Some types of books work better in a larger format, so 13" is great, but it is also pretty big and heavy for a book-reader, and I don't think I could recommend an iPad over a simple dedicated e-ink reader for that
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iPad Pro 11” vs 13” iPad Pro for reading books
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Neither. The Mini is it. The others are just too big & clumsy compared to the mini. Having to hold a huge iPP up vss the mini for hours at a time makes the advantage real.
I have a mini 6 that I've used for the last two years primarily to read books (and surf the Net). I decided I couldn't wait any longer to see if AAPL comes out with a mini Pro, so purchased the 11 inch M4 iPad Pro. It's excellent for reading eBooks. I actually like the slightly larger size because I can fit more text on a page at the same font size. I have very small hands and nonetheless do not find the 11 inch size to be too big to hold for hours on end reading a book.
The 11 inch M4 iPad Pro has completely supplanted the iPad mini 6 as my daily driver. I do not need to take an iPad with me all that frequently and, when I do, I can carry it in a sling bag rather than the hip bag I had been using with my iPad mini 6.
I tried the 13 inch as an eBook reader but, even with the lighter, thinner form factor, compared to my 2018 13 inch iPad Pro, it was still too cumbersome to use as an eBook reader.
Bottom line: iPad mini 6 and 11 inch M4 iPad Pro are both excellent for use as eBook reader. The decision about which to get will rest primarily on what other features you want (the screen on the IPP is gorgeous and handwriting is more responsive) and also on whether you really need the trade paperback size of the mini for the purpose of carrying it around in a pocket or hip bag.
The 11 inch M4 iPad Pro has completely supplanted the iPad mini 6 as my daily driver. I do not need to take an iPad with me all that frequently and, when I do, I can carry it in a sling bag rather than the hip bag I had been using with my iPad mini 6.
I tried the 13 inch as an eBook reader but, even with the lighter, thinner form factor, compared to my 2018 13 inch iPad Pro, it was still too cumbersome to use as an eBook reader.
Bottom line: iPad mini 6 and 11 inch M4 iPad Pro are both excellent for use as eBook reader. The decision about which to get will rest primarily on what other features you want (the screen on the IPP is gorgeous and handwriting is more responsive) and also on whether you really need the trade paperback size of the mini for the purpose of carrying it around in a pocket or hip bag.
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I actually find that even during the day, I prefer to set Apple Books (or the Kindle app, for books unavailable or more expensive on Apple Books) to white text on a black background.
Real books better than both. If you have spare time to read books, I definitely recommend paper ones. Eyes will thank you later.
But if you have a large collection of electronic books or some specific ones that you cannot find in paperback form then any iPad will do. I had been reading books since the 9.7 inch iPad OG and it was good enough. Matte screen protector will help even more and will increase legibility significantly.
Still, electronic books nowadays often kill my motivation. Maybe it is because my eyesight significantly deteriorated since 2010, maybe I just become more irritated from so many electronic devices in my life. I have downloaded lots of books to learn Dutch and haven’t opened a single of them, while I always reach to my paper ones to read and learn
But if you have a large collection of electronic books or some specific ones that you cannot find in paperback form then any iPad will do. I had been reading books since the 9.7 inch iPad OG and it was good enough. Matte screen protector will help even more and will increase legibility significantly.
Still, electronic books nowadays often kill my motivation. Maybe it is because my eyesight significantly deteriorated since 2010, maybe I just become more irritated from so many electronic devices in my life. I have downloaded lots of books to learn Dutch and haven’t opened a single of them, while I always reach to my paper ones to read and learn
I have a 2022 12.9 iPad Pro that I tried to use in bed for reading books on my Kindle and it was uncomfortable. It’s just too heavy to hold in my hands and forget trying to hold it one handed. I loved how bright and vibrant the screen looked, but that weight and size didn’t matter, if the iPad was too heavy to hold for a couple hours. I immediately went back to my mini 6, which is the perfect size to fit into my pocket and my purse for on the go.
I went kicking and screaming into ebooks but I just ran out of room for more (I like to keep them) but with over 900 books on my Kindle now, I'm sold. I still get a few hard editions of books, but not many. The Scribe is now my preferred reading device.
Books? Kind of a general term. I use a Kindle for non-graphic books, and a laptop mostly for anything with graphics, or reference, where you are constantly moving around inside it (with bookmarks, etc).
In other words, iPads and regular tablets are all ill-suited for most things except where you don't hold them constantly, like a music stand, or something like that. Where they function as a regular computer but close up and more portable.
The Kindle is the best invention imo. I have used it more than anything. They are dog slow for anything but turning pages or using a pen, and I think the color ones are sort of iffy.
But the Mini would be close.
In other words, iPads and regular tablets are all ill-suited for most things except where you don't hold them constantly, like a music stand, or something like that. Where they function as a regular computer but close up and more portable.
The Kindle is the best invention imo. I have used it more than anything. They are dog slow for anything but turning pages or using a pen, and I think the color ones are sort of iffy.
