I have the Kindle Fire, which is a great device, but the retina display on this new iPad eliminates any eye strain I noticed from reading on the iPad 1. I think the choice comes down to subjective preferences. I can download books from amazon and BN from both devices and although the iPad has iBooks, iBooks has far fewer books than amazon or BN so it's not much of a factor for me. For the time being, I'll keep my Kindle Fire (it was a gift), but I am planning on doing most if my reading on one device and that is the new iPad.
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iPad 3 vs Kindle reading expereince
- Thread starter Rian Gray
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This topic comes up pretty frequently but here's my two cents.
I own multiple Kindles, a couple of Nooks and now two iPad 3rd Gens in the family (have had iPad 1 and 2 prior). While there is not doubt that the new iPad has an incredible screen, I still find it the least desireable device in the household for JUST book reading except in an "in-bed" situation perhaps. Even then, I typically prefer a Kindle with a light or grab my Nook instead.
The simple reason is just the size. I'm very accustomed to reading paperbacks. And that smaller form factor is just easier for me to hold for an hour or more without having my wrist get tired or something. The iPad isn't heavy...its just heavIER than the dedicated eReaders.
There's one other reason while I prefer the eReaders to the iPad: The "immersion" factor. For whatever reason, I find myself Mr. ADD when I'm using the iPad. I read something that gets me thinking about something else and I'm hopping out to Safari to go Google it, which inevitably leads me to check my email and then maybe hit this forum or some other websites, etc. Then 3 levels of Angry Birds later, I remember I was reading a book and so I jump back into it again. That NEVER EVER happens on my Kindle or Nook. Even on the Nook (which has been rooted, so its a full Android tablet) where I can do all those same things, I don't. I don't know why....I guess its just that the iPad has so much going for it that its hard to do just one thing.
What's really cool though is that I've loaded up both the Nook reader and the Kindle app on both my Nook and iPad. I seldom use iBooks on the iPad at all. Reading on that bright screen just hurts my eyes after awhile. So no matter which device I grab, I can pick up my book where I left off. I just won't get too far in the next chapter on the iPad.
God help me, I'm weak.
I'm a big reader too. The Kindle wins hands down. Not only it is easier on the eyes for long periods the weight (or lack of) and the ease of use in one hand makes it a no-brainier for me. The iPad is just too heavy and unwieldy for reading, especially in bed.
I own a kindle (2nd gen, white with a keyboard and whispernet and paid way too much money for it when I bought it) and a new iPad as well.
I owned an iPad1 and hated reading on it - stayed with my kindle. Bought an iPad2 and still hated reading on it. Cuddled up every night with my kindle instead.
Now with the new iPad - the text is crisp enough that it doesn't feel like I'm reading on a computer screen and now I'm selling my kindle. A few things have helped come to this conclusion though:
Both iBooks and the kindle app have a sepia mode. This has done wonders to help my reading. And at night they both have a night mode - which I hated at first but I spent all night last night reading a book in night mode and found it to be wonderful.
I've read close to 50 books on my kindle and loved every minute of it. Although its light and doesn't take up much room I'm super excited to simplify my life just a tad bit and have one device to rule them all.
I owned an iPad1 and hated reading on it - stayed with my kindle. Bought an iPad2 and still hated reading on it. Cuddled up every night with my kindle instead.
Now with the new iPad - the text is crisp enough that it doesn't feel like I'm reading on a computer screen and now I'm selling my kindle. A few things have helped come to this conclusion though:
Both iBooks and the kindle app have a sepia mode. This has done wonders to help my reading. And at night they both have a night mode - which I hated at first but I spent all night last night reading a book in night mode and found it to be wonderful.
I've read close to 50 books on my kindle and loved every minute of it. Although its light and doesn't take up much room I'm super excited to simplify my life just a tad bit and have one device to rule them all.
Yep, this.
The retina iPad makes text a LOT easier on the eyes, but for books, the lower-res e-ink screen on my Kindle Touch is dramatically better. Also, the lighter weight and smaller size, even with the lighted case, is much more comfortable for reading in bed.
