"What Kind of E-Reader Are You?"

[Merovee]

How do these affect the eyes long term? Something we should know before we rush to equip our students with e-readers.

Perhaps paper books are better when it comes to ergonomics?

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by Merovee

How do these affect the eyes long term? Something we should know before we rush to equip our students with e-readers.

Perhaps paper books are better when it comes to ergonomics?

E-readers which use e-ink (which is all of them apart from the iPad which is actually a tablet computer, not just an e-reader) are actually very easy on the eyes since they do not use backlit screens. They look just like a piece of paper except they have no yellow tint so I don't think they will have any long term affect on the eyes. The white of the screen is a tad darker than the white of paper books but as long as it's properly lit, it's not any harder to read and as the technology progress, the contrast is getting better and better. It's really quite remarkable how paper-like the screen is and you really can't judge it until you've seen it in person (pictures don't do it justice).

In fact, because you can change the size of the text with e-ink (and with some, the font type and line spacing), it is arguably better for the eyes because you can format the text to suit your eyes. People who can only read larger print paper books benefit greatly from this feature.

E Ink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Besides which, millions of people spend hours everyday in front of a computer and the long term affect on our eyes isn't a huge concern for most. But even so, e-ink is not the same thing as a computer monitor at all.

[NicoleJ]

I have a nook. I very rarely use it. I prefer the feel and sound of real books. But it's nice for when I can't find a book near me.

[Jude1948]

Originally Posted by fruitlassie

I have a Nook and I love it. I've read a couple Kindle books on my Ipod Touch as well...prefer the Nook but there are times when I've been out without it and was glad to have something to read on the Touch. The actual Kindle device is fine but I hate the fact that you're limited to Amazon's format only. I've read about 12 books since I got my Nook in July and previously would be lucky to get through 2 a month. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to insinuate that a "real" reader would never read an ebook, though...

I love my Nook too. My husband got it for me in September and I am on my fourth book. Almost done with Fall of Giants......

[no kudzu]

The Kindle is a god send for folks with vision problems like my macular degeneration. I hadn't been able to read a book in 3 years till I got my Kindle. I would prefer holding a book, and I would prefer weighing 120 lbs like I did when I was young but that is not the reality so I am happy to be able to read at all. I got the smaller size which I can hold and turn pages with 1 hand. Couldn't even do that with a real book.