Your child may be encouraging (pressuring) you to buy the most powerful machine around or you may be tempted to grab whatever happens to be on sale. But before you buy, it’s worth understanding exactly what your school’s requirements are, and how your child will be using the device.

On this page:

• What’s the best laptop for school?
• A beginner’s guide to laptop and tablet specifications
• What to look for in a student laptop
• How to save money on a laptop for school
• Is financial assistance for school laptops available?
• Should I buy an Apple or Windows computer for school?
• Laptop or tablet: Which type of device do you need?
• Other laptop accessories you may need

What’s the best laptop for school?

Almost any laptop currently available instore or online will meet the minimum requirements for schools. The starting RRP for a basic model is around $500. After that, as the price increases so does performance (to a point). You shouldn’t need to pay more than $1500 for a student laptop.

Creative tasks that involve photo and video editing, design, drawing and animation require more computing power and a better-quality screen. If your child is interested in any of these subjects, or hobbies, you’ll need to buy a mid- to high-end laptop.

A lot of schoolwork also takes place in the cloud these days, which includes educational video. A good quality basic laptop, or affordable mid-range model, will ensure that cloud-based content and programs load and run without issues (e.g. lag, broken images, video that loads slowly, etc.).

Try to plan for the future. Ideally, a laptop should last at least four years and software requirements can quickly outpace the performance offered by low-end laptops, especially as students move into high school. A higher upfront cost may actually be cheaper in the long run.

Below are broad examples from our laptops test. The rest of the article digs a bit deeper into what to look for to help you make a more informed purchase.

Basic laptops

Cost: $500–800 approx.

Low-end hardware that can handle basic tasks as required by most schools. They’re capable of note taking, web browsing (including cloud-based work), working with spreadsheets, reading PDFs and video streaming. The cheapest options are pretty sluggish. You’ll have to wait a bit for websites to load, software may lag and they’ll have trouble running more than one program concurrently.

Mid-range laptops

Cost: $800–1700 approx.

More than suitable for running office software, cloud-based programs and web browsers. You may also be able to do some basic image and design work (e.g. using Photoshop) and maybe a bit of video and audio editing. But large file sizes in creative programs like this can slow a mid-range laptop down.

High-end laptops

Cost: $1700 and above approx.

These have enough power for all but the most intensive design and video work. There should even be enough grunt for 3D-modelling/rendering and high-end professional tools such as engineering software. Laptops like these go well beyond what’s generally needed for scholarly or office work such as online research and writing essays.

Note that lots of software is subscription-based nowadays. You may need to factor in these ongoing fees depending on your child’s needs.

A beginner’s guide to laptop and tablet specifications

There’s a lot that goes into picking the right laptop for your kid’s needs. Understanding how the various bits and pieces work can help you hone in on the ideal model for schoolwork.

Laptop vs tablet: A traditional laptop, also known as a clamshell, is a better option than a tablet with detachable keyboard. Performance is generally better for the price, they’re easier to use and the casing can provide a bit more protection in a backpack.

Apple Mac vs Windows: most of the core software that your child will be using is available for Mac and Windows. Apple products tend to be more expensive, however.

Weight: Schools recommend a maximum weight of 2kg but there are lots of ideal laptops that are 1.5kg or less. Thinner, lighter laptops tend to cost more.

Screen size: Most laptop screens are 13–15 inches, which is suitable for schoolwork. You can get 10- and 11-inch screens but they can feel crammed. Consider a larger screen, 15-inch or above, if your child is interested in design, image editing, etc.

Battery life: Look for devices that have eight hours or more of advertised battery life, and don’t go below six. Our tests found that most school-appropriate laptops have five to six hours of actual battery life (typically less than what’s advertised), so your child may need to take a charging cable with them.

Storage: Accessible (usable) storage is always lower than advertised. Many low- to mid-range laptops have only a minimal amount – 100GB or less. This should be suitable for office or research work if used in conjunction with cloud storage or an external hard drive.

256GB leaves a lot more leeway and is the better option. Creative work will require a lot more storage – aim for 512GB or more. Most manufacturers or retailers may give you the option to pay a little extra for more storage.

Some laptops have SD and microSD slots to easily – and cheaply – add more storage, too. Look for one with a slot that allows the card to sit all the way in, rather than poking halfway out, otherwise the SD card could get damaged.

RAM (aka memory): Computer programs and the operating system need memory to run. More memory equals smoother performance, broadly speaking. 4GB of RAM is the recommended minimum but 8–16GB will improve efficiency and performance. Creative work requires 8GB or more but 32GB is overkill.

iPads and Android tablets don’t have the same memory requirements. Any relatively new iPad or Android tablet (mid-range or above) will probably be fine.

Should I buy an Apple or Windows computer for school?

Both Windows and macOS (the actual name for the Apple operating system) laptops are accepted in schools, as are most iPads and some Android tablets. Software for schoolwork is available for both operating systems so you won’t need to worry about compatibility.

However, more specialised programs or creative tools may be exclusive to Windows or macOS. If the school recommends a particular program, double-check compatibility before buying.

Keep in mind that moving between Windows and macOS ecosystems has become pretty tricky. The best way to move files around is via a cloud storage service like Dropox or Google Drive. These may incur monthly subscription fees.

While each operating system has its army of fans, neither is explicitly better or worse. That said, the Apple ecosystem is a little more locked down, but this does make things easier if you want to move files between, or connect to, other Apple products like an iPad or iPhone.

Why you shouldn’t buy a Windows 10 laptop

You can find plenty of second-hand laptops with Windows 10 that meet the minimum specifications required for standard schoolwork. These may seem like a budget-conscious solution, but it’s best to avoid Windows 10 laptops as of 2026.

Why? Security support for Windows 10 has ended. There are currently still ways to get free extended support but this is also wrapping up later in the year. In other words, Windows 10 laptops will not be secure when connected to the internet by the end of 2026.

A Windows 11 upgrade is an option for most laptops released in the last five years but the vast majority of older models aren’t eligible. You can pay for even longer extended support but it’s expensive – possibly more than the cost of a cheap, used laptop.

At the end of the day, it’s just easier to avoid Windows 10 laptops altogether. Make sure you’re buying a computer that’s either already running Windows 11 or is very clearly eligible for the upgrade. Otherwise, you’ll be shelling out for something that won’t be safe to use in a few months time.

Is a Chromebook good for students?

A Chromebook is a lightweight alternative to laptops that runs Google’s ChromeOS. The main difference is that everything operates through web browsers and the cloud. You can’t install software in a typical fashion. Instead, Chromebooks rely on online services and a handful of programs in the Chrome Store to function.

They tend to be cheaper, don’t require a lot of processing power, and battery life is solid. However, you’re limited to the cloud-based software and programs that Google chooses to distribute with ChromeOS.

While they’re definitely a viable option for office work and some school projects, they can feel limited in other areas. More specialised software, creative tools and games may not perform well or function at all on a Chromebook. Check your school’s BYOD policy for information on Chromebooks before buying.

What to look for in a student laptop

You can narrow down your child’s requirements by going through a few key points.

Review the BYOD policy

Almost all schools have a BYOD (bring your own device) or BYOT (bring your own tech) policy that lays out the broad requirements for a suitable school laptop. These typically cover the software that teachers are likely to use. Some policies are more detailed than others. Good ones will list specific programs that are part of the curriculum and may even recommend specific models or provide minimum specifications.

