How is the Nexus 7 tablet for reading ebooks?

[freedda]

I am looking at buying a tablet to take with me when I travel later this year. The two immediate needs I have are to do some photo viewing and limited editing of the images I take on my trip and to also use it as an e-book reader, especially on the long plane flight and at layovers. Also maybe taking a travel guide or two.

I was looking at an Apple iPad Mini, but I found out it has limitations as to how to imports image files via the Apple-supplied SD card reader. (Basically, if your camera creates both JPEG & RAW files of the images you've taken, you have no way of importing just the smaller JPEG files to the iPad, a serious limitation, given the very large size of the RAW image files.)

So, I'm back to looking at an Android-based tablet, and the Nexus 7 is at the top of my list.

My question then is about my other intended use of a tablet. I'm wondering how people like using the Nexus 7 to read ebooks (either from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or others). When I was looking at the N7 in Staples, that at least on webpages, it did not render text very well--it was rather jagged and would be hard to read a lot of text this way.

I assume, however, that an e-reader app would render books and text much easier to read, but I wanted to check with people--especially avid readers--how they find using it.

Regards, David.

 

[andyhall89]

My question then is about my other intended use of a tablet. I'm wondering how people like using the Nexus 7 to read ebooks (either from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or others). When I was looking at the N7 in Staples, that at least on webpages, it did not render text very well--it was rather jagged and would be hard to read a lot of text this way.

You need to remember the screen on the Nexus 7 is 216 pixels per inch, so you're not getting the super sharp 300+ ppi resolutions of high end smart phones or the Nexus 10. I personally have never had an issue with web page text rendering.

Just for reference, the iPad Mini's screen density is 168 ppi. The Nexus 7, aside from pure ppi numbers, also just has a better screen than the iPad Mini in general (at least in my opinion when I've viewed the two side by side).

Anyway, I use Google Books for a lot of my e-reading, and on occasion the Kindle app. I can't say I've ever had a problem, been very happy with the experience. I think the GBooks app is, on the whole, quite good. Kindle obviously has Amazon's library behind it, but I find the app itself lacking somewhat compared to GBooks. The Nexus 7 is nice and light, and can be held for extended periods without strain. I've had a couple of plane rides across the Atlantic with the Nexus 7 as a reading companion and been happy overall.

Again, my experience is my experience, someone else may see differently. But I think that if you got a Nexus 7, you'd be happy with it as an e-reader. The only major problem is battery life at the minute.

Despite all this, Google I/O is a month off, and they'll no doubt reveal a Nexus 7 successor with bumped specs. So if you're okay to wait some time to see what's on the horizon, then wait to see what Google has.

If you're really wanting something right now, I don't think you'll go so far wrong with the Nexus 7 as a reader.

 

[hoosiermama2799]

My question then is about my other intended use of a tablet. I'm wondering how people like using the Nexus 7 to read ebooks (either from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or others). When I was looking at the N7 in Staples, that at least on webpages, it did not render text very well--it was rather jagged and would be hard to read a lot of text this way.

I've had a Kindle since the K2 came out (2009? maybe). I upgraded to a Kindle Touch awhile back and really liked it so much better than the K2. Then last summer, I decided I wanted a tablet. I ordered the N7 and it arrived the third week of August. I haven't read a single book on my Touch since I got the N7. I am keeping the Touch, for this summer, when I will read a lot outside. But I will groan and miss my N7 while sitting in the sun.

I love reading on the N7, particularly at night. Most of my books are from Amazon, and render great on the N7.

 

[mr_nobody]

I use aldiko on the n7 for reading and like it just fine. However, if you are used to an e-ink screen, ymmv.

 

[freedda]

Thanks all. Seems like a general thumbs up for the N7 for reading ebooks.

It certainly is less costly than the iPad Mini, and is not as restrictive in terms of using it for downloading images. I may just take the plunge.

Best, David

 

[wunderbar]

The only issue with any device like the Nexus 7 (i.e. any tablet) and e-books is that they are nearly impossible to read outside on a sunny day. If you do a lot of that it may not be the best solution for you.

I go on a couple holidays a year where the main goal is to sit outside in the sun as much as possible, and I have an old sony e-ink e-reader I use for those trips because it hurts my eyes trying to read a shiny LCD screen in the sun.

 

[Diknak]

As long as you understand reading on any LCD device is not optimal, the N7 is a great choice.

Reading text on an LCD screen, regardless of the device, will produce eye strain that is not experienced when reading on paper. The screen is refreshing and while your brain doesn't notice it, your eyes do. An eInk device like kindles (not the fire) don't use screens that constantly refresh, so they don't have the same effect.

I use the Kindle app and it is pretty great, but I don't read for hours on end. I may read for 30 min here and there, but nothing long term. The text is super crisp though, so you don't need to worry about that.

