Instead of lugging weighty books around, have you ever considered taking a handheld computer loaded up with a ton of cheap or even free ebooks?

In this feature, we’ll explain what an ebook is, what you need to access one, the costs involved and where to go for a free read.

By the book
The ebook concept is quite simple: it is a digital version of a book or magazine that can be read on computers or handheld PCs. Some mobile phones are now able to display ebooks too, and you’ll even find products specifically designed for displaying ebooks.

The idea is not that new. The hype peaked a few years back when Stephen King published an ebook on his website and 400,000 copies were sold within 24 hours.

The main advantage of ebooks is portability. Rather than carrying a heavy hardback copy of War and Peace, you can download the digital version to a handheld computer or mobile phone.

Depending on what software you use (more on this later), the electronic version of a paperback bestseller can take up less than 1MB of your handheld computer’s memory.

As with most text-based documents stored on a computer, it’s easy to search for particular passages or words. Ebooks can also be read on notebook and desktop PCs, although the portability benefits explained above get lost somewhat.

Your notebook may be heavier and less compact than a book, but if you’re planning on bringing it with you anyway, you can leave the printed copies of books at home. And if you struggle with the small typeface used in many books, ebooks are ideal as the text can be enlarged, saving your eyes from unnecessary strain.

Bargain books
Price-wise, ebooks are better value than printed books.

At the time of writing, Amazon offered the hardback version of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood for just under £15 (plus postage), while several ebook websites offered an electronic download of the title for less than $8 (about £4.50).

Buying an ebook also means you can get your teeth into it straight away rather than wait for it to be delivered to your door.

One of the most impressive collections of free ebooks can be found at the Project Gutenberg website, which has a huge selection of classic works such as Ulysses by James Joyce, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Shakespeare’s Othello. See links to Project Gutenberg and other sites mentioned in this feature.