What to look for when choosing a reader - operating systems and hardware
Earlier we talked about reader screens - E Ink technology, form factor and substrate. Today we’ll talk about the “stuffing” - the battery, memory, and the OS.
Image: D. Lee Peffer II / CC BY
It affects the functions that the reader has, and, accordingly, the user experience. Consider the OS available for readers - Linux and Android.
Linux
This OS was actively used until 2014. Devices on Linux were released by Icarus, more such gadgets were presented in the ONYX BOOX line - for example, Capitan Nemo .
Over time, most manufacturers transferred their devices to Android (we will talk about this OS later), however, Linux-based readers have not left the market. Today it can be found in Kobo Forma and Kindle Oasis .
Pros: It is believed that readers on Linux havehigher speed and autonomy compared to readers on other operating systems. Someone even says that the reader on Linux "lives" as much as modern readers on Android with a much larger battery.
Cons: Readers use a redesigned version of Linux. It is sometimes impossible or not so easy to install third-party applications on them. Linux devices have significantly less functionality. In particular, they have fewer settings for text and footers when reading and fewer tap zones.
For example, the Kindle does not have file structure support. At the same time, the device reads only strictly defined formats of electronic books (for example, the unique AZW3). Yes, there are a large number of converters on the network, however, this complicates the process of writing books to the device for those who do not want to buy them in the Amazon store. Books downloaded from an authorized store are DRM protected, so transferring them to another device also causes some difficulties .
Android
According to Michael Kozlowski, author of the Good e-Reader blog, the massive transition to Android in 2014 was one of the most important events in the history of electronic readers. This OS has opened up more opportunities for application development and customization. Android devices are in the line of Nook, Boyue, Sony. Under the control of this OS, all ONYX BOOX readers are released - including Caesar 3, Darwin 6 and Monte Cristo 4.
In the photo: ONYX BOOX Monte Cristo 4
Pros: The main plus is customization. Users note the ability to configure sleep mode and save battery. More readers on Android support all the applications that are available for this OS. For example, the reader will not be redundant reference books, dictionaries, browser and software for editing documents.
Cons: According to Michael Kozlowski, most manufacturers release readers on Android versions 4.04 and 4.4. This imposes certain restrictions on the number of applications that can be used, and affects the performance of the device as a whole.
Also have an opinionthat Android runs out of gadget battery faster than other OSs. However, it is worth noting here that when determining the “lifetime”, it is important to consider the hardware platform and the energy saving modes supported by the processor of the reader. For example, with batteries of the same capacity, the new ONYX BOOX Darwin 5 and 6 models in sleep mode consume about four times less current than the predecessor models of Darwin 3 and 4. Therefore, in some cases, readers on Android show good battery life .
Alternative OS
Android and custom versions of Linux are the most famous, but not the only operating systems for readers. For example, some time ago, readers were released on Windows CE - Ectaco JetBook Color. And last year at a HOPE XII conference, a group of developers said they were starting to create an open OS, fread.ink, based on the Debian distribution.
There is already the first stable version, but it does not have Wi-Fi support and a number of other functions. In the future, this OS will be free, and the user is not limited to any e-book formats. But until its full implementation it is still far and unclear how often updates will be released.
According to Good e-Reader data for 2018, most manufacturers supply their latest products with quad-core processors and one or two gigabytes of RAM. However, there are more powerful gadgets, for example, Wisky EeWrite has an on-board 10-core processor.
Productive filling allows the device to better cope with resource-intensive book formats like PDF, as well as run applications faster and process dictionary requests. But you have to pay extra for the speed of work. The same Wisky EeWrite will cost at least 25 thousand rubles. But in general, less powerful devices, for example, from our Darwin line, will be enough to read fiction. The price of these readers is within 13 thousand rubles.
In the photo: ONYX BOOX Darwin 5
The volume of available books and multimedia files depends on this parameter.
Expandable memory
These gadgets have a slot for MicroSD or MicroSDHC. These readers are suitable for those who keep a large amount of literature or work with "heavy" documents - diagrams and drawings.
Pros: The main plus is that you can buy several cards and store a huge library on them. To download books, you do not need to connect the reader to the computer with a cable, just remove the SD-card and use the adapter.
Cons: Files on the SD card are often damaged , which can lead to the loss of documents or a collection of books.
Non-expandable memory
Suitable for those who do not plan to use the reader as a "portable library" and keep on the device only currently read books.
