Are tablets driving e-readers to extinction?

Why carry two devices when one will do?

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: This is the mantra that has seen the camera, GPS receiver, media player, portable games, and much more all converge into portable devices such as smartphones and tablets. Why? Simple. It is far easier to carry one device than many.

Given that post-PC devices have already put a myriad of consumer electronics devices on the endangered list, it is only a matter of time until the humble e-reader is kicked to the curb by the tablet. And why not? Both devices are flat, slate-like objects designed to be held in the hand, with a screen on one side.

Another factor is price. When the only mainstream tablet available to was the iPad, cheap e-readers were an attractive option; but as the price of tablets have fallen, this factor is now moot. Why would someone choose a single-purpose device when they can get a multi-purpose tablet for roughly the same price?

The days of the e-reader are numbered.

I always go back to my e-book reader

Matthew Miller: I own a few tablets (iPad, Surface RT, Nexus 7, HP TouchPad, HTC Flyer) and primarily use them for media consumption or content creation. They all support multiple e-book applications and can be used for reading, but I always go back to my Kindle or other e-book reader. My book reading experience is much better on a dedicated e-reader because I get a distraction-free period of time on an eye comforting display to dive into my books. It is not enjoyable to read e-books on an iPad at the beach or by the pool and also can be a financially dangerous move.

Prices have dropped to just about $100 for most e-readers, which is still less than half the cost of most tablets so there is a cost savings if your primary intent for a tablet is to read books. It has been a long road for e-reader manufacturers to convince the public that reading electronic books can be just as good as paper books and there are still many who prefer paper (my oldest daughter for one), but I think the exposure to devices like the iPad are convincing people to take a second look at e-books.

Tablets may actually help the e-reader market as people first discover they can enjoy books on an electronic device and then find that the book reading experience is even better on a lightweight, eInk-based e-reader that is less expensive and has a battery that lasts forever.