New Tablet and E-Reader Quick Guide

BY Jenica July 15, 2020

We’ve come a long way in the last ten years for tablets and e-readers. The refresh rates are faster, quality is better, memory is larger, and there are dozens of options to choose from. 

E-Readers

Most e-readers on the market right now are sticking with a standard 6” screen. E-readers use something called E Ink which looks a lot like ink on paper. There’s little strain on the eyes and it conserves battery life more than your standard full-color display. However, there are definitely some drawbacks to e-readers as well. E-readers are generally restricted to reading/downloading books, articles, or magazines. While some do have internet capabilities, it’s used for options to download more titles onto your device. The second drawback is the majority of them have no built-in light, which means just like any physcial book, you’ll need an external light to read in the dark.

E-readers vary in price. The most popular versions are going to be of the Amazon Kindle variety, but the Kobo and Nook have also found themselves at the top of the chart. For backlight and waterproof options, the Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis make the perfect companion for a relaxing bath or day at the beach!

Tablets

If you’re looking for something with a little more functionality, a tablet is probably the way to go. But what’s the difference between those $60 tablets and those $1,000 iPads? The first question you need to ask yourself is, “What am I using this for?” 

Here are the key specs to look for when shopping for a tablet:

• Internal Memory and Storage Space
• External storage space (SD card slot availability)
• Apple or Android?
• Screen size
• Data compatibility (can you add it to your phone line?)
• Stylus support

If you just need a portable device bigger than your phone that can browse the internet, answer emails, take a photo or two, and store a handful of your favorite books for on the go, you will likely be happy with a budget tablet for under $100. These units have around 16gb of storage, which should be plenty. 

Sometimes you need more than just the limited essentials. Manu people use a tablet in lieu of a laptop depending on what they need. Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft are the three key players in the premium tablet market. They all offer robust stylus support for the creatives, and top-notch accessories to help it run like a full computer operating system. Some even run full programs like photoshop and lightroom for photo editing, graphic design, and many other functions to create on the go!

Whether you need a simple e-reader for light-weight usage or a smaller, laptop hybrid, we’re lucky to have so many options in various capacities and prices today.