iPad Best iPad for reading

[Isamilis]

Hi,
I have iPad Air for reading lot of books and journals for my grad school. However, my eyes get watery if I read more than an hour. This also happen if I watch movies on this iPad.
Does anyone have good experience using iPad for extensive reading? If so, which iPad do you recommend? If not, what do you use? I am open to sell this and buy another iPad if this can resolve my problem.

Thank you!

 

[sparksd]

Hi,
I have iPad Air for reading lot of books and journals for my grad school. However, my eyes get watery if I read more than an hour. This also happen if I watch movies on this iPad.
Does anyone have good experience using iPad for extensive reading? If so, which iPad do you recommend? If not, what do you use? I am open to sell this and buy another iPad if this can resolve my problem.

Thank you!

I read a lot - hours/day, every day (I'm retired) - primarily on my 2021 12.9, less so on my new Mini 6, using the Kindle app. I like the iPad so much that I rarely open my latest gen Kindle Oasis; this, even when reading in bed, which do I every night. On this, I think I'm an outlier and most others would flip the usage pattern of the iPads and Oasis, most preferring an e-ink reader for extensive reading. I don't have any eye strain issues, reading or watching videos on the 12.9 (I also use it a lot for streaming video).

 

[Isamilis]

I read a lot - hours/day, every day (I'm retired) - primarily on my 2021 12.9, less so on my new Mini 6, using the Kindle app. I like the iPad so much that I rarely open my latest gen Kindle Oasis; this, even when reading in bed, which do I every night. On this, I think I'm an outlier and most others would flip the usage pattern of the iPads and Oasis, most preferring an e-ink reader for extensive reading. I don't have any eye strain issues, reading or watching videos on the 12.9 (I also use it a lot for streaming video).

Thank you. Do you ever had experience eyes issues due to certain screen? I have problems, not only on my ipad Air 3, but also on Macbook Air (2019 version), but the old MBP 2014 have no issue.

 

[sparksd]

Thank you. Do you ever had experience eyes issues due to certain screen? I have problems, not only on my ipad Air 3, but also on Macbook Air (2019 version), but the old MBP 2014 have no issue.

No, never have had an issue. I've had five iPads and six Android tablets over the years and God knows how many different monitors, etc. (I'm a retired s/w & h/w engineer who predates usage of CRTs).

 

[wilberforce]

I have had various iPads and I don't think there is much difference between them, from the point of view of reading.
I would focus on settings (like brightness, background color, text size), and also environmental conditions (like ambient light, reading position, distance).
Make sure you have eliminated your eyesight as a contributing issue. People often don't realize (or don't want to admit) their vision has declined, and blame the screen, people using too small text, etc. If you are in grad school that probably is not the case, and may be something you have to look forward to, later.

 

[FranApple]

I read a lot - hours/day, every day (I'm retired) - primarily on my 2021 12.9, less so on my new Mini 6, using the Kindle app. I like the iPad so much that I rarely open my latest gen Kindle Oasis; this, even when reading in bed, which do I every night. On this, I think I'm an outlier and most others would flip the usage pattern of the iPads and Oasis, most preferring an e-ink reader for extensive reading. I don't have any eye strain issues, reading or watching videos on the 12.9 (I also use it a lot for streaming video).

I’m with you on this. Read constantly on my 2021 12.9 as well and love it. Might be the mini LED screen.

 

[TechRunner]

I do lots of reading on my 7th Gen iPad on the Kindle app, with no ill effects. Maybe using the cheaper screen has this one advantage.

 

[ericwn]

As per usual @wilberforce and @sparksd have great points. I’d encourage you to try an e-reader if you read mostly text and haven’t tried one yet. Other than that I don’t think switching iPads will make a difference.

 

[0128672]

It might be helpful to know your display settings for brightness, night shift, and True Tone, and if you're using the Accessibility > Reduce White Point setting (which can be added to the Control Center). The Reduce White Point is for me the setting that made the biggest difference for comfort. I don't use the Kindle app but does it offer a dark mode?

I read 8-10 hours a day on my iPad Air 4 and M1 Mac Air (using the same settings as the iPad) without strain.

 

[Saturn007]

I know the issue well!

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed reading on an iPad Mini the most, because of the form factor, and because it felt most comfortable.

Taking frequent breaks, say every 10 minutes, is smart, and recommended by optometrists. Even something as simple as staring into space or at a distance for a few seconds every now and then, refocuses the eyes, and is a big help. After an hour, do something else away from the device IN THE REAL WORLD!

Your eyes are drying out, hence the tearing. (Sounds counter-intuitive, but that’s what several eye doctors have explained to me.) The eyes dry out somewhat due to a lack of motion and the fixed focus. They compensate by tearing up.

Changing the text and background colors can make a huge difference, too. Amber text (or deep blue) on a black background works well for me. (Dark mode may help on recent devices.)

