Why E-Ink Displays Are Better For E-Book Readers

Ebook readers are very much in the public eye right now. They seem to have emerged as the hot "must have" gadget of 2009 and look set to enjoy further success in 2010. Ebook readers are simply portable electronic devices that allow you to read ebooks (digital or electronic books) when you're on the go.

Ebook readers have numerous benefits. You could, if you wish, carry hundreds of books with wherever you go using a device that is around about the same size and weight as a paperback book. You can take your own little mini library with you when you're on the road.

On the other hand, you can just as easily read ebooks and carry plenty of them with you just by using a notebook computer. Perhaps it may be just a little bit heavier and a little larger - but it is still (by definition) a portable device. There may even be some who consider that the additional functionality - web browsing, email, word processing etc. more than compensates for a little extra wight to carry around.

So why go to the bother of carrying another device around with you when your notebook will do the job anyway? Why would you even consider an ebook reader? Simply put, the ebook reader has some added benefits that may not be obvious at first glance.

The type of display technology in use is one of the main areas of difference. Most computer displays are back-lit these days. Reading on them for any significant length of time will generate some level of eye strain for many people. The display technology employed by ebook readers is known as E-Ink, and it's not back-lit. This means that using this type of display is much more like reading text printed on a sheet of paper. It's very much easier on your eyes.

Another benefit of e-ink technology is the fact that the display only draws power when it's changing pages. Once the page has been written, no power is required. This means that ebook readers can go for long periods between charges - which is the ideal situation for a battery operated mobile device. Readers can operate for weeks, or for several thousand "page turns" between charges.

Another advantage of ebook readers is that many of them now incorporate wireless connectivity. They can connect to the web and download ebooks using 3G technology without the need for a broadband connection or a WiFi hotspot. This feature was originally introduced in the Amazon Kindle ebook reader, but it is now becoming more common as other manufacturers introduce their own next generation readers.

The number of manufacturers who now have ebook readers on the market is also an important factor. Amazon has been the dominant force in the market for the last couple of years. It looks like Amazon's dominance is likely to continue for some time - but increased competition will produce a downward pressure on prices. When Amazon's Kindle 2.0 was released in February of 2009, the launch price was $ 359. Just a few months later the price had fallen by $ 100 to $ 259.

Industry analysts seem to be in general agreement that a price of $ 150 is the level required to allow ebook readers to be considered as a mainstream consumer electronics item. With higher levels of competition, this price point might well be attained during the course of 2010.

Considering all the technical advantages, reducing prices, continually growing functionality and increased levels of choice, ebook readers seem likely to grow even further in popularity throughout 2010. They could, in the very near future, assume the same status as items as ubiquitous as mobile phones and iPods.

Find out more about the Amazon Kindle reader and learn how it can save you money when you download free Kindle ebooks directly from Amazon's website.