Amazon Kindle Fire Key Specs

Average Price: $199
Release Year: 2011
Battery Life: 8 hours reading
Screen Size: 7 inch
Screen Type: color touchscreen
Weight: 14.6 oz
Storage Size: 8GB (plus cloud storage)
Internet: Wi-Fi
Main eBook Format: AZW (Kindle)

Pros Of The Amazon Kindle Fire

Price: One of the main selling points of the Amazon Kindle Fire is that it’s a tablet computer at a fraction of the price. At only $199, it’s cheaper than just about any tablet you can buy, yet its functions don’t put it into the budget category. In other words, although you pay a rock bottom price, you get more than what you’d expect for that price.

Integrates With Amazon Services: Amazon has a number of online streaming services in the form of an Amazon Prime membership that costs just $79 per year. For that small fee, users will have access to thousands of movies and TV shows to stream directly to their device. An even bigger number (100,000) are available to buy or rent for an extra fee. Not to mention digital music.

Cloud Storage: You’d think that downloading all these movies, TV shows and MP3s would take a huge amount of storage space, but this isn’t an issue with the Amazon Kindle Fire. Amazon uses their cloud storage solution to host your digital media collection so that you simply don’t need a huge hard drive size on the device.

New Amazon Silk Browser: The new Amazon Silk Browser is not to be compared to anything you’ve seen before on the Kindle. After all, this is Amazon’s own tablet, and as such they’ve created a whole new browsing experience. This browser means you can surf the ‘net over a Wi-Fi connection, and view Flash sites and videos (something that the iPad won’t let you do).

That’s not the main news about Amazon Silk, however. The best thing about the browser is the fact that it utilizes Amazon’s Cloud services to help pages load faster than they possibly could have otherwise. What this means is that certain elements are stored by Amazon to help send them to your device as quickly as possible.

Whispersync: All Amazon’s Kindles make use of a service called Whispersync. This keeps your library in sync between various devices, and makes sure you always start reading where you left off, even if you switch from your Kindle to your PC in the meantime. The best thing about Whispersync on the Amazon Kindle Fire is that it doesn’t just work with books – it now works with video streaming. Start streaming a video on the Kindle Fire, and pick up where you left off on your PC or TV!

Dual Core Processor: Like all the best tablet computers out there at the moment, the Amazon Kindle Fire uses a dual core processor. This means that it’s fast to move from program to program and applications run well on the device.

Design: Amazon has kept things simple with the Kindle Fire. The design means it’s smaller than many full-blown tablets, in the spirit of the original Kindle. It’s lightweight so it’s easy to hold while reading books, and its simplicity will appeal to many users. True, it isn’t as light as a standalone eBook reader, though you can’t really expect it to be, and it is light in the world of tablet computers.

Apps: The main thing that differentiates the Amazon Kindle Fire from other eReaders is the fact that it’s based on Android and has access to a number of different apps through the Amazon App Store. Like the Nook Color, however, the app store isn’t the official Android version and carries far fewer options, though still enough to keep people entertained given the price of the device.

Cons Of The Amazon Kindle Fire

Only 8GB Memory: 8GB memory is not a lot for a tablet computer, though it does match up to the Barnes & Noble Nook Color. That said, the Amazon Kindle Fire isn’t an ordinary device: it’ll store your files on the cloud to help prevent the need for further storage. This is important considering there’s no memory card expansion slot included.

Battery Life: Just like the Nook Color, the Amazon Kindle Fire only has 8 hours battery life. Although not much for an eReader, this is standard in the world of tablet computers.

Is The Amazon Kindle Fire Worth Buying?

In terms of competition, the main rival to the Kindle Fire is the Barnes & Noble Nook. Both devices look great, are lightweight, and benefit from a range of downloadable apps. Where Kindle has the edge, however, is in its pricing and its comprehensive online store. This device really is an excellent solution for those who want a tablet computer without the huge price tag.

