How an e-book works - electronic ink technology (E-Ink): 3 interesting points

Onyx Boox Max 3

An e-reader with a 13.3‑inch display with a resolution of 2,200 × 1,650 pixels (207 ppi). E‑Ink Mobius Carta is an improved version of screens made using e-paper technology. They use a plastic backing instead of glass and are more efficient on battery power than older models.

Max 3 is one of the largest readers with a powerful eight-core Qualcomm processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of flash memory. To expand the storage there is a slot for a memory card.

This is more of a hybrid device, and not just a gadget for reading books: the device runs Android 9.0, which allows you to install third-party applications. There is a Wi‑Fi module to connect to the Internet, and the reader also supports Bluetooth 4.1.

The sound is played through two speakers, and a fingerprint scanner is built into the control button. Through the USB Type-C port with OTG function, you can connect flash drives, keyboard and mouse to the device.

Additionally, the Max 3 has an HDMI input that can be used to receive a signal from a desktop PC or laptop. It is unlikely that anyone will need an additional monitor with 16 shades of gray for working with images, but it is perfect for reading and editing text files.

The Max 3 screen has two touch layers: capacitive with Multi-touch support and Wacom for drawing, recognizing thousands of degrees of pressure. The stylus is included. Power is provided by a battery with a capacity of 4,300 mAh.

Price: 71,990 rubles.

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Characteristics

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• Display: E Ink Kaleido with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 1448 × 1072 (in black and white mode). Displays 4096 colors, 16 shades of gray.
• Wi-Fi: 2.4 + 5 GHz
• Bluetooth: version 4.1
• Operating system: Android version 9.0
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 8 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 2 GHz
• Graphics: Adreno 506
• User memory: 32 GB
• RAM: 2 GB
• Battery: capacity 1500 mAh, lithium-ion
• Weight: 131.4 g (without case)
• Dimensions: 153 x 107 x 6.8 mm
• Charging connector: microUSB 2.0 with USB-OTG support

Onyx Boox Gulliver

Reader with E‑Ink Mobius Carta screen with a diagonal of 10.3 inches and a resolution of 1,872 × 1,404 pixels (227 ppi). Inside there is a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash memory. There are also two touch layers with support for the included stylus.

Onyx Boox Gulliver is equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. The reader is powered by a battery with a capacity of 4,100 mAh. There is a USB‑C port for charging and connecting to external devices.

The e-book also comes pre-installed with English-Russian and Russian-English dictionaries, with which you can view the translation of words by selecting them in the text.

Price: 34,230 rubles.

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How color e-books work

For those who use purchased gadgets only for banal reading of literary texts, the presence of color is not a critical function. But when used as an electronic assistant when deciphering tables, complex drawings, diagrams, pictures and other content, it is preferable to use a color display. Modern devices are equipped with screens made using two different technologies:

• LCD;
• E-Ink.

Liquid crystal color displays, first used in conventional televisions, have become a classic way of transferring color to the screen. They are distinguished by very bright and natural color rendition. But the main disadvantage is considered to be a very strong negative effect on vision. Therefore, “readers” of this type are becoming obsolete in their last days, and remain on the charts of online stores thanks to very low prices in comparison with more modern analogues.

You could only see something like this ten years ago in science fiction movies.

We are talking about readers made using electrophoresis technology (E-Ink). The color display took the best qualities from its monochrome predecessors:

• battery autonomy;
• small sizes;
• excellent color rendering in intense sunlight.

The most modern devices are made using E-Ink Triton technology. Thanks to the use of special filters, the color rendering level of over 4 thousand shades is comparable in quality to LCD, and there is no harm to vision.

Depending on the cost, manufacturers provide books with various functionality:

• support for a large number of formats;
• control using touch keys;
• large (over 512 MB) amount of built-in memory;
• Possibility of using flash cards.

The most modern readers are equipped with a built-in media player, file viewer and Wi-Fi module.

