[LiveBrianD]

I was swiping in metro mode most of the time (though I tried pushing the lower-left corner while in desktop mode instead of using the physical button on it), and tried swiping from both the left and right.

So let me get this straight - on a touchscreen, you swipe horizontally from the sides? That's confusing...

[compnovo]

LiveBrianD, on 09 November 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

I was swiping in metro mode most of the time (though I tried pushing the lower-left corner while in desktop mode instead of using the physical button on it), and tried swiping from both the left and right.

So let me get this straight - on a touchscreen, you swipe horizontally from the sides? That's confusing...

Yes, I swipe horizontally from the sides on the touchscreen, and yes it was confusing at first. Now it's second nature.

[LiveBrianD]

I guess it might make a bit easier to trigger on a touchscreen. Admittedly, metro does make a lot more sense on a tablet.

[compnovo]

LiveBrianD, on 09 November 2012 - 08:39 PM, said:

Admittedly, metro does make a lot more sense on a tablet.

A whole lot more

On a desktop PC it's just a start screen, but on a tablet it's pretty much where you live (I knew this in advance from using the UI on my phone). On the tablet I only need to go out of the MUI to use an Office app.

BTW, what did you think of the ASUS? Was it the Vivo?

[LiveBrianD]

I don't recall what model it was (I was mainly looking at the OS side of things), though they didn't have a keyboard dock on it. (Maybe OfficeMax simply chose not to use it, idk...) I thought the hardware was nice and sturdy though, and the OS was VERY smooth. 1366x768 on a 10" screen with no scaling is definitely a bit too small though. Add in the fact that it's a touchscreen, and it's a real pain to use. (I didn't bother enabling scaling on the desktop.) I don't know if they changed things or what, but now I can actually grab the corners of windows with a touchscreen - that was almost impossible under Windows 7.

I also played around with the Nexus 7 there, and I have to say, it's pretty neat - JB 4.1 was buttery smooth on that (get the pun?) - it seemed better than on my Galaxy Nexus. Tempting...

Ultimately, I don't think a 10" RT tablet fits my tastes - if I bought a tablet, it would either be a 7" one (like the Nexus 7), or a 11.6" one running x86 Windows 7 (but I'd want the keyboard most of the time, at which point I may as well get a good netbook or 13" laptop instead).

[waldojim]

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 4.5" phone will do that task well.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 09 November 2012 - 09:30 PM

[compnovo]

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 5" phone will do that task well.

Hey wj,
If you were asking me, I've still got a commitment on my Lumia 900 and can't justify an expensive move to the 920 (as much as I'd like to ). I can tell you that I have been reading books on the 900 since I got it with no issues, so the 920 is going to be even better. HOWEVER, the best reading experience I've had on an electronic device was with the Kindle Fire. For reading a book I've come to believe that 7-8" is the sweet spot: just the right size and weight.

[waldojim]

compnovo, on 09 November 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 5" phone will do that task well.

Hey wj,
If you were asking me, I've still got a commitment on my Lumia 900 and can't justify an expensive move to the 920 (as much as I'd like to ). I can tell you that I have been reading books on the 900 since I got it with no issues, so the 920 is going to be even better. HOWEVER, the best reading experience I've had on an electronic device was with the Kindle Fire. For reading a book I've come to believe that 7-8" is the sweet spot: just the right size and weight.

I gotcha. I just don't really want a tablet if it is just for books. My wife has her K1, and this past week I have been using it to read The Hunger Games trilogy. I am on book 3 now, and can honestly say that I will not, ever, buy a 10" tablet for that job. Unless they find a way to get them under ~12oz, it isn't feasible. The text was sharp, easy to read (especially in night mode), and was generally a joy to use. Except that I had to prop it on something. So I was hoping (since I will be upgrading shortly) that a 4.5~5" phone would do the trick. The Dinc 2 is only sitting at 4" even.... and feels a bit cramped. I didn't know if the extra resolution and space helped or not.

But if you are saying that the Fire is where it is at, then I may have to rethink plans a bit.

