, however I wont be using the extra features since I have a phone that I like and I'm not much of a digitally organized person, i prefer to write things down. Being in Australia its very very hard for me to find the dedicated electronic ink devices. So I'm thinking outside the box, a Playstation portable or an iPod touch.

Since the introduction of the iphone update I think the ipod is out and so my main contender is the PS Portable. Its cheap now standing at like $250 at some stores, much cheaper than smartphones or PDAs. I know there is a program for it called Bookr that can read PDF files, so im wonder if anyone has any experience with it - How good is it? How is the battery life, how easy is it to transfer files and anything I should know about.

Also does anyone have other suggestions for cheap (under $500) devices that can read PDF files?

JSWolf · 10-10-2007, 03:21 PM

Does it really have to read PDF all that well?

jbenny · 10-10-2007, 06:30 PM

If you are considering using a PSP to read PDF and are willing to spend up to $500, I think you have several choices. The Nokia N800 would do a better job than a PSP, as it has a better screen and built-in software for PDF. A used Tablet PC would be even better, although the battery life and weight would be worse. Both of these choices would be color, like the PSP. For greyscale, I would think that any of the current and upcoming e-ink readers that handle PDF would be a nice compromise. Of all the choices, only the Tablet PC would allow you to view a PDF without zooming, panning, or other manipulations.

MrSands · 10-10-2007, 08:19 PM

Ive never heard of the n800 before, Ill do some research on it

wallcraft · 10-10-2007, 10:39 PM

The Nokia 770 or the newer N800 are good choices for reading e-books. Both run FBReader, which you can try out on a Windows or Linux Desktop.

The FBReader web site, includes screenshots of FBReader on the Nokia 770 which also serves as a mini-tutorial. Note that when you click on the images you get full (800x480) size versions. These will most likely appear bigger on your desktop screen than on the device, because the 770 has about 220 pixels per inch.

kacir · 10-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Have a look at
GP2X - a linux based portable gaming decice that is COMPLETELY open.

They even includes rudimentary e-book reader in the base software
there is insane number of ported games, console / old computers emulators ...
It can even play divix and xvid files out of box without reencoding.
You receive complete sources plus Software Developement Kit

It runs on two AA batteries, so you can change them on the go.
It has got USB connector (I think active and passive)
It has even S-video connector
It's cheap. Just £119.99

http://www.gbax.com/main.pl

MrSands · 10-11-2007, 08:41 PM

thats pretty good, but i doubt i will find that where I live,

I just tried out my friend's psp with Bookr installed and it was very readable, Im going to try and see if I can try out a nokia n800 to compare it

Baumann · 11-05-2007, 03:05 PM

You will spend only 160$ for PSP as a PDF reader, and it does that job very well, I am using that feature everyday. So I would recommend to go for a PSP, and you can also play games/watch videos/listen to music on it aswell.

devils.master · 12-15-2007, 12:33 AM

Why you want to Get the Playstation Portable for the e-reading when you can get an new e-reader at a lot lower price. ew e-readers are capable of displaying hig quilty graphics. So if you want to play games on it too than it is different prospective.

10-10-2007, 10:55 AM	#1
MrSands Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: ebookman	Playstation Portable as an E-reader? Or other cheap ones I have been using my good old franklins ebookman for about 5 years now and it has served me quite well, I would convert pdf files into txt files and read from there. However I have come to some books that are heavily graphics based and I think its time to move on to newer devices. I was thinking of getting a PDA or a Smartphone, however I wont be using the extra features since I have a phone that I like and I'm not much of a digitally organized person, i prefer to write things down. Being in Australia its very very hard for me to find the dedicated electronic ink devices. So I'm thinking outside the box, a Playstation portable or an iPod touch. Since the introduction of the iphone update I think the ipod is out and so my main contender is the PS Portable. Its cheap now standing at like $250 at some stores, much cheaper than smartphones or PDAs. I know there is a program for it called Bookr that can read PDF files, so im wonder if anyone has any experience with it - How good is it? How is the battery life, how easy is it to transfer files and anything I should know about. Also does anyone have other suggestions for cheap (under $500) devices that can read PDF files?

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10-10-2007, 03:21 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 76,370 Karma: 136466962 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Does it really have to read PDF all that well?

10-10-2007, 06:30 PM	#3
jbenny Addict Posts: 323 Karma: 358 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Tablet PC and Nokia N800	If you are considering using a PSP to read PDF and are willing to spend up to $500, I think you have several choices. The Nokia N800 would do a better job than a PSP, as it has a better screen and built-in software for PDF. A used Tablet PC would be even better, although the battery life and weight would be worse. Both of these choices would be color, like the PSP. For greyscale, I would think that any of the current and upcoming e-ink readers that handle PDF would be a nice compromise. Of all the choices, only the Tablet PC would allow you to view a PDF without zooming, panning, or other manipulations.

10-10-2007, 08:19 PM	#4
MrSands Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: ebookman	Ive never heard of the n800 before, Ill do some research on it

10-10-2007, 10:39 PM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The Nokia 770 or the newer N800 are good choices for reading e-books. Both run FBReader, which you can try out on a Windows or Linux Desktop. The FBReader web site, includes screenshots of FBReader on the Nokia 770 which also serves as a mini-tutorial. Note that when you click on the images you get full (800x480) size versions. These will most likely appear bigger on your desktop screen than on the device, because the 770 has about 220 pixels per inch.

10-11-2007, 04:32 AM	#6
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,455 Karma: 10484861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	Have a look at GP2X - a linux based portable gaming decice that is COMPLETELY open. They even includes rudimentary e-book reader in the base software there is insane number of ported games, console / old computers emulators ... It can even play divix and xvid files out of box without reencoding. You receive complete sources plus Software Developement Kit It runs on two AA batteries, so you can change them on the go. It has got USB connector (I think active and passive) It has even S-video connector It's cheap. Just £119.99 http://www.gbax.com/main.pl

10-11-2007, 08:41 PM	#7
MrSands Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: ebookman	thats pretty good, but i doubt i will find that where I live, I just tried out my friend's psp with Bookr installed and it was very readable, Im going to try and see if I can try out a nokia n800 to compare it

11-05-2007, 03:05 PM	#8
Baumann Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: N95	You will spend only 160$ for PSP as a PDF reader, and it does that job very well, I am using that feature everyday. So I would recommend to go for a PSP, and you can also play games/watch videos/listen to music on it aswell.

12-15-2007, 12:33 AM	#9
devils.master Member Posts: 12 Karma: 34 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Nokia	Why you want to Get the Playstation Portable for the e-reading when you can get an new e-reader at a lot lower price. ew e-readers are capable of displaying hig quilty graphics. So if you want to play games on it too than it is different prospective.

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