For those who decide to take a long trip, one thing worth considering is taking a small electronic gadget such as an e-reader or tablet computer to provide entertainment while traveling or in the evenings. There are many plus points that would encourage people to take both types of devices on the road, and there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which one to pack in a bag that is likely to already be stuffed to the brim.

Here is a look at a few features worth considering in both devices.

 

Functionality

The great plus point for tablet computers is that they are significantly more powerful than e-readers, and can do a lot more than just display books and text content. For those who are looking for a huge variety of apps, games and other programs as well as the ability to read books, then tablet computers can certainly trump the e-reader.

However, the real benefit of using an e-reader is that it is a device that is specifically designed for reading in comfort, and while staring at text on a tablet screen can quickly start to strain the eyes, the screens of e-readers are often darker with a matte finish, making it much easier to read for longer periods, which is often what will be needed when reading a novel.

 

Battery Life

Because of the design of the tablet computers and e-readers, the battery life that is available with each device is very different. E-readers are without doubt the winners in this category, and if you are going to be heading into the wilderness with no opportunity to charge the device, then e-readers can have a battery life of up to sixty days for the market leaders.

The battery life for tablet computers however is measured in hours, and while some can power down certain functions to extend battery life, the market leading device can only achieve just over thirteen hours of battery life.

 

Durability

Another feature worth considering when taking one of these devices is how durable it will be. The addition of a tough case to look after the device can certainly help with making a device more resilient, some are naturally tougher than others. Tablet computers are generally a little more vulnerable than e-readers, with more technical wizardry under the hood to keep the devices going and producing crisp clear pictures.

The other aspect to consider when choosing which device to take traveling is the cost, and if a device is damaged while abroad, the e-readers are usually significantly cheaper to replace for those who do not have the relevant travel insurance cover to pay for replacing the devices.

 

Practical Models Worth Considering

When it comes to choosing a good tablet computer for travel, it can often depend on whether or not you will be looking for it to act as a main computer or will be taking it along with a laptop. A smaller screen model such as the iPad Mini or the Google Nexus are both good compact devices, while the Kindle Fire is the best tablet computer for battery life, offering up to thirteen hours and forty two minutes battery life while browsing the internet.

The Amazon Kindle is also the biggest name in the e-reader market, and offers an excellent range of e-books that can be delivered to the device either by wi-fi internet or 3G in some models. The Kobo Aura reader is another good device with excellent battery life, while the Nook Glowlight has an useful back-lit screen that also has market leading battery life.