But for magazines, the retina iPad is awesome. With my earlier iPads, zoomed-out magazine pages were slightly fuzzy. No more; super-sharp text. Great for comics, too.
I've played with the Kindle Fire, and IMHO the only reason to go that direction is if you only have $200 to spend and you must have color. It's too small for magazines (unless you like scrolling around), and the screen quality is nowhere near as good as the cheaper e-ink Kindles for reading text.
New ipad screen is not only sharper, but warmer too - easier on the eyes. It won't pass a kindle for text reading, but I think I could read for longer periods on the new ipad easier.
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I'm not sure I understand why there's such a strong preference for the kindle over the iPad, particularly the comments about reading in bed. I find the iPad especially good for that because the screen is large and I can just prop it up on a pillow or part of the blanket. I've read for hours on end in bed on my iPad ... and I don't even have the new iPad yet!
I'm not sure I understand why there's such a strong preference for the kindle over the iPad, particularly the comments about reading in bed. I find the iPad especially good for that because the screen is large and I can just prop it up on a pillow or part of the blanket. I've read for hours on end in bed on my iPad ... and I don't even have the new iPad yet!
I guess it depends on what position you prefer in bed...wait, that doesn't sound right!
I usually lay on my side and lock my screen in horizontal mode and have the side of the iPad resting on the bed when I read.
I've been using my iPad one for reading every day since pretty much when iBooks came out, about 1.5-2 hours per day. That was fine because I like to read in bed, in the dark, where the Kindle wouldn't work very well. The new iPad is even better as the text is of course much sharper.
Two things that still bother me about it for reading:
1. The black levels are still not great, especially if you use iBooks "Night Theme" where the whole screen is black and the text is white. The "black" is actually a glowing grey, and reducing the screen brightness doesn't help.
2. It's a bit heavy, even if you just balance it on your chest/legs/gut for that long. It's OK would I would prefer a smaller, lighter model. 7"-8" screen and something like .8 lbs. or less would be ideal, even if the battery life was only 6-7 hours.
If I didn't read in the dark all the time, I'd probably get a Kindle, but having to keep a light on and always oriented to the screen is a PITA, so the iPad works OK for now. No eyestrain but it's not the perfect reading experience. However, I do love the syncing of book library and bookmarks over iCloud, and the dictionary and search capabilities are really useful.
Two things that still bother me about it for reading:
1. The black levels are still not great, especially if you use iBooks "Night Theme" where the whole screen is black and the text is white. The "black" is actually a glowing grey, and reducing the screen brightness doesn't help.
2. It's a bit heavy, even if you just balance it on your chest/legs/gut for that long. It's OK would I would prefer a smaller, lighter model. 7"-8" screen and something like .8 lbs. or less would be ideal, even if the battery life was only 6-7 hours.
If I didn't read in the dark all the time, I'd probably get a Kindle, but having to keep a light on and always oriented to the screen is a PITA, so the iPad works OK for now. No eyestrain but it's not the perfect reading experience. However, I do love the syncing of book library and bookmarks over iCloud, and the dictionary and search capabilities are really useful.
Probably because you've never used a Kindle.
If you get the cover with the little light it solves most of the problems with reading in the dark. That was my complaint too, but the case with light doesn't add much extra weight and does a good job just illuminating the screen (so it doesn't disturb your seat neighbor on a plane or a spouse in bed).
I read all day long my eyes get tired. I prefer audio books so the iPad and iPhone win. I find audiobooks superior to people with busy work lives. I can listen while getting ready in the mourning, driving, and nothing will relax you more before bed.
Although Apple likes to think differently, they really are two different devices targeted at two different audiences, in my opinion.
The new iPad display looks amazing but it will never replace my Kindle DX for long reading sessions.
Two different devices for different purposes.
Plus, I like how the Kindle forces you to stay on task, while with the iPad, I want to goof around more.
Two different devices for different purposes.
Plus, I like how the Kindle forces you to stay on task, while with the iPad, I want to goof around more.
My eyes must be different. I too was reading the Hunger Games Trilogy. I started off on a Kindle Touch 3G and finished off reading on my MBP Kindle App.
