Electronic books have come into our lives to completely change the way we read. What lover of reading has not dreamed of having a complete library in just 100 grams of weight? Being able to take all your favorite books anywhere is a real luxury. If you are considering getting one of these devices, we have the most complete buying guide you can find. Keep reading!
Although it may seem curious to you, the first antecedent of electronic books dates back to 1949 . Yes, almost a century ago! Ángela Ruiz Robles, a teacher, designed her so-called Mechanical Encyclopedia . Using a complex mechanism of mechanical buttons, pawls and thumbwheels, he created an interactive book.
Its operation was not even remotely simple: it was divided into two parts, and while the left had automatic alphabets, on the right there were cylinders. With the alphabets on the left, students were supposed to be able to form syllables, words, or even short phrases using the push buttons. These were driving a wheel that caused the word to be displayed through a small screen at the bottom. Under this a small blackboard was supposed to be placed so that the student could draw.
On the other hand, the right part had a drop-down reel where the subject and its lessons should be placed using some sheets. Each subject had a coil that could be exchanged.
Although it is true that this Mechanical Encyclopedia is not what we would understand today as an eReader, it was a pioneering project in its time! What it allowed was to take all the subjects with you without having to carry so much weight. And isn’t this similar to what e-books are doing right now?
Why buy an electronic book?
The first thing we ask ourselves when considering whether to buy an e-book or not is: do we really need it? Although it is true that the answer to this question will depend a lot on each person, we have some questions to help you solve it:
- Do you read very often? If you are an avid reader , you are probably interested in getting this device.
- Do you usually read outside the house? If so, surely you have found that sometimes it is very annoying to carry a book with you everywhere. Because they are heavy , they can break, they take up a lot of space… And a host of other drawbacks!
- Do you want to save when buying books? Digital books are much more affordable than physical books, and this is an advantage that you should take into account!
- Don’t you have more space to continue storing books at home? In that case, an eBook can be your salvation . You will be able to have the Library of Alexandria in your hands without hardly noticing its weight.
As you may have seen, the advantages of electronic books are almost endless: you save space, you save money and you can always carry your device with you. Also, do not think that eReaders are very expensive! There are many affordable ones, so the initial investment doesn’t even have to be very high.
Take a look at these items
Before embarking on the adventure of getting an electronic book, there are certain parameters that you must take into account so that your choice is as successful as possible. Otherwise, you might end up choosing a book that doesn’t fit well with you and regret it. To prevent you from wasting your money, we will show you all the details that you must take into account!
Screen
The most important part of any e-book is its screen . It is precisely through this that you are going to be able to read and that you are going to relate to the book itself, so you should pay special attention to it.
Within this section, there are several factors to consider:
- First of all, it is important that you look at the size . The smallest book readers are 6 inches , while the largest go up to 8 inches . Do not think that it is always better to choose the largest so that your eyesight does not suffer, since this has nothing to do with it. Regardless of the size of the screen, you can adjust the letter so that you can see it without problems. Opting for a larger or smaller one will also influence the weight , so it’s something you have to put on a scale to see what you prefer. From Topes de Gama we advocate for a small eBook to, in this way, make it much more manageable and comfortable to transport.
- Electronic ink screens are essential in an eReader, especially if you are going to spend many hours reading. This is a technology that is responsible for simulating traditional paper. They don’t have a backlight , so they don’t hurt your eyes like other screens might. It does have a downside though: you’ll need a light source to read. However, you should know that there are some that have integrated lighting so that you can read even in the dark. Although we will talk about this later!
- There are other electronic books that have LCD screens , that is, backlit. Although they have the advantage of allowing you to read even in the dark, they can end up being annoying to the eye. They are not the best alternative, especially since there are already electronic ink screens with integrated lighting.
- In addition to the above, you must take into account the resolution of the screen. This must be at least 300 dpi for the experience to be positive.
As a note, you should know that there are electronic books whose screen is in color . They are more expensive, but they are ideal for those people who usually read comics, manga or any type of comic. And even illustrated novels!
Design
The electronic book is a device that you are going to carry a lot in your hands . That’s why the design does matter: it should be ergonomic to allow you to use it as comfortably as possible. But how can we know if an eBook is well designed? It’s simple: you must see that its weight is not high and that you like the controls it has.
We must place special emphasis on this: the controls, or the method of use, must be to your liking . It is a very personal decision! Because there are those who prefer the book to be tactile and not have any type of button, while there are those who feel more comfortable with physical buttons.
The truth is that the physical buttons often guarantee faster use. There are no possible mistakes: the page turn button will always turn the page. On the other hand, touch screens may require you to know how to use them and know gestures . You will also find devices that allow you to work in both ways, both by touch and with buttons. The decision will depend on your tastes, since both methods are equally practical.
Lightning
Let’s continue with another fundamental section: lighting . As we’ve briefly outlined before, there are different methods of lighting in e-books.
