More robust than a Reader but don't need a Desktop/Laptop - what are my options for Logos

Currently I run Verbum 9 on a desktop and a pretty robust laptop. I'd like to get a device that I can hold - more like an IPAD (I think) to read - not one I have to rest on my lap like a laptop. I'd like it to have some functionality, hence not a reader like device - i.e. not a Kindle. But I'd also like to be able to download a number of Logos books to it. I don't know if it would be best to use a mobile app or use download the full Verbum software. I'd want to be able to bookmark my location and do some searches. I don't know what kind of storage size would be necessary for a device like this.

I'd appreciate suggestions. Thanks.

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Mark Nolette

Let me offer you two options - both of which I have.

1) Microsoft Surface Go 2: Get the 8gb RAM/128 GB SSD one. It has a ten inch display and runs Windows 10. You can hold it in your hand like a tablet, or attach a keyboard. You can run the desktop Verbum 9 software on it. It has a microSD card slot to expand storage if needed.

2) Onyx Boox Nova 2 or Note 3: These are two E-Ink devices that run Android 9 or 10. You would install the Verbum Android app on them. The Nova has a 7.8 inch display; the Note has a ten inch display. I find E-Ink easier on my eyes for extended reading. This of either as an enhanced Kindle. You can do searches and highlighting on either. The only difference is that E-Ink comes usually in grayscale, not color, so your highlights will be in grayscale as well. E-Ink is not a good choice for videos or games. These devices handle pdfs quite well, though.

The Nova would be the least expensive and the easiest to hold in one hand. The Surface would be the most versatile. It depends on what matters most to you and how you would use the device.

Mike Binks

more like an IPAD (I think) to read - not one I have to rest on my lap like a laptop.

The iPad is a pretty amazing device and things with it are likely to develop quite quickly now that the Mac desk/laptop line is moving to ARM processors.

A device you hold in your hand is unlikely to be ergonomically suitable for the sort of work that a desktop installation can accomplish but the Logos App is very useful for reading and searching.

I regularly lead worship using my iPad for the script and often control Proclaim at the same time. The iPad doubles as a video recorder, voice recorder and teleprompter when not being used as a reader.

You get a lot of 'bang for your buck' if you go the iPad route.

GregW

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144529#Comment_1144529

I also use an iPad for most of the things I use Logos for now - I do most of my reading on it, as I get more page on the screen and navigating through the pages is easier, and you can use it for all the things you mentioned in your original post. You have control over which books you download to it, and can use Favourites, Reading Plans and highlights with it. I have also preached from it using Sermon Builder ever since it first came into the product (with a different name that I've already forgotten). Even original-language reading has been made a very smooth experience with it now. I tend to use Logos on my desktop now for sermon/lesson prep, detailed study where I'm going to need multiple panels open, and organising my library.

I could probably do more sermon prep on the iPad now that the Passage Guide works pretty well on it, but until I'm able to edit sermons in Sermon Builder I can't see that happening. As Mike says, there's a lot of mileage in the iPad route.

I used a Surface Pro for several years, hoping to replace the iPad and my laptop with one device, but never found the tablet experience on the Surface Pro anywhere near as smooth as on the iPad, and went back to an HP Elitebook laptop on my latest cycle. That might just be the way I work, but I could never make the Surface Pro work well as a tablet with Logos for reading , although it was fine as a laptop (and I used it with multiple monitors for study).

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144534#Comment_1144534

What should we look for in an ipad. I have an older ipad but I can't read some books on it because of the newer technology. I also have a fairly large library. I don't want to spend more money on it than I need to so don't want to buy more memory then I need. Thanks.

xnman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144563#Comment_1144563

Personally, I use my android phone for reading, especially when I'm out and about. I need a phone.... almost a have to have device for me.... and I figure if it works don't fix it.

I generally bounce between 2 screens in Logos on my phone as I'm constantly looking something up. And the android phone works for me. I do a lot of reading on my phone... And I don't have to carry around other tablets, etc. to use it. [8-|]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144563#Comment_1144563

I don't want to spend more money on it than I need to so don't want to buy more memory then I need.

