![]() ![]() hardware: Which reading and app ecosystem offers the most flexibility? Read on to consult this quick guide, which boils the purchase decision down to six questions: 1. Likewise, we're also not focusing on smartphones, though some of the big-screen (5 inches and up) such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 are certainly worthy of considering for those seeking a tablet alternative. For those, check of CNET's laptop buying guide and tablet buying guide. ![]() But if you're spending $399 to $499 and want a large (9.7-inch) screen, we'd still rather have an iPad.įor the purposes of this article, we're steering clear of PC-style tablets running Windows 8 and Windows RT. To be fair, Android tablets also double as good e-book readers, with those same three major e-book apps available - and, as we mentioned above, the smaller Android tablets (including Amazon and B&N) are better deals at lower price points. (Additionally, the iPad offers Apple's own iBooks application, though those e-books can't be accessed on any non-iOS device.) And the iPad's Good Reader app remains the best way to read, edit, and annotate PDF files that we've seen to date. It offers free Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Google Play reading apps, with full access to the content in those e-book stores. If you want a full-size, full-featured tablet that can double as an e-book reader, the iPad platform remains the best, no-compromise choice. In fact, you could also opt to give a kid the $159 non-HD Kindle Fire as well, since he or she probably won't miss the extra features.īest full-size reading tablet: Apple iPad (fourth-gen) (starts at $499). Amazon has further upped the ante with the, which serves up kids books, games, apps, movies and TV shows to Prime members for an additional $2.99 a month - or $6.99 per family. However, both the Nook and Kobo readers work with third-party EPUB e-book purchases, while the Kindle does not.īest tablets for kids: The Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and the Barnes & Noble Nook HD have support for multiple users, including parental controls. International readers should also consider the Kobo Glo, another worthwhile self-illuminated e-reader, though it's somewhat hampered by Kobo's content selection, which pales in comparison to Amazon and B&N. That said, the Nook is ad-free, a privilege that will cost you $20 extra for the Paperwhite. The best e-ink alternative is the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, another excellent self-illuminated e-reader - just note that Barnes & Noble's selection of e-books isn't quite as vast (nor often as cheap) - as Amazon's. ![]() In addition to its built-in light and touch-screen, the 2012 Kindle Paperwhite )starts at $119) offers access to Amazon's best-in-class e-book store, helping it win the e-ink race by a nose. While the January 2013 International CES will no doubt bring a wave of new tablets, nearly all of the major manufacturers have updated their product lines for the Christmas season, so the buyer's remorse meter is quite low - now is a good time to buy.īest overall e-ink readers: Kindle Paperwhite. ![]()
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