Ematic eGlide Key Specs

Average Price: $85
Release Year: 2010
Battery Life: 3-4 hours
Screen Size: 7 inch
Screen Type: color
Weight: 11.2 oz
Storage Size: 4GB (expandable with SD card slot)
Internet: None
Main eBook Format: ePub

Pros Of The Ematic eGlide

Price: At around $85, this is a very budget eReader. Although not quite as cheap as the cheapest Kindle with special offers, it is very cheap for a color eReader (compare it to the $250 Nook Color or $199 for the Kindle Fire) and can perform some extra features that the Kindle cannot.

Color Screen: There are a number of benefits to choosing an eBook reader with a color screen. For one, it makes reading magazines or books that focus on images a lot easier to read and see in all their glory. The vibrant screen on this looks good, and also means you can view your photographs on the go. The resolution isn’t as good as on more expensive tablet computers, however.

Books: The fact that the Ematic eGlide uses ePub books as its main format means you can take advantage of buying books from a wide range of eBook stores. As for reading the books, it comes with all the standard features: the ability to change the font size, switch between portrait and landscape mode, change the background color and so on.

Multimedia: As well as reading ePub eBooks and PDF files, the Ematic eGlide can also handle a wide range of different music and video formats to help you carry your multimedia on the go. This is something you don’t get on basic eReaders, and is what helps take it into the tablet category (although a far more basic one than devices such as the iPad 2).

Case: Unlike most other eBook readers, the Ematic eGlide comes with a case included as standard. Buyers have commented on the fact that the case is very high quality, with magnets to keep it firmly closed. Given the fact that most people go on to buy a case for their eBook reader (to keep it protected against damage), the fact that this comes with one for free will save you even more money over the already low price.

Memory: A 4GB internal memory stands up against the top eBook reader brands, such as the Kindle, but is a little low given the fact that this device is also meant to store larger files like videos. The good news is that there’s an SD card slot included should you ever want to expand the memory, giving the device a level of flexibility that you won’t find on all eBook readers.

Cons Of The Ematic eGlide

Reading Functions: One pro of using eBooks instead of paper books is that you have the ability to adjust the font style and size according to your needs, making them as easy to read as possible. The choices leave a lot to be desired however, as the Ematic eGlide only has one font choice and four font sizes to choose from. Some users have complained that the largest size isn’t large enough. Devices such as the Kindle deal with this a lot better.

Battery Life: The battery life only lasts around 3-4 hours on this device. Although you can never expect a color LCD screen eReader to match the long battery life of an e-Ink screen, this is very poor. It means that you’ll constantly need to recharge the device, and it won’t even last for a mid-length plane journey. The Nook Color, for example, has double the battery life of the Ematic eGlide, at 8 hours.

No Wi-Fi: There’s no option to connect up to a Wi-Fi network on the Ematic eGlide, as there is with some rivals such as the Nook Color. That said, this device is clearly a far more budget option than the Nook. For the price, you should expect an emphasis on reading rather than connectivity.

Poor Instruction Manual: Many users have complained about the lack of instructions with this device. This is certainly a downside for those who aren’t into their gadgets.

PDF Files: At present, no eReader deals with PDF files perfectly. That said, color tablet eReaders are usually better at doing so than their e-Ink counterparts. Unfortunately the PDF reader on the Ematic eGlide can be sluggish and, at times, unresponsive. It can take a while to load and flick between pages.

Is The Ematic eGlide Worth Buying?

It’s important to recognize that the Ematic eGlide comes with a number of limitations. There’s no internet connection, no browser, and a low battery life. That said, it’s one of the most affordable eBook readers on the market today, and is perfect for those who want a device to carry photos and videos on top of their eBooks.

