Rare Book Monthly
iPad versus eBook Readers
The Sony Reader Pocket and Touch Editions.
I was able to test out another Sony product, this one known as the Sony Reader Touch Edition. This larger sibling shares some similarities with the Pocket Edition, but incorporates a larger and touch-sensitive screen. The software is actually different because of the touchscreen, but this wasn't a bad change. Touch and go is easy and there's a reason everyone is trying to make touchscreen phones, computers and tablets. I also enjoyed the added screen real-estate!
The last dedicated eBook reader I got my hands on is Barnes & Noble's Nook. This device actually does have a partially backlit screen. It also has a unique screen setup where roughly one quarter of the reader’s screen is separated from the main e-ink reading area, and instead is a full-color, backlit, LCD touch display (3.5" diagonally). This area at the bottom is responsible for navigation, and it does a good job. The main reader portion of the screen is also touch-sensitive.
The e-ink, of this reader, and of the other two, does feel less draining on the eyes. I need breaks from long writing projects on my computer, both for my wrists and eyes, and after a few hours of reading e-ink my eyes felt none the dryer or itchier! At the same time, I already spend hours on end on the computer, and I'm used to it. I don't personally read enough to merit buying a dedicated reader.
The iPad is what I view as an eBook reader-lite. If you are a casual reader, and don't read for hours on end, you'll probably get more money's worth out of it by doing things with it other than reading. Because while it does a great job handling reading, that's just one thing out of a plethora of options. The downsides for the iPad as a dedicated reader are its computer screen, and its weight (1.5 lb. versus the Nook's 12 oz. or the Pocket Edition's 7.7 oz.). Again, avid readers, buy a dedicated reader. I liked the Nook. Casual, multi-purpose users? Go iPad. That's what I'm going to do, eventually.