A clear example of the evolution of the quality of E-Ink displays

Electronic books equipped with a color ink screen are evolving very quickly. In just over ten years, displays have gone from the first low-contrast samples to state-of-the-art paper-like screens:

• E-Ink VizPlex, SiPix, Pearl are the firstborns of the technology, in which the designers included a low level of contrast. They have long been discontinued and practically never appear on the market;
• E-Ink Pearl HD is the first display with resolution close to full screen. 1024x758 pixels allowed us to increase the level of quality. Image contrast - 12:1;
• E-Ink Flex. The low contrast (10:1) in comparison with the most modern samples is compensated by the use of plastic substrate technology. The screen has become more durable and “stress-resistant”;
• E-Ink Carta is a state-of-the-art high-contrast display with excellent reflectivity. Coupled with low power consumption and excellent color rendering quality, it has no competitors in the reader market;
• E-ink Triton, or “electronic paper” is the future of full-color (4096 shades and 16 shades of gray) reader technology.

Onyx Boox Nova Pro

Electronic book with a 7.8-inch diagonal E‑Ink Carta Plus screen and a resolution of 1,872 × 1,404 pixels (300 ppi). The display has two touch layers with stylus support for drawing and taking notes.

The reader is also equipped with an adjustable Moon Light+ screen backlight and can operate in Snow Field mode, which reduces artifacts and text distortion when turning pages. The model received a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash memory.

The built-in Wi‑Fi module allows you to use the device for surfing the Internet. Battery capacity - 2,800 mAh. The kit includes a stylus.

Price: 26,990 rubles.

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Results

In a way, Onyx Poke 2 Color can be considered an experiment, which over time should show whether e-readers with a color screen are at all interesting to users, and if sales are successful in the future, we will probably be waiting for models with a larger display diagonal. The reader has plenty of advantages: it is well built, light weight, a high-resolution screen in black and white mode, adjustable flicker-free backlight, a cover included, a powerful single-chip Snapdragon system, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and fresh, and most importantly, functional operating system with support for Google services.

Among the shortcomings and features that you may not like: an outdated micro USB connector, the absence of buttons on the case, and far from the lowest price for a reader with a 6-inch screen diagonal. The displayed colors cannot boast of saturation, and in this regard, E Ink is still far from IPS, and even more so from Amoled matrices, but at the same time the screen remains as comfortable as possible for reading.

At the time of writing the review, Poke 2 Color could be purchased for 19,990 rubles, and this price was primarily due to the color E Ink screen and powerful hardware by the standards of e-readers.

Onyx Boox Euclid

The model with a 9.7‑inch E‑Ink Carta touch screen (1,200 × 825 pixels, 150 ppi) is equipped with a Moon Light backlight system and supports the Snow Field function for comfortable reading.

Inside there is a quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of flash memory, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. The package includes a protective case and a power adapter. Power is provided by a battery with a capacity of 3,000 mAh.

Price: 24,490 rubles.

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PocketBook 740

Compact e-reader with 7.8‑inch E‑Ink Carta screen (1,852 × 1,404 pixels, 300 ppi), customizable backlight, dual-core processor and 8 GB storage. There is a slot for a microSD memory card up to 32 GB.

The battery capacity is 1,900 mAh. There is a Wi‑Fi module for connecting to the Internet. The reader is charged and connected to the computer via the microUSB 2.0 port.

Price: 15,190 rubles.

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The Future of E Ink

The sharpest E Ink displays have a pixel density of up to 300 ppi, and entry-level models have a pixel density of 167 ppi.
We can expect this figure to increase in the future. Together with Japan Display, E Ink plans to release electronic paper with pixel densities of 400 and 600 ppi. The developers claim that on such displays it will be possible to comfortably read even text written in 8-point type. Don't forget about the low power consumption of e-paper. Maybe one of the manufacturers will take advantage of the energy efficiency of E Ink and release a reader powered by solar energy. Bookeen has already made a cover for e-books with a solar battery in 2020, and there are also instructions for making a similar cover yourself.

Expect E Ink to become more widespread outside of e-readers. They have great advertising potential: you can reduce the cost of paper price tags and make reusable posters. The German company RoadAds has developed E Ink screens installed on trucks. E Ink is also used for car key fobs, and Japanese company Android Experiments Object has unveiled a concept for an E Ink calendar that syncs with Google Calendar.

Now smartphones are already equipped with E Ink displays; a striking example is the sensational YotaPhone, where electronic paper is located on the back, acting as an additional display. In September of this year, the third generation of the device was released - it has a 5.2-inch E Ink Carta II screen with HD resolution. And for other smartphones, accessory manufacturers make cases with E Ink.

PS Our library with several hundred reviews of ONYX BOOX e-books.

