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CNET Editors' review
Nitro's new free PDF reader takes the key features that you want in a PDF reader, a familiar interface, and smooth functionality and combines them into an eminently usable program that doesn't get in between you and your documents. Nitro has turned the free PDF alternative business model on its ear by providing you with a smart selection of watermark-free editing, drag-and-drop PDF creation, and tabbed PDF reading.
To put it mildly, the feature set is robust. Users can comment on PDFs using notes and text markup, fill out forms, print to PDF, or create one by dragging an existing document into Nitro, share and comment with others, and securely sign a document. This may sound like standard PDF boilerplate, but it's important to emphasize given that they're all free here, and they all work well. The search utility isn't bad, although it would be nice to see Windows 7-style federated in-document searching. The drag-and-drop took a few seconds to begin once initiated, but overall converting a four-page Word document took about 2 minutes. The highlight tool will switch automatically from box highlighting to character highlighting, depending on whether you start highlighting in an empty space or over some text. Nitro sports a ribbon-style interface borrowed from the previously released paid version of Nitro. This may still frustrate some users, but it feels slick and connected to Microsoft Office. If you don't like or need the ribbon, you can hide it with an arrow that lives to the left of the search engine. You can also customize the ribbon, placing your most commonly accessed tools where you need them.
In testing, Nitro's functionality kept pace with its comprehensive toolset. When you install it, it will ask if you want to contribute anonymous usage data. Users are opted in automatically, so if you don't like contributing don't install on autopilot. Nitro PDF Reader Free does more by default than any free PDF reader currently available, does precisely what it advertises, and does it unobtrusively, rocketing it to the top of the PDF pack.
Publisher's Description
From Nitro PDF Software:
Nitro Reader is the first PDF reader to offer a comprehensive range of powerful features and tools, without the limitation or compromise you may have come to expect. Our vision, Everything you ever wanted in a free PDF reader and nothing you don't. It's the PDF Reader, reimagined.
Create PDF files from over 300 different formats, Comment, review, and collaborate. Fill and save PDF forms. Extract text and images. Type text directly onto the page. Add a scanned image of your signature and use QuickSign to electronically sign and return documents in seconds. Nitro Reader is free, fast, powerful, and secure.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.10.7 has resloved issues for Windows 8 users which are not able to enable the Nitro Web Browser plugin within IE on install and includes general stability and rendering improvements.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 87 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 5 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-5 of 5
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"Way too slow!"
Version: Nitro Reader (64-bit) 3.0.10.7
Pros
Reads PDF's
Cons
If you are just looking for a lightweight PDF reader stay away from this. Instead use Sumatra PDF....it is lightning quick with no bloat.
Summary
Get Sumatra PDF instead if you just want a PDF reader.
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"Outstanding software!"
Version: Nitro Reader (64-bit) 3.0.10.7
Pros
Full featured - everything the average user needs for PDF funtionality. The printer has never failed me. I have Acrobat, but use this as my everyday software.
Cons
Nothing I've encountered.
Summary
The only thing Nitro could do to improve this software is to send a check for downloading.
I'd give it 6 stars, if I could. -
"Be warned..."
Version: Nitro Reader (64-bit) 3.0.10.7
Pros
Comodo and Symantec warns about malware software inbedded!
Cons
Comodo and Symantec warns about malware software inbedded!
Very hard to uninstall.Summary
Thanks goes to Comodo and Norton antivirus!
If You are smart - You read the negative ratings on this software to! -
"Simple to use"
Version: Nitro Reader (64-bit) 3.0.10.7
Pros
No installation problems, easy to use
Cons
Have to purchase for edit functions
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"Really Outstanding !"
Version: Nitro Reader (64-bit) 3.0.10.7
Pros
- True 64 bit architecture; awesome feature set; I find the interface to be very intuitive ( and mouse hoovers are very quick when you want to know what a specific icon does); and, judging from previous reviews, the company seems to be genuinely interested in supporting the program with updates as needed.( I don't think I ever once got an update when I was using Foxit.)
Cons
- I did have a bit of a glitch when downloading it when my AnVir Task Manager blocked it awaiting permission to add it to my Start Menu (that thing guards my Start Menu like it was the Crown Jewels), but after that it downloaded seamlessly. Also, if you're looking for a PDF viewer that takes up less disk space than your 100MB Adobe, you're probably better off with a Foxit or Sumatra, as Nitro sits at 130MB in my system - I haven't used it long enough to tell what kind of hit hit it puts on system resources, but to be honest, I really don't care - this thing is that good.
Summary
Well, nobody wants to be the 1st to write a glowing review of a new product version, lest others think you're a company shill - I can assure you that I'm not. (like I really care) But after using 3 versions of the Adobe Reader, and then switching to Foxit for some time, I can honestly say I never really liked any of them (although Adobe 9 wasn't bad). As a non-techie, Nitro is the first PDF reader that not only does everything I want it to (and then some), but does it effortlessly - I never feel like I'm fighting it, as with some others, it just feels "right". The fact that it's 64 bit is a real added bonus, as 64 bit programs always seem to run better on my WIN7 x64 SP1 system. I was actually looking for something smaller than Adobe that could still create PDF's when I can across the review for Nitro and decided to try it, only to find that this is the PDF program I've been looking for all along. I guess we all get lucky sometimes, and my thanks go out to CNET and Nitro for this wonderful piece of software. Business users may want to check out the paid version,(I haven't), as a home user I will be telling anyone who'll listen that this is the one to get & will probably be the last one you'll ever need . PS: Happy Holidays to All !
One correction I'd like to make is that I noticed that it installed in my Programs(x86) folder, which tells me that it's actually a 32 bit program adapted for 64 bit systems. It does however run as smoothly as a true 64 bit program. My apologies for the error.
Updated on Dec 30, 2012
Results 1-5 of 5
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