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December 12, 2013

Is an eReader on Your List? Part 2



Continuing the discussion from earlier this week, we have even more factors to consider when picking the right eReader or mobile device for you or to give as a gift. Such a device can be a fun or useful tool (or both!), but it's important to pick one that fits your own specific needs and expectations.

5.  What else do you want your device to do?
eInk eReader devices are for reading, end of story.  They support visiting the vendor's website (Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc.) to purchase new content, but don't expect to be able to check your email, browse the web, or play with apps.  But if reading is what you want to do, this type of device is perfect!-- no email or games means no getting distracted by work or other media, leaving more time for reading.
If you're looking for one device that can do the work of many, look at what tablets and color devices have to offer.  Do you expect to be able to web-surf and play games, or do you want to be able to download files and type and save documents?  You'll want to look at the memory and processing speed of the different color and tablet devices available.

6.  What kind of internet connection do you have at home?  Do you have a home computer?
If you're thinking of a tablet device and don't have a wi-fi connection at home, you'll either need a data plan (like a cellphone plan), or you'll only be able to add new content to your device at places that offer wi-fi (like the library!).
If you're looking at an eInk device, you can download new content to a Kindle (mostly) wirelesly-- although you do need a computer to go online and select the content to send to the device.  (You can use library computers for that step.)  For other black and white devices, content must be transferred to the device by hooking up to a private computer; sorry, the library computers won't work for that.

7.  What do you want to spend?
Is it your dream to have the shiniest, newest device, or are you looking for something plain and simple?
For a black and white device, plan on spending between $59 (current listed price of the Kobo Mini) on up to $179 (current listed price of the Kindle Paperwhite 3G).  The re-released Kindle DX, the black and white device with the largest screen (9.5 inches) is currently listed above $200, but the standard 6-inch screen devices generally hover in the $100-$150 range.
For a color or tablet device, it depends entirely on the size, memory, connection, and other options you choose.  Prices range between less than $200 (for Nook HD or Kindle HD devices) to nearly $1,000 (for the iPad Air with 128GB memory plus wi-fi and cellular package). 

8.  Do you have other concerns or needs?
There are still more factors to consider when choosing a device, including screen size, device weight, text-to-speech functions, optional text sizes and fonts, other supported file types, and the ability to sync between the new device and any other devices you may already own.  

eReaders and mobile devices continue to gain in popularity, precisely because they make it extremely convenient to always have a book at hand.  The tools, apps, and functions of mobile devices can also be extremely convenient.

So which is the right device for you?  We encourage you to weigh all the options presented, as the "right" device is different for each person.  Whatever type of device you end up choosing, remember that Neill Public Library has downloadable eBook and eAudiobook content to keep your new toy full of great, free content.  And if you decide to stick with paper books for the next year (or longer), we're still collecting those, and just as avidly as before.

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