e-reader buying guide

Introduction:

So you're in the market for an e-reader? That's great news, because today's e-readers are more affordable and amazing than ever before. With so many models to choose from, however, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Not to worry: we're here to help. In this comprehensive e-reader buying guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know before making your purchase. By the time you finish reading, you'll be an expert on choosing the perfect e-reader for your needs.

Screen size

So, you’re in the market for an e-reader. But which one should you buy? That all depends on your needs. Do you want a device that’s easy to slip in your pocket for those moments when you want to read a book but don’t want to carry around a full-sized book? Or do you need something with a larger screen to make reading long books more comfortable? Although it is possible to obtain ebook readers, e-readers with a variety of screen sizes, six inches seems to be the standard size now. Like television screens, the size is measured diagonally across the screen. Thus a 5 inch screen is 3 inches by 4 inches and rather small, but , the six inch screen is 3.54 inches by 4.72 inches.

Screen definition

Resolution is key when it comes to picking the right e-reader for you. The resolution is a measure of how many pixels the screen has. The more pixels, the sharper the image will be. Most e-readers have a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (ppi), which is more than enough for reading text, but can be blurry when viewing images or videos. There are a few higher-end Kindle models that offer a resolution of 600 ppi, which is close to the resolution of a printed book. If you're someone who likes to read magazines and newspapers on your device, or watch videos, you may want to consider one of these models.

Display technology

With the advances in display technology, most e-readers these days have touchscreens. This makes their operation very much easier, especially when using a keypad for typing. Many of the older e-readers did not have a touchscreen typing pad and this made any entry of titles, etc., very laborious.

Backlighting

The biggest downside to e-readers is that they can only be read in the daylight or in a well-lit area. This is because the e-ink technology used in these devices is reflective and unlike the displays used in tablets and phones, it cannot be read in the dark. To overcome this issue, many e-reader models have backlighting. The use of the backlight will reduce the battery life considerably, but it helps if there is no other light available. Obviously, the backlighting is only used when it is needed, so if backlighting might be something you might need, be sure to check the model you are considering has it included.

Water resistance

If you're looking for an e-reader that you can use around water, then it's important to check the water resistance specification before you buy. All e-readers are not created equal in this sense. Some are splash proof, meaning they can withstand a little water but shouldn't be fully submerged. Others are waterproof, meaning they can be fully submerged without any damage. It's important to note that even if an e-reader is marketed as waterproof, that doesn't mean it can survive being dropped in the pool! So always check the fine print before purchasing.

Wi-Fi or cellular

The two options that are available for downloading books are Wi-Fi and cellular. A cellular connection enables books to be downloaded anywhere that there is mobile coverage. Whilst this can be really useful, it is also more expensive as you will be using your data allowance. The cheaper option is to just use Wi-Fi. This is often quite satisfactory as books can be downloaded at home, for example before going away. Even in many hotels and other places, Wi-Fi is available. However, if you are traveling and there is no Wi-Fi available, then a cellular connection would be the best option.

E-reader storage

One question that often comes up when considering an e-reader is how to store all of those books. E-readers come with a significant amount of storage, typically enough for a thousand or more books. Even if this space is filled, the major e-reader vendors provide cloud storage so that you can always have your books with you. For those interested in the numbers, the typical storage available on an e-reader is upwards of 4GB, with some offering up to 32 GB. And as memory costs continue to fall, we can expect to see even larger storage capacities in future e-readers.

Conclusion:

So, these are the five main points you should look for when buying an e-reader. It's important to find the one that best suits your needs and your reading habits. If you're someone who likes to read in a lot of different environments, or if you like to read while you're in the bath or by the pool, make sure to find an e-reader that is water resistant. If you like to read while you're traveling, make sure the e-reader has Wi-Fi capabilities so you can download books wherever you are. And if you just want a basic e-reader that will allow you to read your books without any distractions, then find one with a large screen and good definition.