Kobo Touch Edition Key Specs

Average Price: $129
Release Year: 2011
Battery Life: One Months (Wi-Fi off)
Screen Size: 6 inch
Screen Type: e-Ink touchscreen
Weight: 7.05 oz
Storage Size: 2GB (expandable by 32GB)
Internet: Wi-Fi
Main eBook Format: ePub

Pros Of The Kobo Touch Edition

Price: There are two major rivals to the Kobo Touch Edition: The Nook Touch and Kindle Touch. Both of these come in at $139 (though the Kindle is cheaper if you opt for the ad-supported version). The Kobo Touch is slightly cheaper, at $129, yet still comes with a sleek touchscreen and a variety of eReader functions.

Touchscreen: Touchscreen eBook readers are by now becoming the norm. Having a touchscreen on the Kobo Reader means it’s far faster to look up words in the dictionary (simply click on the word rather than scrolling through the page with the directional pad) and to access the menu items you want to use.

Memory Expansion: 2GB of internal memory is less than the Amazon Kindle Touch, but can still store around 1,000 books – more than enough for most users! The good news is that, unlike the Kindle, the Kobo Touch Edition does come with an SD memory card expansion slot to expand your memory up to 32GB (for 30,000 eBooks). It’s unlikely any of us will have enough eBooks to fill the expanded memory, but it’s always useful to have the expansion option available should you ever need it.

Web Access And Browser: The Kobo Touch Edition comes with Wi-Fi connectivity built in, as you’d expect when its main rivals are the Kindle and Nook. You can simply use this to shop for new books from the device, or you can take advantage of the included browser. Like most e-Ink reader web browsers, it’s not perfect but it’s a great feature to have on hand.

Design: Like any good eReader, the Kobo Touch Edition is designed to be compact and portable. It is lightweight, making it comfortable to hold as you read. The real thing that sets the Kobo apart from other eReaders, however, is the quilted back design. It comes in a number of different colors to suit your personality, and looks stylish and fun. The design also means that you’ll have a good grip on the device.

Battery: With the Wi-Fi turned off, the battery on the Kobo Touch Edition will last around one month, which is more than enough time for most users not to have to worry about charging all the time. Note that this is less than the two months boasted by the Kindle Touch/ Keyboard and the Nook Touch, but is still considered an excellent battery life.

Some Unique Features: Just like the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch, the Kobo Touch Edition comes with some of its own unique features. For example, the Reading Life function allows you to keep track of everything you’ve read, providing you with detailed stats and rewards when you meet certain requirements. Just with the Kindle and Nook, you can also share what you’re reading with Facebook and Twitter.

Apps For Other Devices: Like the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, the Kobo has a variety of apps available to download for Android, iPhone/ iPad and your computer. This means that you’ll have your books available on you no matter which one of those devices you may be using.

Page Turns: Like the latest generations of Nook and Kindle, the manufacturers of the Kobo reader have gone to some effort to reduce the black screen flash that occurs when you turn the page on an e-Ink screen. This means that you won’t notice the screen going black every single page turn, which is nice (though most users don’t usually notice the page turns once they get used to using their eReader). Note that you can either swipe or tap the screen to turn the page, which is very intuitive and easy to do.

Cons Of The Kobo Touch Edition

Less Intuitive: When you compare the Kobo Touch Edition to its main Kindle and Nook rivals, you’ll find that the touch functions are less intuitive than the competition. The user interface isn’t quite as well designed and laid out, though you can still find your way around pretty easily.

Fewer Features: The Kobo Touch Edition has fewer features than the Kindle equivalent. Like the Nook, it doesn’t come with the ability to play MP3 files, nor does it have a text-to-speech function. That said, you can read PDF files and the device does support library lending formats.

Newspapers and Magazines: The Nook is famous for the way it can display magazines, and the Kindle also has an excellent selection of titles available in its store. The Kobo, on the other hand, has far fewer titles to choose from.

Is The Kobo Touch Edition Worth Buying?

