Kindle DX for textbooks/scientific papers?

Reactive

Hi,

I have an awful lot of university textbooks and scientific papers on my computer's harddisk, all in .pdf format, I was wondering if it's possible to transfer them to a Kindle DX (the larger version of the kindle) and comfortably read them?

Do I need special software to do this?

I'm getting sick and tired of having to print things out and carry them around with me!

I'm a chemical engineering student by the way, and it's important that I can clearly see detailed drawings and equations, for example, chemical structures and lines of mathematics, can the Kindle DX handle this kind of thing?

Thanks

ShaneUK

If it is done in the same way as a normal kindle...

Go to the Amazon website, and go to manage my kindle, or similar.

There is somewhere to add your email address (to make it a "safe" email address). In the same place, it will give you your kindles email address.

Send yourself an email, with the pdf attached. If possible, do it in a few emails, with only one or two PDF's attached at a time.

This should work - at least, it did for my girlfriend and the PDF's of her OU books.

Reactive

ShaneUK wrote: »

If it is done in the same way as a normal kindle...

Go to the Amazon website, and go to manage my kindle, or similar.

There is somewhere to add your email address (to make it a "safe" email address). In the same place, it will give you your kindles email address.

Send yourself an email, with the pdf attached. If possible, do it in a few emails, with only one or two PDF's attached at a time.

This should work - at least, it did for my girlfriend and the PDF's of her OU books.

I have not yet purchased the Kindle DX, I'm trying to find out whether or not it will fulfil my needs!

I forgot to mention, the scientific papers are typically 3 mb in terms of size, but the textbooks can be close to 50mb in size!

olddemdike

according to Amazons support site Kindles can now read pdf files natively.

unfortunately as a new user I can't post a link

if instead you want to change the pdf files into ePub format (for onward conversion to Kindle format) take a look at the July 2011 edition of PCPro
Page 135 discusses open source software for creating eboks

debitcardmayhem

Is the DX available in the UK yet ? , I am sure someone will suggest a tablet, I would suggest a netbook but hey ....

Reactive

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Is the DX available in the UK yet ? , I am sure someone will suggest a tablet, I would suggest a netbook but hey ....

I own a netbook, it gives me headaches reading off the screen. Although it's relatively small, it's still heavy and runs out of battery after 8 hours.

mr_fishbulb

One of my IT friends imported a DX for reading IT text books. I had a look and it was great for the task, but a little heavy. Not something you could hold with one hand on the train.

I have a Kindle 3 and I am still able to read the vast majority of my pdf text books despite the small screen. The text is small though. Nice and light for commuting.

Do you know anyone else who has a Kindle? Maybe you could ask to view a couple of your pdfs on there.

debitcardmayhem

Reactive wrote: »

I own a netbook, it gives me headaches reading off the screen. Although it's relatively small, it's still heavy and runs out of battery after 8 hours.

Yeah the eInk technology is better for reading, and superior for battery life. I change the background colour on my netbook when I use it for reading, but of course you still get the refresh on LCD.

Reactive

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

One of my IT friends imported a DX for reading IT text books. I had a look and it was great for the task, but a little heavy. Not something you could hold with one hand on the train.

I have a Kindle 3 and I am still able to read the vast majority of my pdf text books despite the small screen. The text is small though. Nice and light for commuting.

Do you know anyone else who has a Kindle? Maybe you could ask to view a couple of your pdfs on there.

I would, but I don't know anyone with a DX, or anywhere where I could try one out!

Linbox

I find PDF's text very small on my kindle3. You can zoom in but its unwieldy to read long passages.
I "think" calibre can convert pdf to mobi but you'll need to check it out.

debitcardmayhem

Linbox wrote: »

I find PDF's text very small on my kindle3. You can zoom in but its unwieldy to read long passages.
I "think" calibre can convert pdf to mobi but you'll need to check it out.

Yes it can but often you end up with words wrapping mid word , I need to sort this for my hols next week , if I get it working will post back