Thank you for the questions! I too looked at the TabletKiosk but found out that the screen wouldn’t rotate… so I went with the Samsung Q1. I’m currently using MS Reader, Word 2003, and the Mobipocket reader. The screen will only rotate at it’s lowest resolution. At that resolution the icons and text are large and easily accessed. The resolution doesn’t affect the reading experience. The Microsoft Reader allows for changes in font size… but I seldom use the feature. Word 2003 has a nice “reading” view which is ideal for .doc, .rtf, .txt, htm, etc. I haven’t used mobipocket as much but I am happy with it as well.

You can change the screen resolutions only when in “landscape” orientation. However, the text and icon sizes do change accordingly. I should also say that I have had no issues with the built in Wifi… I don’t know it’s range but it has always worked well when I have needed to use it.

I am glad that you are happy with your UMPC. I think that I zigged when I should’ve zagged. I started to get the Samsung, but ended up getting the Tablet Kiosk. So could you please list the reading software that you have and if they expand to fit the full screen? Are the icons on the desktop and menu text big enough to see without using the accessibility application?
I haven’t decided against getting an UMPC, but before I do I want a review/critique from a person who uses it to read ebooks. Thanks!

Ellen

Interesting — I wonder what the improved functionality is? If this device is as good as the Sony Reader but supports the Mobipocket features like annotating and searching, then I’d pay $400.

Perhaps the UMPC ins’t for everyone, but I love mine and have read 50+ full length books on it.

Here are some thoughts from almost a year ago using the Q1 and Microsoft reader: http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2006/05/ink_entertainme.html Personally, I prefer eReader for my books and Zinio for my magazines; both work fantastic on a 7-inch touchscreen.

Thanks,
David

P.S. More details welcome re your UMPC hassles! What was the brand? Samsung?

This is good news. My UMPC purchase was a disaster. I hated it. I found it completely unusable as a reader and sent it back the next day. An expensive disappointment since I had to pay a 15% restocking fee. It took me more than a minute to save up for that purchase
I am curious on why there isn’t a picture of the Amazon reader. Is it e-ink? I hope not. I would really prefer a device with backlighting and dictionary capabilities. I like mobipocket and if they could change the number of devices that can be registered from 3 to like 10 and the ability to deactivate an authorized device, then DRM wouldn’t bother me as much. I pray they don’t follow the MS reader activation model.

Ellen

I would lean toward the NAEB, though the Amazon device would be tempting (especially if they were in similar price range). My question last week about whether one should go for a device with DRM or one without it becomes all the more relevant.

Another thought:
SONY Reader does support DRM free formats: PDF and RTF.
These formats have some limitations in their current implementation but basically we do have a device on the US market and soon in the UK and Canada that is more or less (less, I would say) is supported and marketed by a big corporation.
so it would be possible to start selling DRM free ebooks.
How comes it’s not happening?

In my opinion they’ll just wait until someone figures out how to have a successful product and then they’ll copy it.