Onyx Boox Monte Cristo 4

Electronic book in a metal case with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta Plus screen (1,448 × 1,072 pixels, 300 ppi). Equipped with 8 GB of internal memory and supports microSD cards up to 32 GB. The display uses the Moon Light+ backlight system with color temperature control.

There is a Wi-Fi module to connect to the Internet; external devices can be connected via Bluetooth or a microUSB port. Battery capacity - 3,000 mAh. To translate words from the text, there are built-in dictionaries: English-Russian and Russian-English.

Price: 13,490 rubles.

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Rating of the best e-book models of 2018-2019. ? comparison table and reviews

Let's look at comparative tables of the characteristics of the models we have selected, and what users write about the best e-readers they use.

Electronic book PocketBook 615

PocketBook 615

More details at:

More details at:

E-book ONYX BOOX Monte Cristo

ONYX BOOX Monte Cristo

More details at:

Amazon Kindle 8 e-reader

Amazon Kindle 8

E-book ONYX BOOX Prometheus

ONYX BOOX Prometheus

Electronic book PocketBook 631 Touch HD

PocketBook 631 Touch HD

More details at:

E-book ONYX BOOX Darwin 2

ONYX BOOX Darwin 2

More details at:

Electronic book PocketBook 840-2 InkPad 2

PocketBook 840-2 InkPad 2

E-book ONYX BOOX Vasco Da Gama

ONYX BOOX Vasco Da Gama

More details at:

More details at:

E-reader Gmini MagicBook S6HD

Gmini MagicBook S6HD

E-book ONYX BOOX Caesar 2

ONYX BOOX Caesar 2

Amazon Kindle Oasis e-reader

More details at:

Onyx Boox Darwin 6

A device with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta Plus screen (1,448 × 1,072 pixels, 300 ppi), Snow Field function and Moon Light+ backlight system with color temperature adjustment.

The reader has a quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, as well as a slot for a microSD card with a capacity of up to 32 GB. There is an integrated Wi‑Fi module with a full browser. Darwin 6 is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery.

Price: 12,290 rubles.

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PocketBook 632

Compact e-reader with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta touch display (1,448 × 1,072 pixels, 300 ppi), backlit. Inside there is a dual-core processor and 16 GB of internal memory. You can connect to the Internet via Wi‑Fi.

A 1,500 mAh battery is enough for about a month of reading for an hour a day - that's about 8,000 pages without backlighting. There is a microUSB port for connecting to a computer and charging.

Price: 11,145 rubles.

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How to choose an e-book to read? opinion of our editorial expert

1. It is very important to immediately determine what size the device you are purchasing should be. Whether you want it to fit in your pocket or will you carry it in your bag.
2. The next step will be the selection of the technology with which the screen is made. If you want to watch videos or play games while reading books, then you should buy an e-reader with a large TFT screen. IMPORTANT ! Electronic books with a TFT display can work without additional recharging for only 6–8 hours.
3. If you like to read a lot, then the best purchase for you will be an E-Ink e-reader, which will not tire your eyes and feels like a page from a regular printed publication.

   The better the display manufacturing technology, the less eye fatigue

4. It is very important to pay attention to the presence of backlighting in the book; this additional feature will allow you to read at night without disturbing your loved ones.
5. Convenient book management? additional comfort when reading. When purchasing a touchscreen, it is very important to pay attention to the redundant buttons on both sides of the device.
6. If you plan to search for information on the Internet, then it is better to choose a model equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard.
7. Having Wi-Fi will be very useful for downloading data to the reader.
8. If possible, you should buy a device that supports the maximum number of formats, this will reduce the conversion time.

Bookeen Saga‑Red CYBSB2F‑BX

An electronic book with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta touch display (1,024 × 758 pixels, 213 ppi), equipped with an adjustable backlight system. There is 8 GB of built-in memory for storing books. The battery capacity (1,900 mAh) is enough for several weeks of daily reading.

There is a Wi-Fi module for connecting to the Internet. The book comes with a cover to protect the plastic case from damage. A microUSB port is installed here for charging and connecting to external devices.

Price: 9,490 rubles.