Speak to the teachers

If the BYOD policy is lacking, ask the school for information about the curriculum and how students are expected to use their laptops. Try to gauge whether study will take place locally (software installed on the hard drive) in the cloud, whether it’s predominantly research and writing or if graphic design, etc., is going to be involved.

Speak to your kids

Try to identify any interests or hobbies that your kids might have as this can influence how they go about picking certain subjects and completing assignments. For example, if they’re interested in photography, you may consider a higher-end laptop capable of image editing.

Speak to your kids

Try to identify any interests or hobbies that your kids might have as this can influence how they go about picking certain subjects and completing assignments. For example, if they’re interested in photography, you may consider a higher-end laptop capable of image editing.

Consider hobbies and entertainment

Everyone deserves a break and, let’s be honest, many young people like video games. A slightly more powerful computer capable of running games can be a great motivator – a la finish your schoolwork and you get an hour of Fortnite.

A good quality laptop (fast processor, plenty of storage, RAM and a great screen) can also be a tool that encourages kids to pursue hobbies that may not be taught in schools. A child that likes photography, for example, could really benefit from some editing software and a mid- to high-end laptop to match.

Laptop or tablet: Which type of device do you need?

Traditional clamshell-style laptops are often suggested by BYOD policies. Their casing also helps protect the insides compared to a tablet with detachable keyboard, for example. However, there are alternatives.

Two in ones (2-in-1s) are laptops that have a touchscreen and fold-back or removable keyboard for use as a tablet with fingers or an electronic pen/stylus. Some look just like a laptop until they flip or come apart. They’re quite useful for drawing and design.

Other hybrid devices, such as the Microsoft Surface Go or Samsung Galaxy Book2, are Windows tablets with detachable keyboard covers (sold separately for Surface devices). This makes them super lightweight, but they can be pricey.

iPads and Android tablets sometimes fit the requirements, but check with your school to see if they’re allowed. You may also need to buy a physical keyboard cover or attachment. If the students need to use specific device-based apps, there will need to be an iPad version available.

How to save money on a laptop for school

$1000 is a big upfront expense, not to mention the cost of accessories, software and so on. Fortunately, tech products tend to have a lot of leeway in the RRP. If you’re looking at buying a refurbished or second-hand Windows device, make sure .

Discounts and deals

Microsoft offers discounted prices for education use, and some retailers, such as Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi, offer education BYOD discounts for specific devices. Key sales periods such as the November Black Friday sales and Boxing Day sales are also a great time to pick up discounted models ahead of the new school year.

Bundles and haggling

Retailers love an upsell. You can more than likely talk down the overall cost if you bundle your device with some accessories and programs in the one sale. 

Don’t be afraid to go instore and ask for a deal as well. Ask the salesperson what their best price is and push for a better discount if you’re feeling confident. Remember to shop around and bust out the old price-match too.

Refurbished computers

A number of manufactures, including and , sell refurbished models at a discount. They may be slightly older but should still have specs suitable for schoolwork. Check all the info before buying just to be sure.

Second-hand shopping

You might be able to find a cheap, used laptop online, but be extra careful of private purchases and always inspect the goods carefully and try them out before you buy. Make sure it has been factory reset or you may find yourself with a laptop locked to the previous owner. You should also look up the make and model online to confirm its specifications match your needs.

Avoid devices that are more than a few years old. Performance probably won’t be up to scratch and they may not work with the latest software (which is required for school). Older operating systems don’t receive regular, or any, security updates after a certain point.

Is financial assistance for school laptops available?

If you aren’t in a financial position to purchase a new or second-hand device, or you don’t currently own one that fits your school’s specifications, approach your school. There may be programs or devices available for loan.

BYOD policies may also have support schemes that can partly cover the cost of a new laptop. State governments can also offer heavily discounted or free one-off software licences to students for some apps. The New South Wales government, for example, that could be put towards school supplies. Just double-check the fine print.

Manufacturers and retailers can also help. Retailers may provide student discounts when asked, even if they aren’t advertised. Microsoft’s Shape the Future program allows qualifying primary and secondary educational establishments to buy devices with discounted Windows licences.

Most charities can point you in the right direction as well. There are a number of third-party organisations that refurbish older, donated laptops for people in need, including students. These are either available for free or sold at a heavy discount.

Alternatively, if you have a device that you no longer require, consider donating it. You could really help a family out.

Do I need to insure a laptop for school?

A laptop or tablet can take a battering in the school bag, even if you do have good protection for it (which is essential). Kids are also prone to losing things. If you’ve spent a fair whack on a device, it’s worth looking at insurance.

You can insure your laptop by:

• taking out portable contents cover on your home insurance, or
• buying single item insurance.Ìý

Most insurers offer portable contents cover as an optional extra; some include it by default. Usually portable contents cover will come with sublimits. This could be anywhere from $500 up to $15,000. If the replacement cost of your laptop is more than your insurer’s sublimit, then you can usually opt to list it on your policy for an amount of your choosing (though this of course comes with a higher premium).

You can get specialty insurance for your laptop direct from an insurer, from the retail store where you buy the laptop, or from an ‘on-demand’ insurance provider which is typically an app on your phone where you can turn the insurance cover on and off.

Policy exclusions

Yes, you do need to read the fine print. In particular, pay attention to who is ‘insured’ by the policy. If it’s your name on the policy, will the laptop be covered if other family members such as your children take it to school?

And similar to travel insurance, portable contents cover will generally exclude cover for loss or theft of items out of your direct sight in a place where the public has access to. Depending on how the insurer interprets this, it may include a workplace or a classroom. 

In other words, if the laptop goes missing from the classroom while your child is looking in the other direction, such as talking to a classmate, an unscrupulous insurer may deny a subsequent claim for loss.

Other laptop accessories you may need

The laptop/tablet is just the first of many expenses you’ll likely need to budget for. A few accessories, while optional, are beneficial and may also be required:

Carry case: These are inexpensive and will help protect the laptop from the general recklessness of youth.

External hard drive: Internal hard drives can fill up quickly, especially if your child is doing creative work. A one- to two-terabyte drive will provide enough extra storage, and can safely backup files should the laptop get damaged or lost.

Keyboard and mouse: The keyboard and mouse pad on a laptop can be small, cramped and difficult to use for long periods. A USB or Bluetooth keyboard and external mouse will be much more comfortable.

External monitor: most laptops have a small screen, which isn’t always suited to multitasking. External monitors are useful in that regard and tend to be more comfortable to look at during extensive study sessions.

The post How to find the best tablet or laptop for school appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

There’s plenty of exciting tech in Samsung’s range of S9 tablets (there’s also an 11-inch Tab S9 and 12.4-inch Tab S9+). But what everybody will focus on with the S9 Ultra is its size, so let’s start there.

It’s thin (5.5mm) and, all things considered, not especially heavy at 732 grams. But when you unbox it, it’s immediately apparent why Samsung boasts this is the biggest tablet in the world. Initially, you’re likely to swoon over all that screen real estate. But over time, you might start questioning whether you constantly want to be gripping a gigantic tablet with both hands.

