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

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.  

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).  

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) said:

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

Mike Binks said:

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

Graham Criddle said:

Mike Binks said:

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.

Greg Rose said:

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. 

Mike Binks said:

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.