How to choose an ebook reader

How ebooks work

Now you should have pretty clear ideas about what ebooks are and how to read them. You probably also decided to buy an ebook reader to read them better, and then let me give you some advice about it: let me tell you what are the features you should look at most carefully before buying an electronic book reader.

• Display – ebook readers stand out from tablets, as well as the software that animates them, for the type of screen they mount. Instead of classic backlit LCD panels, which can annoy your sight after prolonged reading, use e-ink panels (electronic ink) that are not backlit and are as sharp as printed sheets. The e-ink displays are subdivided in turn between E-Ink Pearl and E-Ink Paper, where the latter have a contrast ratio greater than 50% compared to the first (15: 1 vs. 10: 1) and therefore make the “whiter” pages and crisper writing.
• Touch-screen – the ebook reader displays can be of the traditional type or, as happens more often, of the touch type. Readers with touch display are generally more convenient to use as they allow you to highlight content by acting directly on the screen and to browse the pages with a simple “tap” (although in the latter case they may be easier than the physical buttons).
• Lighting – the mid-range ebook readers are almost all equipped with a screen lighting system that, without straining your eyesight, allows you to read in the dark. Higher-end readers also support blue light reduction technologies which at night make the screen lighting more “hot” (with shades of yellow and red instead of blue) so as not to negatively impact sleep.
• Dimensions – most ebook readers have a screen of 6 “, a dimension that is a good compromise between portability and reading comfort for books, but there are also larger readers, which instead are perfect for reading comics and magazines.
• Supported formats – one of the most important parameters when buying an ebook reader is the list of formats supported by the latter. I have spoken to you in detail in one of the initial chapters of this post.
• Internet connection and integrated services – the most advanced ebook readers are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to connect them to the Internet and buy / download books directly from the large network. Access to the Internet also allows access to dedicated stores and services, such as those offered by Amazon (Kindle), Kobo and IBS (Tolino), which allow you to easily buy books, synchronize them on multiple devices and store reading progress on the cloud.
• Internal memory and expandability – the ebook readers have an integrated memory that can be, in some cases, expanded through the use of microSD. If you plan to download many books and / or comics, be sure to purchase a reader with a large enough memory and / or support for external memory cards.
• Waterproofing – if you intend to use your ebook reader at the beach, in the pool or simply in the bathtub, buy a raincoat: in this way, while falling into the water, it will remain fully functional.
  If you need even more detailed information on the technical characteristics of ebook readers and / or want advice on which reader to buy, see my guide to buying dedicated to the best ebook reader: there you will find all the information and suggestions you need.