Consumer Guide

What do you need from an eReader?

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iPad
While being an eReader is not its first function, the iPad is one of the most versatile devices available. In addition to having other benefits - like the entire suite of 80,000 iPad apps - the iPad also has a built-in iBooks store that lets you buy and organize books and PD Fs on the device. Books on iPad can be annotated and marked up with built-in highlighter tools for future reference.

Kindle 3 and Kindle DX
The Amazon-brand eReader allows you to directly purchase books from Amazon’s massive online store and take them with you directly. They also read PD Fs and MOBI files in case you have publications or files in those formats. Unlike the other readers on this list, the Kindle devices have physical keyboards if that’s something you prefer. The Kindle’s screen uses e-ink to display content meaning that your book pages will display in black and white like you’re reading an analog novel. The battery life on the Kindle 3 can last you about 15 days before needing a charge.

Barnes and Noble Nook
The Nook supports ePub, PD F and graphic files like JPG , GIF, PNG , and BMP file formats and has upgradable memory up to 32GB. Barnes and Noble has also created an app that brings all books available on the Nook to the iPad and iPhone. The Nook screen is a hybrid colour and black and white device with the content being rendered in e-ink and the navigation is in full colour. What might throw you off at first is that the ‘page’ itself is not a touchscreen while the navigation below is but you should get used to it quickly.

Kobo reader
The Kobo reader is a black and white device that supports a diverse array of file formats including: ePub, PD F, and MO BI as well as images and even web pages. For comic fans it also supports CBZ and CBR file formats. The most recent Kobo device comes without a headphone jack meaning you can’t listen to audio versions of your books. The Kobo can hold about 1,000 books and comes with 100 classics pre-loaded so you can get out and start reading right away. The Kobo features functions like being able to look up words in the on-board dictionary and provides a clutter-free reading experience.

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