Slim pickings

   Will printed books eventually be replaced by electronic versions? It seems likely, now that the era of the Kindle, nook and iPad is upon us, with iPad hitting Apple stores April 3.

   Each device allows readers to download from among thousands of electronic books, or e-books, in seconds via a wireless 3G satellite connection. Books typically range from free to $9.99, and thousands can be stored on each portable device.

   With so many e-readers on the market, how does someone choose the right one? It all depends on the needs of the reader.

   One of the first was Amazon's Kindle. Now in its second version, the Kindle 2 ($259) remains the most recognizable brand and arguably has the most reliable device on the market. With more dependable software, the Kindle trumps the newer and more glitch-prone nook ($259).

   The Kindle's 6-inch diagonal E ink electronic paper display is the same as the nook's. It holds 1,500 e-books, and its battery lasts one week with wireless on. The upgraded Kindle DX ($489) has a 9.7-inch screen that automatically rotates pages between landscape and portrait orientations and holds 3,500 e-books.

   The nook is Barnes and Noble's attempt to compete with Amazon's e-book success. From its slow-response touch screen scrolling control to its awkward user interface, the nook's construction was rushed to compete with other e-readers last Christmas. Finding content can be frustrating scrolling through several menus to locate new downloads.

   Nevertheless, the nook has outdone the Kindle with a sharper 6-inch E ink electronic paper display and a 3.5-inch color touch screen LCD, free wireless 3G and Wi-Fi connections. It holds 1,500 e-books and has an expandable microSD slot allowing up to thousands of extra books to be saved. Its battery lasts ten days with wireless off. Its hardware is solid, leaving room for software improvements in the future. For customers willing to take a risk, the nook may pan out as a better investment than the Kindle.

   Apple's iPad will revolutionize the way e-books are read, but is the $499-$829 price tag worth it? Consumers need to spend at least $629, more than double the price of a Kindle or nook, just to get a 3G model, making the base model iPads much less mobile.

   The iPad is in a class of its own and cannot be compared side-by-side with the Kindle or nook, although it is not just a tablet or laptop computer but also a reader device. This oversized iPod Touch utilizes a 9.7-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen multi-touch display for e-reading and browsing the web. However, backlit displays, used on computer monitors, cause more eyestrain than non-backlit E ink displays. E-books are available at the familiar App Store. iPad capacity, depending on version, ranges from holding 12,000 to 48,000 e-books. Battery life is 10 hours with a Wi-Fi connection.

   Why would anyone pay $259-$829 for an e-reader when e-books can be read on a cell phone, laptop or MP3 player like an iPod touch?

   It really boils down to frequency of use, features and comfort. Some prefer to save their cash and use their current devices, while others may invest in an e-reader that is easier on the eyes and has longer battery life.

   Whether one chooses to invest in these technologies, wait for new ones to surface or stick to printed books, one thing is evident — the e-book revolution will not be over anytime soon.