You may have seen them described as a portable e-book reader or a wireless portable reading device, among other names, but are they the same thing? This eBook reader comparison will attempt to answer the question completely so that you can buy the right eBook reader to suit your reading and book buying needs.
portable e-book reader
By definition, all eBook reading devices are classified as portable, as this is the entire concept of the device. The main difference with this type of eBook reader is the method you can purchase and download your purchase.
With the portable reader, you’ll need to log in to the online book store, where you can browse thousands of titles and purchase the eBook of your choice, via a USB cable connected to your PC, Mac, laptop or notebook. In essence, you need to connect to the Internet, this can be through a wired computer or through Wi-Fi.
So, with portable eBook readers, you can download books to your device at home, at the office but connected to a computer, or even on the go via your laptop or notepad, but you’ll need to connect to hotspots. .
Wireless portable reading device
Now with this type of device, as the title says, you can connect to the online bookstore through the Internet, wirelessly. So there is no need to connect USB cables to PCs or laptops, although you can if you want as they come with that capability too. No, the device connects to the Internet through a 3G broadband network provider, if you can get a mobile signal, you may be able to browse the latest releases and best sellers, or in some cases connect to the library and borrow the latest titles.
There is no need to search for access points or any other hardware, software, in fact, nothing more than your wireless reading device. This allows you to shop anytime you need, on the go, on a weekend break and now even on international holidays, swapping the SIM card for a local provider that can connect to the internet just like you do at home. This has been, in the past, a great criticism of the Kindle.
There you have it, take your pick if it’s the portable e-book reader and its internet connection method or for those of you who need that level of spontaneity, the wireless portable reading device.
Hopefully, this eBook reader comparison will help you make the right buying decision.