eBook Reader Comparison Chart
The number of eBook readers in the market is increasing by the day, thus making it all the more difficult to choose the best among them. There do exist models like Amazon's Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook, Sony's Reader, etc., which stand tall in the list with some of the most amazing features to their credit. That being said, you need to understand the fact that the eReader with the most amazing features need not necessarily be ideal for you. You might spend a fortune buying it, only to realize that none of these features are of any use for you. If you are to choose a reader which is best-suited for your use, you need to compare their specifications and features, and find out the one which will be of actual help for you.
eBook Readers Comparison
As we mentioned earlier, comparing various eBook readers is the only way out when it comes to choosing the best for you. However, it is very difficult to compare all the 50 odd readers available in the market. A better way out is to choose the five best among these, and compare them to decide which is best-suited for you. In our quest to find the best we chose five top eBook readers - Amazon Kindle 3, Amazon Kindle DX, Barnes & Noble Nook, Barnes & Noble Nook Color and Sony Reader Touch, and compared them head-to-head
| Ebook | Amazon Kindle 3 | Amazon Kindle DX | Barnes & Noble Nook | Barnes & Noble Nook Color | Sony Reader Touch |
| Size | 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.335 | 10.4 x 7.2 x 0.4 | 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.5 | 8.1 x 5.0 x 0.48 | 6.61 x 4.68 x 0.38 |
| Weight (Ounces) | 8.7 | 18.9 | 12.1 | 15.8 | 7.58 |
| Screen Size | 6 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Resolution | 600 800 | 825 1200 | 600 800 | 600 1024 | 800 x 600 |
| Keyboard | Physical | Physical | Virtual | Virtual | Virtual |
| OS | Linux | Linux | Android | Android | Linux |
| Display | E-ink | E-ink | E-ink/Touch Screen | LCD/Touch Screen | E-ink/Touch Screen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi Only & Wi-Fi+3G | 3G Whispernet | Wi-Fi Only & Wi-Fi+3G | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Storage (Expandable) | 4GB | 4GB | 2GB (16GB) | 8GB (32GB) | 2 GB (16 GB) |
| Recharge Time | 4.5 Hrs. | 4 Hrs. | 3.5 Hrs. | 3 Hrs. | 3 Hrs. |
| Battery Life* | 1 Month | 14 Days | 10 Days | 8 Hours | 14 Days |
| Price (USD) | $139/$189 | $329 | $149/$199 | $249.00 | $229.99 |
| Pros | Good contrast ratio, low price, Read to Me feature | Larger screen size | Lend ebook and browser with Wi-Fi | Poor battery life | No nonsense build and library books |
| Cons | Absence of epub support and dependence of Amazon bookstore | Absence of Wi-Fi and high price | Poor battery life and weight | Absence of 3G and high price | Absence of wireless connectivity |
The Verdict
So the most exciting battle in the world of e-book readers is that between Kindle 3 and Nook, with both having almost similar features. Both have special features such as Read to Me (Kindle) and Lend Me (Nook) that you would be interested in. Though Nook Color seems quite promising, the absence of 3G comes as a drawback when it is pitched against Kindle. In case of Amazon's much talked about Kindle DX version, its costly price may act as a deterrent. If Amazon Kindle is compared with Sony Reader, the Reader loses out on the connectivity and price factor. With so many similarities that you notice in Kindle and Nook reviews, the price difference of US$10 doesn't quite hold ground as a deciding factor. At the end of the day, it is very difficult to decide which is better of the two.
While the exclusion of Apple iPad from this eBook reader comparison chart may have come as a surprise for many, you need to understand that it is a tablet PC - and not a dedicated ebook reader like the ones that are included in this chart. There is no doubt about the fact that the iPad doubles up as an amazing electronic wireless reading device, but including it in this comparison would be a bit harsh on other contenders in the race.
