Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad 3 vs Kindle reading expereince

From a Nook Simple Reader owner, I am moving to the iPad 3 for most reading. I agree with the comments about e-ink, I do think it is the superior screen reading technology, coupled with outstanding battery life. If you'll be in the woods for a month, bring an e-ink reader.

But the iPad 3 is the first backlit device I am going to use as an everyday reader, for the following reasons:

1. Screen: iPad 3 screen is super sharp, text is clear. It's the first screen I've seen that can be comfortably read for an extended period. Also, you can really lower the screen brightness yet it's still easy to read. Battery lasts a really long time when wi-fi is off and screen is lowered a bit -- much longer than ten hours.

2. Speed: iPad 3 is simply much faster than any other reader out there. From turning on the machine, to loading up a book, to turning pages -- the iPad 3 is simply faster than Kindles or Nooks, period.

3. Features: appreciate the feature set of the iPad 3. From the one-touch "bookmark" feature in the right-hand corner, the bookmark/font/text size one-touch toggle, to organizing collections on the iPad 3, the "extras" are superior to most other readers. Apple does it better, period. This makes for a much more pleasant reading experience.

4. Convenience: given all that the iPad 3 packs in one little device, am now really liking it. Read a book, check email, calendar and reminder on the home screen -- it's time to simplify and move to a single device, the iPad 3.
 
I will buy the Retina iPad
and was wondering, if it makes sense to buy a separate Kindle device(since they are so cheap) dedicated for reading only.

they will probably last a life time too.
Any one started reading with the new iPad?
 
Kindle offers the superior reading experience. Hands down. I own both. I read the New Yorker and the Web on my iPad. I read books on my Kindle.
 
I think the retina screen makes reading far more enjoyable than the previous iPads. I hated having to pinch and zoom all the time for fairly sharp text. I'm back in college and the iPad is a godsend for reading PDF files. That said . . . I much prefer reading books on my Kindle keyboard. I like being able to sit outside and read which is impossible with the iPad. I would love some form of e-ink on an iPad and maybe a matte screen option. I have glossy screens on my MacBook Pro and cinema display but these are always used indoors so it has never been a problem. The iPad's portability makes a matte screen option desirable.

James
 
For people who read regularly, there is no competition, Kindle wins everytime.

However, I do think the iPad is the future of interactive magazines, comics, etc, as it really is a great platform to distribute such things. Its good for casual reading whilst sitting in a chair, but for reading in bed, its too big and heavy to be comfortable. All book reading isnt too practical lying in bed anyway, but having a big slab to contend with, it just makes things worse.
 
kngelv said:
I think the retina screen makes reading far more enjoyable than the previous iPads. I hated having to pinch and zoom all the time for fairly sharp text. I'm back in college and the iPad is a godsend for reading PDF files. That said . . . I much prefer reading books on my Kindle keyboard. I like being able to sit outside and read which is impossible with the iPad. I would love some form of e-ink on an iPad and maybe a matte screen option. I have glossy screens on my MacBook Pro and cinema display but these are always used indoors so it has never been a problem. The iPad's portability makes a matte screen option desirable.

James
Click to expand...

:confused:Matte screen? You do realize that you touch the screen with your fingers, don't you?
 
striker33 said:
For people who read regularly, there is no competition, Kindle wins everytime.

However, I do think the iPad is the future of interactive magazines, comics, etc, as it really is a great platform to distribute such things. Its good for casual reading whilst sitting in a chair, but for reading in bed, its too big and heavy to be comfortable. All book reading isnt too practical lying in bed anyway, but having a big slab to contend with, it just makes things worse.
Click to expand...

Could not agree more. I love my new iPad, but for serious book readers you need a Kindle or Nook.
 
I haven't read everyone else's replies but here's mine...

I have the Kindle 3 and the iPad 3. The Kindle still wins for outdoor reading and handholdability/weight. The iPad wins on every other count. One of the reasons I upgraded my iPad was to consolidate into one device so I'm giving my brother my Kindle.

Just to add: iBooks app is much nicer than the Kindle app, too. I've used Calibre to get my stuff over to iBooks. I might use Requiem to handle the iBooks, too. But that's just personal preference.
 
