Important considerations before buying an eBook reader

2010 is quickly shaping up to be the year of the digital book reader. With so many options to choose from, how can we separate the good from the bad? Here are some things to consider when choosing your next eBook reader.

1. Battery

How long will the device last between charges? Some of the digital readers use electronic ink technology, which generally uses less battery power than a reader that uses a backlit display. Amazon’s Kindle, for example, can go up to 2 weeks between charges. If you plan to take long trips away from an electrical outlet, this may be an important consideration.

2. File support

E-books come in as many different flavors as there are ways to store text. txt, doc, pdf, epub, mobile; The list goes on and on. Ideally, you would like to get a book reader that is capable of reading as many different file formats as possible.

3. Selection

When you decide that you would like to buy a book, it would be nice if that book is actually available. If you buy a Kindle, you will do most of your shopping on Amazon. If you buy an iPad, you’ll do most of your shopping from iTunes. If you buy a Nook, you’ll be doing most of your shopping through Barnes and Noble. It’s a good idea to look at each of these stores to see who has the widest selection.

4. Screen size:

It sucks to be forced to squint at the screen to read a book. It’s a good idea to read a few pages of text in a book before buying a book reader so you can see if it’s big enough for you. However, bigger is not always better. If you plan to carry your digital book reader with you frequently, you’ll want a screen size that’s small enough to be portable.

5. Internet/browser

What is the internet connectivity of the book reader? Some come equipped with Wi-Fi and some even have a cellular connection so you can connect to the Internet wherever you are. You may also want to play around with the browser to see if it’s a pleasant experience. You might like the iPad’s Safari mobile browser much better than the Kindle’s browser.

6. Price

Of course, the price is something you probably don’t need to remind you of. All the features in the world won’t make a device attractive if the price is outrageous.