[smax013]

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 4.5" phone will do that task well.

This will really be a personal preference type of thing I think.

For example, I find that I can regularly read news type articles on my iPhone (i.e. 3.5" screen) with no problem. I have yet to try to read a book (in say the Kindle app) on my iPhone, however, as I expect it will get painful after a while...although I could see doing it "in a pinch" (i.e. if I am sitting in a doctor's office wasting an hour of my time waiting for the doctor...and I did not bring my Kindle or iPad...etc).

I am sure that there are people who would not mind reading a Kindle book on an iPhone/Android phone with a 3.5 to 4 inch screen.

[smax013]

compnovo, on 09 November 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

Hey wj,
If you were asking me, I've still got a commitment on my Lumia 900 and can't justify an expensive move to the 920 (as much as I'd like to ). I can tell you that I have been reading books on the 900 since I got it with no issues, so the 920 is going to be even better. HOWEVER, the best reading experience I've had on an electronic device was with the Kindle Fire. For reading a book I've come to believe that 7-8" is the sweet spot: just the right size and weight.

I have not sat down and REALLY read a book (ebook or paper book) in a while.

The last book that I did read was a Kindle book that I mainly read on my iPad. This was mostly in bed or in a comfortable chair. I found that that the 10" screen was definitely nice...few "page turns", etc, but it was slightly on the uncomfortable side to hold for long periods of time, but really no more uncomfortable than many of the hardcover books I have traditionally read (in my past I was a "veracious" reader and could not both to wait until new books came out in paperback...not so much anymore). I did end up reading some of the book by way of my "old traditional" Kindle...some due to the weight of the iPad...but also some to due to the "expendability" of the Kindle (i.e. I could use it in places I would not risk the iPad such as the bath tub while soaking soar muscles).

So, I would say it might also depend on if you are used to reading "traditional" books in paperback or hardcover format. If in hardcover format, then you might be more tolerant of a 10" tablet.

Overall, if your primary purpose is to read books, then I do basically agree that a 7" tablet (or just plain eReader such as more "traditional" Kindle) is likely a better fit. The 10" tablet is more flexible for other uses, however.

[compnovo]

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:45 PM, said:

compnovo, on 09 November 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 5" phone will do that task well.

Hey wj,
If you were asking me, I've still got a commitment on my Lumia 900 and can't justify an expensive move to the 920 (as much as I'd like to ). I can tell you that I have been reading books on the 900 since I got it with no issues, so the 920 is going to be even better. HOWEVER, the best reading experience I've had on an electronic device was with the Kindle Fire. For reading a book I've come to believe that 7-8" is the sweet spot: just the right size and weight.

I gotcha. I just don't really want a tablet if it is just for books. My wife has her K1, and this past week I have been using it to read The Hunger Games trilogy. I am on book 3 now, and can honestly say that I will not, ever, buy a 10" tablet for that job. Unless they find a way to get them under ~12oz, it isn't feasible. The text was sharp, easy to read (especially in night mode), and was generally a joy to use. Except that I had to prop it on something. So I was hoping (since I will be upgrading shortly) that a 4.5~5" phone would do the trick. The Dinc 2 is only sitting at 4" even.... and feels a bit cramped. I didn't know if the extra resolution and space helped or not.

But if you are saying that the Fire is where it is at, then I may have to rethink plans a bit.

Well, let me confuse things even more...
After I got my phone I sold the KF. Why? Because the phone was doing everything the KF could do and more, just some things (like reading) not as well. Also, I had my netbook for work functions like content creation and Powerpoint presentations. However, I discovered I missed tablet form factor and started looking for a "one size fits all device". I was really interested in the ASUS Transformer but I needed something that ran Office natively. See where this is going?

Right now I've got the best setup for my particular needs, a phone and a hybrid that do ALMOST everything just right (I gifted the netbook to my wife, and she's tickled with it). But I would have to say, if you have to make the choice between a large phone like the 920 for the Galaxy SIII (did get that right?) or a 7" tablet, I would recommend the phone due to it's added versatility.

Have I thoroughly confused you?

