How to Choose an eBook Reader

How to Choose an eBook Reader

eBook devices are an exciting and evolving
technology offering access to many books through
one electronic reader. As with all new
technologies, there are many factors to consider
before purchasing so that you don't waste your
money or get something that doesn't work for you.
Weighing these factors carefully should help to
ensure that you make the right decision when
purchasing an eBook for yourself or somebody
else. Here's how!

!! Steps !!

_ Know what eBook readers are. An eBook reader
[1] is a device or gadget capable of reading, at the very least,
electronically produced books. Some eBook readers are also capable of
reading documents in other forms, such as PDFs, Word documents, and
so forth, and some will also allow you to take notes, sync with other
devices, etc. Unlike books, eBook readers don't have the same
textural or sensory appeal but they're not intended to replace books;
rather, they're a supplement to your reading experience. eBook
readers have a few advantages such as being lightweight and portable
[2], and being able to hold a lot more than a single paperback ever
could. This makes them ideal for taking away on vacation, for reading
in a favorite outdoor nook, or for reading on-the-go. And they make
great gifts.

* Not all eBook readers can handle the same formats. Most readers
support HTML, Txt, MP3, and JPG but not all support the
open-source ePub.[1] [3] Be aware that some eBook readers handle
PDFs better than others; this is important if you intend to use
PDFs [4] a lot.[2] [5]

* Some of the most common dedicated eBook readers include Barnes and
Noble Nook, Kobo eReader, Amazon Kindle, Sony eReader, etc., with
each electronic reader having its own features, feel, and
capacity. Non-dedicated eBook readers (that is, items that are
used for other purposes as well) include your computer, smartphone
[6] (with relevant apps installed), and the iPad.

Know what to look for in an eBook reader. There
are numerous things that you need to consider
when choosing an eBook reader. One important
thing to keep in mind is that choosing an eBook
reader is fairly much like choosing many other
electronic gadgets and even cars in on key
respect – it all depends on what you want to
do with it, and there is no one right eBook
reader for every person, and different features
can make all the difference to your choice.[3]
[7] Since the features count for everything,
the following features are currently the ones
to pay attention to:

* *Memory*_: How many eBooks or other documents does the eBook
reader have the capacity for? Can this memory capacity be
increased?

* _*Format type*_: Can the eBook reader handle a variety of file
types or only one type (see previous step)? Is this ability (or
lack of it) reflected in the price?

* _*Connectivity*_: Does the eBook reader have 3G and WiFi [8]
connectivity? Most of the recent ones should by now.[4] [9]
_*Screen friendliness*_: Here you need to be concerned about
viewability, color, size, and reflectiveness (glare).

* _Viewability_: Is it easy to read? Which eBook readers seem most
like the pages of a book? Some have more of this feel than others.

* _Color_: Black and white or color? Both have advantages and
drawbacks. Black and white is easy on the eye for novels and sun
reading (see "Viewability" below), while books and other items
such as magazines or comics which need color to transfer their
beauty and photos (such as art books, cookbooks [10], graphic
novels, etc.), won't appear so well on plain black and white eBook
readers and should be experienced in color.

* _Size_: Compare the eBook reader screen with the screen of
non-dedicated eBook readers such as an iPad or your laptop to see
which you prefer, and if you're happy to downsize your screen
reading experience.

* _Reflectiveness_: One of the advantages of black and white eBook
readers (using E-ink technology) is that they can be read in full
sun without reflecting, glaring, or loss of image, unlike a
laptop, color eBook, or an iPad [11]. If you're planning on
reading outdoors a lot, keep this consideration at the forefront.

_*Weight and comfort*_: Each person's impression of weight and feel
is rightly different but there are some things to assess:

* Does it weigh less than your usual paperback? It should do.

* Is it easy to carry and hold? You don't want something that's
bulky, awkward, or hard to hold. In particular, be sure to hold
the eBook reader in the store to check its weight and to ascertain
whether the weight is comfortable for you personally.

