StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Ok, previously I asked the board for recommendations for a tablet with multiple functions. At that time I couldn't find one that had just what I needed, so I settled for a basic laptop to do the work related stuff. It is however not great for reading files, not because the graphic are bad, but there is just something to be said for holding a "book" in your hand, in a portrait rather than landscape view without the keyboard getting in the way.

So I have finally come across Barnes and Noble's Nook color, which seems to serve my needs for an e-reader. These are.

1. Read comic books - As such it has to be in colour rather than electronic ink. Both the Nook Tablet and the Nook color do this. Both can read cbz files, but not cbr files. I have comics in both CBR and CBZ format which I can read on my desktop using STDU viewer. However it seems CBR files can be converted really quickly using the shareware program Comic Rack to cbz format.

2. Read various PDF files - most ebook readers can do this. I have numerous books in PDF form.

3. Needs sufficient memory for a whole bunch of comics temporary - For example Thor vol 1 takes about 4 GB its in entirety. I generally plan to store, then delete the comics as I mainly plan to read them on long plane trips, and occasionally when taking a break. I have noticed that the Nook doesn't allow you to use more than 1 GB for personal stuff (the rest is for Barnes & Noble purchases). However it allows you to store a 32 GB micro SD which solves the problem perfectly.

4. Apparently it can also play music, but thats less important since I have an MP3 player for that.

5. Must be USB compatible. Who cares about this wi-fi stuff? Most of my files are already on my desktop, so using its micro USB port will allow me to transfer the files into the Nook.

However the Nook doesn't seem to be available in Australian shops, so I will have to order online. Unfortunately I cannot therefore try before I purchase. So before I fork out $200-$300 (depending on the seller and shipment costs, plus the microSD and adapter +/- the case protector) I want to ask if anyone has used a Nook before, and what are your experiences with it.

You could also just use 7zip to convert them, CBZ and CBR files are just renamed ZIP and RAR files, respectively. As for the tablet itself, it's getting rather old, and depending on what else you may want to do with it, you might be better off getting a Nexus 7. It doesn't support CBR/CBR right out of the box, though it's trivial to download an app to read them (I use Perfect Viewer, personally). There'd be no need to convert in that case, since every comic reader app I've seen supports both. It also doesn't have a microSD slot, but it does come with 8 or 16 GB of onboard storage, nearly all of which is available to you to store your files. You should also be able to find the Nexus 7 in Australian shops.

Executor32 wrote:You could also just use 7zip to convert them, CBZ and CBR files are just renamed ZIP and RAR files, respectively. As for the tablet itself, it's getting rather old, and depending on what else you may want to do with it, you might be better off getting a Nexus 7. It doesn't support CBR/CBR right out of the box, though it's trivial to download an app to read them (I use Perfect Viewer, personally). There'd be no need to convert in that case, since every comic reader app I've seen supports both. It also doesn't have a microSD slot, but it does come with 8 or 16 GB of onboard storage, nearly all of which is available to you to store your files. You should also be able to find the Nexus 7 in Australian shops.

That's the big caveat to the Nexus 7, of course, is that it has zilch for external storage. They do have decent internal storage (8 or 16 GB ... though I've found that "8 GB" is really closer to 5.5 GB on Android, since that flash also houses the OS partitions and the app partition ... though that's still far more user space than a Nook seems to offer.)

Is a small tablet really a good idea for comics? A 10" screen can require some scaling or zooming, so a smaller screen might be pretty tiresome. At least a Nexus 7 is cheap so it's not absurd to buy one for literally one thing, though. I haven't seen any in shops since a day or two after release.

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote:That's the big caveat to the Nexus 7, of course, is that it has zilch for external storage. They do have decent internal storage (8 or 16 GB ... though I've found that "8 GB" is really closer to 5.5 GB on Android, since that flash also houses the OS partitions and the app partition ... though that's still far more user space than a Nook seems to offer.)

Well, the Cloud is being pushed with the Nexus 7. It is perfectly acceptable for music if you're always around a wi-fi connection. Storage is a non-issue with the 16gb device if you use the Cloud. Using it for comics, on a 7" screen may be another issue.

Why anyone would even contemplate buying Nook color when alternatives exist, even newer ones, is beyond me. The 8.9" Kindle Fire HD was just announced. I'm not impressed with it outside of the resolution (1920x1200), but that may aid in viewing comics.

JLTucker wrote:

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote:That's the big caveat to the Nexus 7, of course, is that it has zilch for external storage. They do have decent internal storage (8 or 16 GB ... though I've found that "8 GB" is really closer to 5.5 GB on Android, since that flash also houses the OS partitions and the app partition ... though that's still far more user space than a Nook seems to offer.)

