SO you're now ready to download your first e-book but you have no
idea what device to read it with. I don't blame you. There's a
mind-boggling array of devices out there and it can be very
challenging to make a decision.
In general there are four categories of devices on which to read e-books:
electronic-ink (e-ink) readers with black and white displays such as
the iRiver Cover Story which is sold at MPH bookstores, 7-inch (about
17cm) colour LCD tablets such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab, full-size
tablets such as the iPad and mobile smartphones such as the iPhone.
Here's what you need to consider before making a choice:
What display do you prefer?
Personally, I dislike reading novels on devices with backlight screens
such as tablets and smartphones. My eyes tire out quickly, and it
stimulates my brain so much that it disrupts my sleep. Not great for
bedtime reading. Therefore, devices that use electronic ink technology, which mimics the experience of reading words on paper such
as the Sony Reader or the iRiver Cover Story are a good choice for me.
However, I have friends who swear by LCD screens, saying that it's
ideal when reading in the dark, especially if you don't want to bother
your bed partner with a reading light. If so, you may consider the
iPad, the Samsung's Galaxy Tab and even the iPhone.
Here's another matter to consider: If you'd like to do some beach reading, e-ink screens look good under the sun while LCD screens wash
out under sunlight.
Also, consider the size of the screen. Are you comfortable reading off
the small screen of a mobile phone or do you prefer a large one such
as the iPad's?
What do you like to read?
In general, devices with LCD screens demand more energy, which means
that the battery doesn't last as long. For example, it takes only two
hours of use for my iPad to get down to 50%. E-ink e-book readers like
the Kindle can last for days. So, if you like to read longer works
such as novels, an e-ink e-book reader is a good choice.
Smartphones and tablets are better suited for shorter works such as short stories, blog posts and articles. E-book readers, on the other hand, can read both comfortably.
Do you want to carry it around with you?
If you're like me and need a book with you at all times then you'd
have to consider the portability of your e-book device. A smartphone
such as the iPhone can fit in your pocket while an e-ink e-book or a
small tablet like the Galaxy Tab is often small enough to fit in your
handbag and is light, so it wouldn't weigh down your bag. An iPad is
not as portable as it's both large and heavy.
Do you want a multi-tasking device, or do you prefer a dedicated e-book reader?
Depending on the model, some e-book readers' only function is to read e-books. Some have more bells and whistles such as an mp3 player, a feature that reads the text to you and even a personal organiser. The
price tag increases with the more features a device has, of course.
If you prefer to have an e-book reader, a mobile phone and a personal organiser in one package, a smartphone could be a great choice.
Personally, I prefer a dedicated e-book reading device because nothing is more annoying than having your reader ring while you're in the middle of a good novel!
Do you want to surf the Internet with it?
If you prefer your device to have Internet browsing capabilities so
that you can read blogs, articles and read your e-mail, a tablet or a
smartphone is a good option as e-book readers generally do not make
great browsers. This is because e-ink displays refresh at a slower
rate – though things have improved greatly over the last few years.
How much do you want to pay?
In the end, it all comes down to money. The bigger and the more
features it has, the more expensive it will be.
> The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own
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