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I've had no issues with PDFs on the Kindle, whether the DX (which is the right form factor), or the 3 (which is conveniently portable). It's not a perfect solution, but it works.

IMO, the optimal solution would be a hybrid display (like Pixel Qi make), a form factor halfway between the DX and the 3 (i.e. roughly the screen size of a normal book), and running an Android OS so apps can be written to support things like DJVU. I had high hopes for the Adam (Notion Ink, http://www.notionink.com/), but they're a little too ... grungy ... for me to be willing to spend $600 on.

http://www.notionink.com/

I read the original post, and the one I replied to. Perhaps you could point out to me where it talks about the iPad being hard to beat at its pricepoint, or even where he says there's nothing competitive for $100 less?

All I could see were complaints about how Android tablets ought to be as little as $200, but that the 8 (eight!) cheapo $200 tablets he bought were unsurprisingly all crap. He does say that tablets priced the *same* as the iPad were far better, but apparently this isn't good enough for him somehow. Moving on, I saw him putting words into some guy's mouth followed by a list of crappy tablets and a request to be shown "ONE that is not garbage" (I mentioned two, both of which cost less than the iPad).

If he didn't WANT to buy a crappy tablet, why did he buy *eight*? Is it so hard to guess that that's all you'll get for so little money (especially after the first couple)? Perhaps you interpreted his words somewhat differently to me, but I don't see a list of bad $200 tablets to be evidence that a $500 tablet is as cheap as you can get, especially when there are obvious counter-examples (Notion Ink's Adam starts from US$375 and frankly embarrasses the $499 iPad in most respects). But if the fight *isn't* over price, as you say, then I guess that leaves hardware features (nod to Android) and choice of platform (subjective).

The Adam has been shipping for a month, and people have them in their hands.

The Xoom will be available in stores Feb 24th, i.e. tomorrow (after a week's delay). Is that close enough for you? It's a little more expensive than the iPad, but has far more features. The wifi-only version is equivalently priced but further off, yes.

A rooted Nook Color is certainly a geek's toy; I'd agree it's not a mass-market product. Luckily, we're all geeks on Slashdot, yes? It's definitely a valid option for many people here.

I agree - the iPad was shipped prematurely

Hopefully I'm the first to point this out, and I'm not repeating well-known facts, but Apple isn't exactly innovating with the iPad. It is an iPhone / iPodTouch with a bigger screen that lets the muscle of the Cortex chip inside of it atrophie... Does is even multi-task?

Apple is also notorious at introducing old technology to consumers with better aesthetic packaging (ahem... macbook), and the iPad is no exception. They are using the wrong display technology for a tablet. Maybe when the iPad2 comes out, they'll realize that they should be using Pixel-Qi technology. Just as they have strong-armed entire industries in the past (e.g. the GUI, OpenStep, fixing the price on display technology, claiming they invented multi-touch, various RF-related things, applications on a mobile wireless device, yada yada yada), I would not be surprised if they bought-out Pixel-Qi and prevented other companies from using the tech.

Yes, they are Pirates, and yes, that is what Pirates do.

Luckily, at least one company sporting Android has the right idea so-far.

"Good artists copy. Great artists steal." (quote from Pablo Picasso... subsequently stolen by Steve Jobs)

Right, more affordable than the iPad, Notion Ink Adam tablet offers a lot more in terms of hardware. Check their site or this for a quick overview.

I second that. Notion Ink is shipping its Adam [android tablet] right now (in pre order). It is a more mature offering of all talked Android tablets at CES. What I mean is that they started working on it long before the iPad was talked about. Unlike Motorola's Xoom or Samsung's Galaxy Tab they did not wait for Android Honeycomb. In fact, they created a set of stock applications made for tablets and built Eden: their home made GUI (truly innovative).

Here are some pros about Adam:

• Power full computing capability. Tegra 2 processor (AMR A9 dual core processor + GeForce GPU + other)
• Revolutionary display. It comes in two variants: normal LCD or PixelQi's transreflective technology with the ability to read in direct sun light and reduce battery life.
• Swivel camera (3.2 MP auto-focus) which means front and rear facing camera!
• Lots of standard ports: HDMI out and USB. Yes, you can output to your big HD screen and pulb a mouse and keyboard out of the box.
• Storage extention: It supports microSD cards and USB external storage.
• Wireless connectivity: Wifi N; 3G; Bluetooth.
• Adobe flash works flawlessly.
• Mega stereo speakers.
• Mat antireflective finish.
• Very long baterry life. Up to 16 hours with PixelQi model.
• Eden's tablet designed UI.
• 1 GB of RAM for a good multi tasking experience.

Here are some cons:

• 8 GB of internal storage.
• 3G wireless only.

Check their site at Notion Ink.com. Also make sure you take a look at their blog for a ton of details.

Note that they are a start up based in India. They are shipping in every country, but you won't have the same support as a big names.

Check out Notion Ink adam tablet. Reviewed by engadget : http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/notion-ink-adam-hands-on-preview-video/. specs : http://www.notionink.com/techspecs.php

I'd like to point out that on the main page, the clock shown on the tablet is set to 4:20.

Have you checked Notion ink adam ? It almost has the specs (micrSD insteead os SDHC) you want, and should be available next month.

http://www.notionink.com/techspecs.php Its got it all... won't be standard honeycomb but it should run it. Whenever it is released X.x heh...

I did wonder why the article never mentioned Nokia and that it looked completely different than their previous products. Wonder where that was even pulled off.

Notion Ink seems to be its own company.