* You might spend hundreds of hours with your electronic book
reader, and it is important that relationship on a physical level
is comfortable. For example, one eBook reader might have buttons
and screen that are easy to use for paging through content, but
after five minutes you notice some eye strain. That product
wouldn't work for you because you are going to need to be able
to look at it for long periods without eye strain or headaches.

* _*Battery life*_: What's the battery life [12] promised by the
blurb? You don't want an eBook reader that runs out after an hour
of sitting on your hammock at the beach. You could have taken a
paper novel [13] along in that case! Can the battery be replaced
by you or do you need to send the eReader to a technician for
replacement?

* _*Ease of downloading*_: Is it easy to download eBooks [14]? Do
you have to connect to the computer or can it be done without a
computer as the intermediary? This can be important when choosing
an eBook reader as a gift for an older person who isn't that keen
on "fiddling" with technology.[5] [15]

* _*Shareability*_: The ability to transfer eBooks to another eBook
reader is important, especially if you need to remove purchased
books from an old eBook reader to a new one; if you can't do this,
you lose the purchase when the eBook reader dies. Does the eBook
reader allow sharing with friends or not?

* _*Other features*_: What other features does the eBook reader
have? For example, does it allow you to add notes?

Read online product reviews. Although this is
a time-consuming activity, it's the most
important part of choosing an expensive
product, especially one liable to fast
changes and updates. You want to be sure that
you're getting the best value product for its
kind at the time, as well as knowing that it
will do absolutely everything you want it to
do. The best research will be a combination
of reading both professional reviews [16] and
user-submitted content because this provides
a balance of viewpoints. Where technology
reviewers might be paid to focus on about
certain features, the consumer points of view
should help to inject some realism into the
worth or otherwise of the eBook reader.

* Ask others about their eBook experiences. Friends and family
members may have insights about what is important to know before
buying one. For example, some readers only allow you to read down
loadable books, but others provide Internet access so you can also
read blogs [17] and websites. Asking people who already have used
eBook devices is faster than researching the information and most
people are generally interested in ensuring you don't encounter
the same pitfalls that they did!

Be careful about the ability to find eBooks
[18] and download them to your eBook reader.
While it may be tempting to purchase an eBook
reader from overseas, double and triple check
the compatibility for your home area. The
problem may be that you cannot download books
for it because you live in a different region
from where you purchased the eBook reader and
that would leave you with a less-than-bargain
priced eBook reader! Moreover, check the method
by which your eBook reader allows downloads.
Some provide WiFi download compatibility and
USB download, others only have USB download.
What will be most convenient for you?

* Look into the breadth of options for getting eBooks that comes
with your eBook reader. Some eBook readers enable free reading
with a bookstore and loan of items.[6] [19] If that appeals to
you, realize that the extent of free reads and loans might be
highly dependent on the particular bookstore.

* Check your local library [20]'s provision of eBooks. Many
libraries are now adding eBooks to their lending systems. Talk to
your local librarian about eBook reader compatibility issues,
especially if you intend on relying a great deal on your library.

* Check the eBook provider's breadth of
published content access. Some eBook readers are able to access
more content than others, and the ideal is to get an eBook reader
that has the largest content availability possible, to ensure that
you can access eBooks that are relevant to your interests.
However, the extent of access is changing rapidly and is becoming
less of an issue. What is important is to check that the eBook
reader that interests you can access the content that interests
you. Ask the retailer for more information if your research hasn't
made this clear.
Visit the store to try the eBook reader. Once
you've done the research, make a list of the
features you want (see the suggested things to
consider above) and take this list along to the
store. You may need to visit a variety of
stores to cover each eBook reader you're keen
to trial. Take a bit of time to play with the
eBook readers and to ask the assistants
questions about them. It's important to do this
manual checking because it gives you the
opportunity to hold the item, page through the
content, see how the screen appears to you, and
to simply get a feel for each type of reader in
your own hands.

* Try to read at least one chapter of a book to see how the reading
feels on each reader. As you're doing so, think about the ease of
seeing the text, the ease of turning pages, the ease of finding
the information, etc.

