Best for reading - Ipad or Kindle?

I'm thinking about buying either the Amazon Kindle or Ipad2. I wonder if you have experience with these machines and how they match up for reading. Of course I know the Kindle is especially meant for reading, but I wonder if the Ipad comes close or if the kindle is in a league on its own.

 

107,287 views 29 replies
Reply #1 Top

Everyone I know prefers the Kindle.... but most of my friends are anti iAnything lol

Reply #2 Top

If you do most of your reading indoors then the iPad is far more versatile than the Kindle.  Reading on an iPad outdoors there is too much glare but indoor lighting the iPad works very well for reading.  I have the Kindle program installed on my iPad and it's great.

Reply #3 Top

Having not used a Kindle, I can't 'compare' them, but I love the iPad for reading books.  The only knock on the 1st gen iPad (which I have) is the weight, not really a problem for me.  The iPad2 is considerably lighter, though it is still heavier than the Kindle or Nook if I'm not mistaken.  There's also lots of other things you can do with it besides read books.

Reply #4 Top

Quoting Hankers, reply 2
If you do most of your reading indoors then the iPad is far more versatile than the Kindle. Reading on an iPad outdoors there is too much glare but indoor lighting the iPad works very well for reading.

Hankers....that will make the Kindle more versatile as it matters not whether it's indoors or outdoors....;)

In a 'mechanical' sense....the closest representation of the printed word is the Kindle as the screen is not illuminated - just as a book's page is not...;)

Reply #5 Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 4
Hankers....that will make the Kindle more versatile as it matters not whether it's indoors or outdoors....

AH .... Negative on that one.  You can do a lot more with an iPad. The Kindle is only for reading and the iPad can sub as a computer, music player, GPS etc, etc, etc. so hence the more versatile.

Reply #6 Top

Kindle is best due to weight.  iPad gets to your grip after awhile and if you fall asleep and it hits you in the face--ow.  But iPad is way more versatile.  Watching Netflix on the toilet--epic.

Reply #7 Top

I bought a Color Nook from Barnes and Noble. I had some difficulty with getting the WiFi to work with the installed Android 1.2.0, but was able to resolve this once I installed Android 1.3.0 at B&N. The Color Nook not only handles eBooks nicely, but it also has a growing list of apps. It comes with an internet browser and a music player. There is also a micro SDHC slot to boost the onboard memory. Battery lifetime is also quite good. Cost is currently US$249.

Reply #8 Top

I wonder if you have experience with these machines and how they match up for reading.

Specifically for reading....the Kindle is better...and since it's essentially closest to the printed page its 'versatility' aka reading indoors and out is identical to a book's.

If you want a Jack-of-all-trades-and-master-of-none then get an iPad....;)

Reply #9 Top

Could we have a word with the context mod, please?

Reply #10 Top

Kindle, without doubt.

Reply #11 Top

I have a Kindle and it is great for reading ebooks.

And that's it; that's what its for and it does it well, but it doesn't (nor was intended to) do anything else.

Of course the Kindle is a fifth of the price of an iPad, so for the same money you could have one in each room... 8| ?

Reply #12 Top

For just books, I would go for Kindle.

Personally I just bought an iPad. It's good enough for books and fills roles Kindle doesn't.

Reply #13 Top

kindle. no backlight. long battery life. clear text in sunshine... more light the better.

I have a kindle and a case that has a light that pulls out of the case and uses the kindle battery too.

Reply #14 Top

I think i prefer the kindle, since I would be using it mostly for reading. I was just wondering if an Ipad reads better than just reading from a regular computer screen or laptop screen. I suppose both have the disadvantage that you are looking into a source of strong light, which the Kindle doesn't have.

Actually there was just big news today that amazon will soon announce new tablets.

Another question, are all new (and interesting old) books available on kindle?

Finally, I think amazon should offer an free e-book for every hardcover/pocketbook you buy, the marginal costs are zero and you wound't buy an e-book version in addition to a regular book anyway. It seems like amazon would sell much more books that way, or any other e-book/internet book seller for that matter.

 

Reply #15 Top

Kindle all the way. I have 2 of them for less than it would cost for an ipad.

Reply #16 Top

The selection of books available does vary with each but you can use both the Kindle/Amazon and the Nook apps on the iPad.  Not sure either of the latter give you access to the other's content.  As for your question about 'readability' - the iPad is much easier on the eyes than a computer or laptop screen.

Reply #17 Top

Well, if you have the money for an ipad2 and if you can come up with $14 more...........you will have enough to get a kindle (the one that's $114 with ads) and an Asus Transformer android tablet that's $100 less than the ipad2 (if you can actually get a hold of one, because they all sell out before the stores actually get them) But, if the weight of your ipad is only causing you a problem while you are using it for reading e-books, I say keep using your ipad for everything else and buy as many kindles as you can..........one without ads for yourself and three more with ads that you can give out as gifts ( they won't care about the ads, because they will be like....wow, you got me a kindle! ) birthdays and holidays come around before you know it.

 

oh, and kindle is the best for reading e-books

Reply #18 Top

while the ipad is very versatile, if you read alot it can strain your eyes (because of the backlight), some people have issues with that and some dont.

I would (well, i have one actually) get the nook (E-Ink version), by barnes and noble, it handles more ebook formats than the kindle, namely epub, and get calibre for your puter (for converting ebook formats), and you can find all kinds of books all over the place for free or low cost.

Reply #19 Top

Neither, wait for the movie.:grin:

Reply #20 Top

Quoting WOM, reply 19
Neither, wait for the movie.

:rofl:

+1, same way myself

Even if I was a reader, I'd go with the Kindle. 1, because I'm not an iSheep,  :puke: and 2, that's the sole purpose of a Kindle...to read books (I know a few people who have them).

Reply #21 Top

Bebi, Bebi, Bebi.  Didn't you listen to Obama's Tucson speech? Civility... remember? :rolleyes:

Reply #22 Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 21
Bebi, Bebi, Bebi.  Didn't you listen to Obama's Tucson speech? Civility... remember?

Nope, no clue what you're talking about. :X

Reply #23 Top

Kindle is great - content range is pretty broad with a few notable exceptions (no Harry Potter was the one that stood out, although that was a few months ago) but it is a book reader and thats pretty much it.  You can get text to speach and basic internet on the 3G one, but if you want something to pack for holiday so that when you finish your book on the beach you can order a new one from amazon, then Kindle is the way to go.

Reply #24 Top

When I want to read comics and books, I turn my 22'' E-IPS monitor to the portrait mode. No crappy Ipad can match that ;-)

Reply #25 Top

you will not also that the kindle will read .pdf game manuals and any other book you care to convert to .pdf or mobi

You can also take advantage of the 2,000,000 open format books on the internet in general.

calibre is your friend... conversion program...