E-reader for PDFs, ideally with pen

[newoldhouse]

Which e-readers do people like using for PDF files (and the odd book)? I need to read a lot of papers and want the ability to highlight and add notes with a pen (on the page itself, same way I’d do it with pen and paper, not as some pop-up box thing if you know what I mean). The papers I read are mostly text-based but include mathematical formulas and tables with stats etc.

Also, how easy is it to transfer files to said e-reader if they are behind a paywall/institutional login?

Equally, could I send a PDF I edited on the e-reader back to my desktop later for better visibility/overview? Complete with my highlighting and annotations?

I love pen and paper but simply can’t justify the amount of printing anymore. I’ve googled different models but it’s only made me more anxious/indecisive!

Ideally I’d like to avoid Amazon kindle, but ultimately need something that suits my needs, so open to any suggestions.

Also, I noticed that some of them are waterproof - I rarely take baths but for some reason I’m now convinced I need this feature 🤦‍♀️ Please talk me out of it as I don’t have a huge budget!

Thank you!

On a related note: does anyone ever print a paper and read/highlight/add notes, thereby forming some kind of bizarre emotional connection to it resulting in an inability to throw it away?

Not waterproof but I have an iPad with apple pencil that I love for this. Goodnotes and collanotes are the apps I use for note-taking

Same as @emptythelitterbox except I use notability and OneNote (the latter is Microsoft and syncs beautifully with desktop).

I had an iPad about 8 years ago. The new Apple Pencil is a gamechanger. Definitely worth it.

I am desperate to know this and get a system that works. I have given up temporarily and jsut read papers on my iPad and write notes into my paper book. Perhaps what I need is an Apple Pencil!

Thank you everyone! I actually have an iPad but didn't occur to me that I could use the pencil and wasn't aware of available apps.

I don't have anything apple but have just bought a Samsung tablet for the same thing. I also like to print papers and write the notes.
Is there software I can use to write on the 'papers' on my screen? I too don't want a pop up text box. Oh, and colours and highlighting is also necessary!

My partner swears by his Remarkable but they aren't cheap. He had an apple pencil with an iPad and didn't like it one bit. Can you write on the new kindles?

I would like to know this too! Lots of my students seem to do it, maybe I should ask them! I have a cheap android tablet though and they seem to have ipads....

Does anyone use a Remarkable for writing on downloaded journal articles and papers? Can you save your annotations and highlights?

My partner uses a Remarkable and I believe it does. He is forever scribbling on things on it. They are expensive but he finds it useful.

I have an Onyx Boox device. Cost me an arm and a leg but it saved my eyes when working from home during the pandemic. I spend a lot of time reading and marking up academic papers. I started to get bad eye strain once we were working from home and I no longer had access to a printer. Now I'm mostly back in the office but I love being almost entirely paper free. 'My Deep Guide' on youtube does some great reviews of e-ink devices.

I know you said you wanted to avoid Amazon, although if you're buying Apple products, I don't think they're any better, but the new Kindle Scribe looks like exactly what you're looking for:

www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/29/amazon-launches-the-kindle-scribe-alongside-raft-of-smart-home-products

100% get the hypocrisy behind wanting to avoid Amazon but owning Apple products… not ideal but still under the illusion that I can do better next time.

I did try reading/marking up a few things on my iPad since I last posted, and while it works, I’m still missing pen and paper. Might just take some getting used to, and not sure if spending £££ on a competitor would change things.

I like the remarkable and onyx boost suggestions - kindle scribe actually looks good too. Lots of thinking (and budgeting) to do. Thanks again!

onyx box*

Boox* !

What sort of iPad do you have?

You need an Apple Pencil (two types depending on your iPad) and a paper-like screen protector to stop it being so glassy.

I’ve just bought an iPad Pro (£££ but you don’t need a Pro, the others in the range all do basically the same) to completely replace my paper notes, using GoodNotes app, an Apple Pencil and a screen protector to make it more scratchy than shiny.

I use a boox note air and am very happy with it, as @BrizzleWest says it is much kinder on the eyes than a monitor or ipad. I use it primarily for reading and annotating pdfs. For note taking, there's a problem if you're left handed and write with a 'hook' as palm contact at the top of the screen will trigger a notification screen - this can make the notepad awkward to use. But not likely to be a problem for most people.