Pros: The lack of an SD card slot reduces the cost of readers. In the entire history of Kindle, only one gadget with expandable memory saw the light - the very first. This is one of the reasons for the relatively low cost of Amazon gadgets . Although it is obvious that in this case we are talking more about the company’s stake on its own cloud ecosystem.
Cons: It will not be possible to store a large number of PDF files on such readers - the place will end very quickly. But manufacturers of readers are increasingly offeringCloud storage for their devices. Among these companies are Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
It determines the “survivability” of the device and how convenient it will be to use it, for example, on long trips.
Battery
Obviously, the main parameter of a battery is its capacity. It determines how often the reader has to be charged. Two popular “form factors" of batteries in the reader market are 1,500 mAh and 3,000 mAh. The first type will " live " on one charge for several weeks. Usually they put it in small devices. An example would be the Kobo Aura model with a 6-inch screen, which is currently discontinued.
A more powerful 3000 mAh battery increases the cost of the reader, but extendsbattery life up to a month. It should be noted that the “life” time on a single charge (and, accordingly, the number of pages that can be read) is highly dependent on the conditions of use (including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
Batteries
One of the first such devices was the jetBook Mini reader, powered by four AAA batteries. The gadget "withstood" ninety hours of reading and could lie for two years in standby mode. Another example is the Beagle reader, which was developed at the German startup Txtr (we mentioned it last time ). The manufacturer said that the device can "live" on new batteries for a year. Today, these gadgets are rare.
The pluses of the batteries include the fact that in which case you do not have to sit at the outlet waiting for the battery to charge. The obvious disadvantages include the need to buy these same batteries.
Linux readers are believed to be less resource intensive. Android, in turn, has more functionality. To compare the most popular models for other parameters, we have prepared a small plate:
We are conducting a special promotion in ONYX BOOX e-book stores . From February 22 to March 8, you can exchange a paper book for a 10% discount upon purchase of any ONYX BOOX reader available from the warehouse ( more about devices ).
operating system
It affects the functions that the reader has, and, accordingly, the user experience. Consider the OS available for readers - Linux and Android.
Linux
This OS was actively used until 2014. Devices on Linux were released by Icarus, more such gadgets were presented in the ONYX BOOX line - for example, Capitan Nemo .
Over time, most manufacturers transferred their devices to Android (we will talk about this OS later), however, Linux-based readers have not left the market. Today it can be found in Kobo Forma and Kindle Oasis .
Pros: It is believed that readers on Linux havehigher speed and autonomy compared to readers on other operating systems. Someone even says that the reader on Linux "lives" as much as modern readers on Android with a much larger battery.
Cons: Readers use a redesigned version of Linux. It is sometimes impossible or not so easy to install third-party applications on them. Linux devices have significantly less functionality. In particular, they have fewer settings for text and footers when reading and fewer tap zones.
For example, the Kindle does not have file structure support. At the same time, the device reads only strictly defined formats of electronic books (for example, the unique AZW3). Yes, there are a large number of converters on the network, however, this complicates the process of writing books to the device for those who do not want to buy them in the Amazon store. Books downloaded from an authorized store are DRM protected, so transferring them to another device also causes some difficulties .
Android
According to Michael Kozlowski, author of the Good e-Reader blog, the massive transition to Android in 2014 was one of the most important events in the history of electronic readers. This OS has opened up more opportunities for application development and customization. Android devices are in the line of Nook, Boyue, Sony. Under the control of this OS, all ONYX BOOX readers are released - including Caesar 3, Darwin 6 and Monte Cristo 4.
In the photo: ONYX BOOX Monte Cristo 4
Pros: The main plus is customization. Users note the ability to configure sleep mode and save battery. More readers on Android support all the applications that are available for this OS. For example, the reader will not be redundant reference books, dictionaries, browser and software for editing documents.
Cons: According to Michael Kozlowski, most manufacturers release readers on Android versions 4.04 and 4.4. This imposes certain restrictions on the number of applications that can be used, and affects the performance of the device as a whole.
Also have an opinionthat Android runs out of gadget battery faster than other OSs. However, it is worth noting here that when determining the “lifetime”, it is important to consider the hardware platform and the energy saving modes supported by the processor of the reader. For example, with batteries of the same capacity, the new ONYX BOOX Darwin 5 and 6 models in sleep mode consume about four times less current than the predecessor models of Darwin 3 and 4. Therefore, in some cases, readers on Android show good battery life .
Alternative OS
Android and custom versions of Linux are the most famous, but not the only operating systems for readers. For example, some time ago, readers were released on Windows CE - Ectaco JetBook Color. And last year at a HOPE XII conference, a group of developers said they were starting to create an open OS, fread.ink, based on the Debian distribution.
