Portable Ebook Reader

Computers have changed many things, including reading, a process that has remained virtually the same for hundreds of years. Now, instead of physical, paper books, people are able to read on small tablets and ebook readers, making reading a much more portable experience. For many finding the right ebook reader can prove hard, but this guide is here to help.

A two horse race

The world is full of devices that can display ebooks, but two products seem to have taken control of the market: Apple's iPad and Amazon's Kindle. These products both display ebooks, but other than that these devices are very different machines that offer users different experiences and capabilities.

The iPad, raw power

Apple's iPad was revolutionary when it was released, and it still rules the market today. It has a large, vibrant screen, and this screen displays much more than books. Apple has an active app store from which consumers can purchase small applications like games that help to fill time. Because of this, the iPad is much more than an ebook reader. Unfortunately, this feature also leads to battery life of less than one day, and a price tag of over $500. The iPad is great for many things, but if one simply wants to read, it may not offer the best choice.

The Kindle, simply functional

Amazon's Kindle is almost the polar opposite of the iPad - it does its job, and does not strive to do anything more. The reader has a black and white display and no touch screen. This is perfect for reading, but, as one would imagine, this does not lend itself to a mobile gaming or internet experience like the iPad. The advantage that the Kindle does have, though, is a battery life of one to three months, which makes it more like a book and less like a fancy electronic device. In addition, the Kindle has easy connectivity with Amazon's online ebook store, and it carries a price tag of under $200, barely over $100 for the lowest end model.

The ebook market is ruled by the iPad and the Kindle, two competitors with completely different visions for providing an ebook reader. A consumer should first know what they want from their reader before shopping. Once they know what features are desired, the choice is an easy one.

Two products seem to have taken control of the market: Apple's iPad and Amazon's Kindle