In short, the Kobo Touch Edition is an excellent upgrade to its line of eReaders. There are a number of features on the device that help it stand up against rivals such as the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch, and the design certainly stands out. Although Kobo don’t offer as many books in their own store, the eReader is open enough to allow you to read content from other sources. All in all, the Kobo Touch Edition comes in at a good price and is a solid eReader.

Whether you already own the original iPad or not, here’s a guide to what you’ll get in the iPad 2, whether it was a notable upgrade, and whether you should spend your hard earned cash on this latest iPad release.

Features Of The iPad 2

* 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage models,
* Wi-Fi only or W-Fi + 3G connectivity,
* 9.7 inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen multi-touch display,
* 1024 x 768 resolution,
* 1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor,
* Apple iOS 4,
* Forward facing and rear facing cameras for photographs, videos and video calls,
* Access to Apple app store,
* 10 hours battery life,
* 7.69 x 9.89 x 1.79 inches in size,
* Weighs 3 pounds.

Is It Worth Upgrading From The Original iPad?

Only you can decide whether it’s really worth upgrading your iPad if you already own one. You’re not going to notice any major changes, and many of them can be seen simply by upgrading your old iPad to the newest operating system.

That said, if you love technology then you’ll definitely want to upgrade for the faster performance, and some of the newest features such as the two cameras, improved gameplay thanks to the new gyroscope, and new apps such as iMovie for putting together your own videos and home movies. In fact the camera alone could be worth it if you’ve been waiting for it ever since the first iPad was released. You’ll also want to consider the fact that you can recoup some of the costs by selling your old iPad if it’s in good condition.

Pros And Cons Of The iPad 2

There’s a major pro to owning the iPad 2 – it’s cool and it’s fun! At first thought, this might not sound like much of a reason for shelling out on a new gadget. But if you’ve ever played with a friend’s iPad then you’ll know what I’m talking about. All of your reservations go out of the window once you get your hands on it and start playing with all of the apps.

In all seriousness, the iPad 2 has found a huge, unexpected market. On the one hand it’s an extremely capable productivity device, used by business people all over the world to keep up with emails, check appointments and work on documents. On the other it’s just the right size for watching movies, playing games, and keeping up to date with various websites.

You can do it all with the iPad 2 – and more – thanks to the links it has with the huge Apple app store. There’s an app for just about anything you can think of, both free and paid, which gives it a huge edge over its rivals (not that there are many). It also looks sleeker and works faster than the original iPad, and doesn’t cost any extra.

The downside – and there has to be one – is that it is going to cost you. Even with the smallest storage capacity, and no 3G, you’re still going to have to pay hundreds of dollars for this device. Some argue that you may as well spend your money on a full-blown laptop instead, but it really does depend on your own personal needs and what you’re planning to use the device for.

Kindle Touch Key Specs

Average Price: $99 – $139 (Wi-Fi) or $149 – $189 (3G)
Release Year: 2011
Battery Life: Two Months (Wi-Fi off)
Screen Size: 6 inch
Screen Type: e-Ink touchscreen
Weight: 7.5 oz (Wi-Fi) or 7.8 oz (Wi-Fi + 3G)
Storage Size: 4GB
Internet: Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 3G in 3G Model
Main eBook Format: AZW (Kindle)

Pros Of The Kindle Touch Models

Battery Life: The battery life on the original Kindle is already impressive at one month with Wi-Fi switched off. However, with the Kindle Touch you can read for up to two months without charging! This is perfect for those who travel and don’t want to constantly worry about where the nearest power source may be. This matches the battery life of the Kindle Keyboard and the Nook Touch.

Price: Although the Kindle Touch readers are more expensive than the standard Kindle, for just $20 more (for the Wi-Fi only version) you get a touchscreen and several other features (see below). $99 for the ad-supported Kindle Touch is still an extremely affordable eBook reader, one that will no doubt bring a lot of new customers into the world of eBooks. And, for just $50 more, you get access to Amazon’s free 3G connectivity (see more below).

