Are 9.7 iPads good e readers? how's your experience?

[sorcery]

I use both kindle and air 2, the latter for reading pdf and textbooks. The iPad not so good in direct sunlight.
To offset the heavier weight I use a stand, such as
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Multi-Angle-Aluminum-Smartphones-Compatible/dp/B00D856NOG

 

[metalcyclone]

I actually use both the 9.7" pro for Nook books and the Kindle app but also use a Kindle Oasis for reading my Kindle books sometimes. I like how kindle syncs my library so reliably every time I tell it to so I can switch from Ipad to Kindle Oasis with minimal hassle. I guess I prefer the Oasis reading experience but the 9.7" pro with its True Tone display is nice too. I like to have the option of either... Depends on my mood at any given time i guess... But I understand the OP is not interested in a Kindle so in that regard I can only say, I don't think the 9.7" iPad is a bad ereading experience at all. I don't think you'll be disappointed with it...

 

[ericwn]

There is no ultimate formula, everybody seems to have very personal preferences. Myself, I read on both my iOS devices and my Kindle. Both have their strengths. If I have a bit of time and want technology to get out of my way while reading, the Kindle is great. For PDFs and books with graphics or photos, the iPad wins hands down.

 

[Neodym]

it's a pain to load up the Kindle Paperwhite with non-Kindle store ebooks.

How's that? With Calibre and its plugins that's a piece of cake. Non-DRM books can even be sent to the Kindle directly via eMail.

my wife [...] greatly prefers reading on an e-ink device like the Kindle, while I greatly prefer the lit screen. YMMV, depending on if you fall into the lit-screen or non-lit screen preference.

The Kindle can be purchased with a lit screen for several years now. Personally I prefer the lighting system of the Kindles over any iPad when it comes to reading books.

 

[Perene]

I have a Kindle PW and two iPAD Pros 9.7.

The Kindle can only be used for a small number of ebooks that don't rely heavily on images and a formatting that is easier to adapt. A large number of my ebooks can only be read in the iPAD, because if I convert them or even if I scan them again, this can't be done if they are not mostly text.

Besides, it takes a lot of time to scan a book yourself and review the OCR stuff, using ABBYY FineReader. The downside is that the PDF (in case there isn't even an ebook released officially) becomes huge, if consists only of images with a reduced resolution. It can waste 100-300 MB.

I often use this site to convert ePUBs too, for the Kindle format:
http://ebook.online-convert.com/convert-to-mobi

And then I send to the Amazon cloud.

It's always best to search for a Kindle version created by the publisher, instead of doing any sort of conversion. And the Kindle is worthless to read PDFs, most of them can't be read properly and the zoom doesn't work fine with them. The experience is dreadful compared to a file that was created for the Kindle in mind.

As for my experience using the iPAD, it's not ideal, yet it's a good one. I turn the brightness down, enable options such as True Tone/Night Shift and use the FoxIt PDF Reader. Also recommend using a tablet stand such as TStand, or one in the form of a triangle, that holds the iPAD that way:
http://i.imgur.com/vv7DpCu.jpg

And you should be concerned with how the lamps in your bedroom affect your experience. I only use one, a 3000K LED, and it is behind the monitor, according to this:

https://www.howtogeek.com/213464/ho...le-watching-tv-and-gaming-with-bias-lighting/
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1204226
https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTip...having_a_light_on_behind_your_monitor_like_a/

This might seem a small advice, but it makes A LOT OF DIFFERENCE if you don't want to ruin things, turn off the lamps overhead, they are too alerting.

 

[profets]

I have a 9.7” Pro (an iPad Air before it) and have used them a lot of ebook reading. I’ve always found them a bit large for book reading though.

I’ve always thought the mini would be an excellent size for an ebook reader (especially the mini 4 given how thin and light it is, almost weightless even in one hand). I was able to use one for a bit and it felt perfect as an ebook reader.

 

[rui no onna]

How's that? With Calibre and its plugins that's a piece of cake. Non-DRM books can even be sent to the Kindle directly via eMail.

But then I'd have to load up Calibre and that means using the PC (or at least remote desktop into it via the iPad). iPad, I can just download stuff on a whim wherever I may be as long as there's LTE or wi-fi.

 

[bufffilm]

The Mini is a pretty good ereader (of all the different iPad sizes). But the future of the Mini is up in the air.

Actually this best pure ereader is probably the Kindle still. My sister swears by it.

Depending on the volume of reading you want to do, buy accordingly.

 

[rui no onna]

The Mini is a pretty good ereader (of all the different iPad sizes). But the future of the Mini is up in the air.

Actually this best pure ereader is probably the Kindle still. My sister swears by it.

Depending on the volume of reading you want to do, buy accordingly.

I love my Kindle Paperwhite and would absolutely love a Kindle Oasis.

However, unless I have a migraine (no LCD, e-ink okay), the convenience of the iPad often trumps the comfort of the Kindle.

 

[sparksd]

The Mini is a pretty good ereader (of all the different iPad sizes). But the future of the Mini is up in the air.

Actually this best pure ereader is probably the Kindle still. My sister swears by it.

Depending on the volume of reading you want to do, buy accordingly.

I read about a book per week and prefer the Air 2 over my Kindle (original), Kindle PaperWhite, and Kindle Fire. All three sit unused unless I plan to read in bright sunlight (rare) and then I use the PaperWhite.

 

[lockerc18]

As others have said, an iPad is an ideal device for reading ebooks. I have an iPad3 and I've used the Kindle, Nook, and iBook apps to read ebooks on it. My experience with that has been to never read hardcover books again, unless I get one as a gift. It has been truly, 100 percent great for me for that. I have a 10.5 inch iPad Pro on order, and am very excited about reading ebooks on that, too. Among one or two other things...