Last edited:
richpjr said:
Looks like I am in the minority. While I will in no way downplay how nice E-ink is (my son has a Kindle), I read at least an hour a night on my iPad and do not notice any eye strain. I did that for two years on the first generation iPad and now will on the new iPad. I do notice that fonts are incredibly sharp and very pleasant on the new iPad.

But everyone's eyes are different - only you can decide what will work for you. If you have a Kindle, you can't go wrong reading on it. But I prefer the convenience of a single device.
Click to expand...

Agree on all counts (except I cannot attest to E-ink, because I bought an iPad 2 and never wanted a Kindle). iPad is my ebook reader and the only one I need.
 
I vote for the new iPad. In any kind of low light situation, the Kindle is not a good experience. If you read mostly indoors, the retina iPad is truly a joy.
 
TG1 said:
I vote for the new iPad. In any kind of low light situation, the Kindle is not a good experience. If you read mostly indoors, the retina iPad is truly a joy.
Click to expand...

Dont you feel strain on your eyes reading on the iPad? e-ink looks like papper, its jaw dropping
 
Kindle with eink (I.e. not the kindle fire) is the best reading device.

I have the iPad 1 2 and 3, so I know very well what the iPad is capable of, and not. When it comes to reading, iPad is good for reading websites or new article that won't take you longer than half an hour to read. The problem with reading on the iPad for extended period is.... the screen. Retina display or not, it doesn't help. The resolution is not the main problem. The problem is the backlight. Staring at an LCD screen is basically the same as staring at a lightbulb. The reason why you can never achieve book like reading experience on a LCD screen is because a real book has no backlight.

E-ink screen is different. It has no backlight. You can't read it in the dark, the same with every real book. You can read it only when there is ambient light to shine on the screen. There is many disadvantages with eink screens as well. Super slow response time, relatively low resolution etc. But a kindle used to cost a few hundred dollars. Now? Less than a hundred! It's a no brainer if you read books.

If you read books, get a kindle. If you read only news articles and such, stay with the iPad as the kindle won't help much. Oh. Another advantage the kindle has over the iPad is the weight. You don't want to hold the iPad to read for 6 hours....
 
kingmohd84 said:
Dont you feel strain on your eyes reading on the iPad? e-ink looks like papper, its jaw dropping
Click to expand...

I used my Kindle for a year and an iPad for 2 years now. I've never had eye strain with either. I've asked my eye doctor about it and he says it's really something that only affects some people. So it's definitely not a universal experience.

To me e-ink is most eye popping when used outside. Indoors I find the iPad to be much easier to read. And being able to adjust brightness helps me.
 
Anyone noticing that iBooks on the iPad 3 takes a loooooooong time to open?
 
For general reading (text), I still prefer my Kindle 3's eink over the new retina display. And the battery on the Kindle is second to none! ip3 is better for graphics or magazine reading.
 
tsekh said:
Kindle with eink (I.e. not the kindle fire) is the best reading device.

I have the iPad 1 2 and 3, so I know very well what the iPad is capable of, and not. When it comes to reading, iPad is good for reading websites or new article that won't take you longer than half an hour to read. The problem with reading on the iPad for extended period is.... the screen. Retina display or not, it doesn't help. The resolution is not the main problem. The problem is the backlight. Staring at an LCD screen is basically the same as staring at a lightbulb. The reason why you can never achieve book like reading experience on a LCD screen is because a real book has no backlight.

E-ink screen is different. It has no backlight. You can't read it in the dark, the same with every real book. You can read it only when there is ambient light to shine on the screen. There is many disadvantages with eink screens as well. Super slow response time, relatively low resolution etc. But a kindle used to cost a few hundred dollars. Now? Less than a hundred! It's a no brainer if you read books.

If you read books, get a kindle. If you read only news articles and such, stay with the iPad as the kindle won't help much. Oh. Another advantage the kindle has over the iPad is the weight. You don't want to hold the iPad to read for 6 hours....
Click to expand...

Have you tried adjusting your iPad's brightness?

If I wanted the experience of reading a real book. I would probably read a real book. I don't have any problem with my iPad's screen, its not like looking at a flash light because its just not that bright.