Extra Features: The Kindle Touch also comes with some features that were standard on the Kindle Keyboard, but haven’t been included in the new Kindle 2011. Because this device now has speakers, we see text-to-speech available again (meaning you can have your books read to you out loud), as well as the ability to play Audible audiobooks and MP3 files.

The new X-Ray feature isn’t found on the Kindle or Kindle Keyboard. It allows you to see the ‘bones of a book’ at the click of a button. The feature means you can see, at a glance, all the sections of the book that may mention a specific character, topics, places, and ideas. This is an excellent way to get an overview of certain elements of a book, perfect for studying or learning more detail even though you may not have finished reading.

3G Connectivity (3G Model Only): Amazon is famous for its 3G Kindles. Unlike smartphones and tablets that connect to 3G internet, Amazon has made the Kindle’s 3G access completely free all over the world. You can use it as much as you like to purchase books from the Kindle Store, or browse on the experimental web browser, and you’ll never be charged a penny. For many, this is worth the price of the Kindle alone!

Whispersync: This feature of all Amazon Kindles keeps all your reading data in sync between your various devices. This means that you’ll always know where you’ve got up to in your book, which pages you’ve bookmarked, and when you’ve taken notes. This setting is on by default, though you’ll need to connect your Kindle to either Wi-Fi or 3G to send the data across.

Cons Of The Kindle Touch Models

No Buttons At All: The fact that there are no buttons on the Kindle Touch isn’t a drawback for everyone. After all, it helps to simplify the design, and the touchscreen is intuitive to use. However, if you’re not into technology, or are buying the Kindle for someone who isn’t used to using these gadgets, they may find buttons make things easier to navigate.

Size And Weight: The Kindle Touch Wi-Fi and 3G editions are heavier than the standard Kindle. At almost 8 ounces, you may feel the difference between the Touch and the original Kindle (less than 6 ounces), but the good news is that both are still noticeably lighter and smaller than the Kindle Keyboard. All of these devices are honestly light enough to hold for hours on end.

No ePub eBooks: As with all the other Kindle models, the Amazon Kindle Touch still doesn’t support the open source ePub book format. This means it isn’t as easy to read books from other stores, but you can do so with the aid of a free conversion tool such as Calibre.

The good news, however, is that Kindle is now part of the leading library eBook lending service Overdrive. This means that you can borrow eBooks for free, to your Kindle, as long as your local school or library is signed up to the service. You can also lend Kindle books to friends, but only if the publisher allows it, and only for a fixed period of time.

Is The Kindle Touch Worth Buying?

The Kindle Touch devices have firmly brought Amazon back into the world of eBook readers as a major player. Before their release, people were swaying between the Kindle Keyboard and the Nook, wondering when Amazon would catch up and add a touchscreen. Now they’ve done it, the results are fantastic, and the price even better!

If you’re looking for a color eBook reader that can do a little more than a standard eReader, yet still comes in at an affordable price, then the Pandigital Novel could be the gadget for you. With Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to download apps, this model enters the realm of budget tablet computers. But is it worth buying in a world where the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire cost just a little bit extra?

Pandigital Novel Key Specificvations

• Average Price: $160
• Release Year: 2011
• Battery Life: Not advertised
• Screen Size: 7 inch
• Screen Type: color touchscreen
• Weight: 19 oz
• Storage Size: 1GB (expandable by 32GB with SD card slot)
• Internet: Wi-Fi
• Main eBook Format: ePub

Pros Of The Pandigital Novel

Color Screen: The Pandigital Novel makes use of a color touchscreen, which many people choose for the fact that they can view images in high quality, and access the features and menus through intuitive touches. When you need to make notes, simply use the virtual keyboard to do so. The only drawback of the color screen (and this applies to all color eReaders) is the fact that they’re notoriously difficult to read in sunlight.