No need to rush - books still work!Don't rush your decision
[21]. It's a good idea to go home after your trialing expedition
and to think through the purchase. You've done the research and
the testing, now allow a few days for the right one to surface
in your thinking. Don't be swayed by boredom, loneliness [22],
stress, or the urgency of trends; these gadgets are new and
therefore subject to a lot of change and if you're going to fork
out a lot of money for one, it needs to be the right one for
now.

* While some eBook readers might have more bells and whistles than
others, if you just want the basics at this stage, a cheaper, less
fancy version could be a good initial solution, allowing you to
upgrade to a fancier eBook reader as new versions are released
down the track. Note that in the short time since eBooks have been
released, the prices have been dropping dramatically, so waiting
[23] does no harm.

* Be sure to check the warranty information. New products can bring
unknown problems with them and it's reassuring to know you can
return it without hassle if something goes wrong, as well as
finding out what happens if you lose any eBooks due to technical
malfunctions.

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Different products will not have the same warranty information, so
don't assume they are all the same.

* Most eReaders require a light for reading in the dark.[7] [24]

* Look at a variety of information sources when researching online.
If you only look at user submitted reviews from Amazon.com, you
might not see all the products that are available because they
might not all be on that one web site.

* Consider getting a cover to protect the eBook reader. This is
useful for preventing scratches and knocks, and unwanted prying
from kids and pets who might cause it to drop or scratch.

* Read the most recent product reviews first so they are about
currently available products and content downloading libraries.
You wouldn't want to base your purchase on information that is
outdated, and eBooks are a relatively new technology which means
they are changing and improving from year to year.

!! Warnings !!

* Obviously, reading content on an electronic reader is not the same
as reading a book with paper pages and real ink. Try out reading
with an electronic device thoroughly before you buy, in order to
avoid having to find out you don't like it, and be landed with
the hassle of returning and seeking a refund.

* Ask yourself if you really need an eBook reader or if you're just
being influenced by the impulse to get a new gadget. If you read a
lot of novels, poetry, or non-fiction, an electronic reader might
be useful for you, however, if you are not currently a big reader,
getting a new gadget for reading might be a waste of money.

* Investigate each reader's content restrictions. In others, each
device currently can only work with a specific collection of
electronic books. If you're used to a very wide-range of book
types for your reading, both for personal and professional
purposes, then an electronic reader might prove too limiting for
your needs.

* Disable WiFi when reading, so as to prolong the battery life for
each reading experience.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* eBook product reviews and guides

* eBook stores

* Internet access for research

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Leave a Review on Amazon.Com [25]

* How to Write Your First eBook [26]

* How to Make Money Selling Your Own eBook [27]

* How to Operate the Amazon Kindle [28]

* How to Use Calibre to Download Books to Your Kobo Reader [29]

* How to Use Google\'s eBookstore [30]

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

* Read on wikiHow

*

Links:
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[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Your-First-eBook
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Portable-Softwares
[3] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-0
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Documents-Into-PDFs-for-Free-%28Windows%29
[5] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-1
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Smartphone-Review
[7] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-2
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-WiFi-Reception
[9] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-3
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Cookbook
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-an-iPad
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Extend-Laptop-Battery-Life
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Stick-to-Writing-a-Novel
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Search-for-Free-eBooks-to-Download
[15] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-4
[16] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Product-Review
[17] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Blog-Content-Scannable
[18] http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Free-eBooks
[19] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-5
[20] http://www.wikihow.com/Select-the-Perfect-Library-Book
[21] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Reading-fireside.jpg
[22] http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Loneliness
[23] http://www.wikihow.com/Wait-Patiently
[24] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-6
[25] http://www.wikihow.com/Leave-a-Review-on-Amazon.Com
[26] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Your-First-eBook
[27] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Selling-Your-Own-eBook
[28] http://www.wikihow.com/Operate-the-Amazon-Kindle
[29] http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Calibre-to-Download-Books-to-Your-Kobo-Reader
[30] http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Google%27s-eBookstore