Given the many recent developments inside the digital ebook reader landscape, I figured now is the best time to update the ‘handy dandy eReader Buying Guide’. Here’s a list of areas to consider when picking the right ebook reader device.
Screen type
Keep in mind when an eReader display basically meant E-ink? Well, the planned arrival of the Apple ipad tablet as being a viable eReading device has long since changed that.
When selecting an ebook reader, consider if you do not mind reading books with an LCD screen or prefer the more paperlike look of something such as E Ink. Each one has benefits and drawbacks. E Ink tends to reduce eye strain and greatly improve life of the battery. An LCD screen is capable of showing color and typically incorporates touchscreen capabilities as well. Then you have hybrid readers such as the Barnes & Noble Nook and Spring Design Alex, which feature both an electronic LCD touchscreen and a paper display at the same time.
For electronic paper displays, make sure you compare screens because some have greater contrast than others.
Dimensions
Fortunately, you’ll find all kinds of options available in regards to size. Sony’s Reader Pocket, for one, actually fits in my jeans pocket, however its 5 inch screen still is big enough for pleasant reading. It’s also pretty light and is easy to tote around on the go. In the center of your selection, you have devices like the Spring Design Alex, Sony Reader Touch and Reader Pocket, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes & Noble Nook. Then you’ve got the huge devices, such as Apple Ipad and Kindle Dx, which sport screens that are about ten inches wide. Unless you are a kangaroo, you ain’t fitting those products inside your pocket anytime soon. But they’re pretty good if you value a screen with larger touch display.
Interface
Controls for eReading machines are typically determined by either buttons, touch screens or a blend of both. Button-based controls require less power and therefore are more accurate but can be more troublesome to use. Touchscreens are definitely more intuitive but can also be laggy, smudge-prone, and typically suck more juice from your battery.
Button-based devices include Amazon’s Kindle 1, 2, 3 and DX models, plus Kobo’s eReader and Son’ys Reader Pocket. The Nook and iPad are practically exclusively touch-based. The Sony Reader and Spring Design’s reader both use touch and button controls
Life of The Battery
Determined by whether you plan to just read primarily both at home and on the road, your battery life is an important consideration. Basic eReaders without fancy special features typically have longer battery use that’s measured in “page-turns.” Sony’s ereader sports 7,500 page turns while the Kobo boasts up to eight thousand page turns. Devices with WiFi and Web browsing however, usually have shorter battery life. Spring Design’s Alex, for example, lasts pretty long between recharges when primarily using it’s E Ink display but loses energy faster when browsing or watching videos on its Liquid crystal display screen.
Features
Some devices – for example the Reader Pocket and Kobo Reader – are manufactured purely for reading and skip on extra features, including music playback. The Nook, however, plays tunes, has Web browsing, and even throws in a very nice touchscreen interface. The Alex also offers those traits plus video playback, and the capability to download Android applications. At the higher end of the abilities spectrum is the Ipad Tablet, which happens to be almost like a mini-computer.
Capacity
This determines exactly how much media/data you can fit into your device at one time. The greater the memory, the greater number of eBooks and files you can fit in. High capacity is primarily vital for multimedia eReaders which can also play music, video and apps. Aside from storage space, some devices also come along with a external slot with an SDcard, that enables anyone to typically increase your capacity as much as 32 gigabytes.
Store access
Dependent upon the device, an eReader can have immediate access to specific eBook stores, meaning extra convenience, a wider selection, as well as the opportunity to easily grab the latest bestsellers. The Kindle, by way of example, has immediate access to Amazon’s online bookstore while the Kobo and Nook have access to Barnes & Noble and Borders respectively. Devices that do not have direct store access can still display compatible eBooks but you will be required to download them from your personal computer first.
Price
Ultimately, this can be the most important factor when choosing to buy a book reader. Since of course, your wallet basically dictates whatever you can or cannot afford. Although many analysts and industry insiders claim that $99 is the magic price point for wide-range eReader acceptance, the market hasn’t quite reached that point yet overall. But it is 10x better that it was, say, at the begining of 2010, at the time you had more ebook readers sporting price tags past $400.
You can easlily receive a good eReader from one hundred fifty to two hundred dollars, which includes basic readers for example the the Kobo and Reader Pocket, a tweener exactly like the Kindle, and some more feature-filled devices just like the Nook and Reader Touch. At the high end with prices of $300 and higher (sometimes a lot higher) are definitely the Spring Design Alex, Readers Daily and the Kindle Dx.
So now you’re certain a bit about electronic book readers, it is possible to decide what’s the best brand out there. Bear in mind, don’t assume all kinds are for everybody, but don’t forget to take a glance the following on your affordable.