1. Kobo eReader
Kobo
<p><strong>Screen:</strong> 15 cm, e-ink
<br /><strong>Storage:</strong> 1,000 books (plus a memory-card slot)
<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 211 g
<br /><strong>Price:</strong> $149
<br /></p>
<p><strong>Perfect for:</strong> A book lover on a budget who wants the convenience
and (relative) affordability of digital reading.
<br /></p>
<p><strong>Pros:</strong> Light and comfortable to hold (there’s a ‘quilted’ backing),
the <a href="http://koboereader.com/" target="_blank">Kobo</a> comes pre-loaded with 100 free e-books, all public-domain
classics. Black and white e-ink technology mimics traditional page
printing, with a choice of five display font sizes. Its reader app can
be installed on any smartphone, tablet or desktop, so your e-books
can travel with you. The Kobo comes closest to the real thing: The
overall size, screen size and display combine well to best approximate
the page of a typical mass-market paperback.
</p>
<p><strong>Cons:</strong> You can’t flip directly to a specific page; you can only scroll
through the book via the clunky D-pad navigation button. Charging
the battery requires a computer (a wall-plug charger can be purchased
separately). Kobo can’t support audiobook or music files.</p>
2. Amazon Kindle 3G
Amazon
<p><strong>Screen:</strong> 15 cm, e-ink
<br /><strong>Storage:</strong> 3,500 books
<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 241 g
<br /><strong>Price:</strong> $195 </p>
<p><strong>Perfect for:</strong> A commuter, frequent traveller
or multi-tasker for whom avid reading
means not only e-books but also magazines,
newspapers and news feeds.
</p>
<p><strong>Pros:</strong> The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle" target="_blank">Kindle</a>’s crisp black and white
e-ink display is easy to read and comes in a
choice of eight fonts. Through the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375890&#whispintl" target="_blank">Whispernet
3G wireless connection</a>, the Kindle
store gives free and fast access to a million
public-domain books and, with subscriptions,
you can keep up on news blogs,
periodicals and daily newspapers. You can
also upload PDF documents and annotate
what you’re reading.
</p>
<p><strong>Cons:</strong> The Kindle mostly supports only its
own e-book formats. The unique text-to-speech
feature that reads books, newspapers,
blogs and documents aloud sounds
tinny and robotic. The keypad, essential
for the many value-added features that
require typing, calls for nimble fingers.</p>
3. Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-650
Sony
<p><strong>Screen:</strong> 15 cm e-ink, reactive
high-contrast touch screen
<br /><strong>Storage:</strong> 1,200 e-books
(plus memory-card slots)
<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 215 g
<br /><strong>Price:</strong> $250 </p>
<p><strong>Perfect for:</strong> A student or a student of life — especially one that’s an ardent bestseller- list follower. </p>
<p><strong>Pros:</strong> The <a href="http://sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=100803&storeId=20153&langId=200&productId=8198552921666257815" target="_blank">Sony Reader</a>’s black and white e-ink display was the easiest on the eyes out of all units tested. Pages can be annotated either using a virtual keyboard or by writing on the touch-screen with the provided stylus. The reader supports multiple e-book file formats, including industry standards PDF and ePub. That means more books, including over a million public domain titles via Google and free e-book downloads from your local library using <a href="http://sonysearch.overdrive.com/" target="_blank">Sony Library Finder</a>. It’s also the only unit that comes with its own protective sleeve. </p>
<p><strong>Cons:</strong> While we generally like the screen, the contrast is not strong enough for reading in dim lighting. Turning a page causes a distracting flicker. </p>
<p><br /></p>
4. Apple iPad iBooks
Apple
<p><strong>Screen:</strong> 25 cm,
full-colour, backlit
<br /><strong>Storage:</strong> 16 GB and up
<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 680 g
<br /><strong>Price:</strong> From $549</p>
<p> <strong>Perfect For:</strong> An internet junkie or gaming
and computer geek who occasionally reads,
rather than a dedicated bookworm.
</p>
<p><strong>Pros</strong>: The <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> has a fully backlit, highcontrast
colour display that’s terrific for
illustrated works. The iPad’s app for reading,
<a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html" target="_blank">iBooks</a>, supports the ePub format. Touchscreen
navigation makes flipping pages a
breeze. You can select whatever type and
size of font you fancy. Words and passages
can be highlighted and annotated, and an
instant pop-up dictionary is a click away. The
landscape orientation provides two side-byside
pages, simulating a real book.
</p>
<p><strong>Cons:</strong> The iPad’s size and weight can make
reading cumbersome. Carrying it around
all but demands a protective and generously
proportioned purse or tote. The Apple’s
iBookstore pricing per book is higher than
other e-readers, and you’ll need an additional
monthly paid wireless connection (or to rely
on WiFi) to download data, whether it’s a book
or the latest viral YouTube cat video.</p>