That being said, if you want a massive tablet that can double as a laptop or a second monitor, the S9 Ultra may meet your needs. The base model offers 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, but that can be upgraded to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

Back in 2017, Samsung introduced “DeX” software. It allows both Samsung phones and tablets to function with, or similarly to, desktop computers. But be warned: the S9 Ultra doesn’t come with a keyboard or mouse and you’ll have to fork out another $549 for the suggested Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Book Cover Keyboard.

Related tablet reviews

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
• Google Pixel Tablet
• Microsoft Surface Pro 9
• Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2)

A durable, sometimes delightful device   

You can’t take the S9 Ultra with you on a scuba dive. But despite it having all the standard openings, its “ingress protection” means it is essentially waterproof for a short period. It has an IP68 rating, which means a device can be fully submerged in a bucket of fresh water for up to 30 minutes without sustaining damage (a claim we put to the test below).

As well as being impressively water resistant, it’s also “dust tight” – the S9 Ultra’s IP68 rating means it has top marks for both water and dust resistance. In practice, that means you won’t need to worry too much about liquid or dirt infiltrating the tablet and wreaking havoc with the wiring.

Given its other features, the S9 Ultra’s (included) stylus struggles for attention. But if you like to write on tablets, you’ll love how it feels like an elegant fountain pen gliding across finely grained paper. If you don’t like writing on tablets due to past squeaky experiences, this might be the stylus that wins you over. It’s also waterproof, so you can even jot down notes while relaxing in the bath. Or on an inflatable pool lounge.

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On this page:

• What is the Google Pixel Tablet?
• Battery life and performance
• Quirks, oversights and other little problems

What is the Google Pixel Tablet?

Google’s Pixel Tablet is basically a 2-in-1 device with crossover features and functions. Where the original Google Nest Hub straddled the line between smart speaker and tablet, the Pixel Tablet has similar aspirations, but we found it swings more towards the tablet side of things.

It switches into hub mode when mounted in the base and becomes part of a larger smart display with a better-quality speaker, with the interface automatically optimising depending on the mode.

It has a 10.95-inch, 2560 x 1600, LED-backlit LCD display which is decent quality and relatively bright at just over 450 nits. This makes it viewable in most well-lit or outdoor environments but the glossy finish can be quite reflective. You also get Full HD 8MP front and rear cameras that offer plenty of detail and brightness, and the front camera is particularly good for video calling.

It runs Android 13 and uses Google’s own Tensor G2 eight-core processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (256GB is also available for an extra $100). It supports single and dual-band connectivity up to Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and USB-C for charging and data transfer.

The body is just under 9mm thick and weighs less than 500 grams, which makes it quite portable and easy to hold.

The speaker hub

When you mount the tablet, it automatically switches into hub mode with a focus on hands-free interaction. It’s designed to sit on the kitchen table or bedroom sideboard and perform all the tasks expected of a smart display.

The base is mains powered and continuously charges the tablet while docked. You can also charge it via USB-C when it’s not mounted and in tablet mode.

Magnets hold the tablet in place when docked so it won’t wobble or fall out when people walk by. Though the speaker is sturdy enough to stay still when you remove the tablet, it does require a bit of leverage and could slip if you don’t use two hands.

Battery life and performance

To test the battery, we looped a Full HD video with brightness set to maximum while the tablet was connected to Wi-Fi. We found the battery lasted around seven hours under these conditions, though you can extend that by using the power-saving settings (albeit at the cost of brightness and performance).

There’s not much to say about day-to-day performance except that it runs as expected for a tablet with this kind of hardware. Web browsing is zippy enough, videos look good and the base speaker delivers reasonable sound, producing enough power to fill a room with music. Overall, it’s a perfectly fine little unit.

Users in the Google ecosystem are going to get the most out of the Pixel Tablet. After all, this is a proprietary product so it defaults to services including Google TV, Google Assistant other protocols like casting to supported audio/video devices around the home. The speaker even accepts casting from other devices, so you can connect your smartphone to the hub if you’d prefer.

It does require a Google account and there’s no practical way to effectively run other digital assistants such as Alexa or Siri. So if you’re already tied to another brand, you may want to consider whether this is the right tablet for you.

Quirks, oversights and other little problems

On the whole, there’s nothing blatantly wrong with the Pixel Tablet. But after a while you’ll start to notice little things that add a hurdle or roadblock to something that should be simple. Other times, certain features you’ve reasonably come to expect in a smart device are muddled or absent in the Pixel Tablet.

For example, the Google Home digital assistant usually behaves like a tablet even when docked. If you ask it to search for a chicken recipe, it will load Google search results that you can’t navigate hands-free.

The Nest Hub, meanwhile, will follow up with additional prompts and do its best to find a recipe. The inconsistencies between Google products become irritating, as you’d expect things to remain fairly standard under the same brand.

You can always invoke the smart assistant in docked mode by saying “hey Google”, but in tablet mode you need to unlock the screen before this works. This is frustrating as it forces you to break habits even though the device remains fundamentally unchanged.Ìý

Other prompts, such as asking for news headlines, won’t work until you unlock the screen (even in the dock) and it doesn’t take long for this hands-free device to become a get-up-off-the-couch-to-unlock-it device.

Also, if you pull the tablet from the dock while music is playing, it won’t automatically hit pause. Instead, music blares from the tablet’s tinny, bass-free speakers and it’s borderline soul-crushing.

These are just a few examples and none of them are what you’d call deal-breakers. But these are all things Google has refined in similar products that it hasn’t done here, and that becomes pretty exhausting after a while.

If you’re prepared to work around these shortcomings and get used to the way the Pixel Tablet does things, then you’re probably going to enjoy it. The tablet-meets-smart-hub hybrid design is a great idea and Google gets most of the way there. It just needs some software refinements, especially in the hands-free department, to keep the average user happy.

The post Google Pixel Tablet review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is here – so how does it compare to the Surface Pro 8 we reviewed in 2022?

This newer tablet adds a 12th gen CPU, the latest Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G connectivity, and a couple of extra colours. It also comes with Windows 11 Home.

Note, however, that this time around we opted for the entry-level model, which has a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Iris Xe graphics. The 8GB of memory (RAM) should be fine for general use, but the 128GB storage is on the small side, leaving only a meagre 82GB free space for the user.

An extra $150 will get you 256GB of storage, which is recommended, as the Surface Pro 9 also lacks an SD card slot. But more than just the extra storage, models with 256GB or more are built on the Intel Evo platform, which sets guidelines for hardware, performance and battery life.

Surface Pro 9 performance

We found the Surface Pro 9’s performance a bit of a mixed bag compared to the previous model we tested, though this could be due to it being an entry-level model with 128GB storage (the Surface Pro 8 we tested was an Intel Evo 256GB model).

CPU performance for the Surface Pro 9 was up, as you’d expect from a next-generation processor, but graphics performance was slightly down. Storage read speed was up, storage write speed was slightly down. We also found that the battery life test result was down from 5hr 26min for the Pro 8 to 5hr 07min for the Pro 9.Ìý

The overall ease of use and comfort levels are the same thanks to the optional Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 ($429.95), and the quality of the case and 13-inch glossy screen with 2880 x 1920 pixel resolution is still there.

