Compare Ebook Readers How To Compare and Make the Right Investment
Knowing how to compare ebook readers is a crucial skill every buyer of said device should be able to master, at least until he finally makes the right choice.
These modern reading devices are usually priced anywhere from $200 to $850, so they are serious investments that you should spend time on.
E-book readers differ in many ways, so there are several points of comparison you should use in order to thoroughly determine the quality of a device. There are several different brands and different models in the market, and without a guide, comparing them will probably cause even more confusion on your part.
Your best guides as you compare ebook readers would be reviews and the readymade comparison charts offered by some review sites.
Most of the reviews and comparison charts choose the best in the market then compare ebook readers based on certain factors. These charts most likely use the following factors as comparison points.
Compare Ebook Readers: Which Factors to Consider
1. Battery life – One of the reasons why you have decided to invest in a digital book reader is so you can bring your reading anywhere without much of a hassle. This is why these reading devices are made light and portable. But what use would an ebook reader with a drained battery be? When you compare ebook readers, choose a device with good battery life that can last you several page turns.
2. Memory capacity – Avid book lovers are number one buyers of e-readers. And every book lover has countless favourites. One of the best features of these gadgets is that they allow you to bring your favourite books with you in just one package. And to make this possible, you need an e-book reader with good memory capacity. When you compare ebook readers, you will find that the standard models offer 1GB but some go below and some go beyond.
3. Screen size and type – Most cellphones nowadays come with PDF readers, which allow portable e-book reading. The problem is, cellphones are too small that reading can strain the eyes. This is the difference offered by e-book readers, which is why you should choose a screen size that’s small enough to be carried around but not too small so you can read comfortably. And to avoid the glare of most shiny cellphone screens, most e-readers come with paper-like screen surfaces.
4. Connectivity – The newer models these days now come with wireless connectivity, which can be a handy feature for the tech-savvy, Internet-focused users. Some units also come with Bluetooth connectivity. Kindle, on the other hand, offers its own 3G and Whispernet connectivity options.
5. Navigation – Navigation is also an important factor because it will affect your overall reading experience. Some newer and more expensive models come with touch screen features so navigation is a breeze. But the standard models still come with navigation controls. Read consumer reviews to check how navigation buttons work. When you compare ebook readers, the navigation is quite important. Page turner controls on the side are also great bonuses.
The Amazon Kindle, since it was released, has remained on top of the list. This handy and no-nonsense ebook reader has won the admiration of many book lovers and even businessmen who can now get their daily newspapers on the device.
Book aficionados also get up to 4 GB of memory on the DX model and 2 GB on the Kindle 2, so you can store up to 1,500 ebooks that you can also source from Kindle’s own library and e-book source. Kindle currently offers 360,000 different titles to choose from, and with wireless connectivity, you can easily access your ebook sources.
The Amazon Kindle also offers the best paperback simulation reading experience with its no-glare screen and its paper-like background and high-resolution technology. With the Kindle, you can also access the Oxford American Dictionary, Wikipedia, and a built-in encyclopedia. It is the ultimate companion for every serious book reader and even academic scholars.
The size of the Amazon Kindle is also ideal: it is thin, lightweight, portable, but has large enough screens and text to make reading easy and comfortable.
The Sony Reader PRS-505 is the most popular model in the Sony Reader PRS series. Though it is an older model, it continues to rake in sales for Sony. The reliable and complete but less-frills package is priced at $300. It comes with a Dedicated Content Service and blog support.
Its 6-inch screen uses E-ink technology for comfortable, book-like reading. Its 6.9 x 4.8 size is smaller than the Amazon offers, and it is also lighter. It makes the perfect alternative to the market’s top offers, but at a relatively lower price.
The PRS-505 does not have the same touch screen of the later Sony Reader PRS models, but it has the same 2-week battery life and fast charging of up to 1 or 2 hours. It also has a wide document support range. Supported formats are BBeB Book (LRF or LRX), PDF, RTF, TXT, and ePUB. It can also support convertible formats of DOC and HTML. You can also play MP3 and AAC audiobooks on the PRS-505 though you will have to work with the 256 MB limit.
The JetBook Reader is another bestselling ebook reader from ECTACO. Weighing only 7.5 ounces, the JetBook can support ebooks in multiple formats and languages and even comes equipped with a translator. Consumers also love it for its user-friendly navigation and automatic page turning feature.
Although it has a limited internal memory, the JetBook can hold your e-library with no limits thanks to its expandable SD memory card support. The JetBook Reader is especially popular among those looking for a palm-size and portable ebook reader. It has a VGA screen that can provide enough reading light even in low-light places.
It also comes with a built-in search engine and pre-installed ebooks to make your buy an even better investment. Priced at around $200, it is also one of the most affordable units around, though the battery can only last for 20 hours on a single charge. You can, however, charge it via USB or AC/DC power for around 4 to 5 hours.
Making the Most Out of Your Choice
Once you invest in something, you naturally want to make as much use of your investment as possible. The only way that you can make the most out of your choice is to choose the best product that answers most of your needs. If you choose the wrong product, no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to make the most out of your digital book reader.
So take the time to evaluate your own needs, read reviews, and compare ebook readers so you can make an informed decision.
