Is there any way to convert a PDF to a decent eBook? With Calibre

it really depends, but the short answer is no.

some PDFs are text with all the fonts and shit embedded in the document. but some PDFs have images in them (like figures) or ARE images - literally scans of old text documents. those don't translate well into epub files.

this is why if you're looking into an ebook reader and most of your content is PDFs, especially highly variable content, then you should just get a tablet with a normal screen that can adapt to that.

some pdf is just one big image those u cant do

>>57007506
>this is why if you're looking into an ebook reader and most of your content is PDFs, especially highly variable content, then you should just get a tablet with a normal screen that can adapt to that.
Yeah, that seems to be the conclusion I'm slowly coming towards. I'm just an idiot. Thanks anyway, anon.

just email the pdf to your kindle

>>57007599
Nah, go for 8 inch eink. Tablets are glare fuck, before I bought 8 incher I rather read on my old Kindle than fuck my eyes on ipad.


Anyways, to OP:

First thing, forget auto converter. They are near useless. If you want the format to stay in pdf then try to get as much from screen as possible. Use landscape. Use acrobat or other pdf editor and crop the shit out of file. Everything not text related must go. All white space, page number, etc... It's a quick job if you know what you're doing. At most you need to set different odd and even pages, and there are also dedicated programs that will do the thing for you. Just search mobile read forums for them. Then, you have manual option. Copy-paste text and create own pdf out of it. Works for low formatted books, but takes some time to do it. Again search for tutorials.

try k2pdfopt.