Touchscreen performance is smooth (with finger and Slim Pen 2), and connectivity options include two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The standard Kickstand allows for considerable layback, which is useful for writing and drawing without the keyboard attached.

A good point is that this is still one of the few (perhaps only) tablets to allow for its internal storage to be upgraded, but with two USB-C ports (also rare for tablets), upgrading the internal storage may be unnecessary.

The bottom line is that the Surface Pro 9 is a very good tablet (and laptop, with the optional keyboard) but if you already have a Surface Pro 8, there’s little reason to upgrade to the Surface Pro 9 unless you want the 5G capability. Otherwise, it’s probably best to stick with the Pro 8 for the extra battery life, or go for the 256GB Evo platform model.

The post Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How much does an e-reader cost?
• How much do ebooks cost?
• Price comparison
• Ebook subscriptions
• Can you borrow ebooks from the library?
• Can you share ebooks?

There are a number of factors at play that will affect how much you spend on either ebooks or paper books, including what you read, how much you read and how you access your reading material.

You’re going to spend vastly different amounts if you buy multiple new paper books each month from bricks-and-mortar bookshops, compared with using your local public library, street library and swapping books with friends.Ìý

Similarly, if you’re an e-reader user, you can keep costs down by paying for a subscription, buying cheap ebooks, sharing ebooks among family and friends, and ‘borrowing’ ebooks from a library, or you can spend a lot by regularly buying new releases and bestsellers at full price.

We’ll explain the basic costs, options for access, environmental impacts and ways to save.Ìý

There’s something particularly special about a brand-new book, from the smell and the crisp paper to the perfectly flat cover and spine. Cracking open the pages for the first time adds a deeper satisfaction to that contented feeling of curling up with a good book.Ìý

But is it worth giving up those sensory pleasures in favour of going digital? 

Some die-hard book lovers say they’ll never give up their paper books, while other bookworms have happily made the switch, enjoying the freedom of being able to access a (figurative) stack of books anywhere, any time without being weighed down by actual books.Ìý

If you have a serious book habit, which option will save you the most money? (Any savings made will, obviously, be spent on acquiring more books!)

How much does an e-reader cost?

As with most products, there’s a big range in prices depending on what you want. The cheapest e-reader we’ve tested, the Kobo Nia, costs $160 and the most expensive is the Remarkable ReMarkable 2 at $749.Ìý

The Remarkable is a tablet, so for that price you’re getting more than just a regular e-reader. Before you start your search for the perfect e-reader, ask yourself which features you want and how much extra you’re prepared to pay.Ìý

If you want an e-reader to simply read ebooks, look for a model with a display of seven inches or smaller – any larger and you’ll have issues when reading in bed, taking all your gear down to the beach or travelling.

If you decide to splash out on a tablet, you can defray some of the costs by borrowing ebooks from your public library – which is something you may not be able to do with an e-reader. In Australia, you can’t use your Kindle to borrow books from a library.Ìý

Borrowing instead of buying will obviously bring the overall costs down, so depending on how much you read you could save in the long run by using ‘free’ borrowed books on your tablet.Ìý

Just bear in mind that reading on a tablet is quite a different experience to reading on an e-reader.Ìý 

How much do ebooks cost?

Ebooks are generally cheaper than their paper equivalents but obviously you need to buy a device on which to read them, so you’ll need to factor that into the overall cost when comparing ebooks with paper books.Ìý

“Thankfully, you should expect your e-reader to be delivering good service for several years, unlike a mobile phone or other smart device where the turn over seems to be much sooner,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog tech expert Denis Gallagher.Ìý

Price comparison

While comparing the price of a physical book with an ebook isn’t quite comparing apples with apples, it does help to give you an idea of the price difference.Ìý

We compared some prices of physical books and their digital counterparts on Amazon and Kobo to see how they stack up price-wise. (All prices current at time of publishing.)

Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Hard copy RRP: $35
• Amazon paperback price: $21.95
• Amazon Kindle price: $18.99
• Kobo ebook price: $18.99

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

• Hard copy RRP: $32.99
• Amazon paperback price: $16.00
• Amazon Kindle price: $16.99
• Kobo ebook price: $16.99

Spare by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry

• Hard copy RRP: $59.99
• Amazon hardcover price: $35.00
• Amazon Kindle price: $24.99
• Kobo ebook price: $24.99

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes

• Hard copy RRP: $32.99
• Amazon paperback price: $16.00
• Amazon Kindle price: $14.99
• Kobo ebook price: $14.99

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Hard copy RRP: $22.99
• Amazon paperback price: $12.00
• Amazon Kindle price: $16.99
• Kobo ebook price: $16.99

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

• Hard copy RRP: $22.99
• Amazon paperback price: $18.16
• Amazon Kindle price: $14.99
• Kobo ebook price: $14.99

Ebook subscriptions

Just as Netflix and Spotify have changed the way we consume TV shows and movies, ebook subscriptions are changing the way people read ebooks.Ìý

If you tend to blow your book budget regularly, an ebook subscription could be a way to rein in the expense: you pay a monthly fee and can access a range of ebooks.Ìý

Kindle Unlimited costs $13.99 a month and reportedly gives you access to “millions” of books and “thousands” of books with audio narration. You can use the Kindle app to download up to 20 books at a time.

If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you’ll automatically have access to Prime Reading, which gives you access to “a rotating selection of over a thousand e-books, comics, short works and more”.

Kobo readers can access a similar subscription model for $13.99 a month and the offer of a 30-day free trial gives you a chance to see if all the ebooks on offer will satisfy your particular taste.Ìý

While they claim that hundreds of thousands of titles are available, this is no good if the hundred or so titles you are interested in are not on the list.Ìý

“One thing to remember with any of these ‘free trials’ is to set yourself a calendar task a day or two before the trial ends to decide whether you want to keep the subscription,” says Denis.

Just as you can’t access every movie ever made on Netflix, these subscriptions will limit you just to what’s available on each platform, so that is worth considering before you sign up. And you might find that you end up paying for specific ebooks that you want to read, so you could spend more than just the subscription price each month.Ìý

But if you’re happy to work your way through the available titles, it’s one way to keep the cost down without running out of books to read.Ìý

Can you borrow ebooks from the library?

Instead of buying ebooks, you can often borrow them from your public library – this is a good way to bring down the overall cost of buying an e-reader.Ìý

“If you own a Kobo ereader, borrowing from your local library using the embedded Overdrive app is a big plus: all you need is your library card number and you are good to go. Readers with tablet devices can also use the Overdrive app,” Denis says.Ìý

“Kindle users are unfortunately out of luck, as the ability to borrow ebooks from a local library has been removed for Australian users.”

Time is money

One area in which ebooks have the edge is instant gratification: once you hit the purchase button on an ebook, it’s in your hot little hands straight away.Ìý

If you’re buying a paper book, you either need to go in person to a bricks-and-mortar bookstore, or order online and wait for it to arrive in the post.Ìý

If you want to devour the latest best-seller stat, then nothing beats an ebook for sheer convenience and speed.Ìý

But for some, reading is a leisurely pursuit that’s meant to be carried out in a relaxed manner, so delaying the gratification for a few days or weeks is well worth the wait.Ìý

Of course, you’ll probably need to pay for postage for a physical book, which does bump up the cost, but that’s the price we pay for being able to shop in our pyjamas, no?

