If you’re looking for the most paperback-like experience imaginable, an eReader is your best bet. A tablet, which can also read ebooks, is a better option if you have more extensive needs.
The screens and battery lives of today’s tablets are vastly superior to those of their forebears. Even eReaders have evolved, leaving readers with a genuine dilemma about which device is ideal for them.
Key Differences of E-Readers and Tablets
There are some important distinctions between tablets and eReaders that are worth highlighting in case you are unfamiliar with either type of device.
E Ink displays, which are commonly used in eReaders, are less-demanding on the eyes and make for more pleasant, extended reading periods. LCDs, the type typically used in tablets, are brighter and more colorful, but they can be tiring to the eyes after extended usage.
Moreover, eReaders are more portable and simpler to carry for extended periods of time than tablets because of their smaller size and lighter weight.
When compared to tablets, eReaders have superior battery life, allowing for more time between charges. E Ink technology is largely responsible for this, as it only requires energy whenever the screen’s content is updated.
Tablets, on the other hand, allow you to do more things at once, such as read ebooks, check email, watch movies, and surf the web. When compared to eReaders, they are essentially full PCs. Some eReaders, however, also have the ability to play audio files and do some basic web browsing.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using an eReader to Read eBooks
When compared to reading on a tablet computer, there are some advantages to using an eReader for your digital reading needs, but there are also some disadvantages.
Let’s start with the highlights:
- E Ink displays, seen on dedicated eReaders, mimic the look of paper and are gentler on the eyes, making for more pleasurable reading experiences, especially in bright sunlight.
- They are more portable than tablets because of their smaller size and reduced weight.
- The battery life of an eReader is often longer than that of a tablet, allowing for extended use between charges. This could take a few weeks to a few months.
- You can take your eReader to the beach or pool because some models are watertight. Don’t mess with your iPad like that!
Several features of eReaders may annoy you if you ever have to go without your tablet:
- While tablets may perform multiple tasks at once, dedicated eReaders are just designed for reading ebooks.
- But, the reading app selection for these devices is often less, so you may not have access to as many ebooks as you’d want.
- It’s possible that you won’t be able to listen to audiobooks or music on these gadgets, however some do feature speakers.
- They typically don’t have as much space as tablets, so you might not be able to carry around as many ebooks with you. While theoretically an eReader might store thousands of books, in practice you would never get through them all.
- A digital reader might not be the best option if you prefer reading comic books, magazines, or other full-color publications. It will be some time before color E Ink is as inexpensive as black-and-white ones, although they are becoming more readily available.
- The basic line is that eReaders are fantastic for reading black-and-white books and documents. Nevertheless, if you want to accomplish anything except that, you’ll need a different gadget.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Tablets to Read Ebooks
You won’t have a terrible time, but you will have to make some concessions if you can’t fathom leaving your tablet at home in favor of a dedicated reading device.
Nonetheless, there are compelling arguments in favor of reading on a tablet:
- You can do more with them at once than with an eReader, including reading books, checking email, watching videos, and surfing the web.
- You will have more alternatives for locating and reading ebooks on a tablet because of its larger app library.
- They typically have greater space than eReaders, allowing you to carry along a larger collection of ebooks.
- These days, you can find several tablets with both wifi and cellular connectivity choices, allowing you to read ebooks regardless of whether or not you have internet access.
The downside of reading ebooks on tablets now in view:
- LCDs, the type of screen most tablets use, are brighter and more colorful but can be tiring to the eyes after extended usage. It’s possible that OLED and tiny LED screens perform better in this regard.
- They are less convenient than eReaders because of their size and weight, and may be difficult to carry for long periods of time.
- You’ll need to charge your tablet more often than your eReader because its battery life is shorter.
- The cost of these gadgets exceeds that of eReaders, especially if you’re looking for a high-end one with a wide range of capabilities.
Despite the fact that tablets have the “Jack of all trades, master of none” problem when it comes to reading, they nonetheless provide a perfectly serviceable experience.
Choose a tablet if you have to choose just one device.
When compared to traditional paper books, eReaders have many advantages in terms of readability, longevity, cost, and battery life. If you have to choose between a tablet and a smartphone, a tablet is the better option because it allows you to do more than just read books on the go.
A tablet is a versatile device that, for many people, can do the work of a laptop or desktop PC. It’s capable of all the things an eReader is, but it doesn’t read books as well. While it’s true that tablets are “jacks of all trades and masters of none,” in many cases they are the most practical and cost-effective option.
You Don’t Need an eReader, Because Your Phone Can Do That
Your smartphone is probably an iPhone or an Android, even if you don’t have a tablet or eReader. If this is the case, you should probably avoid using a tablet or an eReader for reading.
You don’t need an eReader because your smartphone already has all the functionality you need to read ebooks in comfort. It’s portable, so you can read your ebooks whenever you like. Smartphones, like tablets, allow you to do more than just read ebooks. Several models now also allow you to listen to music, watch videos, play games, surf the web, etc.
There has also been an uptick in the size of phone screens that can be read in direct sunlight. Even if the sunlight readability of E Ink is superior than that of OLED or LCD technology, you may find that reading on your phone is not too taxing on your eyes.
Consider if you really need to buy a separate e-reader device if you’ve never tried reading ebooks on your smartphone.