I also have a Kindle Fire HD. While the screen is nice on that, I find it actually too small for ebooks, and I also don't care for the UI on the Kindle at all. I'd take an iPad over that any time.

 

[profets]

Another thing that I like about reading books on an iPad is if I’m out and want to kill a bit of time, or somewhere without my iPad, I can open iBooks on my iPhone and read a bit there too.

 

[Neodym]

I love my Kindle Paperwhite and would absolutely love a Kindle Oasis.

Knowing the Paperwhite and currently owning the Oasis, I'd recommend you not to get an Oasis. You'll be spoiled for other Kindles by its weight and great ergonomy! I'm dreading the rumor that it may be discontinued next year and substituted with a "standard" or slightly updated Voyage I'd been hoping they would update the Oasis with some "Nightshift"-ish system ...

 

[Amplelink]

My problem with e-ink readers is that they're literally just for displaying text. Anything with complex images and charts is a pain. And navigating through e-ink books is also not fun. Just compare the Kindle app functionality on an iPad to an e-ink Kindle. It's night and day how much easier the iPad app is to use. The only strength of the e-ink is its readability in the sun. Unless that's a big deal to you, iPads are easily more enjoyable reading experiences.

 

[Wise Potato]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I guess I should've said I don't want a Kindle in the OP.

Kindle isn't available around here (Middle East), I would have to import it and even then it wouldn't have any support, if it fails or needs maintenance I will probably have to throw it in the trash.

I want a tablet, and judging from all replies I guess the iPad Mini has the ideal form factor, gonna go with it and hope it doesn't fall behind in performance soon.

 

[44267547]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I guess I should've said I don't want a Kindle in the OP.

Kindle isn't available around here (Middle East), I would have to import it and even then it wouldn't have any support, if it fails or needs maintenance I will probably have to throw it in the trash.

I want a tablet, and judging from all replies I guess the iPad Mini has the ideal form factor, gonna go with it and hope it doesn't fall behind in performance soon.

You will least have support Through iOS 11 with iPad mini 4. And even so, it would still easily be productive enough for an E-reader.

 

[Stefan johansson]

I'm thinking of buying an iPad, obviously the Mini is optimal for it's size but it's becoming obsolete and I really don't want to deal with half baked iOS updates in the future, I'd love an iPad that lasts long.

Plus, the much larger screen and long battery life are tempting, my main goal is e reading, yes, but the bigger screen will be a lot better for other tasks like multi tasking, netflix and gaming.

Are 9.7 inch iPads too heavy for e reading? Should I just go with the iPad Mini 4 with it's older specs?

A 9,7 inch iPad weights about the same as a normal bible or quoran,which is a bit heavier than a pocket book.
The screen is clear and sharp,and for long time reading I usually turn down the light a bit.

 

[metalcyclone]

Knowing the Paperwhite and currently owning the Oasis, I'd recommend you not to get an Oasis. You'll be spoiled for other Kindles by its weight and great ergonomy! I'm dreading the rumor that it may be discontinued next year and substituted with a "standard" or slightly updated Voyage I'd been hoping they would update the Oasis with some "Nightshift"-ish system ...

Where did you hear that they were discontinuing the Oasis and updating the Voyage? Just curious cause I'm usually up on rumors and hadn't heard that one...

 

[Lisat78]

I love reading on my iPad Air 2 also; in fact, I rarely read printed books now although that’s partly because of eye conditions that give me difficulty with small font sizes and pale backgrounds. I use a variety of apps for reading- iBooks, kindle, I’m playing with the beta of FBReader. I also have a huge fanfic collection so increasingly I find I’m reading in devothink to go with invert colour on to give me the dark background. I haven’t yet found one reader than can do everything I want, but this combination together with Ulysses from time to time works very well. Oh, and for fic Safari itself is great, especially now that the top chrome vanishes when you’re just scrolling.

Forgot to add that my ipad cushion is a crucial part of my ability to read comfortably for hours. Holding it is fine for shorter periods, but for a long stint I wouldn’t be without my cushion. Actually thinking of getting a second as they make great arm rests too.

 

[Neodym]

Where did you hear that they were discontinuing the Oasis and updating the Voyage? Just curious cause I'm usually up on rumors and hadn't heard that one...

Read it somewhere around the beginning of this year. When I searched for it now, couldn't find it again. Only thing I could find now was this source, claiming a Paperwhite 4 and high end replacements for both Voyager and Oasis.

 

[metalcyclone]

Read it somewhere around the beginning of this year. When I searched for it now, couldn't find it again. Only thing I could find now was this source, claiming a Paperwhite 4 and high end replacements for both Voyager and Oasis.

Yeah I heard that one somewhere... I hope the Oasis does get updated cause that by far my favorite e-reader!

 

[Kavier]

I love my iPads and currently have the Air 2. (10.5" Pro on order.) I use it for just about everything but ebooks. A backlit screen just isn't the best for reading for hours at a time. And, as time goes on, the full size iPad feels increasingly heavy.

I use the Kindle for ebooks. the only books I read on the iPad are ones with a lot of photos. Even then, I usually just look at the pics on the iPad & read the book on the Kindle.

Of course, the Kindle can do no other tasks. Heck, it's not even audio or Bluetooth capable. But it's superb for ebooks. And, it has a MUCH longer battery life than the iPad - talking days or weeks rather than hours.

I stick with my Kindle for ebooks too. Crazy long battery life and easy on my eyes late at night.

 

[44267547]

I stick with my Kindle for ebooks too. Crazy long battery life and easy on my eyes late at night.

That's a huge advantage for E-readers, is the battery life is phenomenal.