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What to look for when choosing an e-book

The characteristics of different models will differ, so it is better to immediately decide on your preferred parameters.
The simplified design of an e-reader represents such important criteria as the size and type of screen, the ability to “read” various formats of electronic files, battery capacity, memory capacity, and the presence of display backlighting. Basic selection options:

• Screen diagonal usually varies from mini-formats 5′ to 10′ or more. On a large screen you won’t have to “turn” pages often, but they are more suitable for home use. It is more convenient to take an e-reader with a 5′-7′ screen on the road.
• Control can be manual or touch. Gadgets with buttons are cheaper and will be more familiar to older people.
• Additional screen backlight allows you to read an e-book in any lighting level. The backlight adjustment function, as well as automatic mode selection according to the lighting, will also be useful.
• Protecting the case from moisture and dust also increases the cost of the book, but ensures long and trouble-free service of the device. This point is especially important for families with small children or for frequent trips.
• The number of supported formats in modern e-books is almost endless. It is most convenient to download files in FB2, because this format is designed specifically for electronic “readers”, which means it is well received by any device. Other equally popular formats include pdf, txt, doc, djvu.
• The built-in memory of an e-reader usually varies from 4 to 8 GB. This is enough to save about 1200 standard files. If this figure seems insufficient, there is always the possibility of increasing it by installing a memory card.
• Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect to an available network and select suitable files from available sources.
• The battery capacity usually lasts from two to four weeks of continuous operation. Due to its low power consumption, you will not have to charge the gadget often. It should be noted that backlit e-readers consume their charge faster, but the battery in such devices is also provided with a reserve.

The readers use a special electronic ink technology. They do not cause eye fatigue when reading and are economical in energy consumption. There are three generations of such ink; now the most commonly used technology is Pearl HD with a 12:1 contrast ratio. Compared to previous designs, Pearl (10:1 contrast ratio) provides high text extension and clarity. The most “advanced” technology is the use of Carta ink, the contrast of which is 15:1.

Important: when purchasing an e-book, do not forget about useful accessories. This is a reliable case to protect the case from accidental impacts, a mini-lamp for illumination, and a waterproof overlay for the screen.

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PocketBook 641 Aqua 2

This reader is equipped with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta touch screen (1,024 × 758 pixels, 212 ppi) with built-in backlight. There is 8 GB of flash memory for storing files. The Internet connection will be provided by a Wi‑Fi module, and a microUSB port is installed for charging.

The body of the device is protected from moisture and dust - the book will survive a fall into water up to a depth of 1 meter. There are built-in dictionaries for translating foreign language texts. The battery capacity is 1,500 mAh.

Price: 10,990 rubles.

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The best e-books price-quality

PocketBook 616

The TOP of e-books opens with a model with an ultra-thin black body . The back panel of the device is equipped with a velvety Soft-Touch coating that is pleasant to the touch.

The screen diagonal is comfortable for the user and is 6 inches. The compact size allows you to carry the device even in your trouser pocket.

The reader is equipped with a Carta E-Ink display, which is famous for its clarity and realism.

This screen displays text similar to that printed in paper versions of books.

This is what helps preserve vision when reading an electronic reader. An important advantage of the model is its support for a large number of text and graphic formats. It is worth noting that this is one of the best models of 2020.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 1024*758;
• processor frequency - 1000 MHz;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• weight - 155 g.

pros

• durable body;
• ergonomics;
• built-in lighting.

Minuses

• inconvenient power button;
• high price.

PocketBook 614 Plus

The next reader is the 614 Plus model, which is a 6-inch device . This e-book is inexpensive because it is not equipped with unnecessary functions, be it an audio player, the Internet or a touch screen.

Indeed, the device’s settings buttons are mechanical (which is a definite plus for older people).

However, it is not without visible advantages: the reader is equipped with the latest generation E Ink – Carta display, which allows you to significantly save battery energy.

8 GB of memory is enough to store a small library inside the device . The PocketBook 614 Plus electronic reader needs to be charged approximately once a month.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 800*600;
• processor frequency - 1000 MHz;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• weight - 170 g.

pros

• good battery;
• durable body;
• affordable price;
• bright backlight.

Minuses

• flimsy central button;
• The screen resolution leaves much to be desired.

PocketBook 740

The PocketBook 740 model has an original design and a pleasant wood shade . A reader with a 7.8-inch screen diagonal is perfect for visually impaired users or the elderly, because they especially need comfort when reading.

The display is made using E-Ink Carta technology, which means that reading from such a screen is no different from reading a paper book.

Powerful 1000 MHz processor processes data extremely quickly.

