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Decide
on the Best Ereader
Using 0 of 23 factors.Clear all:
For Which Primary Purpose Will You Use the Ereader?
The single most important factor in deciding on the best ereader for you is whether
your primary purpose for the ereader is
long-run reading of books in electronic form
or web browsing, apps, games, graphics/photos viewing, and video viewing (collectively,
other applications). There simply is no single ereader that both looks as good as a physical book and
excels at other applications.
Value
Description
Alternatives
Primary Purpose
Long-run Reading
Traditional reading of books but in electronic format.
Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle DX, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, and iriver Story HD
Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, Cruz R101, Kobo Vox, and Kobo Arc
Which Display Technology Does the Ereader
Screen Use?
The epaper technologies (SiPix and E Ink) are great for
long-run reading because they use ambient light just like
physical books do. LCD technologies are not as good for
long-run reading because they use back-lighting just like a
computer monitor does.
On the other hand, epaper technologies perform very poorly
at non-reading tasks (web browsing, apps, games, and video)
because they are too slow and cannot display colors. LCD
technologies are great at such non-reading tasks.
Tablet computers also use LCD technologies
in their displays and should be considered if non-reading
tasks are important to you.
Value
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
Display Technology
Backlit IPS LCD
Displays color graphics well.
Has wider viewing angle than non-IPS TFT LCD displays.
Can be read in dark without external light source.
Displays text via backlight, like computer screen, not like paper.
Higher power consumption than E Ink or SiPix
Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, and Kobo Arc
Backlit FFS+ LCD
Similar to IPS LCD
Similar to IPS LCD
Kobo Vox
Backlit TFT LCD
Displays color graphics well.
Can be read in dark without external light source.
Displays text via backlight, like computer screen, not like paper.
Higher power consumption than E Ink or SiPix
Cruz R101
E Ink XGA
Provides higher resolution than E Ink Pearl: 786,432 (768x1024) vs 480,000 (600x800)
Displays text reflectively, like paper, not like computer screen.
Lower power consumption than LCD.
Can be read in dark without external light source.
Lacks color.
Requires external light source to read in dark.
iriver Story HD and Kobo Glo
E Ink Paperwhite
Lower power consumption than LCD.
Displays text reflectively, like paper, not like computer screen.
Can be read in dark without external light source.
Lacks color.
Kindle Paperwhite
E Ink Pearl
Displays text reflectively, like paper, not like computer screen.
Cybook Orizon, Sony Pocket, NOOK Color, Kobo Vox, Kobo Arc, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, NOOK Tablet, Cybook Gen3, NOOK HD, and NOOK HD+
$100 to $149
Sony Reader, Cruz R101, Kindle Keyboard 3G, iriver Story HD, Cybook Opus, Kindle Paperwhite, NOOK GlowLight, and Kobo Glo
below $100
Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, NOOK Simple Touch, Kobo Touch, and Kobo Mini
What is the Screen Size (diagonal inches) of the Ereader?
Larger screens generally have higher resolutions
and can display more information without scrolling; smaller
screens are generally lighter and more portable. Note that
ereaders with six-inch or seven-inch displays typically fit
reasonbly well in a woman's purse while ereaders with larger
screens do not.
Value
Alternatives
Screen Size
9.7 inches
Kindle DX
9 inches
NOOK HD+
8.9 inches
Kindle Fire HD 8.9
7 inches
Sony Daily, NOOK HD, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Cruz R101, Kobo Vox, and Kobo Arc
6 inches
Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Sony Reader, Sony Touch, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, and iriver Story HD
5 inches
Kobo Mini, Sony Pocket, and Cybook Opus
What is the Display Resolution (total pixels, horizonal X vertical pixels) of the
Ereader?
Higher resolutions allow more information to be displayed at once on the ereader without
scrolling.
Value
Alternatives
Resolution
2,457,600 (1280x1920)
NOOK HD+
2,304,000 (1200x1920)
Kindle Fire HD 8.9
1,536,000 (800x1280)
Kindle Fire HD and Kobo Arc
1,296,000 (900x1440)
NOOK HD
990,000 (825x1200)
Kindle DX
786,432 (768x1024)
iriver Story HD, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kobo Glo
614,400 (600x1024)
Kindle Fire, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Sony Daily, and Kobo Vox
480,000 (600x800)
Cruz R101, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Kobo Touch, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Kindle, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, and Kobo Mini
Which PDF Reader Software Runs on the Ereader?
Portable Document Format (PDF) is an open
standard for document exchange. Although
well-suited for precisely defined print presentations, PDF is
nonideal for ereaders because of the need for text to reflow
according to ereader screen size and user font magification
preference. Still, many documents, especially in technical
fields, are published in PDF, so some users may wish to consider
PDF support as a factor in their ereader evaluation.
Ereaders with displays based on epaper technology use ambient light and therefore
show up great in direct sunlight. Ereaders with displays based on LCD technology
use back-lighting and get washed-out and difficult to read outdoors.
Value
Alternatives
Read in Sunlight
Yes
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle DX, Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, and iriver Story HD
No
NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Cruz R101, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Kobo Vox, and Kobo Arc
Can the Ereader be Read in the Dark Without Auxiliary Light?
Ereaders with displays based on epaper technology require ambient light and therefore
cannot be seen in the dark. This can be inconvenient when reading in bed before falling
asleep. Ereaders with displays based on LCD technology use back-lighting and show
up well without any external light source.
