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Mac Air or Something completely different

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by FL_Prius_Driver, Feb 9, 2008.

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  1. vtie

    vtie New Member

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    In fact, there are rumors right now that an iPhone simulator is what is going to be released this month. The sdk itself would then be delayed until June. We will see.

    But you must be a real die-hard iPhone fan if you think reading a book from that screen is something that you can recommend to other people.
     
    #21 vtie, Feb 11, 2008
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    But that is not what I was replying to. I was replying to the fact that computer screens aren't good for reading text. Most computer screens reading, for instance, the web display Verdana as the default font. Verdana isn't as easy on the eyes as a serif font, like Georgia.

    Yes, a PDF will display in whatever font the author uses. But that was not the discussion I was replying to.

    I did mention the lack of color regarding the Kindle. Not familiar with other readers.

    That's why I suggested a used iBook.
     
    #22 Godiva, Feb 11, 2008
  3. vtie

    vtie New Member

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    A few people mentioned the Nokia N800. If you find this device interesting, make sure you also check out the new Nokia N810. Very similar, but with a physical keyboard that slides under the device.

    + Excellent screen resolution (800x480 pixels)
    + Keyboard if you want
    + Runs Linux
    + Best browser on the market in this small form factor (excellent Gecko 1.9 engine, with support for AJAX and Flash 9)
    + Very good battery life

    - Screen might still be too small for your purposes (4.1")
    - Much more expensive than the original N800

    Overall, an excellent package if you are looking for handheld Wifi surfing. I'm actually considering buying one myself.
     
    #23 vtie, Feb 11, 2008
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I'm temped too. I don't need one, but it would make a nice addition to my six desktop (tower) computers and four notebooks. I don't have anything that small and light. It would be great for checking emails and the web from a coffee shop.

    Tom
     
    #24 qbee42, Feb 11, 2008
  5. priusfreak

    priusfreak New Member

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    I have had the older Nokia N770. The 800 and 810 are a much needed improvement.

    I also will second the ASUS EeePC. Built in wi-fi , camera , stereo speakers ( watched TIVO vis ORB tethered to cell with Bluetooth )
    I had one running Win XP2. Great PC after I soldered in a Bluetooth module and had started to solder in a 12Gb microdrive, before I sold it. ( Too many laptops :) ). Just make sure you find an older on as the newer ones have the internal card socket taken out. There are two slots one being taken by the wi-fi card. The guys on the forum have found a GSM card that fits inside. For it to be right at 2 lbs its very easy to tuck away and carry with you. I kept mine in the glovebox.

    As far as reading PDFs I use my HTC Touch cellphone.
     
    #25 priusfreak, Feb 11, 2008
  6. Alric

    Alric New Member

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    Thank you. It is not uncomfortable in a small screen once you can control font size.

    Let me add my vote for the Eee PC as a possibility!
     
    #26 Alric, Feb 11, 2008
  7. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    So far there are two camps to choose from.

    Camp 1 is an ebook reader with eInk screens with very good Black and White contrast. Right now there is a clear choice of the Dutch iRex iLiad. It has two of the very key attributes I am looking for, big screen with long battery life and the best pdf capability. The Black and White limitation is undesirable, but possibly less undesireable than other limitations. The Kindle does not handle pdf's and is out of the running as this is the format required for technical reading.

    Camp 2 is a "Nokia 800/810" like solution. The one key limitation is the smaller screen size and somewhat shorter battery life than above. From the extensive commentary (thanks vtie and others) I still have some more evaluations, but right now these look to be the flagship products of the two camps.

    One factor, unique to everyone who ages, is that eyesight becomes less flexible. This is why a large screen is for minimizing changing glasses in my future years. If you are still at the age where you can easily read 5 point font on a small screen, then the choice is easy. I cannot do this with ease.
     
    #27 FL_Prius_Driver, Feb 11, 2008
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