E-Reader versus Tablet

The world of reading is undergoing its biggest change since the days of Gutenberg and the invention of movable type . The last few years have seen an explosion in the variety and types of devices available for reading both online material , and the other relatively new invention in the world of reading – eBooks .
The changes are coming so fast and furious that it's difficult to stay abreast of what exactly are your choices in this brave new world of eReaders and tablets . Let's sort out the basic elements we now have to consider before deciding which , if any , to purchase . And the first thing to determine before running out to buy one of these devices is what exactly you want to use it for ; reading eBooks only , or for accessing a wide-range of internet activities .

E-Readers :
If you are one of those who simply wants to read eBooks , and online magazines , and newspapers in black and white – like you've always done – then you have the easiest , and most economical choice of all . The devices designed for this function utilize a technology called e-ink . Devices using e-ink are not back-lit , as are regular computer screens – so the reading experience is essentially the same as reading a regular printed copy of a book .

There are several dedicated eReaders available , with the Amazon Kindle Touch and Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch being the most advanced versions utilizing touch-screens , and the Amazon Kindle being the best entry level , non-touch screen version . Fortunately , all of these type devices use the same e-ink technology designed by Pearl Screen . This means that no matter which version you buy – you're getting the exact same screen .

The major advantages of a dedicated black & white e-reader over a tablet ( like an iPad ) are that you can read them in sunlight , they tend to be less tiring on the eyes ( because they're not back-lit ) , and they weigh much less ( approximately 6 oz . ) than a tablet . Using a non-back-lit device is like having the
actual book in your hands – without the weight and pages . The disadvantage is that you only get black & white displays for everything ( like comic books ) , and can only access digitally produced reading material . For any more elaborate uses – like web-surfing – you'll need to step-up to a tablet device .

Tablets :
The reading devices known as tablets are designed to give you both digital eReading capability , as well as more advanced web-browsing and gaming functions . These devices are divided into advanced e-readers with some computing functions , color screen , and back-lighting on the one hand , and those with full computing functions on the other . The advanced eReader leaders are the Kindle Fire and the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet , and the leading full-featured tablets are the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy 10 .1 .

The main advantages of these devices over a simple reader revolve around function and screen size . Tablets generally are 10” whereas eReaders are generally 7” . And tablets have many more computing features to offer than a simple reader . Tablets are essentially mini-computers designed to be held in your hands . The main disadvantage to a tablet is it's weight . The iPad 2 weighs around 1 .3 pounds , which can begin to be a strain to hold after a shorter period of time than a 6 oz . eReader .

So deciding which is best for you centers around what do you want to use it for . Answer that – and you're ready to start comparing brands .