 

[oldAGE]

I use the B&N Nook App without an issue other than the high glare/gloss screen as mentioned here but the app does a fine job of managing my Nook library, marking my page, highlighting, dictionary, and all the other text sizing and brightness function (useful when the cabin goes dark and you don't want the backlit "tan"). So, a thumbs up for Nook on N7 from me. But nothing beats the eInk reader for sunlight as others have mentioned.
AGE

 

[retsaw]

Reading text on an LCD screen, regardless of the device, will produce eye strain that is not experienced when reading on paper. The screen is refreshing and while your brain doesn't notice it, your eyes do. An eInk device like kindles (not the fire) don't use screens that constantly refresh, so they don't have the same effect.

I don't get eye strain from LCD screens, I did read about a study a while ago that found that people tend to blink much less frequently when looking at a backlit screen, so if you get eye strain it may be that you just aren't blinking enough and don't realise it, so you should consciously make an effort to blink more when using them, the refresh rate for LCDs should be a non-issue due to the way they work (though I grant it could possibly be for the old bulky CRT monitors), also you may want to take care the backlight is at the right level for the ambient lighting.

 

[Saturn1217]

I was actually shocked that reading ebooks on my nexus 7 was so good. I had a e-ink kindle before that which I did all of my reading on for a couple years. I always hated people who said that you should just get a tablet and dedicated e-readers are useless. However, since I have gotten my nexus 7 I haven't used my kindle more than a few times (and that was just because I felt sorry for my neglected kindle).

I do appreciate the lighter weight of my kindle while reading though. The nexus 7 is more versatile, and I have no issue with the resolution, but when reading for long periods (vs. casual web browsing etc.) the device is quite heavy. I really hope that the next nexus 7 can reduce weight without sacrificing battery life.

 

[burwil]

I've had a Kindle since the K2 came out (2009? maybe). I upgraded to a Kindle Touch awhile back and really liked it so much better than the K2. Then last summer, I decided I wanted a tablet. I ordered the N7 and it arrived the third week of August. I haven't read a single book on my Touch since I got the N7. I am keeping the Touch, for this summer, when I will read a lot outside. But I will groan and miss my N7 while sitting in the sun.

I love reading on the N7, particularly at night. Most of my books are from Amazon, and render great on the N7.

Agreed. I used to get eyestrain from back lit displays. Now my Touch seems a little too dull. It's not the latest generation of Touch which I think is brighter but not sure. Anyway bottom line is that I read all my Kindle ebooks on the 7 now.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2.

 

[DirkBelig]

If you're reading in less bright environments, make sure to dial back the next brightness to save power and not fry your retinas. Better yet, invert the screen colors to have white text on black paper, so to speak.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[anon(5719825)]

If you're reading in less bright environments, make sure to dial back the next brightness to save power and not fry your retinas. Better yet, invert the screen colors to have white text on black paper, so to speak.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

I think white text on black is hard to read.

 

[anon(5486833)]

In my reader app I set up custom colors. I use a gray background and black text. It somewhat resembles a e-ink reader and feels easier on the eyes than some color combinations.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[anon(5719825)]

The nice thing about the Aldiko app is that the brightness can be adjusted in the app and doesn't affect the brightness for anything else.

 

[DirkBelig]

I think white text on black is hard to read.

I have no problem with it. Personal preference.

 

[Wullie32]

ices egg ices hmm ics

Edit: Jesus Christ! Ignore this fully unintentional reply. That'll teach me to mess around with Swype in Tapatalk.

 

[PlanetPluto7]

The main issue for reading is glare. I have an old Kindle that is much better than either my Nexus 7 or N10 on this. If I turn down the brightness on the Nexus they are ok for an hour or so reading but the old Kindle has no glare ever and is fine in any light. The newer Kindles have more other features but the screens are similar to the Nexus machines. You can look at both at Office Depot and the customer is treated well there. I use the Nexus 10 for anything including Office stuff and the display is the best currently on any tablet. Both Nexus and Kindle machines are dirt cheap so you may end up liking both like me.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

 

[eddied1]

Just my 2 euro cents worth. With my 1 good eye I can use the Kindle app on my nexus 7 quite comfortably. Having said that, I have no experience of other readers, nor do I read for long periods.
Cheers, eddied

 

[buffee]

LOVE IT!! I was one of those "anti" ebook anything, but due to the fact that I will have an ebook coming out in a few months, thought I should get on board. I downloaded ANDROID FOR KINDLE....I love that program. I have about 83 books on my tablet(I believe the 16GB holds 4300) and its awesome. I love the book light and the fact I can make the print HUGE. I have a built in dictionary and turning the page is a light tap. I never lose my place, because whenever you close it, when u open it, it will automatically go back to the your leave off spot.
I did download some books on GOOGLE PLAY..as much as I love the tablet, I loathe their book reader, it BLOWS!!! You cannot keep the lines in the margins if you increase the size of the text, which means you get whiplash reading from side to side. It is annoying as hell. Google said there is nothing they can do about it. I spent 21$ on books that I had to re-buy on amazon, so I could read them comfortably. If you read on this, get AMAZON FOR KINDLE, its free and the perfect program for reading, I take this tablet everywhere
I read on my Nexus 7 at least 2 hours everyday!