I do most of my ebook reading in the middle of the night on an iPod Touch 6G. Some during the day on an iPad Air 2. But during the day, I find it much more comfortable to read “real” books (with decent print size) under natural, good light.

By the way, do you have the same problem when web browsing or, say, reading MacRumors? Scrolling text and jelly bean effects on an iPad (e.g., the latest Mini 6 in portrait mode) could be factors, too. My old 2015 Mac Book Air was horrendous when I scrolled through long vertical news stories or documents. A retina MBA in inverted screen — and jumping screens rather than scrolling — solved that problem.

I also have *automatic* page turn, with no effects, set up in my ebooks. Hence, no curl, no slide, but instant switching to the next page. The curling page effect is cool, but tires the eyes.

Hope something in all that helps!

 

[kp98077]

I don't think its mini led related, I have the 16 pro and no issues on it all day, and I have very sensitive eyes, I think maybe it has to do with small font size and your squinting to see the small text? I just True Tone as much as I hate it because it is for sure easier on the eyes and won't "burn your eyes out". I think the iPad Pro 11 is the best for reading....

 

[IowaLynn]

I use an eye wash 2-3x a day, lubricating drops as needed / a cat -and avoid touching my eyes and careful with eye creams etc. though in veinier with dry air that is harder. My eyes dry out, I’m 75, and I get “salt crystals” or something forms.

Had eye surgery for cataracts, which helped a lot, one was perfect afterwards, my right eye less so but considered a success.

Your ophthalmologist should insure there is nothing physically wrong.

 

[Hoby]

I think for a lot of people it just depends on your eyes and comfort. I’m fine reading from apple screens but I know people that need to read only from e-ink screens or paper.

 

[Rafterman]

I have had various iPads and I don't think there is much difference between them, from the point of view of reading.
I would focus on settings (like brightness, background color, text size), and also environmental conditions (like ambient light, reading position, distance).
Make sure you have eliminated your eyesight as a contributing issue. People often don't realize (or don't want to admit) their vision has declined, and blame the screen, people using too small text, etc. If you are in grad school that probably is not the case, and may be something you have to look forward to, later.

I agree. I think size and weight are the only difference. Some like bigger real estate, but it comes with a weight penalty. For me, the Mini is perfect, but some prefer 10.5, 11 or even 12.9, even though they are heavier.

Though weirdly enough, I actually find the iPhone Pro Max suffiiceint for reading. You have to turn pages more often, but it's super light.

 

[Big Bad D]

For regular relaxing reading then I prefer my 12.9 iPad, the larger screen and page/text size seems to be easier on the eyes.

 

[Isamilis]

I know the issue well!

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed reading on an iPad Mini the most, because of the form factor, and because it felt most comfortable.

Taking frequent breaks, say every 10 minutes, is smart, and recommended by optometrists. Even something as simple as staring into space or at a distance for a few seconds every now and then, refocuses the eyes, and is a big help. After an hour, do something else away from the device IN THE REAL WORLD!

Your eyes are drying out, hence the tearing. (Sounds counter-intuitive, but that’s what several eye doctors have explained to me.) The eyes dry out somewhat due to a lack of motion and the fixed focus. They compensate by tearing up.

Changing the text and background colors can make a huge difference, too. Amber text (or deep blue) on a black background works well for me. (Dark mode may help on recent devices.)

I do most of my ebook reading in the middle of the night on an iPod Touch 6G. Some during the day on an iPad Air 2. But during the day, I find it much more comfortable to read “real” books (with decent print size) under natural, good light.

By the way, do you have the same problem when web browsing or, say, reading MacRumors? Scrolling text and jelly bean effects on an iPad (e.g., the latest Mini 6 in portrait mode) could be factors, too. My old 2015 Mac Book Air was horrendous when I scrolled through long vertical news stories or documents. A retina MBA in inverted screen — and jumping screens rather than scrolling — solved that problem.

I also have *automatic* page turn, with no effects, set up in my ebooks. Hence, no curl, no slide, but instant switching to the next page. The curling page effect is cool, but tires the eyes.

Hope something in all that helps!

Thank you very much for the tip and sharing your experiences. Very useful.

 

[spiderman0616]

I read a lot on my 13 Pro Max and now my iPad mini 6. I do most of my reading and annotating/highlighting in Books. During the day I keep it on Sepia and at night I have it go to dark mode on both devices. Really eases up on my eyes for both situations rather than the bright white.

 

[Isamilis]

I read a lot on my 13 Pro Max and now my iPad mini 6. I do most of my reading and annotating/highlighting in Books. During the day I keep it on Sepia and at night I have it go to dark mode on both devices. Really eases up on my eyes for both situations rather than the bright white.

Thanks! I will try this tips!

 

[rui no onna]

I agree. I think size and weight are the only difference. Some like bigger real estate, but it comes with a weight penalty. For me, the Mini is perfect, but some prefer 10.5, 11 or even 12.9, even though they are heavier.