First of all, you can find books that are backlit . Although it is true that they are the best if you want to read at night without having to turn on lights, they can be annoying for the eyes. They are usually old models, with LCD panels, and they work in a very similar way to the screens of tablets or smartphones.
On the other hand, we find the electronic ink panels with integrated lighting . The fundamental difference is that this light does not emanate as such from the screen itself, as is the case with the backlight, but rather from the front of the screen. And it’s directed at the screen itself, not at our eyes! You will quickly notice the difference, because your eyes will not be nearly as tired.
We strongly recommend investing in a screen with integrated lighting whenever you want to read in low light conditions. You will be investing in your health directly, and you will not regret it! In the event that you do not consider it important to read in low light, an electronic ink screen will be more than enough.
You should know that practically all electronic books that have one type or another of light allow you to choose the degree of luminosity that you need. This is a great advantage, since it will allow you to adapt to each specific situation.
Autonomy
One of the strengths of any book of this style is its autonomy . Thanks to being so compact and having a screen that really doesn’t consume much, they are devices that guarantee you many hours of reading.
The ideal is to look for a terminal that offers many, many hours. You will see that there are some that specify that you can use them even for weeks , and it is true! What will mark the real autonomy will be the use you make of it, if it is very intensive or not.
Formats
There is a factor that many people forget when it comes to getting an electronic book, and that is the compatibility of formats. Not all electronic books are compatible with all types of formats, and this is a vital section. It could be the case that you got an eBook that did not read PDF, for example, and that would be inconvenient for you. But we are here to fix it!
First of all, you should know that there are a lot of different formats. The most common are: PDF, EPUB, MOBI, PRC, HTML, TXT, LRF, FB2, AZW3 and AZW. The normal thing is that you almost always end up reading books in EPUB and MOBI format, since they are the most used and the most widespread in any online bookstore. But, for example, Amazon Kindles don’t read EPUBs . And this could become a problem if the books you already have are in this format. Because although it is true that there are online converters , it implies making a double effort.
It will also depend a lot on the site where you plan to buy the e-books . For example, the Amazon website works with AZW3. If you are going to use other libraries, you should see what formats work (although you will usually find EPUB and MOBI) and act accordingly when buying an eBook.
Connections
Along with compatibility, the connectivity section is important. Typically, you’ll find eReaders that have both WiFi and a USB port, allowing you to transfer books using both methods. On the one hand, the WiFi connection will allow you to connect to e-book stores that may be online , such as Amazon. This will allow you to download books without having to go to a computer to help you.
Not only that, but they will also allow you to make use of other types of extra features such as dictionaries, translators, and even search pages. Nowadays, there are very few eBooks that do not have WiFi, since almost all of them already offer this technology.
It can be positive that it allows you to connect to your computer through a USB port. This will allow you to transfer any type of file, including your notes so that you can study comfortably.
Internal storage
Although electronic books do not usually take up much space, the internal storage offered by the eReader is important. At a minimum, you should be able to count on 8 GB of storage. Otherwise, you may end up needing to remove books over the years. Let’s not forget that an eBook is not like a smartphone, it is not a device that will quickly become obsolete, but one that we can use for a long time. It is better to invest in being able to store many books!
Although this will depend on whether it allows you to insert an SD card or not. In the event that it has a slot for the SD card, you can change it if you use it, alternate between cards, get a larger one… The limit will be set by you! E-books that allow you to do this are one of the best alternatives.
Extra features
Finally, you should carefully analyze what extra features your book reader brings with it. Some of the most interesting are the following:
- You will find models that allow you to listen to music . This will allow you to enjoy the soundtrack that you want for all your books without having to use your smartphone. It’s very comfortable!
- If your eBook allows you to change the font format , the size or even the orientation, it will be much easier for you to use it in any circumstance. It is not necessary, but it is a plus to consider.
- There are books that make underlining in them quick and easy. Make sure yours lets you do this if you want to use it for studying as well. Or even to take notes on the books you are reading and store your favorite moments.
Most popular e-book brands
After having carefully analyzed all the parameters that must be taken into account when buying an eBook, there is another factor that must be considered: the brand . Right now we are in a very wide market, with which there are many famous firms that are dedicated to the manufacture and sale of these devices.
From Topes de Gama we have made a compilation of the most interesting, so that you can take them into account. Keep reading!
amazon-kindle
We could only start with the most recognized brand of the moment: Amazon Kindle . His e-books are the most purchased on the market, from the most basic to the most pro. In addition, it has its own online store that is very easy to access and with which it works very well. Not only that: the operating system is very intuitive, easy to use and quite light.
The main advantage of these eReaders is that they have a very long history and, therefore, you know that you are investing in quality. They have a large number of details that have been refined over time and that allow you to bet on them in a calm way.
