When my bookshelves started to overflow, I knew it was finally time to seriously consider an e-reader.
My quandary was that I loved the looks and versatility of Apple’s iPad and other similar tablet computers, but wasn’t sure that was the best choice s
pecifically for reading electronic versions of books.
If you’re looking for a device to read books, save money by buying an e-reader like the Nook or Kindle. The savings will add up over time as most e-books are less expensive than their print counterpart.
It turns out, if you want an e-reader, the iPad is a poor choice, according to Rob Enderle, a consumer-technology analyst with the Enderle Group based in Silicon Valley.
“The iPad is a marginal reader at best,” Enderle said. “It just isn’t good as a reader.”
Apple’s iPad 2 starts at $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi-only version. For less than half the price, about $140, you can purchase a Kindle or Nook, the e-readers from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, respectively.
While iPads and other tablets possess incredible computing power and offer brilliant color displays, they generally are larger, can be hard to read in the sun, and have shorter battery lives.
Battery life on an e-reader is measured in days, while a tablet’s battery power is measured in hours.
The extended battery life can make a big difference while traveling.
What I love about using an e-reader — I test-drove Barnes & Noble’s latest Nook Simple Touch Reader — is its convenience for travel. My Nook fits in a small shoulder bag. Otherwise, I would have to carry a backpack with a couple of books and a magazine.
I brought the charging cord with me on a weekend trip, but I didn’t need it for the four-day getaway.
Here’s the nitty gritty on e-readers:
If you love books and want a slim, great way to read on the road, in bed, at the coffee shop, wherever, an e-reader is for you.
The Nook retails for $139. Downloading books costs about $9.99 each.
Amazon is introducing a new Kindle on Nov. 21, the Kindle Touch, that’s nearly identical to the Nook. The Kindle Touch retails for the same price as the Nook Simple Touch, plus Amazon offers a less expensive version for $99, but you have to agree to allow advertising on the device.
The base versions connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi connection for downloading books. That means you have to have a “hot spot” in a cafe, hotel or at home. Enderle recommends shelling out more money for devices equipped with 3G, the technology that smartphones use to connect to the Internet, which would avoid problematic or sporadic Wi-Fi services.
I’d probably stick with the less expensive versions. It’s easy enough to load up books on your home network before you hit the road. Both brands hold thousands of titles.
Amazon tends to have a better book selection, Enderle said. Still, readers’ preferences vary and different e-booksellers have different titles. The best advice is to search for what books you’d like before making a purchase decision. I easily found books I was interested in (new and old titles) at Barnes & Noble’s online store.
One advantage Barnes & Noble offers is that people can bring their Nook device into a retail location for help. There also are coupons and special deals offered when you do bring the device into a store.
The device is simple to use; I skipped the directions and started right up. It was easy and intuitive.
Both the Kindle and the Nook allow people to check out e-books from a library, and all purchases are stored in the “cloud,” an Internet-based storage locker. That way nothing is at risk for being lost in a home computer meltdown.
While magazines and newspapers are available on these devices, the black-and-white screens make the experience less than sexy. Spending more on a tablet might be better if you’re looking for robust color photos. In that case, B&N’s Nook Color and the Amazon Kindle Fire might be the best bet, and they still are about half the price of an iPad.
This generation of e-readers is likely to convert many people who have been waiting to dip their toes in the market. They are stable, sleek, small and durable, and relatively inexpensive.
The technology will improve, and in a couple of years, there will probably be better e-readers still, Enderle said.
But why wait? As I travel this holiday season I’ll pack my e-reader and save the money I would have spent on an iPad 2 to buy something else.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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