Though weirdly enough, I actually find the iPhone Pro Max suffiiceint for reading. You have to turn pages more often, but it's super light.

Depends on how you hold it. My weight limit for extended one-hand use is 200g (around Kindle or iPhone) so for that, the mini is already ~100g too heavy.

When I use the 9.7" or bigger iPads, it's usually in landscape with the cover folded into a triangle with majority of the weight resting on something (pillow, chest, tummy, legs). I just support one of the iPad's corners with a finger. With 2 column mode enabled in reader apps, the 10.5" feels like using 2x 7.9" iPad mini portrait mode side by side (the 12.9" feels like using 2x 9.7" iPad side by side).

For me, using the mini (portrait mode) is more awkward as I can only use it with either a desk stand or Flippy.

 

[BigMcGuire]

TLDR: I'm finding that adjusting to a device requires giving the eyes time to adapt. Start out with short reading sessions and slowly increase the duration. This is working for me.


I've ended up switching most of my reading over to my iPhone. While I'm constantly frustrated at Apple Books' lack of using all the screen space unlike the Kindle App - most of my books are in Apple Books so I've been reading a lot of books on my iPhone 13 PM horizontally with vertical scrolling and that seems to help a bit with the loss of margin space.

I almost always use pure black background with white text with the brightness turned down, but I'm noticing I need a lot more surrounding light when I do this. Usually I read with sepia on my iPad in a dark room (with brightness at 0) - and that worked for me for awhile.

But as my eyes get older and I'm consolidating my devices cuz I'm tired of carrying things around and want to simplify my life - I'm reading on my iPhone and I'm noticing that my eyes are very aware of the difference of reading on an iPad Pro 11 vs an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

I'm finding that my eyes are adapting and it's taking me time to get used to reading on it - but as they do, it's like building muscles and I can read on it for growing periods of time and as such, it's getting more and more comfortable.

I'd been using an iPad Pro 11 for the last 3 years and while it's a great device, I'm enjoying my iPhone 13 Pro Max.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I mainly use a Kindle Oasis for reading but would love to switch over to my iPad Mini 6. I have tried and it is OK but I just think the Oasis using dark mode (soft white text on black screen) is ideal for reading in bed. I usually turn all light off and read until I feel tired enough to go asleep.

That said, I love the idea of an “all-in-one” device such as the mini for “everything”. Perhaps I should give it another go? Anyone using the mini have any settings tips?

 

[spiderman0616]

I mainly use a Kindle Oasis for reading but would love to switch over to my iPad Mini 6. I have tried and it is OK but I just think the Oasis using dark mode (soft white text on black screen) is ideal for reading in bed. I usually turn all light off and read until I feel tired enough to go asleep.

That said, I love the idea of an “all-in-one” device such as the mini for “everything”. Perhaps I should give it another go? Anyone using the mini have any settings tips?

I have mine set up like a subset of my iPhone and Mac--my Home Screen/widget layout is all optimized for note taking, communications, reading, and watching video. I let it follow the same Focuses I have set up on everything else, but I don't have every app that's on my iPhone on my iPad mini. Not even close.

I treat it like a 21st century notebook. We call laptops "notebooks", but unless they're some wonky dual screen or tablet hybrid, they are far from that. An iPad with an Apple Pencil is the modern day notebook. They may or may not fold someday, but as they are now, that's how I use them, with the understanding that if I need to turn them into more of a laptop, I always can.

 

[boston04and07]

I like reading on my 2017 iPad Pro 12.9. In landscape mode it’s pretty much just like reading a normal sized book with two pages side by side, something I was never comfortably able to do on smaller iPads. When I’m lying down in bed or reading when I’m out and about, my iPhone 8 Plus is perfect. Super lightweight and the screen is still big enough to not have to turn the page too frequently. True Tone and retina displays made reading on non e-ink devices very comfortable for me, I think even more comfortable than e ink for some reason.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I like reading on my 2017 iPad Pro 12.9. In landscape mode it’s pretty much just like reading a normal sized book with two pages side by side, something I was never comfortably able to do on smaller iPads. When I’m lying down in bed or reading when I’m out and about, my iPhone 8 Plus is perfect. Super lightweight and the screen is still big enough to not have to turn the page too frequently. True Tone and retina displays made reading on non e-ink devices very comfortable for me, I think even more comfortable than e ink for some reason.

When you read on your 8+, do you read vertically or horizontally? Apple Books or Kindle if you don't mind me asking? - Thanks!

 

[boston04and07]

When you read on your 8+, do you read vertically or horizontally? Apple Books or Kindle if you don't mind me asking? - Thanks!

On the iPhone, vertically! I recently found my old Kindle (circa 2009-ish I believe) and while the device was a lot bigger, the screen wasn’t that much bigger than that of my 8 Plus. I definitely prefer the side-by-side two pages of the 12.9 iPad for long reading sessions but I find my 8 Plus to be a perfect more portable option.