How good of an EReader?

[Sticks2014]

I'm close to buying a Pro 8.4 to replace my Nook HD+. How good of an ereader is the Pro 8.4? I plan on either using the Kindle app or Calibre for a reader (unless someone can suggest a better one). What's the screen like for reading and how good is the battery life? Thanks for your help.

 

[allisonv7]

I don't have experience with the Nook, but I just purchased this tablet after having the Kindle Fire for a few years.

Aside from the physical size being larger, the screen is comparable to the Fire.

It's definitely more cumbersome to transfer books to (at least the method I figured out). I have a Mac computer with Calibre. I used to just be able to send the books directly from my computer to the Kindle using "Send to my Device." This doesn't seem to work with the Galaxy.

This is what I'm doing to transfer the books I already had on my computer:
1. Open Calibre
2. Convert .mobi file to epub format (if I don't have epub version)
3. Upload to epub file to Dropbox
4. Download/open file from Dropbox on tablet to Google Play Books

I definitely prefer the ease of transferring the Kindle had, but once I get the books I currently have onto the galaxy it shouldn't be a big deal. It's not time consuming to convert them, just an extra couple clicks. And again, there may be an easier way to do this, this is just what I came up with, I'm guessing part of the problem is the Apple computer. On the plus side getting the files from Dropbox will be simpler than finding the cord and plugging the tablet into the computer.

I haven't actually read anything yet, but I've played around with the Google Play Books app and I like it. I figured I'd try it first since it was pre-installed. You can change text size, background color, brightness, leading, etc. One nice thing about the brightness is you're only switching the brightness in the book app, when you exit the app it returns to the previous setting.

 

[npaladin-2000]

I'm also using mine as an eReader, primarily with the Kindle app, and it's working absolutely fantastic. The 8.4 inch screen is ideal for big readers, and the tablet itself is fairly light. I usually hold it by the top bezel and lean it against my forearm.

Oh, and the high resolution of the screen makes for really nice sharp text that's easy on the eyestrain.

I just email .mobi files to the Kindle app email address and have done with it. Simple, no muss, no fuss. Allisonv7, I'd recommend you install the Kindle app and take a shot at it.

 

[Bruce39]

I think it is great as a reader. I use an app called "overdrive" which is connected to the public library.Why buy e-books when you can check out from the library for free. To me this program is a "battery hog"; uses approx 8% of batter life per hour. I can live with that. Books on tape are also available and uses almost no battery.

 

[gtt1]

I'm also using mine as an eReader, primarily with the Kindle app, and it's working absolutely fantastic. The 8.4 inch screen is ideal for big readers, and the tablet itself is fairly light. I usually hold it by the top bezel and lean it against my forearm.

Oh, and the high resolution of the screen makes for really nice sharp text that's easy on the eyestrain.

I just email .mobi files to the Kindle app email address and have done with it. Simple, no muss, no fuss. Allisonv7, I'd recommend you install the Kindle app and take a shot at it.

I find I no longer it the bottom buttons but in the beginning when reading I simply turned the tab upside down so the buttons were at the top where my fingers didn't come close to them.

I used to only use Cool Reader because it had so many user settings for touch points but it started acting up when I tried using it with lollipop on a device so switched to Google Play books app which I am very happy with.

What is the attraction to the Kindle app is it because you can read mobi files without converting?

 

[npaladin-2000]

That and it's where all the books I bought are. I used to have a regular Kindle.

Sent from my Sony Xperia Z3 using Tapatalk.

 

[Guillaume Labrecque]

I think it's a great tablet for reading, the great resolution and the 8.4" screen are a great combination.
I use Moon+ Reader Pro, which is by far the best reader available on Google Play IMO.