Marc Saltzman

Special for USA TODAY

E-readers are ideal for people who simply want to read on a portable device

E-readers can last much longer on a battery charge%3B easier to read in direct sunlight

Tablet advantages%3A Apps open up a world of different uses

Trivia question: Name two tech products that might look the same but are far from it? If you answered "e-book reader" and "touchscreen tablet," you're right.

You're finally ready to buy one for yourself or a loved one, but the big question remains: Which one?

Today, tablets are a much hotter category than e-book readers ("e-readers" going forward) — largely because tablets can do so much more despite the similar form. In fact, Sony, one of the first to manufacture an e-reader, announced it would be closing its Reader Store on March 20, and transferring customers to the Kobo eBook store. A sign of things to come?

Still, an e-reader is a valid option, if it fits your needs and budget.

Here's a quick primer to help you decide which one is for you:

E-READERS

The skinny: As the name suggests, e-readers are ideal for people who simply like to read. They're designed primarily for downloading electronic books, magazines and newspapers from a wireless store. When reading, simply tap or swipe the page to flip through the "pages." You can change the font size and style and tap a word to look up a definition (or in some cases, make annotations). Many e-book readers let you borrow books for free from your local library.

Pros: E-readers are usually smaller and lighter than tablets, which make them more portable and easier on your wrists while holding. They have a non-glare screen that makes it better to read in bright sunlight (not so easy to do on a backlit tablet). They are also more affordable than tablets, starting at about $60 to $70 for an entry-level model from a brand name like Kindle or Kobo. E-readers also have a battery that lasts between one and two months, on average, compared to 10 hours at most for tablets.

Cons: E-readers are ideal for reading e-books, but not much else. That's fine for those who only want to read on them, but the lack of power and the limited functions (like no video playback) and no (or few) apps means the experience is, well, limited. A black and white screen is ideal for books and newspapers, but there's an obvious trade-off when reading magazines without color. Finally, e-book readers typically have screens that measure 5 to 7 inches, but some people prefer reading on larger tablets (typically 7 to 10 inches).

TABLETS

The skinny: Touchscreen tablets — like the mega-popular iPad, as well as Android, Kindle Fire and Windows 8 models — are also thin and light devices. Use your fingertips to tap, swipe and pinch through content on the screen, which typically ranges from 7 to 12 inches. Tablets have a color screen and are built not just for reading e-books, but also checking e-mail, browsing the Web, playing games, listening to music and watching video. Tablets usually have two cameras. Apps number in the hundreds of thousands, and are downloaded from various online app stores, wirelessly. All tablets have Wi-Fi and some can take a SIM card for cellular connectivity.

Pros: Tablets are a computer — just like your laptop — but they rely on touch instead of mice and keyboards. You can do almost everything on a tablet you would on a more conventional laptop or desktop, including document creation, video chats, shopping online and reviewing calendar appointments. In fact, tablets can do things your other computer probably can't, such as shoot HD video and help you navigate city streets using GPS. Tablets are very versatile devices that also boast large and colorful screens, and they support countless apps; tablets have free apps for all the major e-book companies, too, including Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Sony Reader, and others.

Cons: Tablets can cost four to five times as much as an e-reader. For example, the Kindle Paperwhite costs $119, while the iPad Air and latest Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 start at $499; Microsoft's Surface 2 costs $449 and up. You can find inexpensive Android tablets, such as the Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HDX (from $199) that are quite capable. Generally, in higher-end tablets you are paying for more power, speed, higher screen resolution and other luxuries. Tablets are also usually a bit heavier and bigger than dedicated e-readers. For bookworms, tablets have screens that are ideal for indoors but not so much outside because they're backlit and not glare-free.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

Whether you go with an e-reader or tablet boils down to what you want to do with the device, where you're going to use it and what your budget is.

If all you want is a portable and affordable e-reader, there's no need to buy a pricier tablet with all the bells and whistles you won't use. On the other hand, if you'd like a thin, lightweight and touchscreen device to carry with you — one that does a lot more than a basic e-reader, and you prefer a larger and color screen, too — then a tablet is what you should invest in.

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at techcomments@usatoday.com.