But the Mini would be close.
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I ordered the Kindle also, it should arrive today. So far, the cellular + OLED display is really amazing for reading magazines on the 11” iPad Pro. I have access to 7000+ magazines to read and I can do it anywhere thanks to the cellular. You wouldn’t be able to do this with hard copies.
But this OLED display is complete overkill for e-books what I’m noticing so I’m giving the Kindle a go too with its even lighter weight and a display that is easier on the eyes (and also no distractions).
I gave up on the Kindle ages ago. For one thing, the interface really sucks (pagination in particular) and the forced ads are a real downer. More importantly, it can ONLY display Kindle books. An iPad, be it a mini or an 11 inch iPad, is a much better choice IMHO.
You can use the Kindle app to read eBooks that are either unavailable in Apple Books or considerably cheaper on the Kindle. But you can also read books in the Apple Books app, which I find much better wrt pagination--although I must admit, the revised Apple Books interface isn't as intuitive as Books used to be.
You can use the Kindle app to read eBooks that are either unavailable in Apple Books or considerably cheaper on the Kindle. But you can also read books in the Apple Books app, which I find much better wrt pagination--although I must admit, the revised Apple Books interface isn't as intuitive as Books used to be.
I just don't like the fact that after I finish an e-book I can't loan it to a friend. I was just telling someone about something I had finished and she was interested in it... but it was an e-book so it's just locked down and non-transferrable. Great for publishers, not great for the user.
E-books borrowed from the library can be sent to the Kindle (it's a semi-clunky process of then logging into Amazon and sending the borrowed book to your Kindle, but it works).
I feel the same way about not being able to share the few e-books I've purchased over the years, I mostly borrow e-books from the Library and it's been great.
[edit: I no longer have a Kindle, but I did read that you can lend your Kindle book to a friend's Kindle account for a couple weeks.]. https://www.wikihow.com/Lend-a-Kindle-Book
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@ignatius345 made several good points:
>>>>My attention span is pretty tattered these days, and I don't do well trying to read something long on a big, beautiful iPad screen that is always tempting me to "look something up really quick" and never get back to my book. <<<<<<
Indeed. I have this same problem and have yet to find a solution. Sigh.
OTOH, I do find it nice to be able to quickly look up a word I'm not familiar with or even an historical reference in a book I'm reading. The other thing I find I miss when I read DTBs (Dead Tree Books) is the ability to search the book. Sometimes I'll forget a character or event from earlier in a novel and I find using the search function a lot easier than paging through a DTB to figure out who the character is or to verify an event I vaguely recall having happened earlier.
>>>>>I just don't like the fact that after I finish an e-book I can't loan it to a friend. I was just telling someone about something I had finished and she was interested in it... but it was an e-book so it's just locked down and non-transferrable. Great for publishers, not great for the user. <<<<<<
Again, I couldn't agree more. On occasion, when I'm considering buying a book that I think I might like to share with friends (usually non-fiction), I'll actually opt to buy the DTB version.
However, my loft is already chock-a-block full of a lifetime of paperbacks, so I have limited space for more DTBs, making eBooks a real blessing. I'm one of those folks who can't bear to part with a book that I've read on the off-chance I might like to read it again someday.
>>>>My attention span is pretty tattered these days, and I don't do well trying to read something long on a big, beautiful iPad screen that is always tempting me to "look something up really quick" and never get back to my book. <<<<<<
Indeed. I have this same problem and have yet to find a solution. Sigh.
OTOH, I do find it nice to be able to quickly look up a word I'm not familiar with or even an historical reference in a book I'm reading. The other thing I find I miss when I read DTBs (Dead Tree Books) is the ability to search the book. Sometimes I'll forget a character or event from earlier in a novel and I find using the search function a lot easier than paging through a DTB to figure out who the character is or to verify an event I vaguely recall having happened earlier.
>>>>>I just don't like the fact that after I finish an e-book I can't loan it to a friend. I was just telling someone about something I had finished and she was interested in it... but it was an e-book so it's just locked down and non-transferrable. Great for publishers, not great for the user. <<<<<<
Again, I couldn't agree more. On occasion, when I'm considering buying a book that I think I might like to share with friends (usually non-fiction), I'll actually opt to buy the DTB version.
However, my loft is already chock-a-block full of a lifetime of paperbacks, so I have limited space for more DTBs, making eBooks a real blessing. I'm one of those folks who can't bear to part with a book that I've read on the off-chance I might like to read it again someday.
I use a 4th gen iPad Air for reading, mostly through the Kindle app but also some Books app. I had been using a Kindle Paperwhite for a couple years but it got to be a bit too small.
I also prefer reading e-books on at least a 10-11" screen. I love the light weight and small size of the Kindle Paperwhite, read several very long books on it, but I'd rather hold a 1 pound device (or prop it against a pillow) and have more text displayed with way fewer page turns. If the Kindle Scribe weren't as heavy as my 11" iPad, I'd have bought one when Best Buy briefly had them 30% off a few weeks ago. [Edit: I ended up buying a Scribe a week after this post, at full price, but I am very happy with it for reading.]
