The eReader landscape has changed a lot since Sony debuted its first device to a skeptical market years ago.
With Amazon reporting record Kindle sales and Barnes & Noble and Sony unable to keep up with demand for their new eReaders during the 2009 holiday season, it appears as if the eBook reader segment has finally arrived.
Here's a list of the more popular devices on the market.
*This list is for eReaders with electronic paper displays only. For info on Apple's iPad, visit our iPad Central page. Make sure to check out our Tablet Buying Guide and eReader Central page as well.
Amazon Kindle
Photo © Amazon
Credited as the device that made eReaders popular, the Kindle has been the perennial bestseller of the eReader market.
The latest version, the Kindle 4, features a streamlined design that greatly reduces the number of buttons. Reading is done via a 6-inch, black-and-white E-Ink Pearl display that mimics the look of paper. Pricing is also significantly reduced at $109 while an ad-supported version sells for $79. Other additions to the Kindle stable include the Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G, which use a touchscreen interface for navigation. Pricing for both range from $99 to $149 depending on which version you get. Meanwhile, the Kindle 3 line has been re-purposed into the Kindle Keyboard and Kindle Keyboard 3G. The larger 9.7-inch Kindle DX rounds out Amazon's list of E Ink readers.
One more noteworthy addition to the Kindle family is the Kindle Fire, an Android tablet that sports a custom Android interface. Instead of an E Ink screen, the Kindle Fire uses a high-res IPS touchscreen color display. The tablet is designed to compete against the Apple iPad and Barnes & Noble's Nook Color.
For more details on the Kindle line, check out our Kindle Hub.
Barnes & Noble Nook
Photo © Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Nook received a lot of buzz leading up to its launch in late 2009 for several reasons.
One was its dual screen approach, which features a traditional black-and-white E ink main display coupled with a smaller color touchscreen at the bottom. Unlike Amazon's Kindle, the Nook also supported non-proprietary formats and external cards for added memory. Throw in free wireless — all for what was then a pretty good price point of $259 (before Amazon matched it) and it's no surprise why the first-generation Nooks garnered so much attention.
While Amazon is getting plenty of buzz with its latest product salvo, Barnes & Noble actually beat Amazon to the market with a touchscreen reader and a tablet. We rated its latest E Ink device, the Nook Simple Touch pretty high when we reviewed the touch-enabled reader. Meanwhile, the Nook Color managed to eclipse the Kindle in worldwide e-reader sales thanks to the ability to double boot it as an Android tablet. The tablet has been out a while, though, and is due for a refresh, especially given the arrival of the Kindle Fire.
Sony PRS-350 Reader Pocket Edition
The latest version of the company's entry level Pocket Reader Edition (or PRS-350) sets a new standard for a compact e-reader with the addition of a touchscreen interface. But lack of wireless capability remains a key omission. Read our full review for more details.
Sony PRS-650 Reader Touch Edition
The latest iteration of the Reader Touch, the PRS 650 sports an improved E Ink Pearl display and smaller outer shell while retaining the same 6-inch screen size. Down sides includes the lack of wireless support and a high $229 price tag.
PAST PICKS
New stuff is great and all. But sometimes, you've got to be aware of the past to appreciate the present. Well, that and it might help you scavenge for bargains. Just make sure to read our tips on Buying a Used E-Reader before taking the leap. Here's a look at e-book readers we recommended in the past.
Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition
Photo by Jason Hidalgo
At $199, Sony's little PRS-300 "pocket reader" claimed the title of most affordable reader when it launched in 2009.
The Reader Pocket boasts one of the best E ink displays for an eReader, featuring crisp text made even more readable by its stellar white levels. The 5-inch display is also big enough to facilitate comfortable reading but small enough to lug around with you.
Battery life is excellent at about 7,500 page turns. Support of open formats is pretty good, including the ability to borrow eBooks from local libraries.
With the Nook and Kindle now priced lower, however, the Pocket's price tag isn't as attractive as it used to be — especially when you factor in its lack of wireless.
UPDATE: Pricing for the Pocket is now $129.99
Sony PRS-600 Reader Touch Edition
Photo by Jason Hidalgo
Also known as the PRS-600, the Reader Touch builds on the features of its little sibling by adding a bigger 6-inch screen that's touch-enabled.
The interface is intuitive and works very well, allowing users to make notations and virtual scribbles on individual pages. The interface makes functions such as bookmarking and dictionary lookup a lot easier as well.
Other strong points include a quick refresh rate for the screen, two-week battery life on a single charge, and slots for SD cards and Memory Sticks.
Down sides include a grayer screen compared to the Reader Pocket, more glare, and a price tag of $169.99, which is now more expensive than both the Kindle and the Nook.
UPDATE: Now replaced by $229.99 PRS-650.
Sony PRS-900 Reader Daily Edition
Photo © Sony
Released in late 2009, the PRS-900 Reader Daily is the cream of Sony's eReader crop.
Besides a 7-inch display with touch navigation, the Reader Daily also throws in the 3G wireless capability lacking in Sony's two other models.
Unfortunately, the Daily Reader suffers from the same screen issues that the Touch Reader does (i.e. grayer screen and glare). Its $399 price tag is also a bit steep compared to the competition, although it's the only device to offer wireless and a full touchscreen among the eReader Big Three (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Sony) when it launched.
Despite its price tag, the Reader Daily still sold out during the 2009 holiday season.
UPDATE: Now replaced by $299.99 PRS-950.
Spring Design Alex
Photo by Jason Hidalgo
Like the Nook, the Alex also features a dual screen layout with a black-and-white eReader up top and a touchscreen LCD at the bottom. The Alex's LCD, though, is bigger and offers a lot more functionality, including watching video and running a fuller version of Android.
Synergy between both screens is pretty good. You can view Web pages from the LCD screen on the E Ink display if you wish and also view eBooks from the E Ink display on the LCD by syncing your screens. The device supports a wide range of file formats as well. Its basically a tweener between an eReader and a tablet.
Its biggest drawback? A steep price tag of $399.
MORE STUFF TO THINK ABOUT
As far as other alternatives, don't forget about Apple's entry into the eBook sector either. For more on Steve Jobs' latest creation, check out our iPad Central page.
For tips on buying an e-reader check out our E-Reader Buying Guide. Wanna consider a tablet such as the iPad or Xoom instead? Then check out our Tablet Buying Tips as well.
