It might from what I have heard the pdf file reading is ok on tablets for most text files, but if yours is not just a text file but a pattern or diagram not sure if it would display properly due to screen size, it might. I have a few tablets but I do not do anything pdf related, they all do handle pdf file format and for books in pdf they do work pretty well.
I do agree you would be more likely to have it work with a tablet over just a plain ereader, tablets do have more abilities.
In the various reader apps everyone I have used do have a zoom and also various font sizes to choose from.
My fave reader app for tablets is Aldiko which is free and easily found on lots of app sites.
http://www.aldiko.com

that is the website for it you can read about it and what it can do. There are many other reader apps out there including Nook app, kindle app, etc. You do not have to have a Nook to use the Nook app nor do you have to have a Kindle to use the kindle app, you can install those to most android tablets on the market.

You can find them under $200, the thing you want to make sure of is if you are getting an android tablet it will be running at least version 2.3 Android. Earlier versions do not have the abilities that 2.3 and above have. To get Android 3.0 and above you will have to spend more than $200 most likely, I have not seen any yet on sale for that price.
Here is a look over at China Grabber of most of the 2.3 tablets, you can also do a search there for Android 3.0 tablets and see their prices.
android 2.3 tablets

Of course, you could consider a 10" netbook which are very light and would be running Win7 and could easily handle any pdf files as well as run Kindle for pc so you could download books and read them on there too.for about the same $200 price tag..The other thing is that you wouldnt have to learn Android..just sayin

I was going to say that then you also have all the capabilities of your big computer plus the fact you can set it on the table next to you with it open to one of your patterns

You might want to read these C-Net articles on tablets. For budget tablets they like the Kindle Fire and Nook. If you have a B&N store, nearby, I would suggest a visit and playing with a Nook to see how it handles the kind of .pdf files you want to use.

If budget isn't an issue, an iPad will open .pdf files but again you may want to visit and Apple store to see if it will work for your specific situation.

Thanks Guys for the info.

I didn't know so many items were available.

Today I received any email via amazon for a woot item -- a 7-Inch 16 GB Android Tablet with Wi-Fi and 3G (Refurbished) $199.99 + $5 shipping, but it is Android 2.2.

What processor speed should I be considering?

I saw an Coby Kyros 7-Inch Android 2.3 on a web site & it costs about $110 & people gave it good reviews. And it has included Aldiko E-book reader application.

My search continues ... Joyce

I would stay away from refurbs on these. The prices are pretty good with out having to take those chances.

The reason I say go with 2.3 is that some things will not work on the earlier versions. I do have an Android 2.2 tablet and it does most of what I want but if I had my preference I would have wanted at least 2.3.
That is a good price for the Coby, I have never messed with that one but I am on some android forums and many people do have it. On amazon it has a lot of good reviews from buyers too.

I would make sure that what ever site you get it from you do have a return option just in case you don't like it.

There really is not much to learn as to Android, everything is plainly labeled as an icon on the tablets and to get new apps there are lots of places to get those, if the tablet you get does have access to the android market you can get them there, or from amazon app store, or using the slide me app to get them from other sources. That has not been a problem at all quick and easy to get apps installed.

Aldiko can be easily downloaded and installed from many app sources so even if one does not have it don't worry you can always add it.

I see that Coby for a little less at this place
Coby Electronics

on the processor most you will see in that range will have the ARM11 800MHz (that range), that is pretty standard, some of the newer ones especially those with android 3 and up can have a dual core processor which is quite a bit beefier.
You will also notice some say the screen is resistive or capacitative the really early resistive ones were very hard to get to respond, the newer ones respond very well with a finger nail tap, the capacitative is much more responsive and is what cell phones have and take a lighter touch with the finger tip. I have both but I have not ever had to use a stylus mine are plenty responsive with my finger.
If you were used to the touch of a smart phone and picked up a tablet with resistive you would notice a difference but you quickly adjust to the differences in pressure needed.

Also keep in mind that it is possible for them to be updated, the manufacturers do send out updates for them just like we update our pc, and on 2 of mine they updated the Android OS from a lower version to a higher one. I like to check the manufacturers site and see if there are updates listed for their products.

My newest tablet told me there was an update for it the first time I turned it on and it was an update to the newer Android version which was really nice.

I had an ad today in my email for a Velocity Micro Cruz tablet for $79 but it is already sold out, that one also has a lot of people that like it.

oh this coby just popped up at PC Richards and sons for $79 just now so probably won't last long

Coby Kyros 7.0" 4GB Tablet featuring Android 2.3

Thanks Raven for pointing me in the correct direction. I am still looking into various products, & hoping I can buy something local. Maybe Sunday will bring more items on sale.

The nice young man at OfficeMax showed my husband & me the new Toshiba Thrive, @ $400. It has great features, but it is more than I want to pay.

Let me ask this stupid question. Most tablets have WiFi, so does this mean I could download eBooks straight to the tablet? I had been thinking that I must download eBooks to my computer, then transfer them to the tablet.

We have a 5G air-card for internet. How many mbs does any average eBook use?

Thanks, Joyce

oh yes you can download books and apps right to it from the internet using wifi just like on a computer. Books are just text files so are quite small in size, you could get hundreds probably and not reach your 5GB limit.

The Thrive is nice it is in the same category as the motorola xoom, and the acer iconia, there are several out there now those all have Android 3.0 or higher and most of those will have dual core processors. Nice but very pricey still. Also most of those have cell phone connection or 4G etc on them and for those to use that you would have to buy the package from the cell phone company. I was looking at the xoom at Costco and it was tied to Verizon. Was the Thrive you looked at the 10" or 7"? They have both.
For what you want you don't have to spend that much you can go with the Android 2.3 models.
That sale at PC Richards on that Coby at $79 is still on today, a heck of a bargain for anyone out there wanting a tablet and ereader, I am very tempted to get one to add to my growing collection. Their shipping is very reasonable also at under $5.

You can also do as you had mentioned download them to your pc then put them on the memory card and load that into your pc. That is usually how I do it because then I have all of my books on my memory card. The tablets do have some built in on board memory but the memory card is their main source for memory and storage, most can take up to a 32GB memory card. Since I have them on a memory card I can swap it between tablets.

good luck on your search

I'm not sure what you mean by "air card." Is it one of the devices that plugs into a computer or a MiFi product that is stand alone. If the former, can you share WiFi? If not, you'll need to download everything on your computer and then transfer it to the tablet.

The Thrive was the 10 inch & it seems kind of hefty, if I am to use it for a reader. He also showed us the nook & kindle.

I thought I had looked at every reader & tablet on the market, but I see you guys have other sources. I am getting dizzy. lol

By the term "air card", I refer to a USB modem, we have a $60 plan with Verizon that allows 5120 MBS/5G per month. An additional mb cost 5 cents. We have a router and 4 desk top computers with wireless cards. The 2 computers downstairs keep the grandsons busy when they visit.

I will continue my search tomorrow.

yes that is the draw back to the bigger ones that are 10" and above the weight of them becomes a big factor. I had thought I wanted a 10" one but all of mine are 7" and I am happy with them they weigh much less and are easily held to read. My hands have issues anyway so trying to hold up too much weight would weaken them quickly. Plus they fit into my purse.

I see Newegg has a 48 hour sale which includes the white pandigital novel for $69 with free shipping. The ad says it runs Android 2.0. Can that be upgraded?