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Christmas Gifts 2010: eReader Comparison For The Holiday (PHOTOS)

Christmas Gifts 2010
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There is a case to be made for the fact that 2010 will be remembered as the year eBooks solidified themselves as a veritable cultural mainstay. It will be the year when eReaders really took hold.

While eReaders have not been absolutely perfected, and paper books are still being printed, bought, sold and read, eReaders nevertheless have become part of the cultural landscape. So which one is best? The Nook, Kindle and iPad have been battling it out for quite some time, but the future remains uncertain.

Here's a roundup of information and reviews of eReaders for the holiday season so that you can decide which one you prefer. Nothing beats user experience. Let us know yours in the comments section below.

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Amazon Kindle(01 of05)
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According to the Associated Press, the Kindle "weighs half a pound, making the device from Amazon.com Inc. thinner and lighter than Barnes & Noble Inc.'s Nookcolor, its strongest rival. The Kindle also lasts longer on a charge: up to one week with Wi-Fi on and two to three weeks with it turned off."The Kindle has garnered positive reviews across the board, praised for its light weight and compact size. Still, the eReader has been faulted for its slow page turns and its lack of versatility. (credit:AFP / Getty)
Barnes & Noble Nookcolor(02 of05)
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The Nookcolor features a color screen with adjustable back-lighting. According to the Associated Press, "Barnes & Noble sells children's books with built-in narration tracks. Some books can be lent to friends, who can download Barnes & Noble's software for free to read them." Recently, David Pogue, Technology critic for The New York Times, gave the Nookcolor a very positive review, calling its screen "bright and beautiful." The downside of the Nookcolor is its heavy weight, almost twice that of the Kindle. (credit:Getty)
Apple iPad (03 of05)
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Not exclusively an eReader, the iPad features a laundry list of impressive functions, including a color screen, thousands of interactive Apps, as well as full access to the internet. According to the Associated Press, the iPad weighs 1.5 pounds and its hefty weight make it less flexible as a designated reader like the Nook or Kindle. While its screen quality and functionality tower above other eReaders, its price reflects that quality, making certain models over 5 times as expensive as the Kindle. (credit:Getty)
Kobo(04 of05)
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Sold by Borders, the Kobo weighs in "at under 8 ounces," making it "about the weight of a typical paperback book and the most comfortable to read for long stretches (followed closely by the Kindle)." The reader, however, is also light on features, unable to access the internet for example.
Sony Reader(05 of05)
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Sony sells three distinct eReaders: Pocket, Touch and Daily, each with its own unique set of features. The three readers are notable for their range of features, and for their "slimmer and lighter bodies, more sensitive touch screens (courtesy, apparently, of infrared sensors), and e-ink screens with higher contrast and clarity." Even still, the Sony eReaders retail for a slightly higher price point than other eReaders. (credit:Getty)

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