Can you share ebooks?

If you’ve just finished a cracking novel and want to share it with your partner or bestie, you can just pop a paper book in the post or drop it off in person – it’s one of the best ways to find something new to read as it’s already been reviewed by someone whose taste you share! And inviting a loved one to immerse themselves in a book you love is a beautiful thing.Ìý

“Sharing an ebook isn’t quite so easy, unfortunately. Most ebooks are copyright-protected, which means they’re difficult to share on another e-reader,” Denis says.

If you’re with Amazon or Kobo, they both have a family and friends sharing function, which allows you to nominate a number of other users with whom you can share ebooks from your library.Ìý

Environmental considerations

There’s no getting around it: any electronic device does add to e-waste. But for each book you buy for your e-reader, that’s a big chunk of paper (and all the associated environmental impacts of printing and shipping) saved.Ìý

Since your e-reader should last you several years at least, that adds up to quite a lot of carbon emissions over the years.Ìý

But buying secondhand books and using public libraries, street libraries and book swaps with friends has a pretty minimal environmental footprint too – and doesn’t result in e-waste.Ìý

Ways to save on paper books

If you just can’t bear the thought of going paperless, there are a few ways to cut your book-buying budget:

• Use street libraries to pick up free books and pass on books you’ve already read
• Swap books with friends
• Go to your local public library
• Buy from secondhand bookshops
• Look for books in op shops and at markets.

The post Is using an e-reader cheaper than buying paper books? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

We tried out the iPad 10 256GB model courtesy of Apple and found it a step up from the iPad 9, with some nice new features but also some compromises.Ìý

Outwardly, the iPad 10 looks just like the more expensive iPad Air, with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina screen, slimmer screen borders all-round and no front-facing Home button. Power and Touch ID fingerprint reader are located on the top edge, as with the iPad Air and iPad mini.

Also like the iPad Air, the connection port has been changed to USB-C, making it compatible with a wide range of USB-C devices, including native support for external screens up to 4K (at 30Hz), or 1080p at 60Hz.

However, like the iPad 9, the iPad 10 uses the original design, first-generation Apple Pencil which has a Lightning connector. So you’ll need the new USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter.

If you buy a new 1st-gen Apple Pencil ($159), the adapter is included in the box. If you already have a 1st-gen Apple Pencil, you just need to buy the adapter separately for $15.

Landscape focus

With this model, Apple seems to have leaned into the idea that people mostly use the iPad with a keyboard.Ìý

The front-facing FaceTime camera has been moved from the short edge to the long edge of the iPad, making it much better for video conferencing when in landscape mode, along with dual microphones.ÌýThe stereo speakers are also more useful in landscape orientation and support Apple’s Spatial Audio for surround-sound effect.

However, it’s likely the moving of the camera to the long edge – a first for any iPad – is a contributing factor to the decision to keep the 1st-gen Apple Pencil around, rather than the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil which attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro to pair and charge automatically.Ìý

The opposite long edge of the iPad 10 has Apple’s Smart Connector for attaching the new Magic Keyboard Folio.

Both front and back cameras are now 12 megapixel (MP). The front is Ultra Wide and the rear camera is Wide and handles 4K video and 240fps slow motion video. This is a jump up from the iPad 9’s 8MP rear camera and 1080p video.Ìý

As you’d expect, the iPad 10 gets a speed boost, moving to Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, a generation up from the iPad 9’s A13 Bionic, though still a model under the iPad Mini’s A15 Bionic chip.Ìý

The iPad 10 also gets Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with simultaneous dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and 5G (sub-6GHz) capability for cellular models.Ìý

Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display screen is larger and higher resolution than the iPad 9’s 10.2-inch Retina display, and the iPad 10 has 2360 x 1640 pixels, versus the iPad 9’s 2160 x 1620 pixels. Both are rated at 500nits brightness, and neither are a fully laminated screen (like on the pricier models), but these are not the ‘pro’ models and we didn’t find it a problem and expect that most people who buy this level of iPad won’t have a problem either.

New design keyboard

The Magic Keyboard Folio ($399) is a new keyboard option, unique to the iPad 10. This white assembly comes in two pieces – a protective magnetically-attached back with adjustable support stand, and a detachable keyboard with a built-in trackpad that’s a good size.Ìý

This new keyboard includes the welcome addition of a 14-key function row, which you don’t get on Apple’s other keyboards. The top row includes 12 function keys, an escape key, and a screen lock key.Ìý

The two-piece design is versatile. You can use the support-stand backing without the keyboard attached, which can be ideal for propping it up for watching video content. Overall we found the new keyboard a pleasure to use, but unfortunately it doesn’t include backlighting, which can be annoying in low-light situations.

The Magic Keyboard Folio connects magnetically via the Smart Connector, so it doesn’t require pairing or charging. Just click it on and go. If you don’t want a keyboard, a Smart Folio offers front/back protection for $129.

Crunch the numbers before buying

Check your budget and crunch some numbers to choose which iPad to buy. The iPad 10 comes in blue, pink, silver or yellow and starts at $749 for the 64GB Wi-Fi only model or $999 for 256GB storage.Ìý

The 64GB model with Wi-Fi and cellular is $999 or $1249 for the 256GB model. All come with a USB-C charge cable and 20W USB-C power adapter.

For comparison, the ‘budget model’ iPad 9 had a price rise in 2022 and now starts at $549 for 64GB Wi-Fi only and $799 for 256GB. Wi-Fi and cellular models are $779 for 64GB and $1029 for 256GB.

The post Apple iPad 10 review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

New features of the M2 iPad Pro

Along with the M2 chip, the sixth-generation Apple iPad Pro also offers the latest Wi-Fi 6E (you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router to get the most out of this feature) and Bluetooth 5.3.

New to this model is the Apple Pencil Hover, which detects the second generation Apple Pencil as it hovers just above the display, giving a preview or action option before actually making contact. This improves precision for writing and drawing and is a feature that artists in particular should appreciate.

As with the previous M1 model, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M2 has a Liquid Retina XDR display for extreme dynamic range, but the 11-inch model, with Liquid Retina display, misses out on XDR.Ìý

Screen resolution is 2732 x 2048 pixels and Apple claims brightness maxes out at a bright 600nits, with up to 1000nits in XDR and peak brightness of 1600nits for HDR content only.ÌýIn our testing we found the brightness very good in normal use, at a measured 403nits with True Tone on and 457nits with True Tone off. Excellent colour reproduction makes this vibrant screen a joy to use when looking at photos or watching videos.Ìý

The rear cameras are 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide, with a depth-sensing LiDAR scanner. The front camera is 12MP Ultra Wide, with the auto pan/zoom Centre Stage feature for video chats and presentations.

Following on from the M1 iPad Pro’s H.264 and HEVC hardware-accelerated video encoding, the M2 now adds ProRes and ProRes Raw which will excite video professionals. Video recording also includes ProRes at up to 4K at 30fps, but only 1080p at 30fps for the 128GB model.

Of course, as with the previous model, the iPad Pro’s USB-C port supports Thunderbolt/USB 4 for connecting external devices including storage and displays.

