September usually means a rush to stock up on school supplies—everything from binders and highlighters to textbooks and designer jeans. In recent years, computers, laptops, and e-readers have been added to the mix. If you’re not sure if dropping up to $300 on a tablet or e-reader is worth the investment, here are ten reasons why a Kindle, NOOK, or another e-reader may be worth considering.
Weight
Three textbooks in a backpack can weigh 15 pounds. A laptop can weigh up to five pounds. This weight can be a burden at the end of a long day.
Choosing an e-reader for your texts means lightening that load to less than a pound. Some e-readers will fit in your pocket.
As a bonus, with your library in your pocket, you can say goodbye to the old college standby of bookshelves made from planks and cinder blocks.
Hardware Cost
A multipurpose device like an iPad may make a decent e-book reader, as long as you don’t use it outdoors or under reflective lights.
The cheapest iPad starts at over $300. Most top-selling e-readers are priced under $150, and you can buy a budget Kindle for $80.
Save Money on Books
Prices may vary, depending on the subject and titles. Still, e-books tend to be cheaper than printed versions. For some students, the e-reader may pay for itself.
Convenience
Surveys have shown that e-reader owners tend to read more than they did before taking the plunge. The convenience of having a variety of e-books in their pocket is a big reason why.
When you carry an e-reader, you can easily catch a few minutes of reading while riding the transit or taking a break between classes. With an e-reader, you’re not limited to the one or two textbooks in your backpack.
When it comes to school, reading more is definitely a good thing.
Highlight at Will
With traditional paper textbooks, you may be reluctant to make notes or highlight passages for fear of ruining a book’s resell value. If you make a note, then change your mind, those scribblings clutter the page.
Most e-readers offer the ability to highlight text and make notes without permanently vandalizing the e-book.
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Get Social
E-reader manufacturers are increasingly adding social media functions to their offerings. Kobo has Reading Life, for example, while Barnes & Noble offers NOOK Friends.
Using these tools, you can engage in conversations about e-books, share thoughts, and make recommendations. In some cases, you can lend or borrow titles. It’s easier than rounding up a group of people for a study session.
Skip the Bookstore Lineups
Most e-readers are available with Wi-Fi connectivity. So, while other students stand in line for hours at the school bookstore with armloads of texts, you can shop online and have your purchases instantly show up on your e-reader.
Library Schmibrary
Libraries are continually growing their e-book collections. If you’d rather relax at home than make the trip to borrow a book, an e-reader lets you pick up many titles for two weeks without spending a dime or leaving the dorm.
Better yet, there’s no trudging back to the library to return borrowed books, no late fees, and copies are pristine.
Battery Life
Most e-readers can go a month without recharging. Some, such as the NOOK Simple Touch, can last up to two months. That means that, unlike a tablet or laptop, you don’t need to charge your device every night or remember where you put the charger or USB cable.
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