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Many issues with formatting and sharing can be overcome with a ebook library manager if used with the appropriate plugins. I highly recommend Calibre. It works wonderfully on a Mac and with a Kobo and Kindle ebook readers. Calibre is also a great way to manage and index an ebook library. And it’s free (although they do accept donations). I cannot recommend it high enough.
I don’t have any experience Calibre using it with an iPad.
calibre - E-book management
calibre: The one stop solution for all your e-book needs. Comprehensive e-book software.
Is this an official way to share e-books, or a way to fudge the DRM so it's possible?Many issues with formatting and sharing can be overcome with a ebook library manager if used with the appropriate plugins. I highly recommend Calibre. It works wonderfully on a Mac and with a Kobo and Kindle ebook readers. Calibre is also a great way to manage and index an ebook library. And it’s free (although they do accept donations). I cannot recommend it high enough.
I don’t have any experience Calibre using it with an iPad.
calibre - E-book management
calibre: The one stop solution for all your e-book needs. Comprehensive e-book software.calibre-ebook.com
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea, but my beef is with the legal "ownership" model that makes purchases of digital goods like e-books, games and video titles a lot more akin to rentals, with access managed at the pleasure of the publishers and their corporate owners ruling over IP fiefdoms. Move to the wrong part of the world, lose access to the right DRM-blessed hardware, or just be on the wrong end of some legal IP dispute somewhere, and you lose access to what you "bought" entirely. There have even been instances of e-books being censored after purchase.
As much as I applaud software like Calibre for allowing users to take true control of the media they bought and paid for, digital goods need to be reformed to allow for the true legal rights of ownership: the right to buy and sell, the right to bequeath to one's heirs... in short all the rights one would have with a paper book, a DVD, or a media-based video game.
Sorry for the rant, but I really think it's way past time for this to be changed, especially as more and more of our collective media purchases are digital goods. It's not going to be easy, because the corporations who own all of this IP must love the fact that there's no legal secondary market for their goods, and that everyone who wants a copy of an e-book must buy one from them separately. Even libraries have to pay for an e-book each and every individual time it's borrowed, instead of simply purchasing a copy and putting it on the shelves the way they do with books. The whole thing stinks to high heaven, frankly, and it's the same with streaming video and games.
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I guess it depends what type of books you want to read. For novels maybe the 11 inch would be better as it's easier to hold and carry around. If you are reading PDFs, graphic books, magazines, newspapers, comics etc the 13 inch might be better.
Does it work with iBooks? I remember back in the day there was no way to remove the DRM from iBooks to read on non Apple devices.Many issues with formatting and sharing can be overcome with a ebook library manager if used with the appropriate plugins. I highly recommend Calibre. It works wonderfully on a Mac and with a Kobo and Kindle ebook readers. Calibre is also a great way to manage and index an ebook library. And it’s free (although they do accept donations). I cannot recommend it high enough.
I don’t have any experience Calibre using it with an iPad.
calibre - E-book management
calibre: The one stop solution for all your e-book needs. Comprehensive e-book software.
Calibre with certain plug ins can be used to remove DRM. There are some tutorials on it on YouTube. I can't be bothered with all that though. I just stick with kindles and buy books from amazon which work on my kindles. I think the problem with using a physical item analogy is that there is only one of them. So if I lend out my physical book, only one person can use it at time. If I remove the DRM from a digital book there is the potential that I share it with multiple people.
I own kindles and iPads and I can see both arguments. If I could only have one or was only willing to own one then I would get the iPad because like you say it is more versatile.
As DRM is currently implemented, yes. But there must be a better way to maintain something existing as a single digital item, but which is legally (and practically) transferrable to another person. The whole NFT concept got caught up in a lot of hype and scamminess, but something along the lines of a decentralized blockchain could do a better job of that.
Anyway, I'm out in the weeds here, but stuff like this keeps me from really considering e-books as a legit alterative to buying actual books.
I remember reading that DRM on books got started when Amazon presented it to publishers as a way to sell books without piracy worries. Of course pirates find it easy to strip DRM so it only stops law abiding users from doing the things they want with books they purchased, thereby locking Amazon's ebook customers into buying Kindles so it's mostly been good for Amazon.
Amazon in their infinite generosity added ePub support to Kindles a while ago but how it works is it converts any ePubs you send to the 'send to kindle' service into Kindle files which completely destroys the ability of users to then move those files to other non Kindle devices later.
I will admit that I stripped the DRM off my Kindle books when I switched over to Kobo but I'm no pirate because they're for my own use only so I believe I'm still legal. I vastly prefer books with no DRM which publishers like Tor provide, so I can read them on anything I like.
Storybundle also sell non DRM books, and I'm a massive fan of Standard Ebooks who take classic public domain books from Project Gutenberg and reformat them in a modern style so they are much easier to read. Those are free to download and I will admit I've been in there like a pig with his snout in a trough consuming classics.