M2 power

The M2 chip is seriously fast. Our benchmarking showed a noticeable bump in CPU and graphics performance, while storage speed was also faster with this 2TB model compared to the 512GB 5th-gen M1 model we tested last time.Ìý

There’s an 8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, plus 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. It has an 100GB/s memory bandwidth, and the amount of internal memory you get depends on the model. Our 2TB test model came with 16GB RAM (as does the 1TB model) but the 128GB, 256GB or 512GB models get just 8GB RAM.

The increase in performance hasn’t come at the expense of battery life, as our heavy usage battery test rundown time of 5hr 32min is identical to what we achieved with the previous model. However, this model did take longer to charge using the supplied adapter connected directly to the iPad.

The four speakers provide a warmer than usual sound for a product of this type, with more bass than expected, and overall we found the audio performance very good. Vocal and instrument sound is crisp and clear, with plenty of detail, depth and even spacious stereo effects. This means you can enjoy listening to music without having to use headphones or cast to external speakers.

It’s important to remember that an iPad is not just the hardware – the operating system, iPadOS 16.3, provides an app-centric user experience that is quite different to an M2-equipped Mac, even using Stage Manager and an external display to give you multitasking with up to four apps on each screen at the same time.Ìý

Pro-level apps

To get the most out of the iPad Pro you’ll need pro-level apps, but not all “pro” apps available for Mac are available for iPad. However, the inclusion of Apple’s M-class chips is enticing more and more developers to bring their top apps to the tablet platform, including recent updates and additions such as DaVinci Resolve for video editors and Affinity Publisher 2 for designers.Ìý

With the right apps, the iPad Pro 12.9 can be a powerful professional tool. It can be used as a pro-level mobile studio for video capture and editing, or an artist’s mobile drawing and design dream tool. But make sure all the apps you need for your particular workflow are available before you fork out for this one.

Of course, all this power comes at a cost. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi only starts at $1899 with 128GB of storage. From there you double storage at each step to 256GB ($2079), 512GB ($2429), 1TB ($3129) and 2TB ($3829). Adding the cellular option gives you 5G (sub-6GHz), which costs an extra $250 up to the 512GB model, then $270 for the 1TB and 2TB options. It comes in either silver or space grey.Ìý

Laptop alternative

Most users will want the Apple Pencil and a keyboard. The second-generation Apple Pencil adds $219 and you can choose between the cantilevered Magic Keyboard ($579), or the Smart Keyboard Folio ($329).

With a keyboard attached, the iPad Pro becomes useful as a laptop alternative or even, with the addition of an external display, a desktop substitute. The Magic Keyboard is the top-shelf option, with trackpad and backlighting, but is best used on a hard surface.Ìý

Unlike laptops, that have the weight in the base, keyboard-tablet combos are necessarily top heavy. If you actually use it in your lap it can feel like it might topple back.Ìý

There’s some tilt in the stand for angling the screen, but stability isn’t an issue in a regular office seating position. There’s an extra USB-C port in the base, giving you two useful ports in total, because the screen connects magnetically at the rear.

The keys feel spacious and have good travel and responsive feel, and the arrow keys have some breathing room around them. The backlighting comes on automatically when the ambient light is low.

If you’re in the market for a tablet that delivers amazing performance, you should give the 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro some serious consideration.

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On this page:

• Five reasons to buy an e-reader
• Five reasons not to buy an e-reader
• What it's like to read on an e-reader
• What to look for in an e-reader
• How much do e-readers cost?
• How to dispose of an old e-reader

But are e-readers a better option than a tablet? What’s the reading experience like? How do you know what makes for a good e-reader? We look into all of this and more.

How does an e-reader work?

An ebook reader or e-reader is an electronic device that looks similar to a tablet although the display doesn’t require back illumination. There’s no power requirement to keep the text or illustration on the ‘page’ so an e-reader can operate on a single charge much longer than other display devices.Ìý

Generally, e-readers operate by reading a file and presenting the content on the display as electronic ink or ‘e-ink’. Each page is presented as a page on the touch screen with each new page presented as a refreshed display by swiping the screen left or right or via a button press on the device.Ìý

While a colour version of e-ink is possible, by far the most popular form of e-reader displays the content in greyscale and at a low resolution. Improvements in e-reader technology in the latest models deliver a faster refresh rate and higher resolution.

We have looked at tablet devices using LCD or OLED displays (much like you would see on a laptop or smartphone) in previous e-reader tests. However these devices use a lot more energy and require recharging a lot sooner, with battery performance measured in hours rather than weeks like e-ink e-readers.Ìý

Should you get an e-reader or a tablet?

If you’re shopping for an e-reader you’ll inevitably face this question: Am I better off buying a tablet and getting more bang for my buck?

There are two good reasons to go with a simple e-reader.

1. Their low power usage means they have exceptional battery life, so most models can last several thousand page turns per charge. That can give you weeks of uninterrupted reading.
2. The e-ink screen technology with matte-finish screen is very close to reading real print on paper – it’s sharp and easy on the eyes and can be used in full daylight, which can be a problem with the glossy backlit screens in tablets.

The popularity of the tablet has not escaped makers of ebook reading devices. Tablet features, such as touchscreens with swiping and screen lighting, have been incorporated into many dedicated e-readers to improve ease of navigation and readability in low-light conditions.

Five reasons to buy an e-reader

1. You’re an avid reader:ÌýIf you go through a stack of books on a holiday and don’t want to carry a mini library in your bag, an e-reader could be your best friend. Best of all, you won’t have to recharge it every day like a tablet. New titles are also available immediately on their day of publication, often before they hit stores in Australia.
2. You don’t want a bookshelf collection:ÌýAn e-reader is an easy way to get a massive collection of books that don’t need a room of their own in your home. Ebooks are also generally cheaper than their paper equivalents.
3. You want to read outdoors:ÌýThe e-ink screen of an e-reader is easier to see outdoors than a tablet screen. You can take it to the beach or to the park and still read easily without worrying about glare, and they’re also small, thin and lightweight.
4. You want to bring your book to life:ÌýIf you want to add notes to your book, quickly look up words or change the text size, you can do all of this with an e-reader.
5. You want a device that’s environmentally friendly:ÌýAll electronic devices, including e-readers, add to e-waste, but if you hold onto your e-reader long enough and use it regularly, you can rest easy knowing you’ve saved a truckload of paper and all the associated environmental costs of printing and shipping your books. Unlike other smart devices, your e-reader should be your companion for several years.

Five reasons not to buy an e-reader

1. You want a tablet: If you really, really, really want a tablet, then it’s probably worth spending the money rather than facing disappointment. You’ll get a small computer as well as an e-reader.
2. You don’t want two devices:ÌýIf you’re short on space and don’t like the idea of carrying around two devices, or you don’t want to decide which one you’re going to need on a day out or on holiday, don’t add an e-reader into the mix.Ìý
3. Not everything can be read on an e-reader:ÌýAn e-reader won’t be able to read all types of electronic documents. Most will read ePub files and PDFs, but some of these files have built-in copy protection to prevent sharing files unlawfully and they won’t open on some e-readers. If you have a tablet, you can also get free books from your public library online. The screen quality for colour images will also be better on a tablet device.
4. You don’t want to recharge:ÌýUnlike a paperback, an e-reader will eventually run out of battery life and there’s no more reading if you can’t find a power point. This can be inconvenient and locks you in to taking a charger and/or adapter with you on holiday.
5. You like real books:ÌýSo you’re a traditionalist and proud of it. No need to apologise for that. The physical feel and smell of a book still can’t be replicated with an ebook, and there’s no point pretending it can.