Unless the lighting was just right, it was the Kindle that hurt my eyes. Even with the distraction of being able to check email, I still found myself reading 2-4 hours straight on the MBP.
The Kindle went back and I bought the new iPad. I do agree that a Kindle is much lighter and easier to hold for long stretches of time.
Unless the lighting was just right, it was the Kindle that hurt my eyes. Even with the distraction of being able to check email, I still found myself reading 2-4 hours straight on the MBP.
The Kindle went back and I bought the new iPad. I do agree that a Kindle is much lighter and easier to hold for long stretches of time.
I've got all three generations of iPads, a Kindle 4 and a Kindle fire. What I have noticed is the text in the iBooks app, even for sideloaded books, looks better than the Kindle app. The kindle app has slightly heavier text.
I've been buying my ebooks through Kindle mainly for the selection and the general ease of breaking the DRM so I can archive them for whatever reading app I want to read them in. Now that Requiem can break iBooks DRM (at least for now) I'm starting to lean more towards iBooks and the iBookstore.
I do enjoy the size of the Fire. I can put it it my back pocket when I go read at lunch at work, or use the Reading Room. That said, for these moments the iPhone is ok.
I expect the Kindle 4 will be kept fully charged and loaded with books for the days I sit outside for a long period and read. The Kindle Fire I'm not sure about.
I've been buying my ebooks through Kindle mainly for the selection and the general ease of breaking the DRM so I can archive them for whatever reading app I want to read them in. Now that Requiem can break iBooks DRM (at least for now) I'm starting to lean more towards iBooks and the iBookstore.
I do enjoy the size of the Fire. I can put it it my back pocket when I go read at lunch at work, or use the Reading Room. That said, for these moments the iPhone is ok.
I expect the Kindle 4 will be kept fully charged and loaded with books for the days I sit outside for a long period and read. The Kindle Fire I'm not sure about.
Me too! I can read for hours on my computer monitor or the iPad, but e-ink readers, including the Kindle, give me a headache. So like richpjr says, everyone's eyes are different, and even if the majority seems to prefer e-ink, only you can decide which works best for you.
Yep. I really tried to like Kindles, but the contrast wasn't high enough. It felt a little like reading print on recycled paper. Gave me a headache after 10 minutes. For some reason, computer screens or iPads don't give me the same issues. I guess that's not a surprise since most of us spend most of our days staring at computer screens.
I love my Kindle for reading books (in fact, I just ordered a Kindle Touch 3G today, upgrading my Kindle 4 because navigating the keyboard on it was driving me crazy). I love the e-ink screen and the long battery life, and it's so light and comfortable to hold. I also have a Sony T1 which I like even better.
I do all my work related reading on my iPad, because that main consists of annotating pdfs/ research articles. Kindle is a bit useless for that. That's an iPad2 atm, I haven't decided whether to upgrade or not.
I do all my work related reading on my iPad, because that main consists of annotating pdfs/ research articles. Kindle is a bit useless for that. That's an iPad2 atm, I haven't decided whether to upgrade or not.
One thing that I made the mistake of doing is buying all of my books from iBooks.. unfortunately it doesn't look like you can read them on non-iOS devices.
iBooks is good but you're locked in with Apple.. may as well buy stuff and the Kindle, knowing that you can read that on iOS, Android, Windows, whatever you want..
I'll buy from Kindle in the future
iBooks is good but you're locked in with Apple.. may as well buy stuff and the Kindle, knowing that you can read that on iOS, Android, Windows, whatever you want..
I'll buy from Kindle in the future
In addition, I enjoy the lighter weight of the Kindle.
It's nice to have both especially since the cloud keeps them synced. The iPad certainly trumps the Kindle in terms of dictionary access and quick launches into wikipedia when reading non fiction history.
I echo everything already said about the differences around reading on the Kindle vs. the iPad. I love my Kindle and my iPad but I use them for very different purposes. Like others have said, when it comes to long reading sessions, the Kindle wins hands down. I get bad eye strain on the iPad for any long term reading.