How To Choose an eBook Reader
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A Shopping Guide for the Novice e-Reader
This is an original article by the author of eBook Reader Software. It is not available for re-use without permission.
If you're interested in buying an ebook reader, you might be a little overwhelmed by the choices that are now available and all of the technical information that is shown for each device. Once you know a little about the technology, the information is easy to understand.
You can do all of the research you need just by reading the websites that sell the devices. When you're shopping for an ebook reader, you should find a section called "Technical Specifications," or Tech Specs. If that is not shown, then the website might show the tech specs in the general product description area. This lens outlines the basics of what you'll be looking for in the Tech Specs or product description. With this knowledge you can make an informed decision.
If you're interested in buying an ebook reader, you might be a little overwhelmed by the choices that are now available and all of the technical information that is shown for each device. Once you know a little about the technology, the information is easy to understand.
You can do all of the research you need just by reading the websites that sell the devices. When you're shopping for an ebook reader, you should find a section called "Technical Specifications," or Tech Specs. If that is not shown, then the website might show the tech specs in the general product description area. This lens outlines the basics of what you'll be looking for in the Tech Specs or product description. With this knowledge you can make an informed decision.
Contents at a Glance
Price
When deciding which type of e-reader to purchase, price is an important part of the decision for most people. Prices of these devices are changing all the time! In the interest of not updating this lens every other day, I'm providing links to some of the main websites that sell them:Amazon Kindle
Nook
Nook Color
BeBook Neo
BeBook Club
Cybook Opus
Cybook Orizon
Kobo eReader
Pandigital Novel
Sony Reader WiFi
Tablets that can serve as eReaders:
Apple iPad
Sony Galaxy Tab
Size and Weight
The tech specs shown for the size and weight will be pretty self explanatory. The size will usually be listed as Height x Width x Thickness. If this is important to you, you can compare this between different devices. Some people prefer smaller devices, and some prefer larger. Most ebook readers are pretty lightweight -- between around 5 to 20 ounces. A standard paperback book weighs in at somewhere around 10 ounces, so you can use that as a guide. Also, if you do a lot of travelling the weight of the device might make a difference in your luggage.
The diagram shows the size of the BeBook Neo. It is shown in millimeters, so you can always use Google to convert to inches.
Screen Size and Type
Devices like the Kindle, Kobo, Sony Reader, Nook, and BeBook have E-Ink screens. These screens are not back-lit like your computer screen. Instead, they have a matte finish that doesn't reflect light and reduces glare. E-Ink provides a reading experience that is very similar to reading from paper. E-Ink even makes it possible to read outside in the sunlight.
Devices like the Pandigital Novel, the Nook Color, and tablet computers like the iPad, have LCD screens. These are basically the same as your laptop screen or computer monitor. Since they display light, your eyes can grow tired more easily, and they also use significantly more battery power. These devices are also more than just ebook readers, and they tend to be more expensive.
File Types Supported
This is quite important because it determines the types of ebooks that you'll be able to read with the device. If you know that you want to be able to read PDF files, look for that in the list of supported file types. If you want to be able to buy current popular ebooks from ebook stores, you will need an e-reader that supports Adobe DRM. Look for that in the list as well. This is one case where it's better to buy an device that is more well-known. The more obscure the device, the less likely that you'll be able to get the content you want for it.Some ebook readers can also play MP3 music. If that is important for you, check for that in the product details.
One important note: The Amazon Kindle will generally only read ebooks that are purchased at Amazon.com*. If you want to be able to buy ebooks from other ebook stores, carefully consider this restriction.
*Techie Note: The Kindle can read Mobipocket (.prc) files and PDF files but only if they are not protected by DRM. The majority of book publishers do require DRM on their ebooks, so you should not purchase Mobipocket or PDF files for a Kindle unless you know for sure that they don't have DRM.
Battery Life
The battery life for ebook readers is commonly shown as the number of page turns that can be performed during one charge. For example: if a website shows a battery life of 8000 page turns, and you figure that an average book might have 300 pages, that works out to over 25 books that you could read before you had to charge the battery again.Most eBook Readers have very similar stats regarding battery life. This probably isn't something that will sway your decision too much.
Memory
eBook readers come with on-board memory, which will be shown in MB (megabytes) or GB (gigabytes). Most also have "expandable" memory, which means that you can put in your own storage card for more storage space.The tech specs for each e-reader will specify how much storage comes with the e-reader itself, and the memory card size it can handle. This is important because this is how your ebooks are stored on the device. The more memory, the more ebooks you can put on it.
Most eBook readers can store thousands of books, which is likely to be more than you're ever going to own, so the difference between the devices is fairly negligible unless this is really an issue for you.
Free Content
Some companies are bundling their ebook readers with free content. The Kobo eReader, for example, comes with 100 free classic ebooks pre-installed. If you have a Kindle you can download many free classic books on Amazon's website. Most other ebook readers will allow you to read just about any free PDF or EPUB file that you download online.Note: This is probably not going to be shown in the Tech Specs information like the rest of the e-reader specs that we've gone over. Look for it in promotional material or similar places.
WiFi or 3G
Look out for the terms "WiFi" and "3G". If a company is giving you a choice between these two types of connectivity, the 3G option will be more expensive.WiFi lets you use your WiFi connection at home to download content directly to the device, without having to use your computer. Depending on the device, you might also be able to browse the internet. If you have a WiFi network at home, you can connect to that same network with your eBook reader just like you do on your laptop.
3G is the same type of connection that your cell phone has, which means that you don't need to be on a WiFi network to download ebooks. Some e-readers do not have either of these capabilities.
Design
Finally, when making your choice between all of the available e-readers, you can consider the overall design of the device. The Sony Readers look more technological than the others, while the Kobo looks more friendly. The Nook has a rounder appearance, and the Kindle displays a full keyboard on the bottom. There is probably an ebook reader that has a design that fits your personality.
Go Forth!
I hope that the information covered above will be enough to help anyone who is shopping for an ebook reading device. They are fun gadgets, and reading on them is a pleasurable experience.
Now that you know what all of the technological information means, go to my eBook Reader Comparisons lens to compare the tech specs on the most popular current ebook readers.
Now that you know what all of the technological information means, go to my eBook Reader Comparisons lens to compare the tech specs on the most popular current ebook readers.
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