The processor's RAM is 1024 MB. The control on the reader is touch-sensitive, multi-touch is extremely sensitive to touch.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 7.8 inches, 1872*1404;
• processor frequency - 1000 MHz;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• weight - 210 g.

pros

• support for most formats;
• good screen;
• bright backlight;
• anti-glare coating.

Minuses

• lack of ergonomics;
• You need to press hard on the power button.

PocketBook 627

The model is distinguished by a thin black body and a high-quality E-Ink screen . The PocketBook 627 reader supports most digital formats, including PDF, DOC, EPub, FB2.

In addition, the device can download JPEG, TIFF, PNG images. The electronic gadget is quite compact in size, as the screen diagonal is only 6 inches.

This pocket version of the book is convenient to take with you when traveling.

The device allows connection to the Internet via the built-in Wi-Fi module.

For reading in low light, the reader is equipped with a bright backlight. To store files, the device has 8 GB flash memory.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 1024*758;
• processor frequency - 1000 MHz;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• weight - 155 g.

pros

• support for most formats;
• small dimensions;
• uniform illumination;
• low cost.

Minuses

• the housing coating may be scratched;
• Some settings may seem inconvenient.

PocketBook 627

The compact e-reader is equipped with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta touch display (1,024 × 758 pixels, 212 ppi) with backlight. Files can be saved to internal reserve (8 GB) and on a microSD memory card up to 32 GB.

A Wi-Fi module is installed for wireless Internet connection. You need to charge and connect the device to your computer via microUSB. The battery capacity (1,500 mAh) should be enough for a month of reading or 8,000 pages without backlight.

Price: 10,690 rubles.

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Best e-readers with built-in pendant

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2015

The model, released in 2020, is very popular among book lovers . The stylish snow-white body attracts the attention of users.

The reader has LED backlighting that can be adjusted to the current lighting level. The E-Ink Carta touch screen has an ultra-high resolution of 1080*1440.

The device also has disadvantages - it does not support memory cards and does not have a Bluetooth module.

It is worth noting that Amazon has an exclusive Bookerly font that makes reading more interesting.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 1448*1072;
• built-in memory - 4 GB;
• weight - 205g.

pros

• good screen;
• performance;
• pleasantly colored lighting;
• clear interface.

Minuses

• small number of supported formats;
• weak browser.

PocketBook 641 Aqua 2

PocketBook 641 Aqua 2 has a built-in backlight that is independently adjustable, depending on the time of day.

It has different gradations of shades - from white to yellow and orange. The model has reliable protection against water and sand, class IP57.

This reader is not afraid to be splashed with tea or bathed in the sea.

The latest generation Carta screen helps keep your eyes comfortable while reading.

The pleasant velvety coating of the e-book allows you to hold it comfortably in your hands. Almost all known file formats can be loaded onto this device.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 1024*758;
• processor frequency - 1000 MHz;
• built-in memory - 8GB;
• weight - 180 g.

pros

• long operating time;
• contrast and bright screen;
• fast page turning.

Minuses

• “spot” lighting;
• may freeze.

ONYX BOOX Euclid

Another option for an e-book with built-in backlighting . ONYX Boox Euclid has the most comfortable dimensions, because it is comfortable to hold in your hands.

Your eyes simply won't get tired after reading for hours on the large 9.7-inch E-Ink screen.

The gadget is controlled via a sensitive touch display.

It is worth noting that the device’s built-in backlight has 16 gradations, so the shades of the electronic page can be changed manually.

The device reproduces the main formats of graphic and text files.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 9.7 inches, 1200*825;
• processor frequency - 1600 MHz;
• built-in memory - 16 GB;
• weight - 410 g.

pros

• long operating time;
• large diagonal;
• durable body.

Minuses

• faded backlight;
• high price.

Onyx Boox James Cook 2

A device with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta touch screen (800 × 600 pixels, 167 ppi) and a quad-core processor. Supports Snow Field mode that improves image quality and Moon Light+ backlight with color temperature adjustment. There is a slot for microSD memory cards up to 32 GB and built-in storage of 8 GB.

The e-reader runs on a 3,000 mAh battery. You can only download files and charge the device via microUSB.

Price: 6,990 rubles.

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The best budget e-books under 5,000 rubles

DIGMA E63W

The top inexpensive e-reader is opened by the DIGMA E63W model with a fairly large amount of built-in memory - 4 GB.