Well, the Cloud is being pushed with the Nexus 7. It is perfectly acceptable for music if you're always around a wi-fi connection. Storage is a non-issue with the 16gb device if you use the Cloud. Using it for comics, on a 7" screen may be another issue.

Why anyone would even contemplate buying Nook color when alternatives exist, even newer ones, is beyond me. The 8.9" Kindle Fire HD was just announced. I'm not impressed with it outside of the resolution (1920x1200), but that may aid in viewing comics.

My research suggests that Kindle fire doesn't natively read CBZ or CBR files. I have tried using freeware like Calibre to convert them into PDF, but frankly it just doesn't look as sharp. Reviews on the net suggests that comics still look pretty neat on 7 inch screen.

If you know of any tablets which match what I am looking for (as mentioned in the OP) by all means recommend them. Based on a recommendation I am going to check out the Nexus 7.

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote: That's the big caveat to the Nexus 7, of course, is that it has zilch for external storage. They do have decent internal storage (8 or 16 GB ... though I've found that "8 GB" is really closer to 5.5 GB on Android, since that flash also houses the OS partitions and the app partition ... though that's still far more user space than a Nook seems to offer.)

8 GB is most probably cutting it. 16 GB should be enough, although I would feel safer with a bit more.

When Executor32 said those files are just renamed archive files, he wasn't kidding. Anything that can display images and open the containers will view them. They're not an actual format, and compressing the images generally doesn't actually reduce the size much anyway.

I hope DC comics have big letters.

Stark wrote:When Executor32 said those files are just renamed archive files, he wasn't kidding. Anything that can display images and open the containers will view them. They're not an actual format, and compressing the images generally doesn't actually reduce the size much anyway.

I hope DC comics have big letters.

He can unarchive the images and upload them to Google Drive. He can then save and delete them from the device as he pleases. There's no need to have a tablet or an e-reader that must support the extensions directly.

I am aware CBR are just special versions of RAR files and CBZ are just special versions of zip files, since I have created a few myself.

However when I have literally hundreds of unread issues, its very inconvenient (at least in my mind) of listing each issue as a collection of images in the folder, since an average comic has around 32 pages. Its just more convenient to have each comic listed in the folder rather than hundreds of images listed. I mean if you have an ebook, you wouldn't want a separate file for each page, so the same principle here. I am generally willing to fork out a bit of money for the convenience.

There is no reason to spend time finding a device that reads these files natively. Buy a tablet and download an app, as was previously suggested. Do you really have ~13gb of comics on file just waiting to be read? If they are issues you've read and want to revisit, take advantage of android's file system. Drag and drop.

Whether or not the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 can 'natively' read the format is irrelevant. Any Android device can easily read comic archives using any of the myriad comic reader apps available in the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore. As I mentioned earlier, I use Perfect Viewer myself because it has all the features I need, and it's free.

JLTucker wrote:There is no reason to spend time finding a device that reads these files natively. Buy a tablet and download an app, as was previously suggested. Do you really have ~13gb of comics on file just waiting to be read? If they are issues you've read and want to revisit, take advantage of android's file system. Drag and drop.

At a quick glance, most probably more than 10 GB, although I don't plan to uploaded them all at the same time on the device. And yeah, these are unread comics. I have um, acquired a large collection of classic Marvel and DC. Its much cheaper than buying back issues, and since these comics are decades old, I think those big companies won't care since they aren't losing any money (unless they are thinking of reprinting). So the 16 GB would be neat just in case I decide to put in lots at the same time.

Executor32 wrote:Whether or not the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 can 'natively' read the format is irrelevant. Any Android device can easily read comic archives using any of the myriad comic reader apps available in the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore. As I mentioned earlier, I use Perfect Viewer myself because it has all the features I need, and it's free.

This is a silly question, but Amazon appstore allows you to buy stuff for non Amazon tablets?

I assume there are programs to read PDF as well? In that case what tablet you think would be good, with say 16 GB of storage (or the ability to add it on), with a decent screen resolution, and a screen size more like a standard comic book - that is 17 x 26 cm (6 ⅝" × 10 ¼"). The Nexus 7 looks around the same size as Nook anyway.

Stark wrote:When Executor32 said those files are just renamed archive files, he wasn't kidding. Anything that can display images and open the containers will view them. They're not an actual format, and compressing the images generally doesn't actually reduce the size much anyway.

I hope DC comics have big letters.

