Due to popular request, we’ve put together this comparison of four (4) of the most popular portable ebook readers on the market today.
Interead Cool-er
Price - $250
Quick Specs
- 6″ screen
- Lightweight
- Storage - 1 GB internal, 4 GB SD expansion slot
- File formats - JPEG, PDF, EPUB, TXT, and MP3
Pros
- Lightweight
- Removable / replaceable battery
- Good battery life
- 8 color choices
Cons
- Buttons are hard to press
- Navigation isn’t very intuitive
- Interface leaves something to be desired
- Screen refresh is a tad on the slow side
Conclusion
The Cool-er is a good deal for the money, but it does lack in certain hardware and software features and functionality, like the interface and navigation. We’re hoping that the next version is much improved, as this was Interead‘s first shot at an electronic reading device.
Read the full Interead Cool-er review here…
Amazon Kindle 2
Price - $359
Quick Specs
- 6″ screen
- Medium weight
- Storage - 2 GB internal, no expansion slot
- File formats - Kindle (AZW), TXT, AAX, MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC, HTML, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Pros
- Built-in free wireless with Amazon’s “Whispernet”
- Built in keyboard for navigation and notes
- Text-to-Speech feature
- Adjustable font size
Cons
- No native support for PDF files
- No expansion slot for additional memory
- Battery is not removable
- Ebooks must be purchased from Amazon
Conclusion
The Kindle 2 was a big improvement over the original Kindle, and it even has some benefits over the newer Kindle DX. Unfortunately it’s not much of a value at the current price, but Amazon does a great job marketing so perhaps they don’t care. Maybe the coming stream of new budget ereaders will change that 
Read the full Amazon Kindle 2 review here…
Amazon Kindle DX
Price - $489
Quick Specs
- 9.7″ screen
- Heavy weight (compared to smaller devices)
- Storage - 4 GB internal, no expansion slot
- File formats - Kindle (AZW and TOPAZ), PRC/MOBI, TXT, PDF, Audible (format 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3
Pros
- Huge screen!
- Native PDF support (finally, Amazon)
- Built-in free wireless with Amazon’s “Whispernet”
- Adjustable font size
- Built in keyboard
- Can switch between portrait and landscape by simply turning it
Cons
- Weight
- No expansion slot
- Battery is not removable
- Expensive!
Conclusion
The Kindle DX definitely broke some ground with its large size. Now people can read newspapers and magazines with ease and much less page turning. Unfortunately it
Read the full Amazon Kindle DX review here…
Read the Kindle DX vs Kindle 2 comparison here…
Sony Reader PRS-700
Price - $350
Quick Specs
- 6″ screen size
- Medium weight
- Storage - 512 MB internal, 36 GB SD expansion slot
- File formats - BBeB (LRF/LRX), PDF, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, MP3, AAC
Pros
- Touch screen!
- Sleeker than the Kindle 2
- Can display and zoom both PDF and Word files
- Built-in LED for reading in the dark
Cons
- Touch screen is more prone to glare and has worse contrast
- No software for Mac users
- No built-in wireless
- No support for Audible audio books
Conclusion
The Sony Reader PRS-700 was the first portable ebook reader with a touch screen. And for taking that initiative, we commend them…as it makes the device more intuitive and easier-to-use. Unfortunately the touch screen blessing is also a curse. It creates more glare and the screen has a worse contrast than without the technology. We also think it’s priced too high considering all the recent entries into the ereader market.
Read the full Sony Reader PRS-700 review here…
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