Last week, we took a look at the 3 most popular eReader options available and they’re definitely great options, but what if you want something more than just an eReader? Check out today’s article for two alternatives to a dedicated eReader; the Apple iPad and the BlackBerry PlayBook. And don’t forget to check out the handy comparison chart at the end to easily compare all 5 of the options we looked at and make the best choice for you!
It isn’t really fair to compare an iPad with an ordinary eReader unless you mention the price. Though the iPad actually offers a whole lot more than an ordinary eReader, you will pay at least twice as much for it.
The new Ipad 2 offers a dual core A-5 chip processor. It is thinner, lighter, and faster than its predecessor, the iPad 1. It has two cameras, FaceTime and HDVideo and a 10 hour battery life.
The iPad is a lot more than just an eReader though; you can surf the web, check your email, and watch movies as well. You can also play games, use it as a GPS, chat on Skype and so much more. Furthermore, you can download various eReader apps, including Nook, Kindle and Kobo for iPad, as well as Apple’s own iBooks. This gives you a huge variety of options for book titles, magazines and prices. However, one thing to consider is that, as it is not a dedicated eReader, it has a back-lit screen which can be stressful on the eyes if reading for a long time (think reading from a computer screen). The average cost is $500.
RIM has finally joined the tablet market with the BlackBerry Playbook. It was sure to happen eventually and as you might expect, they have designed a very sharp tablet (serving as an eReader) with many exciting features. It will run Android and Java applications, but it will not let you access your email unless you also own a Blackberry Smartphone. Many pros believe that Blackberry made a big mistake by not incorporating this feature into the new eReader.
The Blackberry Playbook is being advertised as the worlds’ first professional-grade tablet. The operating system technology comes from QNX software systems. It gives you intuitive navigation, a 7-inch LCD multi-touch display and Wi-Fi. It also has a 1 ghz dual core processor, dual HD cameras and a 90 day free technical support.
The dual HD cameras consist of one 3MP 1080p HD forward-facing camera and one 5MP 1080p HD rear-facing camera. The Blackberry Playbook also offers stereo speakers and stereo microphones. The manufacturer promises crystal clear video with H.264, MPEG4, WMV HDMI video output and Micro HDMI port for 1080p playback. You can download multimedia and apps from the Music Store by 7 Digital and BlackBerry® Podcast.
The Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Nobles Nook are both available as PlayBook apps.
The price of the Blackberry Playbook is an astounding $500 to $600, which is even higher than the iPad.
| Model | Amazon Kindle 3 | Kobo | Barnes & Noble Nook | Blackberry PlayBook | Apple iPad 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 7.5″ x 4.8″ x 0.335″ | 4.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches | 7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.50″ | 7.6″ x 5.1″ x .4 | 9.5″ x 7.31″ x 0.34″ |
| Diagonal Display | 6″ | 6″ | 6″ | 7″ | 9″ |
| Pixel Resolution | 600×800 | 1200 x 824 | 800×600 | 600 x 1024 | 1024×768 |
| Gray Scale | 16-Level | 16-Level | 16-Level, Also Nook Color edition | 16-Level | Color IPS LCD LED-backlit glossy |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi connection using Bluetooth and select Smartphone | Wi-Fi/802.11b/g 1st Wi-Fi eReader/Free in all Barnes & Noble Stores | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n network | Wi-Fi/802.11b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Web Browser | Yes | No | Basic Web Browser | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Capacity | 4GB internal, 3,500 books | 1GB internal, 1,000 books | 2GB Internal memory/storage (up to 1,500 eBooks) | 32GB Internal memory, 1GB RAM books) | 16GB – 64GB |
| Expansion Slots | No | Yes | Micro SD expansion slot | No | No |
| Touch Screen | No | No | 1st color touch screen for navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 1 month with wireless off | Up to 14 days with wireless off | Up to 10 days with wireless off, 2 days with wireless on | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours with wireless on |
| Weight | 8.7 ounces | 8 ounces | 11.2 ounces | 9.6 ounces | 1.33 lbs. |
| Price | $114 to $189 | $120 | $149 WiFi Only $199 WiFi+3G |
$500-$600 | $499-$829 depending upon storage (16-64GB) & Wi-Fi vs Wi-Fi + 3G |
With so many options available (more than we discussed here – check out Sony’s eReader if you aren’t happy with any of these options), you are sure to find an eReader that serves all your needs. Whether you would like a dedicated, light weight, not back lit eReader like the Kindle, Nook or Kobo or prefer a multi-purpose versatile tablet like the Playbook or iPad, it is definitely a great idea to scope out your options.
Don’t forget to check out all the accessories for your iPad, Playbook, Kindle or Nook
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