The document provides information to help readers choose the best e-reader for their needs, discussing factors like budget, intended use, reading environment, and source of ebooks. It outlines options ranging from basic e-ink readers starting around $69 to full-featured tablets up to $849. Each device is summarized, noting features such as screen size/resolution, storage, battery life, and ease of accessing the library ebook collection. The document recommends making a priority list and trying devices in person to find the best fit.

1. Choosing the Best E-Reader for Your Reading Needs
Kathy Petlewski, Electronic Resources Librarian
Plymouth District Library – Dec. 2012
Let’s talk about….
Your Budget!
• Dedicated e-readers can range from $69 up to $300 for e-ink (black & white) devices.
• Color e-readers associated with book sellers (Kindles and Nooks) list from $139 to $499.
• Color tablets (iPad, Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Microsoft Surface) cost between $199 and $849.
What do you want to do with your e-reader?
• Only read e-books, either purchased or borrowed from a library.
• Read e-books and listen to some e-audiobooks.
• Read e-books but also be able to get e-mail and go on social media sites like Facebook & play
games.
• Read e-books, play games, use a full-blown web browser, and also view movies & TV shows.
• Do all of the above, plus Skype, take photos and do word processing tasks.
Will you be reading at night or during the day?
Do you plan to only purchase e-books or do you want to borrow from the Library?
Who will be using the e-reader/tablet?
• Are you the only person that will be using your device, or are you planning to share it with
another adult or child?
• If so, the Kindle Paper White has parental controls and the Nook HD can have several different
accounts on the same device.
How Will I Get My e-Books?
• Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, or iBooks.
• Download free or inexpensive books from Project Gutenberg, Smashwords, or OpenLibrary.org.
• Borrow OverDrive e-books free of charge from your local library.
• PDL is part of a 25-member consortium for e-books and audio e-books.
• These books are provided by OverDrive in several formats: EPUB & PDF for e-readers and WMA
& MP3 for iPods and MP3 players.
• E-books are single user licenses, so you must place a hold on books that are “checked out”
electronically.
• Titles are checked out for either 7 or 14 days. After that time they will cease to work.
Downloading E-Books from PDL
• Some Devices are REALLY Easy with OverDrive
• Android tablets (Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tablet and Droid smart phones ) have a free
OverDrive “app” at the Marketplace.
• iPads, iPhones & iPod Touch use an “app” from the Apple App Store.
• Get the Nook Color and Nook HD Tablets “app” from Barnes & Noble.
• Once the apps are installed, you can download your ebooks directly to your device.

2. • Some Devices are Easier than others with OverDrive
• Kindle Fire 2 and Kindle HDs have full browsers, so you search the OverDrive site, check out
your titles and download them from the same device using wifi.
• Once you check out your title on OverDrive, you are taken to the Amazon site where you log in
and complete your downloading from that screen.
• The entire process is done wirelessly.
• Some Devices are Fairly Easy to use with OverDrive.
• Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle 2012 and Kindle Keyboard don’t have full browsers, so you must do
your OverDrive searching and check out process using a desktop or laptop computer.
• After your title is checked out, you’re taken to the Amazon site where you select your device
and tell it to download the title.
• Your e-book is downloaded wirelessly to your device if you are connected to wifi.
• Some Devices are Not That Easy with OverDrive!
• With the Nook Simple Touch and Simple Touch with Glowlight, you must also use a laptop or
desktop computer to search, checkout and download e-books from OverDrive.
• You must download first to your computer and then transfer the titles using a USB cable to your
device
• Adobe Digital Editions software must also be installed on your computer.
What is available on the market and things to consider in making your selection.
least expensive e-ink devices
• Kindle 2012 - $69 • Nook Simple Touch - $99
• No audio • No audio
• Wi-Fi, 3G optional • Wi-Fi only
• 2GB Memory • 2GB Memory (1 GB storage) micro SD
• 3-8 week battery life card slot for 32 GB
• Weighs 5.98 oz. • 800 x 600 resolution
• Supports parental controls • 3-8 week battery life
• “experimental” browser • Weighs 7.48 oz.
• No touch screen – controller • No browser available
• “special offers” on cheapest model. • No landscape mode
6 inch e-ink devices with features
• Kindle Paperwhite – $119 • Nook Touch GlowLight - $119
• No audio • No audio
• Wi-Fi, 3G optional • Wi-Fi only
• 2GB Memory • 2GB Memory - micro SD card slot
• 1024 x 758 resolution • 800 x 600 resolution
• 3-8 week battery life • 3-8 week battery life

