Color Reader Review

Color pocket e-books with a TFT LCD display are a cross between a modern E-Ink reader and a small, full-featured tablet. Their functionality and level of autonomy are very limited, since only a few models are equipped with Wi-Fi modules and powerful batteries. You cannot also launch a custom set of applications. The capabilities of the new generation devices have gone far ahead, but the colored “readers” do not want to give them their market position.

Colored "readers" - a variant of an interesting pastime

The principle of color e-books

For those who use the acquired gadgets only for the banal reading of literary texts, the presence of color is not a critical function. But when used as an electronic assistant for decoding tables, complex drawings, diagrams, drawings 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 tested on conventional televisions, have become the classic way to transfer colors to the screen. They are distinguished by a very bright and natural color rendition. But the main disadvantage is a very strong negative effect on vision. Therefore, "readers" of this type are outliving the last days, and keep on the charts of online stores due to very low prices in comparison with more modern counterparts.

You could only see such a thing ten years ago in a science fiction movie

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 reproduction in conditions of intense sunlight.

The most modern devices are made using E-Ink Triton technology. Thanks to the use of special filters, a color rendering level of over 4 thousand shades is comparable in quality to an LCD, and vision is not harmed.

Depending on the cost, manufacturers give books various functionalities:

• support for a large number of formats;
• control using touch keys;
• large (over 512 MB) internal memory;
• the ability to use flash cards.

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

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

E-books equipped with a color ink screen evolve very quickly. In just over ten years, displays have gone from the first low-contrast designs to ultra-modern screens resembling paper:

• E-ink vizPlex Sipix, Pearl - nThe children of technology, in which designers laid a small level of contrast. They have long been discontinued and practically do not appear on the market;
• E-Ink Pearl HD is the first display with a resolution close to full-screen. 1024x758 pixels improved the quality level. Image contrast - 12: 1;
• E-ink flex. Low (10: 1) in comparison with the most modern samples, the contrast is compensated by the use of plastic substrate technology. The screen has become more durable and "stress-resistant";
• E-Ink Carta- ultra-modern high-contrast display with excellent reflectivity. Together with low power consumption and excellent color rendering quality, it has no competitors in the reader market;
• E-ink Triton, or “electronic paper” - the future of full-color (4096 shades and 16 shades of gray) readers technology.

Top 5 Color E-Ink Readers

Pocket Book 641 Aqua 2

The best e-book ever with a color E-Ink screen. Ideal for travel use thanks to housing and screen protection technology. It has unique autonomy features. The battery can work without recharging for up to 2 months, and 24 hours in continuous reading mode. Other advantages:

• Multi-format;
• the presence of a Wi-Fi module and a USB port.

PocketBook 641 Aqua 2 is not scary even salty sea water

The display is made using the latest technology. E-ink carta. Even in the brightest sun, the screen does not glare at all. Confirming the highest quality, the manufacturer provides customers with the opportunity of three years of free after-sales service and warranty repair of the reader.

Pocket Book Color Lux 801

The perfect electronic magazine. Excellent color rendering characteristics and the complete absence of glare and flicker create the effect of viewing a printed page. Like the entire Pocket Book line, the 801th model has an exceptionally durable battery. The display screen in the "from charging to charging" mode can be flipped over 5400 times. This is enough to use an e-book for almost a month.

Pocket Book Color Lux - one of the leaders in the market of color e-books

To ensure connectivity, quick download and selection of content, the developers provided the reader with interesting services:

• ReadRate
• PocketNews;
• BookStore

Amazon Kindle Oasis 9 gen

One of the most expensive models from the leader among manufacturers of color "readers" with a color display E-Ink Carta. The lack of a slot for installing additional memory is more than compensated by the built-in 32 GB. The seven-inch screen is located in a waterproof metal case. IP X8 technology allows you to hold the device for half an hour in water at a depth of 1m without harm to operating parameters.

Amazon - style icon

The device is multi-format, with Wi-Fi support, but without any special technological refinements. Those who are going to purchase this miracle of technology need to know that there are at least a dozen models from other manufacturers that are similar in quality and functionality. The secret is that Amazon is like Mercedes in the automotive market: stylish, high-quality, and very expensive.

ONYX BOOX Darwin 4

A reader with one of the highest screen resolution rates is 1448x1072. The pixel density reaches a unique indicator of 300 dpi. The gadget owner will not have the slightest problem converting content: the e-book is omnivorous, as it recognizes almost all existing formats. The highlight of Darwin 4 is the presence of the Android OS. It seems unnecessary to explain what a plus it is in providing wireless communication and file transfer.

Darwin 4 - a great model from ONYX BOOX

Like many other representatives of the new generation of readers, Darwin 4 has excellent autonomy. It can be charged both from the network and using a portable device. The low (up to $ 170) price has made the reader very competitive and popular among apologists for e-book writing.

PocketBook 740

Few can compare with a company from the Swiss city of Lugano in terms of the number of excellent multifunction devices launched on the market. PocketBook 740 is a magnificent multi-format device with a huge 7.8 ”display with a resolution of 1872x1404. Relatively low autonomy (battery capacity - 1900 mAh) is offset by excellent build quality and rich functionality.

PocketBook 740 - large and very smart

The device is very convenient to use, since the developers equipped it with touch buttons for scrolling the image. Working with him is very easy and convenient. Among the few shortcomings are the not very large amount of internal memory (8 GB) and the relatively high ($ 260) price.

E-books presented in the ranking (except for the Kindle) can be freely purchased in Russia. Since they serve much longer than smartphones (5 or more years), you should choose readers very carefully and leisurely. This will guarantee a successful investment and an interesting pastime.