[smax013]

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:45 PM, said:

compnovo, on 09 November 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

waldojim, on 09 November 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hey, are you picking up the Nokia 920? I am curious how well that 5" screen does for reading. I have been reading on my wifes tablet, and find it too cumbersome long term.... I don't really want to get a 7" tablet if a 5" phone will do that task well.

Hey wj,
If you were asking me, I've still got a commitment on my Lumia 900 and can't justify an expensive move to the 920 (as much as I'd like to ). I can tell you that I have been reading books on the 900 since I got it with no issues, so the 920 is going to be even better. HOWEVER, the best reading experience I've had on an electronic device was with the Kindle Fire. For reading a book I've come to believe that 7-8" is the sweet spot: just the right size and weight.

I gotcha. I just don't really want a tablet if it is just for books. My wife has her K1, and this past week I have been using it to read The Hunger Games trilogy. I am on book 3 now, and can honestly say that I will not, ever, buy a 10" tablet for that job. Unless they find a way to get them under ~12oz, it isn't feasible. The text was sharp, easy to read (especially in night mode), and was generally a joy to use. Except that I had to prop it on something. So I was hoping (since I will be upgrading shortly) that a 4.5~5" phone would do the trick. The Dinc 2 is only sitting at 4" even.... and feels a bit cramped. I didn't know if the extra resolution and space helped or not.

But if you are saying that the Fire is where it is at, then I may have to rethink plans a bit.

Your other option if you are mainly looking to something larger for just reading books would be to stick with a smartphone for most stuff, but then consider a "traditional" Kindle (or maybe the "Paperwhite" Kindle) purely for reading eBooks. Considering you can get a "traditional" Kindle for less than $100, it might serve your needs.

Of course, going to a Kindle Fire or even a Kindle Fire HD is not that much more expensive than a "traditional" Kindle, so you get into the dilemma of whether paying a little more for the extra benefits of a "tablet" as opposed to an "eReader" is worth it.

FWIW, I still like to use my "plain old" Kindle on occasion. It is small enough that I can fit it in some pockets (when I recently when to my buddy's daughter's swim meet I had it in a coat pocket in case need to occupy myself between her events)...definitely not something that my iPad can do.

[LiveBrianD]

@waldojim My 4.65" Galaxy Nexus is definitely a bit cramped for reading books (using the Play Books app), that's for sure. (certainly fine in a pinch though) I think 7" would be optimal. (Nexus 7 perhaps?)

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 09 November 2012 - 10:15 PM

[waldojim]

smax013, on 09 November 2012 - 09:48 PM, said:

This will really be a personal preference type of thing I think.

For example, I find that I can regularly read news type articles on my iPhone (i.e. 3.5" screen) with no problem. I have yet to try to read a book (in say the Kindle app) on my iPhone, however, as I expect it will get painful after a while...although I could see doing it "in a pinch" (i.e. if I am sitting in a doctor's office wasting an hour of my time waiting for the doctor...and I did not bring my Kindle or iPad...etc).

I am sure that there are people who would not mind reading a Kindle book on an iPhone/Android phone with a 3.5 to 4 inch screen.

I have done it on my 4" screen, but it just feels too small. This is partially because of the low resolution of Dinc2 I think, as the text is too hard to read at the sizes needed limit the constant screen swiping. I think that is kind of what I was really looking for more than anything: Does the higher resolution allow one to realistically use smaller fonts, and coupled with the larger screen, is that enough to make it usable?

[waldojim]

compnovo, on 09 November 2012 - 10:04 PM, said:

Well, let me confuse things even more...
After I got my phone I sold the KF. Why? Because the phone was doing everything the KF could do and more, just some things (like reading) not as well. Also, I had my netbook for work functions like content creation and Powerpoint presentations. However, I discovered I missed tablet form factor and started looking for a "one size fits all device". I was really interested in the ASUS Transformer but I needed something that ran Office natively. See where this is going?