The mobile apps aren’t really meant to download ones entire library. If doing so is a primary necessity, a mobile device isn’t your best option. For the purposes of Logos, you can get the cheapest iPad they sell... there is no logos advantage for doing otherwise.

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144575#Comment_1144575

The mobile apps aren’t really meant to download ones entire library. If doing so is a primary necessity, a mobile device isn’t your best option. For the purposes of Logos, you can get the cheapest iPad they sell... there is no logos advantage for doing otherwise.

Awesome, thanks JT

Greg Rose

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144581#Comment_1144581

If I were to get an IPAD or a Microsoft Surface Go would I install the full Verbum software app on it like on a desktop or laptop - or would I install the Verbum Mobile App on it? Can either app be installed on the IPAD or Surface Go? If so would one be better than the other the IPAD or Surface Go?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144600#Comment_1144600

The iPad installs the mobile app only. I don’t know anything about the other device you mentioned. At one point, msft made products incapable of installing full windows apps. I don’t know if that’s the case with the “go.”

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144600#Comment_1144600

would one be better than the other the IPAD or Surface Go?

As I mentioned before, I have no experience with the msft device. If it does run the full version of the app, you should know beforehand that the app isn’t optimized for touch screens. I have heard some say it works well, others with the contrarian view. You should also consider how much it weighs, how it feels, etc.

I love my iPad, my MacBook, and my Kindle Paperwhite (an eInk reader). Each has its purpose. For extended reading, nothing beats the paperwhite. For reading, highlighting and taking simple notes, nothing beats the iPad. For study and extensive writing, nothing beats the MacBook. Each has its place.

The iPad is a great device and is multifunctional. I read the newspaper, use logos, and watch tv on mine.

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144563#Comment_1144563

I can't read some books on it because of the newer technology.

Greetings Michael

I am intrigued by this! Are these 'Logos' books or things you read in another app?

If they are 'Logos' please will you give me a couple of examples?

I need to so don't want to buy more memory then I need.

As I am content to leave most of my stuff backed up to iCloud I am content with the 64GB options.

Unless you think that after the Apocolypse (see below), you will still be concerned about your Logos content I would council against planning to download my whole library to an iPad.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144615#Comment_1144615

If they are 'Logos' please will you give me a couple of examples?

I don’t know if this is what he meant or not, but sometimes new resources require an updated version of the app. If his device is old enough not to be supported, then new resources might be unavailable.

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144615#Comment_1144615

Greetings Michael

I am intrigued by this! Are these 'Logos' books or things you read in another app?

If they are 'Logos' please will you give me a couple of examples?

Thanks Mike. One of them is NT Wrights The New Testament World

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144617#Comment_1144617

I don’t know if this is what he meant or not, but sometimes new resources require an updated version of the app. If his device is old enough not to be supported, then new resources might be unavailable.

Thanks JT. I think you have it right. They open on my ipad in a blank page. I can read them on my iphone or desktop.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144620#Comment_1144620

What version of iPad OS are you running? Can it be updated? What version of the app? Just want to make sure we aren’t making assumptions.

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144617#Comment_1144617

sometimes new resources require an updated version of the app

Thanks JT - I have learned something today.

Do you happen to know also, if the same device attempted to open that resource in www.app.logos.com would it be readable?

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144624#Comment_1144624

Do you happen to know also, if the same device attempted to open that resource in www.app.logos.com would it be readable?

Yes it would - because then they would be using the software on the server not the app on their device.

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144622#Comment_1144622

What version of iPad OS are you running? Can it be updated? What version of the app? Just want to make sure we aren’t making assumptions.

Version 10.3.3 (14G60)

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144626#Comment_1144626

Do you happen to know also, if the same device attempted to open that resource in www.app.logos.com would it be readable?

Yes it would - because then they would be using the software on the server not the app on their device.

On my ipad I cannot open the web app.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144631#Comment_1144631

Do you happen to know also, if the same device attempted to open that resource in www.app.logos.com would it be readable?

