Ask HN: What device do you use to read academic papers?

14 points·roperzh··8 comments

I have found this [Ask HN][1] from 2017 and I'm wondering if the situation has changed or new devices have come out.

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9245467

I print the paper if I am trying to learn something from it. That way I can easily takes notes on it, bring it with me wherever I go without worrying about battery time or tech issues. No distractions :)

I hear good things about the eink device Remarkable though.

I've been using k2pdfopt[1] to format pdf into a kindle-friendly view during many years. Highly recommended.

[1] https://www.willus.com/k2pdfopt/

Pencil & paper (printouts and margin annotations)

iPad Pro (11") with Scrivener + GoodReader in side-by-side mode. I read the text in GoodReader and make notes in Scrivener (Scrivener can also show both the PDF and the notes side-by-side which I've also done).

Just reading, my Kindle Fire 8 works very well for this and is more comfortable to hold than the iPad Pro over an extended period.

I use a generic 10" android tablet, with Zoo for zotero, which syncs my library. And Xodo PDF viewer. That way I can highlight and add notes on the PDF while it's synchronized using webdav. I have tried kindle paperwhite but it just doesn't work.

I bought an iPad Air specifically for this purpose. It is fantastic, and even better with the pencil. I was hesitant at first, but it’s probably my favourite device now. I purely use it to read PDFs and write little notes on them.

iPad : Papers 3, LiquidText:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/liquidtext/id922765270

https://www.liquidtext.net/

I cannot wait for an affordable A4 ebook reader, so for now just a computer screen..

Ipad pro 12”

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