The 4 Devices That Can Read Books, Ranked
I recently picked up the Kindle Keyboard (gen 3) and Kindle 2 for the Kindle Kintsugi project. Interestingly, the Kindle 2 was bought mainly for a screen for another project, but as a bonus, it's the least expensive of the bunch and the only one made of metal (an aluminum back). When considering the reading experience these devices offer, here's my unconventional ranking:
1) Kindle Keyboard
It feels excellent in one hand, almost like a real book. The layout of the bezel/keyboard provides a comfortable spot for your hand, and your thumb naturally rest on the next page button. It slips nicely into a back pants pocket, making it handy and portable. The lack of a backlight is somewhat offset by its pleasant contrast.
2) Nintendo DS
Despite its inferior screens, the form factor is still so comfortable. I would have greatly Ikureader when I had a DSi as my daily music player before I got a smartphone. I've even read a few books to completion this way, nothing too serious. The backlight is a nice touch for night reading, though the screen size and resolution leave a lot to be desired in 2023. Despite this, it shows the versatility and longevity of the Nintendo DS. Because of its easy hackability and low cost, it's a win. If I was a parent, I'd definitely consider this option today.
3) Kobo Forma
Despite boasting the best screens, it's not comfortable in the hand for non-manga books. This is the most modern and priciest device I own, a $200 e-reader ranking lower than a 10-year-old ereader and a Nintendo DS - quite shocking. While great for Manga, its limited storage is a bit of a hassle. The 7-inch screen, while crisp, doesn't replicate the book feel. Mass market paperbacks don't feel quite right on this device. It doesn't fit in even a large back pocket, making it a bit of a burden. It’s mostly used for technical manuals, manga, PDF reading and other types of content that make sense on a larger screen. The frontlight is nice, but it gives a bit of distortion near the button housing, which is a bit distracting.
4) Kindle Gen 2
With a poorer screen, low contrast, and a bulky form, there's no real reason to buy this device in 2023, unless you need a cheap e-ink screen that can be always on for a project. It’s most notable for its premium feel, thanks to its nice white exterior and sleek aluminum back. Despite being far from a suitable reading device today, its premium nature and hackability make it a suitable choice for a display or project piece.
Other Devices on My Radar
There are a handful of other devices that I'm keen to try:
PSP and PS Vita:
Both these devices have ebook reader homebrew programs, one called "Bookr" comes to mind which I used back in the day. I'm curious to see if it holds up to my memory. I remember it being quite a pleasant experience to hold the PSP vertically while reading.
Gameboy Advance:
I'm particularly interested in trying out the modded first model with a backlight, as these were the most comfortable in the hand. There's a program for creating books on the GBA. Despite its primitive appearance, it's surprisingly charming, as showcased by the screenshot below. It also allows for sound effects, images and music from what I could tell, which could make it quite novel. There's a lot of lost media and dead links surrounding this, so a deep dive into the internet archive and some digital archeology would be needed to preserve this content further.
Original Nook:
This device is one of the cheapest used tech devices you can find - we're talking 5-10 dollars on eBay. It doesn't use e-ink, and its software is outdated and likely slow and buggy, but at such a price, it might be worth a look.
Zune HD:
Setting this up would be quite a task, but it had an app called Zune Reader. I've always had a soft spot for these, their design is still appealing today - a timeless piece of tech design in my opinion. The UI of the menu still stands up today, but I'm more interested in how the device *feels* when reading. I cannot find any documentation or even a screenshot of this app in action, which is interesting.
Rockbox iPod Classic:
This is an intriguing idea. The custom firmware program provides a "speed read" option, which cleverly uses the small screen to present only a few words at a time. I'm unsure of the exact mechanics but it has caught my eye. They also offer a regular reader, but the speed reader truly stands out. More details can be found here.