Value
Notes
Alternatives
Read in the Dark
Yes
NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Cruz R101, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Kindle Paperwhite, NOOK GlowLight, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, and Kobo Arc
No
Covers can be purchased that include an auxiliary light source.
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle DX, Kindle, NOOK Simple Touch, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, iriver Story HD, Kobo Touch, and Kobo Mini
Does the Ereader Have a Touch Screen?
Touch screens facilitate page turning, menu selection, link navigation, and text selection
(for copying or dictionary word look-up).
Value
Alternatives
Touch Screen
Yes, finger
Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, Cruz R101, Cybook Orizon, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, Kobo Arc, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9
Yes, stylus
Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Kobo Touch, NOOK Simple Touch, and NOOK GlowLight
No
Kindle, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Cybook Opus, Cybook Gen3, and iriver Story HD
What DRM System Does the Ereader Support Natively?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is used by ebook publishers to prevent ebook piracy.
Most for-purchase ebooks are protected by some form of DRM, and unfortunately there
are multiple DRM systems. This leads to a problem where an ebook purchased at Amazon,
for example, can only be used on a Kindle ereader. Presently DRM cannot be legally
avoided. The issue is which DRM scheme is used by which ereaders.
The DRM systems by Amazon, B&N, and Apple are islands onto themselves. On the other
hand, Adobe Digital Experience Protection Technology (ADEPT) (used in Adobe Digital
Editions) is adopted by multiple apps and devices.
Value
Description
Alternatives
DRM
ADEPT, EPUB
Adobe's ADEPT-PDF is ADEPT applied to EPUB files.
NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, Sony Reader, Sony Daily, Sony Touch, Sony Pocket, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Arc, iriver Story HD, Cybook Opus, Cybook Gen3, Cybook Orizon, and Cruz R101
ADEPT, PDF
Adobe's ADEPT-PDF is ADEPT applied to PDF files.
NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, NOOK Color, NOOK Tablet, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, Sony Reader, Sony Daily, Sony Touch, Sony Pocket, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Arc, iriver Story HD, Cybook Opus, Cybook Gen3, and Cybook Orizon
Barnes & Nobel eReader DRM, EPUB
Barnes & Nobel eReader DRM for EPUB is implemented by Adobe and is used by ebooks
downloaded wirelessly to the Nook.
Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle DX, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9
BBeB PRS
Sony and Canon developed the BBeB ebook format jointly. LRS files represent BBeB
source; LRF is its unencrypted source; LRX, encrypted for DRM. XylogParser.dll is
a free tool that compiles from LRS to LRF or LRX. While Sony PRS ereader can still
read BBeB PRS protected ebooks, the Sony ebook store converted its stock over to EPUB
in July 2010.
Sony Reader, Sony Daily, Sony Touch, and Sony Pocket
Does the Ereader Support TTS (Text-To-Speech)?
Text-to-speech (TTS) enables listening to a computer-generated voice reading the ebook
to you via headphones or built-in speakers.
Value
Alternatives
Text-To-Speech
Yes
Kindle DX and Kindle Keyboard 3G
No
NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cruz R101, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Vox, Kobo Arc, iriver Story HD, Kindle, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, and Kindle Paperwhite
What is the Pixel Density (pixels per inch) (PPI) of the ereader?
Higher pixel density implies sharper text and images. 300 ppi is commonly cited as
nearing the limits of the human eye to be able to differentiate detail differences.
Value
Alternatives
Pixel Density
256 ppi
NOOK HD+
254 ppi
Kindle Fire HD 8.9
243 ppi
NOOK HD
216 ppi
Kindle Fire HD and Kobo Arc
212 ppi
Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Glo, and iriver Story HD
200 ppi
Sony Pocket and Cybook Opus
169 ppi
Kindle Fire, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, and Kobo Vox
167 ppi
Kindle, Kindle Keyboard 3G, NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Sony Reader, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Kobo Touch, Cybook Orizon, Cybook Gen3, and Kobo Mini
150 ppi
Kindle DX
Unknown
Cruz R101
What is the Weight of the Ereader?
Lower weight is generally preferable for increased portability and decreased arm fatigue
when holding the ereader.
These ereaders have no special ability to access ebooks from within an physical, retail
book store.
Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cruz R101, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Vox, Kobo Arc, and iriver Story HD
Does the Ereader Support Ebook Lending to Friends?
Value
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
Lending to Friends
Yes
Is simple to use: Tap "Lend" (Nook) or "Loan this book" (Kindle) button on book and provide e-mail address of borrower.
Cannot lend a ebook more than once,
even after it's been returned, even if a different friend wants
to borrow.
Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, Cruz R101, iriver Story HD, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Vox, Kobo Arc, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9
Does the Ereader Support Display Rotation between Landscape and Portrait?
Value
Alternatives
Display Rotation
Yes, automatically
Kindle DX, Cruz R101, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Kobo Vox, and Kobo Arc
Yes, manually
Kindle, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Kindle Paperwhite, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, and Cybook Gen3
No
NOOK Simple Touch, NOOK GlowLight, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, and iriver Story HD
What Number of Font Sizes Come with the Ereader?
Value
Alternatives
Number of Font Sizes
42
Kobo Vox
24
Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, and Kobo Arc
17
Kobo Touch
12
Cybook Opus, Cybook Orizon, and Cybook Gen3
8
Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard 3G, Sony Reader, Sony Pocket, Sony Touch, Sony Daily, and NOOK Tablet
7
NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK GlowLight
6
NOOK Color
Unknown
Cruz R101, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, NOOK HD, and NOOK HD+
Long-run Reading