Book Store: The great thing about the Pandigital Novel is the fact that you can access the Barnes & Noble store directly from the device. This gives you access to a huge selection of books, including a number of free classic titles, making it easy to get hold of what you want to. You can extend the eBook functionality even further by downloading the Kindle apps and buying apps from the Kindle Store.

Multimedia: This isn’t just for reading eBooks: the Pandigital Novel can also handle a variety of different media types on the go. There’s a video player and photo viewer on the device, and you’ll be able to listen to your music and audiobook collections, too.

Features: Unlike some of the cheapest color eBook reading devices out there (such as the Skytex Primer or Ematic eGlide), the Pandigital Novel does have a range of extra features including email, web browsing and more. However, it isn’t a fully-fledged tablet computer (see below). Its main function is still as an eBook reader.

As far as reading functions go, you have everything you’d expect from an eReader device: the ability to make notes, highlight passages, search through the book, look up words in the dictionary, change the font size and create your own bookmarks.

Internet Access: Some of the budget color eReaders are unable to connect to the internet. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with the Pandigital Novel. You can connect up to Wi-Fi networks in order to take advantage of onboard eBook shopping or the built in web browser. This is a useful feature to have in an eBook reading tablet at this price point.

Cons Of The Pandigital Novel

Price: At around $150, the Pandigital Novel is more expensive than some other color eReaders, such as the Ematic eGlide and the Skytex Primer. That said, it is a lot cheaper than the Nook Color ($250) and a little cheaper than the Amazon Kindle Fire ($199), but it doesn’t have the benefit of a powerful processor to keep things running so smoothly.

Storage Space: Although 2GB onboard storage space is enough for a standard eBook reader, it’s not much for a color reader that can also play other multimedia files. Its rivals offer 4GB or more, which is more acceptable. Thankfully there’s a useful SD memory card slot for expanding the memory should you need to. Memory cards are inexpensive, so this offers some flexibility.

User Experience: Unfortunately, the Pandigital Novel can be a little slow to boot up and run apps due to a low end processor when compared to other tablets on the market. The user interface isn’t as polished as on some other devices, either, and the touchscreen isn’t as responsive as devices such as the Nook Color.

Apps: It’s fantastic that this device has the ability to download apps, as it’s one of the cheapest Android tablets available. That said, it uses a very old version of Android, meaning that the newest apps won’t all be available to you. The good news is, however, that users will be able to find apps for most of the things you’d expect an internet tablet to do: browsing the web, watching videos and, importantly, reading eBooks.

Size & Weight: The Pandigital Novel looks a little chunky compared to its main competitors such as the Kindle Fire, and is a little heavier too. The good news is that it still feels comfortable in your hands and is light enough to read for long periods of time. The size of the screen is a benefit when comparing the Novel to some basic eBook readers, as most come with 6 inches instead of 7.

Should You Buy The Pandigital Novel?

The Pandigital Novel currently sits in between super-budget color multimedia devices, such as the Ematic eGlide and Skytex Primer, and more impressive yet not fully-functional tablets such as the Kindle Fire and Nook Color. The price is affordable, given the fact that you have Wi-Fi access and can download a limited range of Android apps. However, it could be worth spending the extra $50 and having access to the more powerful features that you get from the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Pandigital 7 Color Multimedia eReader - U.S. - White model PRD07T10WWH7 List Price: $179.99 Price: $49.99 Read Reviews

When it comes to your eBook reader comparison and choosing which device is best for your needs, it helps to have an understanding of the different formats available. You should always check the specifications to find out whether your particular model of eBook reader is capable of reading the format you want it to. Here is a quick guide to the most common forms of eBook currently available.

1) ePub

This is a popular format of eBook created by the International Digital Publishing Forum. This format is supported by most of the newest electronic readers, including Kindle, Sony and more. This format is also used on particular software for PCs and Macs. A major benefit to this format is that it is ?reflowable? meaning that text is not formatted for one specific page size, and lines will flow correctly without odd interruptions in the lines. Any eBook reader comparison should look out for this format!