What it’s like to read on an e-reader

All e-readers use electronic ink (e-ink) and a non-reflective display screen that simulates the appearance of a paper book.

E-readers don’t require a backlight, unlike other electronic viewing devices like laptops and tablets. This means less strain on the eyes after prolonged viewing and good readability even in direct sunlight. However, most e-readers now include a front-lit display so you can read your ebook anywhere, day or night, and dimmed when not required.

The e-ink display can keep an image or page of text onscreen without using any power, until the screen is refreshed by turning to the next page. This is especially useful for slow readers.Ìý

What files do e-readers use?

Most e-readers that don’t have Kindle in the name use ePub (electronic publication) files as their default file type. This is a standard format developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum and is one of the most commonly available file types for ebooks you can download for free or purchase online.Ìý

Kindle has recently announced that their devices now also accept selected ePub documents, using the ‘send to my Kindle’ function or the Kindle app on an iOS or Android device, as well as from a PC or Mac using the Kindle app. But all ePub ebooks with digital rights management (DRM) protection (which includes all paid ePub ebooks) are still off limits for your Kindle.

Kindle e-readers from Amazon have always used Amazon’s proprietary file format AZW with DRM, as well as the DRM-free version which is called MOBI. However, this has recently changed and Kindle owners are no longer able to download books in MOBI or AZW format.Ìý

Instead, Kindles will download ebooks in Amazon’s latest proprietary format and you’ll no longer be able to add AZW or MOBI files to your Kindle library. Amazon says the reason for the change is that the latest features it offers don’t work on these older formats.

The change means that owners of some of the very old Kindle e-reader devices without touchscreen capability will no longer be able to access the Amazon book store to buy ebooks on their old device. It’s still possible to download ebooks into your library using a newer device, then use your old Kindle to read it, but the inconvenience will likely prompt many old Kindle owners to upgrade their devices.

Can you share ebooks?

Most ebooks purchased online are copyright-protected and in this case will often include a DRM code that controls how digital media files can be used and shared.Ìý

DRM protection is designed to control the unauthorised duplication and illegal distribution of copyrighted digital media. This makes DRM-protected ebooks difficult to share on another ebook reader (though of course it’s up to you whether you share your sign-in with family members or friends).Ìý

However, both Amazon and Kobo have a family or friends sharing function which allows you to nominate a number of other users with whom you can share ebooks from your library.Ìý 

What to look for in an e-reader

Accessories

Does the e-reader come with an AC adapter (mains socket charger) or only a USB cable? On one hand, including an AC adapter in the package can be handy, but with the widespread availability of chargers available with smartphones, it could be argued that just including the cable in the box is a better environmental outcome.Ìý

Controls

Whether you decide on a model that uses a touchscreen or buttons, or a combination of both, you need to be able to work your way through the story in an intuitive manner so there are no distractions to your reading enjoyment.

Hold the e-reader as if you were reading a book and see if the buttons are in the right place for you. You don’t want to be fumbling for the control to turn to the next page. Spend some time going through the menus to see how easy it is to access the reader’s advanced features.

If there are no buttons, take time to work through the online tutorial to get familiar with the swipe directions required to move back and forth through the ebook as well as the areas of the display to touch to access menus and other controls.

Connectivity

Does it have internet connectivity via Wi-Fi, a mobile network connection or both? All e-readers these days support Wi-Fi to transfer your ebooks to the e-reader over your home wireless network. One or two Kindle e-readers include 3G and or 4G connectivity, with an embedded SIM card that allows you to buy books online without spending any data if you’re away from a Wi-Fi connection.Ìý

This was a useful feature when mobile data was expensive, but almost any smartphone can now connect an e-reader to the internet using the hotspot feature and it won’t cost you anything to download a book or two using your available mobile data.

To do this, enable the personal hotspot feature on your smartphone. This turns the smartphone into a mobile internet access point. Then connect the e-reader as you would to your home wireless network.Ìý

Mobile network contracts usually include internet data, check to see if you have enough data at your disposal before using this feature. Most ebook files are small (usually under 1MB), so you won’t need a large plan to download an ebook.

Document file formats

Not all readers support every ebook format. Check ebook stores to see what format the books you want come in (the most common form is ePub). Also, check if they’re locked with DRM. Compare this with the e-reader’s specifications for compatibility. Some may list a format but only support this format without DRM, so look for a listing of which DRM-locked formats it does support.Ìý

Another popular ebook format is Adobe PDFs, which are good for keeping the look and style consistent, but resizing an ebook font can be difficult or impossible. Access to a large number of file formats is important, as it increases the chances that the book you want is available, either for purchase or free download.

E-libraries

Many local libraries allow patrons to borrow a virtual copy of a book. Simply enter your library card details and download the ebook to your PC or Mac, using an app like . You can then transfer the title to your e-reader to enjoy for up to three weeks.

Audiobooks

While newer Kindle e-readers may have support for Bluetooth, Australian Amazon customers won’t have the same access to Audible books as Amazon users in other countries. However, the Bluetooth feature does offer Kindle users in all countries the VoiceView screen reader feature, providing spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only).

Screen

The e-reader screen should be clear to read in normal lighting conditions so it doesn’t cause eyestrain. If you want to read in low-light conditions you’ll need some form of lighting, either built-in back- or side-lighting, or external lighting. Almost all new e-readers come with a light built-in.

Storage capacity

Most e-readers have built-in (on-board) memory and some may also have microSD memory card slots that allow you to read as many ebooks as the card can store. The on-board memory generally ranges from 4GB to 32GB (1GB will hold about 1000 books).

How much do e-readers cost?

E-readers range in price from $179 for an Amazon Kindle or $159 for a Kobo to more than $600 for the latest Kindle Scribe or $450 for the Kobo Sage. In comparison, an e-reader tablet alternative like the iPad can cost upwards of $600.

How to dispose of an old e-reader

Given that e-readers can last many years and still perform perfectly well, keeping your device as long as possible would be the best way to act sustainably. So if you feel you need to have the latest and greatest e-reader or are maybe contemplating a colour e-ink e-reader, the first step would be to pass the device down the line to a family member or friend.

Donate it

If your e-reader is still working well and you simply want to upgrade, you may want to donate it to somewhere like Salvos or Vinnies. If the device is a Kobo e-reader you could also gift it to the local library so visitors can enjoy the library’s ebook range. While the Red Cross doesn’t accept electrical goods, a device like  an e-reader may be an exception. You can also get in touch with smaller charities that serve your community.

Recycle it

E-readers comfortably fit into e-waste (computers, smartphones and accessories) or appliances, so can be readily recycled. You can also check out the . It’ll show you where to find e-waste services in your area.

The post Is an e-reader right for you? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test e-readers
• How we score e-readers

This means less strain on the eyes after prolonged viewing and good readability even in direct sunlight. E-readers can last weeks on a single charge, and most can hold thousands of ebooks usually on the device or sometimes on a removable storage card.Ìý

Our expert testers

Our hands-on testing of e-readers focuses on design and ease of use, which includes an ease of use assessment by our expert testers as well as an assessment of the online purchasing environment, with scores based on how easy it is to buy, transfer and share ebooks.