Yes it would - because then they would be using the software on the server not the app on their device.

On my ipad I cannot open the web app.

That sounds strange - it may be due to the version of software but it seems unlikely to me.

Do you get any sort of error message when you try?

Greg Rose

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144639#Comment_1144639

From a Verbum/Logos App standpoint is there any advantage to getting an IPAD versus and IPAD Air?

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144639#Comment_1144639

That sounds strange - it may be due to the version of software but it seems unlikely to me.

Do you get any sort of error message when you try?

No it tries to open it but can't do it when I click on the link on the Logos website. When I try to go to www.app.logos.com it get the message Safari cannot open the page because the server cannot be found.

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144670#Comment_1144670

From a Verbum/Logos App standpoint is there any advantage to getting an IPAD versus and IPAD Air?

When I did it with a 2019 Air model, I got more horsepower, memory, and the display was definitely a bit better. I consider it worth every penny. It was practically a Pro model without the Pro price tax added. I store more books on it and it gets almost as much use as my computer.

Update note: I nodded towards the Air on a storage basis. I wasn't sure how much all the books, music and other files I would ultimately put on it would take up, but I haven't yet come close. Which is ok. I wanted to make sure I got it for the duration as I really kind of hate repeat buying something this expensive that largely reaches a relatively low tech bar. Most tablet use is still pretty plain vanilla stuff. The performance level now is so good you aren't going to see anything that much better to make you want to open your wallet again for maybe four years. I have a much older iPad that still works fine except for things like Logos, so my wife uses it.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144675#Comment_1144675

That sounds strange - it may be due to the version of software but it seems unlikely to me.

Do you get any sort of error message when you try?

No it tries to open it but can't do it when I click on the link on the Logos website. When I try to go to www.app.logos.com it get the message Safari cannot open the page because the server cannot be found.

Have you tried an alternate browser such as chrome?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144683#Comment_1144683

From a Verbum/Logos App standpoint is there any advantage to getting an IPAD versus and IPAD Air?

When I did it with a 2019 Air model, I got more horsepower, memory, and the display was definitely a bit better. I consider it worth every penny. It was practically a Pro model without the Pro price tax added. I store more books on it and it gets almost as much use as my computer.

My answer is that there is not a significant LOGOS reason to go with the Air. It is certainly nicer. It will also last longer (theoretically) because the processor is newer and will receive updates for a couple more years. However, the regular iPad is half the price. With the savings, you can buy a new one twice as often. If money isn’t an issue, by all means the air is nicer.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144689#Comment_1144689

I should add: the antireflective screen is much nicer. If you are ever using it outside, that is very nice.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144675#Comment_1144675

When I try to go to www.app.logos.com it get the message Safari cannot open the page because the server cannot be found.

Try app.logos.com instead!

I agree that the longer form doesn't work - and I've checked this on a range of platforms and browsers

I've flagged the issue at https://community.logos.com/forums/t/197581.aspx

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144670#Comment_1144670

Hi Greg

From a Verbum/Logos App standpoint is there any advantage to getting an IPAD versus and IPAD Air?

This is going to sound silly, but don't overlook the advantage of saving a few grammes in weight.

There was a survey some time ago that showed that even a small reduction in the weight of a piece of equipment (Camera, Binoculars, Laptops etc) affect the number of times people took them out of the house.

Almost subconsciously folk decided not to use the energy it took to lug them about.

When I thought about my own behaviour I realised there was something of truth in their conclusion.

You might find you get more use from the Air for this reason. (They are great bits of kit.)

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1144734#Comment_1144734

This is going to sound silly, but don't overlook the advantage of saving a few grammes in weight.

There was a survey some time ago that showed that even a small reduction in the weight of a piece of equipment (Camera, Binoculars, Laptops etc) affect the number of times people took them out of the house.

Almost subconsciously folk decided not to use the energy it took to lug them about.

If you commute to work or travel, this factor multiplies because you almost always have to take other stuff. I don't think twice about taking my Air because it adds so little.