Right now I've got the best setup for my particular needs, a phone and a hybrid that do ALMOST everything just right (I gifted the netbook to my wife, and she's tickled with it). But I would have to say, if you have to make the choice between a large phone like the 920 for the Galaxy SIII (did get that right?) or a 7" tablet, I would recommend the phone due to it's added versatility.

Have I thoroughly confused you?

Not anymore than I was before!

It almost seems like the original Kindle is the way to go for a pure book reading device... Then just be happy with whatever phone I want. Now.... how to convince the wife it is time for not one, but two new toys.
No I haven't really decided, I just had to make the joke...

EDIT: And now I see Smax's other reply saying the same thing.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 10 November 2012 - 12:59 AM

[smax013]

waldojim, on 10 November 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Does the higher resolution allow one to realistically use smaller fonts, and coupled with the larger screen, is that enough to make it usable?

Now, that I would say would be highly dependent on your eyesight. I find that I can read some pretty small fonts on my iPhone screen (with the "Retina" display)...but not sure I would want to do a LOT of reading with fonts small enough to cut down on scrolling or page flipping!

[compnovo]

smax013, on 10 November 2012 - 01:45 AM, said:

waldojim, on 10 November 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Does the higher resolution allow one to realistically use smaller fonts, and coupled with the larger screen, is that enough to make it usable?

Now, that I would say would be highly dependent on your eyesight. I find that I can read some pretty small fonts on my iPhone screen (with the "Retina" display)...but not sure I would want to do a LOT of reading with fonts small enough to cut down on scrolling or page flipping!

The Lumia 900 has that 4.3" AMOLED screen that makes it very readable, even to my bifocally challenged eyes.

[smax013]

compnovo, on 10 November 2012 - 07:24 AM, said:

smax013, on 10 November 2012 - 01:45 AM, said:

waldojim, on 10 November 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Does the higher resolution allow one to realistically use smaller fonts, and coupled with the larger screen, is that enough to make it usable?

Now, that I would say would be highly dependent on your eyesight. I find that I can read some pretty small fonts on my iPhone screen (with the "Retina" display)...but not sure I would want to do a LOT of reading with fonts small enough to cut down on scrolling or page flipping!

The Lumia 900 has that 4.3" AMOLED screen that makes it very readable, even to my bifocally challenged eyes.

I was talking about using smaller fonts AND a smartphone screen. I can set my iPhone to use the smallest possible font in the Kindle app. I can read it, but I could see some folks having trouble reading the tiny font. If I get a chance, I will post a screenshot later.

[compnovo]

smax013, on 10 November 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

compnovo, on 10 November 2012 - 07:24 AM, said:

smax013, on 10 November 2012 - 01:45 AM, said:

waldojim, on 10 November 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Does the higher resolution allow one to realistically use smaller fonts, and coupled with the larger screen, is that enough to make it usable?

Now, that I would say would be highly dependent on your eyesight. I find that I can read some pretty small fonts on my iPhone screen (with the "Retina" display)...but not sure I would want to do a LOT of reading with fonts small enough to cut down on scrolling or page flipping!

The Lumia 900 has that 4.3" AMOLED screen that makes it very readable, even to my bifocally challenged eyes.

I was talking about using smaller fonts AND a smartphone screen. I can set my iPhone to use the smallest possible font in the Kindle app. I can read it, but I could see some folks having trouble reading the tiny font. If I get a chance, I will post a screenshot later.

Hey smax, I assumed you were referring to reading a book on your phone, as I was. For clarity let me restate: When I read a book on my phone, using the Kindle app at default font settings, "The Lumia 900 has that 4.3" AMOLED screen that makes it very readable, even to my bifocally challenged eyes. "
I already stated earlier in the thread that I prefer a tablet in the 7-8" range for book reading.

[smax013]

Here is a screenshot from my iPhone in the Kindle reader with the font set to the smallest possible size. In there if you view image at 100%, it should be the same size as the iPhone screen...but if not, make the image a little less than 3" tall in some image viewer. That would give you an idea of reading a book with SMALL font on a high resolution smartphone screen.

This post has been edited by smax013: 10 November 2012 - 12:03 PM