3. • Weighs 7.5 oz. • Weighs 6.95 oz.
• Front lit, high resolution screen. • Front lit screen
• No support for EPUB format • No browser available
• Parental controls • No landscape mode
Kindle Fire Color e-Readers
• Fire 2- $159 & up • Fire HD - $199 & up
• 7” display – 14.1 oz. • Either a 7” (13.9 oz) or 8.9” (20 oz)
• Wifi display.
• Supports 3rd party apps. • No SD slot, but Amazon Cloud Storage
• 2 speakers, audio jack and mic. • 2 speakers, mic, Bluetooth, front
• 8-9 hours battery life. camera
• Costs more to remove ads. • 16 GB memory minimum
• Great for movies! • Supports 3rd party apps.
• 9-11 hours battery life.
Nook Color & Nook Tablet
• Nook Color - $139 • Nook Tablet - $159 & up
• 1024 X 600 res. • 1024 x 600 res.
• 7” display, 15.8 oz. • 7” display, 14.1 oz.
• 8GB memory & microSD card slot • 8 or 16 GB memory & microSD card
• 1 speaker for audio slot.
• Wifi, full web browser • 1 speaker for audio
• 8 hour battery life. • Wifi, full web browser
• Parental controls • 11 hour reading battery life
• Parental controls
Nook HD and HD+
• Nook HD - $199 & up • Nook HD+ - $269 & up
• 1440 x 900 res. • 1920 x 1280 res.
• 7” display, 11.1 oz. • 9” display, 18.2 oz
• Dual-stereo speakers • Dual-stereo speakers
• 8GB or 16GB memory • 16GB or 32GB memory
• Parental controls • Up to 10 hrs. reading
• Email & Calendar Syncing • Create up to 6 profiles
• Great kid’s learning apps! • Email & Calendar Syncing
• Stunning video display.

4. Android Tablets
• Google Nexus - $199 & up • Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - $249 (low as
• 1280 x 800 res. $179) or $400 ($299)
• 7” display, 12 oz. • 1042 X 600 res. or 1280 x800
• 8 GB or 16 GB memory • 7” display, 12.2 oz. or 10”, 1.25 lbs
• 10 hours of e-reading • 8 - 16 GB but has slot
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS • Android 4.0 OS
• Wifi & Bluetooth • Front & Rear cameras
• Speaker & audio jack • Dual speakers & jack
• Front-facing camera • Wifi & bluetooth
iPad & iPad Mini
• iPad 4th Gen. - $499 & up • iPad Mini - $329 & up
• 2048 x 1536 res. • 1,024 x 768 res.
• 9.7” display, 1.4 lbs • 7.9” display, 10.8 oz
• Front & rear cameras with video • 16 GB & up
• 10 hour battery life • Front & rear cameras with video
• Dual core processor • 10 hour battery life
• Speaker & audio jack • Speaker & audio jack
• Largest app selection • Wifi – 4G & LTE optional
• Wifi – 4G & LTE optional • Great app selection!
Wrapping It Up
• Lots of others on the market, but these are currently the most popular ones.
• Make a list of your priorities when looking for an e-reader. Then narrow your choice down to those
that meet that criteria.
• It’s best to actually have a hands-on demonstration of the device so you can see if you like the “feel”
of it.
• Realize that something flashier will be released soon, but the products out today are better than those
from last year.