Motivating Factors to Purchase an E-Reader

Embedded above is Barnes and Noble’s advertisement for the Nook Glowlight, to illustrate what it is that motivates many to purchase e-readers for their reading purposes:

  • Portability. The e-reader appeals to many who commute to work or travel often as the lightweight and compact e-reader provides an incentive for one to read on-the-go, as opposed to carrying a few copies of their paperbacks around in one’s backpack.
  • Flexibility of its Electronic System. Another added incentive to get e-readers is that these devices support multiple versions (eg. DOC, TXT, PDF) of books that that provide its readers with the flexibility to download their choice of books in their preferred form. In the November 26th issue of Newsweek in 2007, Steven Levy argued that the Amazon Kindle was essentially an extension of the online Amazon store with the distinguishing factor of being an independent operator of a computer, whereby a simple one-touch process saved books into one’s device automatically.
  • Cheaper Prices for E-Books. Titles purchased via an e-reader are typically much cheaper than the print versions available. New releases and best-sellers are priced at around $9.99, increasing the attractiveness of e-books to book lovers who read across a wide span of genres.
  • Adjustability of Font Size. This feature, coupled with lighting adaptations, create a more personalised reading experience and ownership over the reading process amongst e-reader converts. The novel aspect of font size adjustability appeals to readers across all ages, creating a customised reading experience for many. Also, the more updated versions of the Nook (for example) enable its readers to read even in the dark or in direct sunlight due to improvements made to its backlight system.
  • Storage Capacity. Many book lovers often face the dilemma of which novels to bring along on their holiday trips without taking up too much space in their luggage or being too heavy to lug around. With the portable e-reader device, book lovers are offered an alternative solution to their worries by the extensive storage capacity these devices offer. For example, the Nook Glowlight by Barnes and Noble can carry up to 2,000 titles, while the very first version of the Amazon Kindle could already store 1,4000 titles. With a few swipes and clicks on the device, the ease with which one can access their personal library of books gives e-readers an advantage over their paperback counterparts.