2) PDF

This format was created by Adobe systems and is popular on the internet due to the variety of systems that can view them. The drawback to use PDF format on electronic book readers is that lines are of a fixed length at the time the eBook was created, meaning if your reader does not match the size of the page when the file was created, lines may not display correctly. PDF is useful as an added extra format in eReaders, so may factor into your eBook reader comparison.

3) Plain Text (TXT)

Plain text eBooks are a very simple form, taking up little space. This format may be included as an extra for your eBook reader, but generally .txt is not the standard for publishing eBooks for electronic readers.

4) Amazon Kindle (AZW)

This is the format employed by Amazon to work with their Kindle eReader. As such, AZW files are only displayable on a Kindle device, and they can only be bought from the Amazon Kindle store. Amazon have recently announced that users will soon be able to view AZW files on their PC.

5) eReader (PDB)

This format was made popular on Palm handheld devices though is not the standard with current electronic book readers. It?s important not to get confused between the two, as this format will not generally work on your eBook reader unless stated in the specifications.

6) Sony Reader (BbeB/ LRF)

This is a format used by Sony Reader, though Sony Reader devices can also read other formats. Most eBook sources will be supplying ePub formats as standard, rather than BbeB.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the most common eBook formats to help with your eBook reader comparison. Remember, check specifications carefully before you buy.

Whilst there are a number of benefits to using handheld eBook readers, everything comes with its downside too. Here are a few of the reasons why digital book readers may not be for you.

1) Powered By Electricity

One of the first obvious drawbacks of the eBook reader is that they need electricity to work (unlike physical books). You will need to check the battery life of any reader you buy to see whether it suits you (especially if you travel a lot – as having to charge your reader could limit just how portable it really is).

2) The Cost and Availability of the eBooks

When it comes to buying eBooks, many people expect them to be far cheaper than physical books due to the fact that there are fewer materials involved. However, at present eBooks are almost the same price as physical books. Another major drawback is that the title you are looking for may not be available in eBook form. eBook availability is constantly growing, though.

3) It’s Not the Same As Reading A Real Book

There’s no getting around the fact that reading a book has a certain feel that handheld eBook readers can’t quite match. E-Ink is far better than reading a computer screen, but still not the same as paper – especially when you consider the fact that eBook readers are not yet available in color. However, designers make sure that readers are as comfortable as possible, and you will generally get used to them in no time.

4) eBook Readers Are Not More Eco Friendly

Some people argue that, though eBooks save on paper, they are not more eco friendly due to the electricity, plastic and other factors that go into making handheld eBook readers. However, the sheer amount of printed books and paper that could be saved as a result of the eBook reader should outweigh these concerns.

5) The Cost

There’s no escaping the fact that handheld eBook readers are going to cost you a lot more than a book – however, this cost will be made up for over time the more you use it. You will have to be more careful not to damage your reader, though!

6) I Don’t Need A Whole Library of Books With Me, and What About the Books I Already Own?

Some people claim that they don’t need to be able to take thousands of books wherever they go, which is understandable. If you travel often, then an eBook reader is probably useful due to the fact that you don’t need to carry as many heavy books. However, a major drawback is the fact that you can’t convert the books you already own to digital format unless you buy them again (and they are available as an eBook).

7) Can’t Share eBooks

Lastly, many book lovers get joy from sharing their books with others, and selling them on, or giving them away, when they are done reading. This isn’t possible with eBooks, and you’ll each need to buy your own copy, which could work out more expensive depending on your book reading habits.

Conclusion

There are, inevitably, some drawbacks to using handheld eBook readers – and they won’t be for everyone. However, many people are already enjoying the new technology and finding that it can help them access books they would previously have just left on the shelf unread.