A high-quality screen using E-Ink Carta technology imitates real book paper, while avoiding screen flickering.

The display size is only 6 inches and the resolution is 600*800 pixels. Despite the low parameters, the text on the reader is readable clearly and easily.

The device is equipped with a wide range of supported formats, including TXT, EPUB, DJVU, PDF, HTML, RTF, HTM, ZIP, MOBI, DOC, FB2.

In addition, the model is capable of loading images in JPG, BMP, PNG and GIF formats. The DIGMA E63W model does not have touch controls - the settings are adjusted using mechanical buttons.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 800*600;
• processor frequency - 600 MHz;
• built-in memory - 4 GB;
• weight - 160 g.

pros

• affordable price;
• fast work;
• long work without recharging.

Minuses

• inconvenient power button;
• It is easy to damage the screen.

DIGMA E654

An important feature that attracts attention to the Digma E654 electronic reader is its use of a 6-inch screen based on E-Ink Carta electronic ink technology.

The main advantage of a liquid ink matrix is ​​its low power consumption, so a 1500 mAh battery can run a book for a long time without recharging.

To store multimedia data, images and books in the device, the manufacturer has provided a built-in storage device with a capacity of 4 GB.

The device also supports microSD cards up to 32 GB.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 800*600;
• built-in memory - 4 GB;
• weight - 160 g.

pros

• the eyes do not get tired;
• large control buttons;
• variety of formats.

Minuses

• screen flickering when scrolling;
• no auto-rotate screen.

DIGMA e63S

Another budget model from the manufacturer DIGMA. The e-reader is made in a thin gray case .

The black and white E-Ink display is indistinguishable from a regular paper page. The reader supports all major text formats: PDF, DOC, EPub, FB2, etc.

It can also work with graphic documents: JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP.

The model, like all inexpensive devices, has its drawbacks, namely the lack of automatic backlighting with changing the shade of the screen and audio player.

But there are also advantages, which are expressed in the economical energy consumption of the battery and large built-in memory of 4 GB.

Specifications:

• Screen parameters - 6 inches, 800*600;
• processor frequency - 600 MHz;
• built-in memory - 4 GB;
• weight - 160 g.

pros

• simple settings;
• affordable price;
• good screen quality.

Minuses

• inconvenient central button.

PocketBook 614 Plus

The e-reader is equipped with a six-inch E‑Ink Carta display (800 × 600 pixels, 167 ppi) with glass coating. The battery capacity is 1,300 mAh. The microUSB port is used for charging and copying files.

The device has 8 GB of flash memory; to expand the storage there is a slot for a microSD card with a capacity of up to 32 GB. You can control the reader and turn pages using the buttons at the bottom of the case.

Price: 6,670 rubles.

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Which backlit e-reader is better?

For quite a long period of time, e-books with E-Ink displays were not equipped with backlighting. This caused difficulties for users who wanted to read without additional lighting. In 2012, Amazon solved this problem. The Kindle Paperw has a backlight of four LEDs, which are located at the bottom of the device and illuminate the transparent plate on top of the screen. This backlight is equipped with brightness adjustment, as well as the ability to turn it off.

American models of NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight from Barnes & Noble are equipped with a backlight consisting of 8 diodes. They are located at the top, illuminating the screen on which a light-scattering coating is applied. However, the disadvantage of this design is the possibility of easy damage to the layer.

Another type of backlight, fundamentally different from those described above, was proposed by Sony. The cover of the PRS-T3 model is equipped with a flashlight that can be pulled out. It receives power from the battery of the book itself, which, of course, reduces the operating time without recharging.

Some reader models are equipped with backlighting

It is difficult to objectively assess which type of backlight is better. Each user chooses an e-book based on personal preferences.

Kindle 2020

One of the most affordable e-books from Amazon. The model is equipped with a six-inch E‑Ink Pearl touch screen (800 × 600 pixels, 167 ppi) with adjustable backlighting, which allows you to read both indoors and outdoors.

The volume of built-in memory is 4 GB. The reader has Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth modules. The battery capacity is enough for about two weeks of daily reading.

Price: 6,074 rubles.

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How to choose the right e-book?

