What to choose: tablet or e-book

When choosing a device for reading, it is worth first of all to decide – is it planned to be used only for reading or also for other purposes?

What to choose: tablet or e-book

The tablet can be used to read e-books. However, this is rather an additional function than its main one. The tablet is more of a multimedia device suitable for surfing the web, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, etc. Most e-books don't do any of this. But they have their own advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of an e-reader over a tablet

Among the advantages of e-books ('readers') are the following:

1. Long battery life;

2. Low eye fatigue;

3. Compact size and light weight;

4. No heat when using.

This is due to the fact that e-books are mostly made with displays, which are manufactured using e-ink technology ('electronic paper'). These screens ensure minimum current consumption. Electricity is only consumed when the display needs to be refreshed – i.e. when turning pages, choosing a book, etc. As a result, the battery life of the 'reader' can be several days or even weeks.

Displays that are made using e-ink technology are not backlit. Therefore, reading from such a screen is as comfortable as from an ordinary paper sheet. Eyes get tired less, which will please even people with visual impairments (myopia, farsightedness and other diseases).

Due to the fact that e-books require a minimum of components for their work – a battery, a controller, a screen – such devices weigh very little. Most e-readers weigh 150-200 grams, while tablets are usually at least 2-3 times heavier. Therefore, an e-reader will not pull off a bag or backpack, and your hands will not get tired of holding it for a long time.

Well, one more advantage of the simplicity of the design of the 'readers' is the lack of a powerful processor that heats up during use.

Of course, all these advantages apply to e-books, which are equipped with a display made using e-ink technology.

The disadvantages are obvious – little functionality, black and white display and no backlight.

Advantages and disadvantages of a tablet over an e-book

Among the advantages of a tablet as a device for reading e-books are:

1. Screen backlight;

2. Convenient navigation;

3. Compatible with a huge number of formats;

4. Color screen;

5. Availability of additional features such as a GSM module.

All tablets, regardless of the screen manufacturing technology (IPS, TFT, OLED), are equipped with a display backlight. This allows you to read in the dark or simply in low light without straining your eyes. Only some e-reader models offer this feature.

The touch screen of tablets provides easy navigation – selecting a book, turning pages, launching menus, navigating through chapters and sections, etc. This is quite an important advantage for people who do not want to learn the mechanics of the work of 'readers'.

Despite the fact that out of the box the vast majority of tablets do not support any file format, by installing third-party applications, you can expand their functionality to whatever you need. So, such devices will be able to 'read' very rare types of books – like comics packed in CBR containers.

The color screen is one of the biggest advantages of tablets when it comes to richly illustrated books. On such a display, you can see all the details of the image, which is especially necessary, for example, when reading special or educational literature.

Thanks to additional functions, such as a GSM module or support for Wi-Fi networks, the tablet will be able to access the Internet – to download new books without connecting to a computer, read current articles, RSS subscriptions and other text content.

The disadvantages are high weight and short battery life (even the best models have it about 10 hours).

What to choose?

If you need to read fiction or reference books, then it is worth purchasing an e-book. With a long battery life and a comfortable screen for the eyes, it provides maximum convenience.

For graphic novels, richly illustrated literature, special and educational books, as well as files in rare formats, it is better to choose a tablet. It is equipped with a screen that is more convenient for viewing such content and functionality that is expandable by installing third-party applications.

Top manufacturers

If we talk about specific manufacturers, then they are different for each type of device. So, the best e-book makers are:

1. PocketBook is the company that essentially invented e-books. Products differ from it in a rather high price, but at the same time they are distinguished by excellent operational parameters;

2. OnyxBook is a PocketBook competitor that offers devices at a lower price;

3. Texet, Prestigio – 'Chinese consumer goods', which, nevertheless, is very inexpensive. E-books from these companies are great for newbies or as an add-on.

Top Tablet Makers:

1. Samsung, Acer – produce expensive, powerful, multifunctional devices;

2. Xiaomi is a manufacturer of inexpensive but handy tablets. The only drawback is the unusual operating system MIUI based on Android. Therefore, Play Store is supported;

3. Apple – produces tablets with the best screen on the market. Provides comfortable, pleasant reading and excellent color reproduction. However, there are difficulties with 'throwing' books into the device's memory.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.