There is already the first stable version, but it does not have Wi-Fi support and a number of other functions. In the future, this OS will be free, and the user is not limited to any e-book formats. But until its full implementation it is still far and unclear how often updates will be released.
Processors and RAM
According to Good e-Reader data for 2018, most manufacturers supply their latest products with quad-core processors and one or two gigabytes of RAM. However, there are more powerful gadgets, for example, Wisky EeWrite has an on-board 10-core processor.
Productive filling allows the device to better cope with resource-intensive book formats like PDF, as well as run applications faster and process dictionary requests. But you have to pay extra for the speed of work. The same Wisky EeWrite will cost at least 25 thousand rubles. But in general, less powerful devices, for example, from our Darwin line, will be enough to read fiction. The price of these readers is within 13 thousand rubles.
In the photo: ONYX BOOX Darwin 5
Memory size
The volume of available books and multimedia files depends on this parameter.
Expandable memory
These gadgets have a slot for MicroSD or MicroSDHC. These readers are suitable for those who keep a large amount of literature or work with "heavy" documents - diagrams and drawings.
Pros: The main plus is that you can buy several cards and store a huge library on them. To download books, you do not need to connect the reader to the computer with a cable, just remove the SD-card and use the adapter.
Cons: Files on the SD card are often damaged , which can lead to the loss of documents or a collection of books.
Non-expandable memory
Suitable for those who do not plan to use the reader as a "portable library" and keep on the device only currently read books.
Pros: The lack of an SD card slot reduces the cost of readers. In the entire history of Kindle, only one gadget with expandable memory saw the light - the very first. This is one of the reasons for the relatively low cost of Amazon gadgets . Although it is obvious that in this case we are talking more about the company’s stake on its own cloud ecosystem.
Cons: It will not be possible to store a large number of PDF files on such readers - the place will end very quickly. But manufacturers of readers are increasingly offeringCloud storage for their devices. Among these companies are Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Battery
It determines the “survivability” of the device and how convenient it will be to use it, for example, on long trips.
Battery
Obviously, the main parameter of a battery is its capacity. It determines how often the reader has to be charged. Two popular “form factors" of batteries in the reader market are 1,500 mAh and 3,000 mAh. The first type will " live " on one charge for several weeks. Usually they put it in small devices. An example would be the Kobo Aura model with a 6-inch screen, which is currently discontinued.
A more powerful 3000 mAh battery increases the cost of the reader, but extendsbattery life up to a month. It should be noted that the “life” time on a single charge (and, accordingly, the number of pages that can be read) is highly dependent on the conditions of use (including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
Batteries
One of the first such devices was the jetBook Mini reader, powered by four AAA batteries. The gadget "withstood" ninety hours of reading and could lie for two years in standby mode. Another example is the Beagle reader, which was developed at the German startup Txtr (we mentioned it last time ). The manufacturer said that the device can "live" on new batteries for a year. Today, these gadgets are rare.
The pluses of the batteries include the fact that in which case you do not have to sit at the outlet waiting for the battery to charge. The obvious disadvantages include the need to buy these same batteries.
Summarize briefly
Linux readers are believed to be less resource intensive. Android, in turn, has more functionality. To compare the most popular models for other parameters, we have prepared a small plate:
| Caesar 3 | Darwin 5 | Darwin 6 | Kobo Clara HD | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4-core, 1.2 GHz | 4-core, 1.2 GHz | 4-core, 1.2 GHz | 4-core, 1.2 GHz | 1-core, 1 GHz | 1-core, 1 GHz |
| RAM | 512 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| SD card | there is | there is | there is | there is | not | not |
| 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 1500 | 1500 | |
| Sizes, mm | ||||||
| Weight g | 182 | 182 | 182 | 205 | 182 | 166 |
| Display | 6 " | 6 " | 6 " | 6 " | 6 " | 6 " |
| Resolution | 758 × 1,024 | 758 × 1,024 | 1072 × 1448 | 1072 × 1448 | 1072 × 1448 | 1072 × 1448 |
| OS | Android | Android | Android | Android | Linux | Linux |
| price, rub. | 7 990 | 10 190 | 12,290 | 13,490 | 10,000 | 12,990 |
We are conducting a special promotion in ONYX BOOX e-book stores . From February 22 to March 8, you can exchange a paper book for a 10% discount upon purchase of any ONYX BOOX reader available from the warehouse ( more about devices ).