Hi everyone. As part of my job as an Associate Librarian I've typed up a short introductory article on choosing an e-reader between the three main readers that most patrons would have heard about (Sony, Kindle and Nook). I realise that the article is limited, but it's mostly to spread awareness about e-readers, and to give people a starting point for their own research. This community seems very dedicated and knowledgable about e-books, so I was wondering if you guys could give it a glance over and let me know what you think. Word-length is an issue, so I have to pick and choose what factors I cover, and also try to be as non-biased as possible (we are a non-profit organization, afterall).
----------------------
Dear Librarian, I had recently considered getting my wife an e-book reader for Christmas, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of all the different options. Her birthday is coming up, and I’m still considering it as a gift. Can you help me out?
Dear Reader,
I don’t blame you for being confused – e-books are an emerging technology, and there are many different factors to consider when buying a reader. For those who don’t follow technology news an “e-reader” is a device that displays “e-books” on a portable electronic device. These devices can hold a whole library’s worth of material, have easy-to-read screens, and hold battery charge for up to 2 weeks at a time.
Right now there are three major options for someone in the e-book market: the Sony reader, the Amazon Kindle DX, and the Barnes and Noble Nook. In terms of pricing, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 for the cheapest Sony device to $489 for the most expensive version of the Kindle. There are a few features to consider when deciding which device is best for you. For starters, e-readers either have always-on internet, like the Nook and the Kindle, or they don’t, like the Sony. Having always-on internet means that you don’t have to connect to a computer to get new material for your e-reader. For the Kindle and the Nook, you can log onto the online store for either reader and instantly buy something you’re interested in. With the Sony reader you have to download the material via your computer, and then transfer it to the device. The always-on internet connection is pretty much free, although the devices with it tend to cost more.
You should also consider the usability of the device. The Nook and the Sony readers both have touch-screen interfaces. This means you simply press your finger to the screen to accomplish various tasks (like turning pages or selecting titles). The kindle, by comparison, is navigated using buttons on the faceplate of the device, a built-in keyboard, and joystick.
Another deciding factor is whether or not you can borrow free e-books from our library – currently Kindle users cannot, but both Sony and Nook users can.
If you’re still on the fence, then my advice is to wait a little while. We’ll always have real life books here at the library, and as e-book technology advances you’ll start to see better products and lower prices. If you want to do some research on your own (as I could probably go on comparing the products for another 3 or 4 pages) then here’s what I recommend: try to get your hands on each device (for example, you can try the Nook at any Barnes and Noble retail store). Go to each web-based store and look for your favorite authors and see what the prices are like. Talk to people who have e-readers and read reviews online. A few of the web resources I used in compiling this article were:
www.inkmesh.com (which can search for titles across stores and tell you the lowest price)
Our library's website (which will let you see what e-books we offer as downloads) and,
www.mobileread.com (a very handy blog and forum site that contains guides for purchasing an e-reader).
Also, don’t think that the e-reader market is limited to Sony, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble – there are other readers to consider such as the HanLin, CyBook, and iLiad. I hope this helped. Once you know what you’re looking for, and how much you want to spend, it’s just a matter of finding the best product for your needs. Happy hunting!