Guide to the Best eBook Wireless Readers
From left: Amazon Kindle 2, Sony Touch, B&N Nook, Amazon Kindle DX
You've made up your mind. You want to buy a digital portable reading device, but you don't know which one to choose. And the decision gets harder as more readers come onto the market. We're going to provide the information you'll need to make your best choice:
- What you need to think about
- Lists of features to compare, and
- The pros and cons of each device
With this information, you'll be able to make an informed choice of which eBook reader is right for you. Let's start with a list of the features you might be looking for and some questions you should ask:
- Size, weight and design: How important is it to have a smaller, lighter and sleek-looking device? Or is a little clunky ok?
- Display size and quality: Do you want a screen with Electronic Ink technology -- to make the display look more like a real page from a book... or a traditional LCD display, which can provide more contrast?
- Downloading content: Do you want to be able to order and receive books directly to and from your reader... or do you prefer to order and download on your computer and transfer the content?
- What you'll be reading: Will it be mostly eBooks, and if so, will those books be current releases or classics? Do you want to read newspapers and/or magazines on your device? How about text documents?
- Content sources: Are you more comfortable buying a reader that's hooked up to a store selling a large number of titles in the correct format? Are you planning to rely mostly on free content? Is it important that your device be able to work with many file formats?
- Capacity: Do you want your reader to store a lot of eBooks in its built-in memory? How much supplemental memory will you need?
- Search and note-taking: How important is each?
- Navigation and page turning: You'll be doing a lot of both. How should your reader be configured?
- Price: What are you able to afford? Are you willing to pay more for a device that has a specific faeture you want?
Now that you know what to look for, it's time to check out what's available. While there are upwards of two dozen portable wireless readers on the market, we've narrowed down the selection to four of the very best, in the opinion of many users and reviewers. This table provides some basic information on each.
Features Comparison of the Six Best Selling eBook Reader Devices
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| AMAZON KINDLE 2 | AMAZON KINDLE DX | SONY |
SONY TOUCH |
SONY DAILY |
B&N NOOK |
|
| Screen Size | 6" | 9.7" | 5" | 6" | 7.1" | 6" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions h/w/d |
8" x 5.3" x 0.36 " |
10.4"x7.2" x 0.4" |
6.3" x 4.3" x 0.3" |
6.9" x 4.8" x 0.4" |
8.1" x 5" x 0.6" |
7.7" x 4.9" x 0.5" |
| Weight | 10.2 oz. | 18.9 oz. | 7.8 oz. | 10.1 oz. | 12.75 oz. | 12.1 oz. |
| Min. No of Books Stored | 1,500 | 3,500 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 1,500 |
| Content Downloads | Directly: 3G Access | Directly: 3G Access | Computer to Reader: USB | Computer to Reader: USB | Directly: 3G Access | Directly: 3G Access |
| Features | Books delivered directly to the reader; no need to go through computer. | Largest display, great resolution, auto-rotate screen, long-lasting battery. | Fast downloads, sleek appearance. E-Ink screen simulates look of real pages. | Touch screen, compact size, note-taking capability, three colors. | Touch screen, wireless 3G downloads, note-taking and finger-swiping capabilities. | Wireless 3G downloads. Stores 1500 books. Books can be shared. Accepts PDF files. |
| Video |  |
|
|
|
|
|
| Price | $189.00 | $489.00 | $150.00 | $170.00 | $300.00 | $199.00 |
| Buy Now | Buy at eBay's best price |
Buy at eBay's best price |
Buy at eBay's best price |
Buy at eBay's best price |
Buy at eBay's best price |
Buy nook at B&N's best price |
