Comparing Readers
So now that you know a little bit about each of the eBook readers available, which one makes sense for you?
- If all you want is to read books and you don’t care about additional functionality or color display, then the Kindle is probably the first unit to consider. Amazon owns more than half the market for eBook readers, and it’s easy to see why; the Kindle is a fine unit with a great display, backed by Amazon’s terrific online bookstore and purchasing/downloading structure. The price is also attractive, getting close to the magic $100 mark.
- On the other hand, if you want a device that can also browse the web and perform other functions, or if you want a larger screen and the ability to read four-color books and magazines, the Apple iPad is the way to go. Yes, it’s pricey, but you get a lot for your money. It’s a great all-purpose device, and the larger screen is big plus.
- If you want a color display but don’t care about extra functionality, or if you don’t need that big a display, consider B&N’s NOOKcolor. A lot of folks like that paperback book form factor, which the NOOKcolor delivers. It’s a lot more affordable than an iPad, besides.
All that said, buying an eBook reader is very much a personal decision. Use the table below to compare featuresand have fun shopping!
eBook Reader Features
|
Amazon Kindle |
B&N NOOK (original) |
B&N NOOKcolor |
Borders Kobo |
Sony Reader Pocket Edition |
Sony Reader Touch Edition |
Sony Reader Daily Edition |
Samsung Galaxy Tab |
Apple iPad |
Price |
$139 (WiFi only) $189 (WiFi + 3G) |
$149 (WiFi only) $199 (WiFi + 3G) |
$249 |
$119 |
$179 |
$229 |
$299 |
$599 |
$499-$699 (WiFi only) $629-$829 (WiFi + 3G) |
Screen size (diagonal) |
6” |
6” |
7” |
6” |
5” |
6” |
7” |
7” |
9.7” |
Screen resolution |
800 x 600 |
800 x 600 |
1024 x 600 |
|
800 x 600 |
800 x 600 |
1024 x 600 |
1024 x 600 |
1024 x 768 |
Screen technology |
E-ink Pearl |
E-ink |
LCD (backlit) |
E-ink |
E-ink Pearl |
E-ink Pearl |
E-ink Pearl |
LCD (backlit) |
LCD (backlit) |
Touchscreen? |
No |
No* |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Color? |
No |
No* |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
WiFi wireless |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
3G wireless |
Yes (3G model only) |
Yes (3G model only) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (3G models only) |
Web browser |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Music playback |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Memory |
4GB |
2GB (expandable) |
8GB (expandable) |
1GB (expandable) |
2GB |
2GB (expandable) |
2GB (expandable) |
16GB (expandable) |
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB |
Battery life |
1 month (wireless off), 10 days-3 weeks (wireless on) |
10 days |
8 hours |
10 days |
14 days |
14 days |
22 days (wireless off), 10 days (wireless on) |
13 hours |
10 hours (wireless on) |
Connections |
USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
microSD card, USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
microSD card, USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
SD card, USB |
USB |
Memory Stick Duo, SD card, USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
Memory Stick Duo, SD card, USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
microSD card, USB, 3.5 mm stereo audio |
USB, 3.5mm stereo audio |
eBook formats supported |
AMZ, MOBI, PRC, PDF, DOC, TXT |
EPUB, PDF |
EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT |
EPUB, PDF |
EPUB, PDF, TXT |
EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT |
EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT |
EPUB, PDF, MOBI (via optional eBook reader apps) |
EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT (MOBI format with optional Kindle app) |
Dimensions |
7.5” x 4.8” x 0.335” |
7.7” x 4.9” x 0.5” |
8.1” x 5” x 0.48” |
7.2” x 4.7” x 0.4” |
5.71” x 4.11” x 0.33” |
6.61” x 4.68” x 0.38” |
7.87” x 5.04” x 0.38” |
7.48” x 4.74” x 0.47” |
9.56” x 7.47” x 0.5” |
Weight |
8.5 oz. |
11.6 oz. (12.1 oz. for 3G model) |
15.8 oz. |
8 oz. |
5.47 oz. |
7.58 oz. |
9.6 oz. |
13.58 oz. |
24 oz. (25 oz. for 3G model) |
Additional features |
Below-screen keyboard for search |
* Separate 3.5” color touchscreen for browsing book library |
|
|
|
|
|
Full tablet computing functionality; available at a discounted price from most major mobile carriers with purchase of data plan |
Full tablet computing functionality |