Looks reasonable to me according to this youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoQeFUTo2Pc

Yes, the Amazon Appstore can be installed on any Android device that allows you to enable installation from unknown sources (install from a file on the storage partition or SD card, in other words), which is pretty much every one except older AT&T handsets and devices with a highly-modified UI, like the Kindle (moot point in this case) or Nook series of devices. There are also many apps for reading PDFs, including the official Adobe Reader. Perfect Viewer has a plugin for reading them, too, so you can use just one app for reading comics in every format.

What about the Archos 101 G(generation) 9 Turbo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... Turbo.html

Basically Stark's comment go me looking for a tablet with a larger display. Its disadvantage is it uses a traditional HD rather than an SSD, but it also allows more memory, so it can also double and allow me to watch entire television series. Its also a bit heavier, but frankly it shouldn't be that difficult to carry it even in one hand.

But the thing that drew my eye, is the cost. It seems cheaper than even 7 inch tablets when you convert it to Australian dollars.

Archos devices have rarely been kindly reviewed. http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/archos- ... 43780.html

Here's a more light-hearted review. http://www.g4tv.com/videos/58024/archos ... et-review/

From what I've heard, they make shit products.

Hmm. I think I might pass the Archos tablet after seeing the video reviews. I did glance at the tablets at my local JB Hi fi, and it seems the Samsung Galaxy tab looks to have a display closer to a regular comic book size, although the salesperson still recommended a cheaper tablet like Nexus 7, since I am predominantly planning to use it for reading.

I am also keeping an eye out for the Lenovo ideapad s2110 and it seems promising.

I'd personally wait until the Surface is given a price point and reviewed.

If the ARM Surface is priced sensibly, it could be a great option.

My understanding is that windows tablets will be in two varieties, one using intel chips (which my cbr reader program will work on) and one using ARM chips, which will run windows 8, but it will be non compatible with 3 rd party windows apps. So my comic reader wouldn't work on that. Which would mean of course waiting for someone to write an app for the one using ARM chips.

I think abandoning children's literature would serve you better than tying to find something to help you read it.

Seriously, though. Regardless of which version of the Surface is available to you, you can simply unarchive the images and transfer them to the tablet. There's no need for an app in that regard.

JLTucker wrote:I think abandoning children's literature would serve you better than tying to find something to help you read it.

Seriously, though. Regardless of which version of the Surface is available to you, you can simply unarchive the images and transfer them to the tablet. There's no need for an app in that regard.

Comics and children's books are not equivalent sets, nor does one fully contain the other.

mr friendly guy wrote:My understanding is that windows tablets will be in two varieties, one using intel chips (which my cbr reader program will work on) and one using ARM chips, which will run windows 8, but it will be non compatible with 3 rd party windows apps. So my comic reader wouldn't work on that. Which would mean of course waiting for someone to write an app for the one using ARM chips.

I think the ARM one is limited to the Windows 8 phone ecosystem, yeah. I'd be pretty surprised if the software doesn't already exist, your inability to understand how basic a 'comic reader' is notwithstanding. Uh-oh. The only real question is how long it'd take for the 1000000 comic apps in the marketplace to bring out tablet versions, and I'd say 'not real fucking long'. PS, using CBR is dumb as shit anyway since RAR is proprietary and you're barely compressing anyway.

Terralthra, knee-jerk more.

Terralthra wrote:

JLTucker wrote:I think abandoning children's literature would serve you better than tying to find something to help you read it.

Seriously, though. Regardless of which version of the Surface is available to you, you can simply unarchive the images and transfer them to the tablet. There's no need for an app in that regard.

Comics and children's books are not equivalent sets, nor does one fully contain the other.

I think you may have missed my point. My point is that Mr. Friendly Guy is making a purchase decision based on whether or not a tablet can natively read comic extensions that archive images. That problem is so trivial that I'm flabbergasted that this is seen as a selling point.

The point is, when you hundreds of unread comics in cbr or cbz form and a couple of graphic novels in that form, I don't want to unarchive that many when I get to reading them. I am pretty sure most people don't want to read an ebook where every page is a new file, same here with my huge collection of comics. Unarchiving a couple isn't a big deal, and I have done it before for some comics which STDU reader fails to read for some reason, however a couple of hundred is a bit much. And before someone asks, do you really have a couple of hundred, yes I do.

I admit I wasn't aware of the many apps available for android, but I can't speak for windows 8 since the OS isn't out yet. So having a tablet read it natively is less of a problem now. Thanks for those who gave me advice. I guess its now just a matter of whether a small screen is adequate, and value for money if I go for a bigger screen.