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E-readers More Popular Than Tablets

You will be forgiven to think that a new tablet computer is launched every week as we are being bombarded by adverts on a daily basis. However, The report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project therefore suggests that most consumers particularly in America are now finding e-readers more appealing. According to Pew, only last winter, tablets were slightly in front with 7% of U.S. adults owning one compared to 6% who had an e-reader.

However, by May 2011, 12% of American adults owned an e-reader such as, Motorola Mobility’s Xoom, Blackberry Playbook and Apple iPad, while tablet ownership was only 8% (Margin of error on survey: 2%). While Apple has sold over 25 million iPad devices, Amazon and Barnes & Noble do not disclose sales of their e-reader devices although Citi analyst, Mark Mahaney, forecasts that Amazon could sell 17.5 million Kindles in 2011 alone.

While tablets offer more in terms of features and functionality, it is thought that consumers find e-readers more appealing because of its simplicity whereby users can download, read and annotate books in basic black-and-white e-ink displays. Furthermore, e-readers are generally cheaper and sometimes come with free Wi-Fi access. Overall, both devices are still emerging and therefore not as popular as older electronic devices as shown by the list below.

Top 3 Most Popular Digital Device

  1. Desktop and laptop computers
  2. DVRs
  3. MP3 players

Talking Point

Are there any other reasons why e-readers are more popular than tablets?

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16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Pingback: E-readers More Popular Than Tablets

  2. Marc Rasmussen

    July 10, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    I’ve not owned a tablet so far but I read a lot and at present I’m using Kindles III. Nook from Barnes and Nobles have also impressed me a lot though I’m not too thorough with the features. I also feel all the branded tablets will be user friendly so any trusted brand would be fine for me, the fact that e-readers replace books is a plus point.I think using e-readers and tablets are the best options to solve deforestation.

  3. Jeff

    July 10, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    I know that e-readers are more convenient that strolling around with a full sized laptop in your bed at night to read a book, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy one. Since I spend most of my day in front of a computer at work, I like to take a break from it while I am at home. I would much rather sit with a real paper book and give myself a break from all the technology we spend our time with each day – I’m sure that makes me weird, but that is okay 🙂

    Jeff

  4. chunenk

    July 11, 2011 at 8:23 am

    I love reading, love music too, but honestly I do not quite understand about the tablets, because the technology in our country just went along with fashion just a hobby …… although I read only a laptop computer and MP3 player all I know, so please help me to get to know more WHAT IS TABLET

  5. Sunny

    July 11, 2011 at 9:20 am

    I can’t agree more, Jeff. I spent almost 8 hours before a computer screen. I’ll choose to read real book instead of any other forms like e books.

  6. reeha

    July 11, 2011 at 9:28 am

    nice post. this is the best post to read the commentators views and news.i will surely read all the comments when your all the readers post their reservations.

  7. Nawaz

    July 11, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    Today and coming age is of e-readers. It is growing trend among the world young generation to migrate towards e-readers.

  8. jaust

    July 13, 2011 at 4:56 am

    I would prefer a tablet over a newspaper any time..

  9. jandelaria

    July 14, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I agree.. plus it’s much easier to keep in the bag than most books and newspapers.. 😀

  10. Ellen

    July 16, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    IMHO a tablet and an ereader are two different devices, so I wouldnt compare them as competing products. I own a Kindle (which is already my second ereader since I broke the screen of my first ereader) and I have an old tablet. Reading a book on a tablet is just not the same experience as reading it on an ereader.

    Biggest ‘problem’ for eReader manufactures is that I only need to buy a new ereader when mine breaks down, but I will buy tablets once every 2 years or so because of the new technologies and speed.

  11. Carmen

    July 18, 2011 at 5:26 am

    I find it hard to believe that anyone would choose an e reader over an ipad. I have used both and the ipad is better.

  12. Sandra

    September 4, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    If you read a lot then you don’t want to look at a computer screen the whole time. It’s bad for your eyes and you have to be aware of how much power is left. e-readers are generally a bit lighter and just a bit more mobile.

    My phone can do most things that you can do with a tablet pc, but then more mobile. The only thing which is annoying on my smartphone is reading. So I would opt for an e-reader. I don’t need to be able to watch movies outside my house, I’ll go to a cinema if I feel that need.
    Just imagine a world where everybody in public transportation is watching movies on their ipad. That is just sad.

  13. Ted

    October 11, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    I’d see these devices as providing different functions. eReaders are cheaper and more for serious readers who want a great digital reading experience. The reading function of tablets is much more of an additional feature in a much longer list of what a tablet PC can do – web browsing, watching videos, playing games, dealing with email, applications etc. These extra features also mean more cost though. The new Kindle Fire will shake this up even further and blur the lines somewhat though.

  14. Denise Gabbard

    October 18, 2011 at 5:42 am

    Like some of the other comments, I’d say that e-readers and tablets have different purposes. I initially bought my tablet to use as a reader, but my latest smartphone (HTC Inspire) has such a big screen, I use it to read books. Actually sent my tablet away to my niece and nephew:(

  15. schill39

    March 27, 2012 at 4:19 am

    Having a tablet computer is a lot more fun than just reading books alone. Whether you choose the e-readers or the tablets, it would still be fine as long as we keep in touch with the technology. On these gadgets we won’t be left out.

    computer tablet reviews guru

  16. Deji

    January 25, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    I don’t agree with you ! I Have an Ipad 2 ! and i think it is more fun and more useful than an e-reader !

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