Within its range of products, you will find a large number of models. The basic Kindle costs as little as €100, and can often be even more affordable. From there, you can find other models of a slightly higher range whose price is also higher, such as the Kindle Paperwhite. Although we have one thing clear at Topes de Gama: investing in a Kindle is knowing that you will have a device by your side for decades, functional and with very high performance.
Kobo
For those who prefer to bet on other electronic books, Kobo is also a very interesting brand. It is curious that his name is an anagram of book , the English translation of ‘book’. They are devices that have electronic ink screens , thus allowing you to read without your eyesight being damaged.
Within the firm you will find an immense number of models, of different prices and specifications. As always, you can choose the most basic or look for something more complex. It will depend, above all, on your needs.
One thing that all of these e-books have in common is that they have a system that allows you to store all your notes and references in one place. It is a fundamental factor for those who study and need yes or yes to have all the notes at hand to be able to access them.
Tagus
The Casa del Libro launched its own electronic book reader under the Tagus brand a few decades ago. One peculiarity of this signature is that it is only compatible with EPUB and PDF. As we’ve pointed out, this could lead to incompatibility issues in some cases, so this is something to consider.
As an extra point, you should know that it allows you to buy books very quickly through the La Casa del Libro website. Of course, you will be able to import your files directly from your computer, especially since it is compatible with PDF.
woxter
Woxter is one of those Spanish companies that has gradually carved out a niche for itself in the electronic book market. So much so that it is now very easy to find your eBooks among the best sellers on many occasions. Their goal is, as they themselves say, to offer leading products at competitive prices.
They have been working with all kinds of devices since the year 2000, including eReaders. You should know that one of its most famous terminals is the E-Book Scriba, which has a 6-inch screen and electronic ink . It is compatible with a large number of formats, among which you will find EPUB and PDF, as well as HTM, DOC and TXT.
pocket book
If you are one of those who need yes or yes to read on a color screen , PocketBook is the brand you are looking for. This offers different models of electronic books, some with more competitive prices and others with a higher range. However, you should know that the price will always be higher than that of other brands because it also offers much more complete devices.
For example, his books not only allow you to read but also listen to music . And there are even some that come with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can quickly send files without the need for cables. And, of course, the more features they have, the easier it will be for the price to rise.
Tricks to buy electronic books online
Now you know how to choose your e-book well! Now all that remains is not to get lost in the world of the internet and see how to choose the best device online. The first thing we recommend is that you go to reliable stores , of which you have already heard and have references. Like, for example, Amazon or El Corte Inglés. This will ensure that you will not have problems either in the purchase process or afterwards.
Pay attention to prices
Prices fluctuate, and a lot! Also, they change depending on the store you are looking at. The first thing you should do is look for the specific book you want in a large number of stores, and slowly analyze the different costs. In this way, you will always choose the one with the best result. Don’t forget to add the shipping costs , which also vary depending on the site!
It is recommended, but not essential, that you monitor prices for a period of time. That will let you know when it is at a good price and when it has gone up more than necessary, so you can act accordingly.
Check the opinions
Although you can read a product description a thousand times, there is nothing like seeing other people’s reviews . It is in that small section that many websites have where you will find out if the book is as good as it seems… Or if it has some other hidden defect! Do not get tired of reading reviews, opinions and even usage analysis, because they can be of great help to you.
second hand eReaders
If you are considering getting a second-hand or renovated eBook, the truth is that it is not such a bad idea. You must do it through a platform or a seller that is reliable, as always with this type of transaction. That will allow you to escape from cheating, scams or any problem like that.
Do not forget to compare prices , because if the difference is very low between the first or the second hand, better a new reader! This way you will know what use has been given to it from the first moment, how well it has been cared for and all its exact specifications.
Current or from another year?
As we have pointed out before, eReaders are designed to be used for a long time . That makes its useful life longer and obsolescence disappears quite a bit from the picture. A 2019 book reader may still be a good alternative today, especially if you don’t need a very specific specification. So go for older models if you want! That will save you some money, and you will still have a high-quality product.
Sales periods
If you can wait for a specific sale time, like Prime Days or Black Friday, even better! However, we know that this is not always possible because there are times when you have to run a little more. In that case, we recommend you follow the prices that we have indicated before or, at least, compare in different stores.
Conclusions
After having carefully analyzed everything that needs to be taken into account when getting a book reader, we are going to make a small compilation . In this way, you will be able to see what the key points are and you will not forget any of them.
- First of all, you should pay close attention to the screen , both the type of panel and its lighting. Decide beforehand what use you are going to make, if you need integrated lighting or not, and what requirements you consider basic in this regard. It would also be interesting if you analyzed if a color screen could interest you, for example.
- After this, take a careful look at both the measurements and the weight. The fact that it is not too heavy will mean that you can transport it easily, and that is a plus!
- Finally, don’t forget to check the compatibilities . It is essential to not get a scare!