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Holiday eReader & Tablet Guide
Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 by LibraryAdministration
Kindle? Nook? Kobo? Sony? iPad? Are you planning on buying eReader or tablet for yourself or someone else this holiday season? Before you hit the mall, come to the library for an unbiased overview of eReaders and tablets at one of our upcoming eBook events.
Get your hands on the latest devices, learn which of these best suits your needs and your budget, and learn which devices work with our free eBooks.
The heavy hitters
There’s certainly no shortage of serenading devices competing for space on your holiday wish list. Below is a roundup of the newest devices available this holiday season:
Microsoft Surface
Screen Type: Color HD
Size & Weight: 10.6 inches, 2 lbs
Internet Access: Wi-Fi
Storage Space: RT Version: 32 GB, 64 GB; Pro version: 64 GB, 128 GB *
Battery Life: 8 hours
Library Compatible:
- OverDrive Collection – Download OverDrive Media Console for Windows 8
- Axis 360 Collection – Download Blio for Windows PC
* RT only supports Windows 8 applications, while Pro supports older Windows applications in desktop mode.
Kindle Fire HD
Screen Type: Color HD
Size & Weight: 7- or 8.9 inch, 13.9 oz
Internet Access: Wi-Fi, 4G
Storage Space: 7-inch: 16GB; 8.9-inch: 32 GB or 64GB
Battery Life: 11 hours
Library Compatible:
- OverDrive Collection – Download OverDrive Media Console for Kindle Fire
- Axis 360 Collection - View these PDF instructions
NOOK HD and HD+
Screen Type: Color HD
Size & Weight: HD: 7-inch; HD+: 9-inch; 11.01 oz
Internet Access: Wi-Fi
Storage Space: HD: 8GB or 16GB; HD+ 16GB or 32GB
Battery Life: 10.5 hours
Library Compatible:
- OverDrive Collection – Download OverDrive Media Console for NOOK
- Axis 360 Collection – Download EPUB and PDF titles via the Magic Wall to your desktop/laptop computer and side-load via USB cable to your NOOK.
Apple iPad Mini
Screen Type: Color HD
Size & Weight: 7.9-inch; 10.86 oz
Internet Access: Wi-Fi; 34G
Storage Space: 16, 32 or 64GB
Battery Life: 10 hours
Library Compatible:
- OverDrive Collection – Download OverDrive Media Console for iOS
- Axis 360 Collection – Download Blio for iPhone/iPad
Google Nexus
Screen Type: Color HD
Size & Weight: 7-inch, 12 oz; 10-inch, 1.33 lbs;
Internet Access: Wi-Fi; 7-inch 32GB: 3G
Storage Space: 16 or 32GB
Battery Life: 9 hours
Library Compatible:
- OverDrive Collection – Download OverDrive Media Console for Android
- Axis 360 Collection – Download Blio for Android
WHICH EREADER IS BEST FOR ME?
Before you settle on a device, you may want to consider the following:
- Do you want to do more than just read with it?
- Will it work with your library's free eBooks?
- Screen type (eInk or Color/LCD)
- Size & weight
- Internet access
- Storage space
- Battery life
- Compatible file formats
Looking for more data? Use Consumer Reports to help you review the latest products, here's how:
- Go to our Consumer Reports database
- Click the link “Search within this publication.”
- Enter “e-reader” or “tablets” in the second search box.
- Click the “Search” button to access the latest reviews.