First, let's start with the latest version of the Amazon Kindle, known as the Kindle DX (or the third generation of the Kindle). It has a 9.7" diagonal E Ink Pearl display that measures 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" and weighs 18.9 oz.. It has the battery life of 7 days (wireless on) or up to 2-3 weeks (wireless off) and can store up to 3,500 books! The only downside to the newest version of the Kindle is that it doesn't have Wi-Fi like the previous versions did. In terms of additional hardware, the Kindle DX has
a HSDPA modem (3G) with a fallback to EDGE/GPRS and utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide wireless coverage via AT&T's 3G high-speed data network in the U.S. and partner networks outside of the U.S.. It also has a USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) port for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer. Finally, it has a 3.5mm stereo audio jack and built-in stereo speakers for great audio capability. The Kindle has just enough techie specs to satisfy the average reader looking for just a few more perks, like Internet capability and built in audio.
Here are a few of its hardware specs:
Operating system - Linux 2.6.26
Power - 3.7 V, 1750 mAH lithium polymer, BA1001 model
CPU - Freescale 532 MHz, ARM-11
Storage capacity - 4 GB/3.3 GB internal flash memory
Memory - 256 MB
Next up is the latest version of Barnes & Noble's Nook, the Nook Color. It has a 7-inch 1024x600 resolution multi-touch touchscreen LCD display, as opposed to the original Nook's 3.5-inch secondary touchscreen. It doesn't have an e-ink display like the Kindle, making it a tablet computer as well as an e-reader. It has a customizable display with color options, six font sizes, and internet browsing over Wi-Fi (which the Kindle DX lacks) and it also has a built-in media player that supports audio and video.
Here are its hardware specs:
Operating system - Android 2.2
Power - Installed battery 3.7v 4000mAh (8 hours with Wi-Fi off)
CPU - 800 Mhz ARM Cortex-A8-based TI OMAP3621
Storage capacity - 8GB internal storage, MicroSD expansion up to 32GB
Memory - 512MB
Display - 7-inch 1024 x 600 px WSVGA IPS LCD at 170 ppi
Graphics - PowerVR SGX 530
Input - Capacitive multi-touch screen with side volume, Nook Home, and Power buttons
Last is Apple's iPad 2, their second generation tablet computer. Of the three ebook readers, the iPad 2 is by far the most advanced and has more tablet computer capabilities than the others.
Here are some of its hardware specs (based on the version with Wi-Fi + 3G):
Size - 9.5" x 7.31" x .34"
Weight - 1.35lbs (much heavier than the other ebook readers)
Storage - 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Processor - 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip
Audio and Video - Has a back and front camera, built-in speaker, microphone, 3.5mm stereo headphone minijack
Power - Built-in 25-watt hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, up to 10 hrs of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music, charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
So there you have it! With so many great ebook options, it's hard to choose. If you want something for strictly reading books, I would go for the Kindle DX. For those who want some tablet specs and some reading specs with more enhanced imagery and color, I would go for the Nook. And lastly, for those who want the absolute full package, you've got to get the iPad 2.
Until next time -
No comments:
Post a Comment