main features to evaluate when purchasing a new tablet or eReading device is the screen . And while there are a wide , and ever increasing number of products and brands to choose from , the decision can be made much simpler by approaching the different features systematically – and then determining which of the available choices best meet your needs . The most fundamental consideration is whether to go for a black & white or color screen . Basic eReaders , like the Amazon Kindle , come with black & white screens . This is because they seek to replicate the experience of reading an actual book , magazine , or newspaper . And to aide in this effort , these screens are not back-lit in the way regular computer screens are . These two elements combine to deliver the closet thing to a printed page that you can experience on an electronic device .
The drawback of non-back-lit , black & white screens is that you cannot read them in low light situations . Of course , that has been the case with printed material since the invention of books , so no big change there . And Edison came-up with a solution to that problem .
But there are also two big advantages to black & white , non-back-lit screens : they can be easily read outdoors ( whereas back-lit tablets cannot ) and they are much less tiring on the eyes . If staring at a computer screen for hours irritates your eyes , but reading a normal book doesn't – then these type of eReader devices were made for you . And since they are also the least expensive devices , you've made-out like a champ .
Another important consideration is screen size . The eReaders , such as the Nook and Amazon Kindle , have 6” and 7” screens respectively . This is usually just fine for most people using normal size fonts . But if you change to a bigger font ( needed by many ) , then those size screens tend to be a little small and start to negatively impact the user experience .
The leading tablet screens have three big differences compared to eReaders :
they're color
they're back-lit
they're 10” in size
Taken together , these three elements make for a completely different user experience . Color screens let you experience graphics and multi-media as they were intended to be seen . And 10” screens not only are better at accommodating those who want to use larger fonts , but they provide a much better experience for watching films or any of the many other computer like features of these devices .
Also , back-lit screens allow the user to read in low light situations . And as with a regular computer , screen brightness is adjustable . However , as mentioned above , this feature also renders these devices unreadable in bright sunlight . And even in brightly lit indoor situations , screen glare can be an