How we choose what we test

Every test will include a range of Amazon Kindle e-readers and Kobo e-readers at various price points. After several years assessing a wide variety of models, these two brands have come out on top. Our tests have also included Android and Apple tablets, so people can see how they compare with a dedicated e-ink based e-reading device. At times we’ll also include the most affordable iPad as a point of comparison.Ìý

If we haven’t tested the latest iPad, you can check the ‘Discontinued’ box in the ‘Related products’ filter on our e-reader reviews to see how it performed.

How we test e-readers

Online purchasing and lending

Our tester first looks at whether or not you can buy an ebook through an online store app embedded in the e-reader. A couple of specialist e-ink devices do not have this ability and are penalised as a result. Our tester then looks at how easy it is to share an ebook title without having to share an account sign-in.

User interface

Our tester looks at how easy it is to turn on the e-reader and access a title as well as the overall ergonomics of the e-reader compared to a paper-based book. Other aspects our tester looks at include page turning and general navigation within an ebook, and finally ease of holding the e-reader while reading a book.

This has become an issue in recent years with the release of larger e-readers which offer more reading area but could be an issue in general usability or when reading in bed.

Readability score

Our readability score is based on an assessment of the feel of each newly tested model when reading an ebook, compared with reading a paper-based novel.ÌýOur tester spends time during the day and at night with each ebook reader so it can be used under three different types of lighting: normal indoor lighting, normal outdoor lighting, and normal bedroom night-time lighting.

How we score e-readers

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating (or overall score) is made up of:

• online purchasing and lending (25%)
• user interface (20%)
• readability – indoor lighting/outdoor lighting/bedroom night lighting (50%)
• ease of holding (5%).

All of the available models we’ve tested have Wi-Fi support and a touchscreen. E-readers are now arriving with Bluetooth support, which means you can listen to audiobooks via wireless headphones or a wireless Bluetooth speaker. Where the company has removed this feature (even though it may be available in other countries) we’ll note this in the ‘Bad points’ section of our review.Ìý

Ebook readers by default ship with an electronic version of the manual available on the device, and are marked down in the ‘Bad points’ section if one isn’t included.

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Tablets aren’t exactly suited to long reading sessions given the bright backlit screen’s tendency to cause eye strain. This is where e-readers have an advantage, but their scope is largely limited to e-books and basic web browsing.

TCL’s new tablet, the Nxtpaper 10s, aims to combine the best bits of these products into a mid-range tablet that’s easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, this jack-of-all-trades approach, combined with a few frustrating software bugs, means the 10s doesn’t quite cut is as an e-reader or tablet.

What makes the Nxtpaper 10s different?

TCL’s big hook is the ‘faux paper’ screen that looks and feels similar to an e-reader, with a fully functioning 10.1-inch LCD tablet underneath. It doesn’t use e-ink, instead the 10s replicates this experience with a matte screen and blue-light reduction technology designed to limit glare and eye strain. The screen’s protective coating claims to have a ‘paper-like’ feel that’s supposedly similar to using a pen on a notepad.

Though it’s not even close to ‘paper-like’, tapping and dragging your finger (or a stylus) feels much nicer than a typical tablet, with just the right amount of resistance. It’s suitable for jotting down notes and making lists, but doesn’t quite have the finesse that detailed drawing demands. The matte finish also covers up most fingerprints so you won’t be constantly wiping smears off with your shirt.

Screen quality

Matte screens are naturally darker than their glossy counterparts. But the 10s is dim, even by matte standards, which reduces clarity and punch across the board. While this can help reduce eye strain in low-light environments, such as reading in bed at night, you may have some difficulties under direct light or in a bright room.

That said, the matte screen does improve outdoor performance, even on a bright, sunny day. Things are still dim but much more legible than a glossy tablet in direct light, provided you’re looking at something with a white background. It’s much harder to make out anything on black (or photos or artwork), though this is to be expected outside.

If TCL increased the brightness then the Nxtpaper 10s would be a very good performer in these conditions, which would help it stand out from the pack. But in practice it’s only OK.

E-reading and text

As far as e-reading goes, the 10s does a reasonable job but can’t quite shake its tablet DNA. Text is clear and legible but lacks the clarity of an e-reader and the backlit punch of a tablet even though it’s trying to do both.

There’s an ‘e-reader mode’ that tries to improve these aspects by switching the screen to monochrome, but the hue isn’t quite right as things look a little sepia. It also introduces some purple fringing around text.

Photos, drawings and graphic novels

The paper-like screen does provide some benefits for colour photos, drawings, paintings and similar art such as graphic novels. It adds some depth, which helps generate deeper blacks, a little extra contrast, reasonably rich colours and warm skin tones.

Yet images still feel pretty subdued and soft, and the dim screen combined with increased contrast does cause some black crush. These elements will really stand out if you’re used to the vibrancy of a glossy tablet or computer screen.

General performance

Being a mid-range tablet, the Nxtpaper 10s’ performance is, unsurprisingly, middle of the road. It can handle day-to-day tasks like web browsing, checking emails and word processing, but the screen tends to judder while scrolling.

YouTube videos run just fine in 1080p, even though the picture quality is dark and a little soft, and high-performance games are generally smooth as well. However, graphics quality does typically drop to a low setting so the processor isn’t overloaded, and even then you can expect a few frames to drop here and there.

Input lag is very minor but pretty consistent, to the point where you’ll probably notice things are running just slightly behind. This isn’t a big deal when tapping away on the virtual keyboard, but writing and drawing with the stylus can become frustrating if you’re used to quickly scrawling across a piece of paper.

PC Mode

Some kits come bundled with a keyboard case, which does a decent enough job. When you attach it, the Nxtpaper 10s activates “PC Mode”, which changes the touch-screen-friendly interface into one reminiscent of a Windows laptop. It’s a cool idea that integrates the keyboard much more seamlessly than other tablets that force you to use the default operating system.

That is, until you remove the keyboard. While the Nxtpaper automatically activates PC Mode without any problems, it doesn’t revert back to tablet mode automatically once the keyboard is detached.

Resetting or shutting down doesn’t fix the problem either. Instead, you need to go into the Android settings and manually change it back to the default interface every single time. It’s an inexplicable oversight that will make people think their tablet is broken.

To illustrate the point, these are the steps you need to take. Remove keyboard, go to Settings then select Apps > Default apps > Home app and select the tablet’s default interface. This is major pain for anyone with a bit of Android knowhow, let alone the average user who is unlikely to have this kind of troubleshooting knowledge.

Size, weight and feel

Like the performance, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the design. Materials don’t feel particularly fancy or cheap, it’s not too heavy and also has basic but suitable aesthetics. The bezel may be a tad thick for some at close to one centimetre and the rear camera placement does make the tablet wobble if you’re using it on a flat surface. But those are the only real issues with the design.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 24cm x 16cm x 8.5cm
• Weight: 490g
• Screen size and resolution: 10.1 inches, 1920 x 1200.
• Battery: 8000mAh, all day charge (claimed).
• Camera resolution (rear and front): 8MP and 5MP.
• Storage: 64GB, expandable up to 256GB with microSD.
• RAM: 4GB

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