Want to use your Netbook as an E-reader? Read on.
PixelQi is building quite a storm in the tech world with news about its 3qi screen. Everyone’s talking about it, and thus begins the great debate: will netbooks really replace e-readers?
The Pro-Netbook side
- One device for all. Say goodbye to e-readers that don’t let you surf the net. With the netbook, e-reading and computing are easy. With the netbook as your go-to device, you don’t have to worry about carrying and taking care of multiple machines.
- Easy on your wallet. Pay for the netbook, get the e-reader features as an add on. Everyone’s happy.
The Pro-e-reader side
- Light weight. E-readers like the Kindle are tiny and flat. With an e-reader, you don’t have to worry about twisting and turning your screen, holding your netbook at a weird angle, and carrying a device that can weigh up to 3lbs (unless you get the tiny ones or shell out a lot for the lightest ones).
- Battery life. Without the bulk of the hard drive and keyboard e-readers can last for days on a single charge.
- Innovation. Companies like Plastic Logic are inventing plastic bendable sheets that serve as e-readers. Pat yourself on the back if you immediately thought of the newspapers with moving images in Harry Potter. I did ☺
I guess it all depends on what you would use your device for more. If you need computing, go with the netbook and use it as an e-reader. But if you’re more into reading and want something light, go with the e-reader. Chances are, you’re looking for something in-between. Keep reading…
Three Nifty ‘Netbook-meets-E-reader’ Innovations
1. Pixel Qi’s 3qi screen – includes three modes designed to defend your netbook from sunlight and preserve your battery life. Read our reviews here and here.
2. Tech Crunch’s Crunchpad – think of it as a netbook without a hard drive and a tangible keyboard. The prototype comes with a touch screen keyboard much like the iPhone and also comes with WiFi. It falls between today’s e-reader and netbook. Looks snazzy too. (more)
3. Always Innovating’s Touchbook – A cute and extremely flexible device. Apparently the keyboard and screen can standalone as separate devices and come with their own batteries. It can also be used as a conventional netbook and a twist-turn-and-flatten tablet. Available this summer, it’s a 9”-10” device that promises 10 hours of battery life, an accelerometer and basic functionalities of a netbook.
Already have a netbook? Turn it into an E-reader!
Apart from just downloading ebooks or finding books on Google Book search, here’s a neat tool for Eee PC owners. Eee Rotate allows you to rotate your screen by 90 degrees, making it possible to hold your netbook sideways much like a book.
I hope this helps. If you know of other cool gadgets or pieces of software, drops us a line!
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Filed under: Netbook Thoughts
[...] TechCrunch CrunchPad – touch screen tablet-esque device, $300, read more [...]
Great tips. I like the Eee Rotate freeware. Really simple but fun. Thanks for sharing.
[...] – yet http://www.pcworld.com/article/195786/turn_your_ipad_into_a_netbook_with_clamcase.html http://netbook10.com/want-to-use-your-netbook-as-an-e-reader-read-on/ Future [...]