If you don’t understand how to choose a good e-reader for traveling, working with heavy text files, or for a child, of course, you need to start from the task. It is important to consider under what circumstances you will use the reader - this will help you determine the size, electronic ink technology, memory capacity and power. We will try to note a number of important parameters to simplify the task.

1. Battery capacity . The editors of the PriceQuality resource purposefully did not review LCD readers, since we do not see their advantages over tablets. Therefore, we will talk about the autonomous operation of E-lnk readers. It is immediately worth noting that this technology provides for a long battery life due to energy efficiency. Considering this circumstance, most manufacturers indicate in the description not the capacity (mAh), but the number of pages that the gadget can handle on one charge. It follows that 6000 pages is enough to read 20 books of 300 pages, respectively.
2. Power and memory . In the case of simple e-ink readers, there is no particular need to pay attention to performance. This is important if you're buying a premium device for playing heavy technical documents, surfing the Internet, or listening to audiobooks. In this case, you will need not only a good processor (preferably 4 cores), but also 2 gigabytes of RAM and, of course, additional memory for storing files. It is advisable to check with the seller in advance whether the selected reader supports a high-speed memory card, on which the overall performance also depends.
3. Management . If you are choosing an e-book for a schoolchild or student, you will need support for a qwerty keyboard, with which you can select individual fragments of text. For older people, they buy models with simple scrolling or buttons. The classic option for most users is touch control.
4. Supported formats . Again, a lot depends on the goals of the users. To work with presentations, it is important that the model supports .pdf resolution, for office documents .doc. Do not forget that some manufacturers equip equipment with their own formats, which allows for faster performance. In particular, Sony has models that support proprietary lrf resolution.
5. Built-in services . When buying even a budget e-book for regular literature, you are unlikely to need to focus on additional ways to use the content. It's a different matter if you're going to use content on the Internet. In this case, it is important to consider that most files are uploaded in .

DIGMA e656

Budget e-reader complete with a cover to protect it from scratches, chips and dust. The reader has a six-inch E-Ink Carta screen with a resolution of 800 × 600 pixels (167 ppi), 4 GB of flash memory and a slot for a microSD card up to 32 GB.

The display here is not touch-sensitive - to turn pages you need to use the buttons at the bottom of the case. The device runs on a battery with a capacity of 1,500 mAh.

Price: 4,990 rubles.

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Note! All prices are valid at the time of publication of the selection. Stores can update product prices throughout the day.

Rating of the best inexpensive e-books 2020

Rating of the best inexpensive e-books 2020

In this article we will provide a rating of e-books for 2019-2020 in the budget category. Many people today are thinking about how to choose an e-book, but there are few precise guides with specific examples on the Internet. Well, let's correct the situation. Let us emphasize that this time we will talk specifically about inexpensive devices – priced up to 10 thousand rubles and with a diagonal of 6 inches. Moreover, we didn’t even look at e-reader models without backlighting. There are such things in nature, but they are no good. The backlight is the most important part of the reader. With backlighting it is more comfortable to read even during the day, not to mention at night. Therefore, we are confident that all e-books in 2020 must already have this option.

Well, let's see what electronic readers you can buy with 10 thousand rubles. In addition, in the sidebars, as a bonus, we will answer a number of popular questions related to gadgets of this kind.

What size are e-books in 2020?

Today there are three current form factors of e-books. The first is the classic 6 inches. This format is suitable for ordinary literature. The second is 7.8 inches. On devices of this format it is much more convenient to view books and documents with graphs, diagrams, tables and diagrams, as well as comics and musical notes. The third form factor is with 10.3-inch diagonal screens. On such displays it is as comfortable as possible to study the documents listed above with complex layout. In addition, 10.3-inch e-readers are great for electronic versions of newspapers and magazines.

4th place. Digma R63W

The most simple electronic reader for unassuming users. It is cheap and, logically, does not offer any flashy features. Well, except for the very low price. The E Ink Carta screen has a low resolution of 800 x 600 pixels - the text on it looks like it is on inexpensive “newsprint” paper. The letters are loose and not very clear. With a processor speed of only 600 MHz, the device is quite sluggish, which can be annoying. The list of supported formats includes only 12 items, which is not enough. Without recharging, the model can work from three weeks to a month. This is within the bounds of decency, but not incredibly cool. In general, what you pay is what you get: not much.

Which e-book is best for a child?