An electronic book reader comparison is the first step for any of us who want to purchase a new gadget, but, with so many devices to choose from, how do you go about finding the right one? Here’s a guide to the most important specs to look out for.

What Do You Need From A Portable Device?

Before even delving into specs, realize that there are now a number of different types of portable device available. Is an eBook reader best for you? Or maybe a tablet computer would be more useful for a greater range of applications on the go? If you want something that looks as much like a real book as possible, an eReader is the perfect choice.

1) Internet Access

Now you know you definitely want an eBook reader, it’s time to look at internet options. In your electronic book reader comparison you’ll likely come across readers with no ability to connect to the ‘net, those that connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, and those that can connect via 3G no matter where you are. Wi-Fi is the most common, and you’ll have to pay extra for a 3G device. Thankfully, however, companies like Amazon won’t charge you for connecting to 3G on the Kindle, which is a massive bonus for many users.

2) Storage Space + Options For Expansion

Thankfully, storage space isn’t as much of an issue on an eBook reader as it would be on a tablet computer, since books are very small files. Most eBook readers can store a few thousand books, which is more than most of us ever need. That said, if you’re planning on storing other files then storage is more crucial. For complete flexibility, opt for a reader that comes with an SD memory card slot.

3) Battery Life

None of us wants to interrupt our reading when we realize that the eReader has run out of power! EBook readers generally have an impressive battery life, lasting as long as a month. Bear in mind that the battery life is severely reduced when you’re connected to the internet.

4) Screen Type (Color Vs. e-Ink)

The earliest eReaders were all in black and white (e-Ink): designed to look as much like real paper as possible. More modern readers, however, may also come in color. In short, choose color if you don’t mind not being able to read in sunlight, but want faster page turns and better images. Choose e-Ink if you want to read in bright sunlight and avoid eyestrain.

5) Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions are important for any electronic book reader comparison, as they affect how big the display will be. The good news is, however, that most eReaders allow you to adjust font size so that you’re comfortable reading screens of all sizes. The weight should be around that of a real paperback, to help you hold it comfortably.

6) Formats And eBook Stores

Lastly, any electronic book reader comparison must take into account the format of the eBooks the device can display. Unfortunately, there is no universal format across all the book readers. Make sure that the store for your device carries enough books (though note that there are ways to convert files if you want to buy from other stores).

Despite the fact that most eBook readers don’t require software to work out of the box, downloading eBook reader software can open your reader up to a greater variety of free content, and eBooks in a variety of different formats. Here’s a guide to the best software currently out there, and how it can help you get the most out of your eBook reading device.

Official eBook Reader Software

First things first, it’s well worth taking a look at the eBook reader software developed by your eReader manufacturer. Although most eBook readers don’t require you to download any software to use the device, doing so means that you can keep a second copy of all the books you buy on your computer, and read them from there (most software syncs the last read page so you always know where you got up to).

Third Party Software

Calibre is an excellent software tool for those who want more control over the eBooks they buy. Although it works well to organize all of your eBooks and PDF files, it has a more useful function: it can convert eBook files into another format. This is a useful feature to have, given that eReaders such as the Kindle cannot read all formats. If you’d like to buy an eBook from a store other than the Kindle Store, buy it in ePub format and convert it using the Calibre software.

The software is also useful for converting PDF files. Despite the fact that most eBook readers have the ability to read PDFs, the experience is nowhere near as smooth as it is with standard eBook files. Simply convert the book using Calibre and you’ll get the benefit of a variety of font sizes, and text that fits better on the screen.

Stanza is another excellent tool for those who want to make it as easy as possible to find and download free eBooks and periodicals. It also has apps available for Android and iPhone so that you can read your eBooks on the go.

Note that you can also take advantage of the various eBook reader software out there to help format your own books correctly for eReaders. Self-publishing is becoming more and more popular as the popularity of eBook readers rise.

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of free eBook reader software programs available to help you perform a variety of functions, and the benefit of many is that they’re completely free!