How to read PDF ebooks on an iPad

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

"Reading is a joy on iPad", claims Apple on the iPad's homepage. It really is, but if you care about your eyes, then get an eInk reader such as Amazon Kindle or Sony Reader.

If your PDF file is copy-protected, remove DRM from your PDF file.

Then you can convert your PDF file into ePub, so that you can flip pages on your iPad, adjust font size,... with iBooks application for iPad.

How to convert PDF to ePub
Calibre is a freeware and open source application for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. It can convert ebooks between the most popular formats, including epub.

1. Download and install Calibre.
2. Run Calibre
3. Choose a location for your books
4. Choose your ebook reader (if you don't have one, you can choose the Default)
5. Click the "Add books" button on the top left to add an ebook like a DRM-free PDF file (alternatively, you can drag-n-drop a PDF file onto Calibre)
6. Click the "Convert E-books" button and choose the EPUB as an output format.
7. Customize the cover image, title, author and other metadata if needed.
8. Click the "Ok" button to start the conversion.
9. Wait until the conversion is finished.

How to add (sync) ePub to an iPad

• Connect your iPad to your computer and launch iTunes.
• Click "File" -> "Add to Library" and select an ePub file. (alternatively you can drag-n-drop your ePub file onto iTunes).
• The ePub file will appear in the iTunes.
• Select the books you want to sync to the iPad and click the Sync button.
• Then just launch iBooks application on your iPad and enjoy.

Note that freeware Calibre also supports DRM removal plug-ins, but they need to be downloaded separately.

For reading ebooks on iPad, I recommend to use

• iBooks
• Kobo for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Mail Application – The iPad supports viewing PDF files that are sent as attachments via email in the Mail application. Simply download the attachment, click to launch, and you can view the PDF.

Good.iWare has released GoodReader for iPad. GoodReader was available the first day the iPad launched after having already been available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. GoodReader is available in the iTunes store for and introductory price of $0.99.