For a child (schoolchild or preschooler), we can recommend a simple e-book without a touch screen - like those discussed in this article. Such readers are controlled by buttons and do not have Internet access. As a result, the child will not be distracted by unnecessary entertainment functions, but will focus on reading. What, in fact, is required: an e-book is the best way to introduce a very young person to reading literature.

3rd place. Ritmix RBK-676FL

The model is very similar to Digma, but has a higher screen resolution - 1024 x 758 pixels. Therefore, the clarity of the letters is higher. Although in general the screen quality is far from maximum, as evidenced by reviews of this e-book. Still, the product is budget. On the other hand, if you ask the question “which e-book is better – Digma or Ritmix?”, then the answer is obvious: Ritmix. On the other hand, the model supports the same 12 book formats and has the same 600 MHz processor. Whereas a good e-reader should ideally open one and a half times as many types of books and have a 1 GHz processor. As for the work time, we again have approximately three weeks to a month.

Why is an e-reader better than a smartphone or tablet?

Electronic books have special screens based on electronic ink technology – E Ink. They look like regular paper and are practically harmless to vision. The backlight of such screens does not hit the eyes, since the light flows parallel to the display. Due to this, the eyes are not irritated at all, and vision does not deteriorate. For comparison, the light from color smartphone screens goes directly into the user’s eyes. In addition, unlike the displays of e-readers, the screens of smartphones and tablets glare in the sun and flicker. All this has an extremely negative effect on vision. Therefore, ideally, you should use exclusively e-books for reading. Moreover, they work without recharging for up to 2 months, and not a day or two, like smartphones and tablets.

2nd place. Onyx Boox James Cook 2

The device is more expensive than the same Ritmix model, but it has a much lower quality E Ink screen with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Which is very strange. At the same time, Onyx runs Android. Reviews of e-books usually say that Android is good. However, this is a very misconception, and the best e-readers never use this platform. Android requires a fast and inefficient processor (Onyx has 4 cores, 1.2 GHz), and the Android OS itself willingly wastes battery power in an unknown place. Therefore, the Onyx model can last only a couple of weeks without an outlet. And in terms of operating speed, it is comparable to readers that have 600 MHz processors. Format support for Onyx Boox James Cook 2 is at an average level: 15 pieces. This is better than 12, but not the maximum for the market. Memory 8 GB.

Is it worth buying an e-reader with Android?

The Android operating system is good for smartphones and tablets, but it is not suitable for e-readers. As a rule, e-readers use older versions of Android with unoptimized power consumption. This eliminates one of the main advantages of E Ink screens – ultra-low power consumption. Therefore, a book with Android can work without recharging, for example, up to two weeks. And, say, a reader with Linux OS, which is much more economical, up to two months.

1 place. PocketBook 616

A very successful inexpensive model from the leader of the Russian reader market. It’s worth starting at least with the design - PocketBook 616, unlike the three previous models, does not look like an alien from the past. This is a very nice modern “unit”. The quality of the E Ink Carta screen (resolution - 1024 x 758 pixels) is as high as possible - it is brighter and clearer than those of Digma, Onyx and Ritmix. The device has twice as much memory as most analogues - 8 GB versus 4. The processor is 1 GHz, so the model is also almost twice as fast in operation. The picture is complemented by support for as many as 18 e-book formats - PocketBook readers, including the 616 model, are absolutely “omnivorous”. Finally, there is one more important point: PocketBook e-books are provided with a company warranty of THREE years. Against all year for other brands.

Which e-book should I buy – PocketBook or Kindle?

Amazon Kindle readers are not intended for the Russian market, although they are often mentioned in the information space. They do not have a warranty in Russia and support an extremely small number of book and document formats - only about 6. In addition, in technical terms, Kindle models are quite seriously behind the market. For the US, where they are inexpensive and there are practically no other e-books, Amazon’s models have virtually no alternative. For Russia and the CIS countries, PocketBook readers are the right option. They have a 3-year warranty, they support 20 book and document formats (that is, almost all existing ones), they are generally more technically advanced and modern.

The best inexpensive e-reader in 2020

The optimal choice is the PocketBook 616. This is a very compact model in the most popular 6-inch form factor with backlighting, a fast processor and convenient controls. In addition, the model looks more modern than its analogues, supports the maximum number of formats and is provided with a 3-year warranty. If we compare it with analogues, it turns out that the PocketBook 616 has significantly more significant advantages.