As stated earlier I have both, kindle and iPad 3rd generation (previously had the iPad 2 and 1) and my iPad is my goto device for reading a book indoors. I love the sharp text of the 3rd generation. But I always liked the flexibility of the iPad 2 (iBook, Nook, Kindle, have them all, I buy the lowest price of the book I am interested), and I like that its a full page of text, not this small screen, and that its faster. That's the book reading experience I enjoy.

Other's clearly value other things. But its not just black and white (unless you insist on e-ink) as some of the other kindle owners present here.

But really, Kindles are so cheap, why not both? I do use my kindle when I want to read outdoors.
 
G5isAlive said:
Have you tried adjusting your iPad's brightness?

If I wanted the experience of reading a real book. I would probably read a real book. I don't have any problem with my iPad's screen, its not like looking at a flash light because its just not that bright.

As stated earlier I have both, kindle and iPad 3rd generation (previously had the iPad 2 and 1) and my iPad is my goto device for reading a book indoors. I love the sharp text of the 3rd generation. But I always liked the flexibility of the iPad 2 (iBook, Nook, Kindle, have them all, I buy the lowest price of the book I am interested), and I like that its a full page of text, not this small screen, and that its faster. That's the book reading experience I enjoy.

Other's clearly value other things. But its not just black and white (unless you insist on e-ink) as some of the other kindle owners present here.

But really, Kindles are so cheap, why not both? I do use my kindle when I want to read outdoors.
Click to expand...

Yea, it's has nothing to do with the brightness setting. It's the nature of backlit screen. You eyes are less tiring with lower brightness setting, but then the readability of the screen greatly decreases.

I agree. Get both, the kindle is cheap enough. That's the combination that I have! Sorry Steve Jobs, I read your biography on the Kindle rather than on your iPad!
 
i fell bad for people who it seems like alot of get eye strain when reading the ipad for books, indoors there really is nothing better to read on.
 
I have been reading on my 3rd gen iPad for the last week and I love it. I don't feel like my eyes get tired, because I don't put my screen brightness at 100% like some people do. I have it at about 50% with the Sepia setting. The text is crystal clear and sharp, just like on my iPhone, and I think it's a joy to read on. For the record, I don't think the Kindle Fire or the Nook look like they're that bad to read on, but the iPad looks like printed paper. I don't believe in carrying around a zillion gadgets, so I prefer the multi functional iPad to the e-ink Kindle.
 
iPad vs nook

I like and will still use my Nook Simple Touch (eInk) for outdoor reading. The iPad retina still doesn't work well in direct sunlight. It's too washed out and reflective. I say that as I type this reply on a sunny day in Seattle.

Indoors however - I think the iPad now rules. I don't get eye strain like with the iPad 1. It's easy to dim in low light and can handle PDFs much better than any eInk reader.

Can't wait for a color EInk device with this resolution....
 
The Kindle for me, hands down. We have 2 Kindle 3s, a Kindle Fire and a Kindle Touch in our family. I've used the K3 for over a year and much prefer it to either the iPad or Fire. Backlit screens just don't work for me.
 
I guess I will go with the kindle especially since its so cheap and it will last forever, none the less I will keep an iPad
 
fbronze said:
I am a big reader, almost finish two or three books every week. (maybe not that big)
And that was why I ended up spending some money in buying Kindle, while I had iPad 1.
Screen was way-too fuzzy for reading.

Now that I've bought iPad 3, I really want to hear some opinions about this.
Would you use your iPad as a primary(or main) reading device?
We have Kindle app for iPad, after all.
(So there is no problem w/ compatibility)

And what about iBooks store? Would you buy books in iBooks instead of Amazon?
Click to expand...

I must be missing something, if you already have an iPad 3 plus the kindle app why do you need anyone else' opinion? Why not, you know, try it out for yourself!
 
the Galaxy Note is a good reading device. Because it has no backlight, only the white writing is lit and is very friendly on the eyes.

Just saying
 
Here's my 2 cents for the Kindle vs iPad debate.

1. Kindle DX was the only Kindle device with proper e-ink tech back in 2010. While it was sharp for 2010, the iPad now beats it hands down. Current iterations of Kindle are now pretty low quality and if I was going to purchase one, it would have to be for about USD$50 or so. It's just not multi-purpose enough. The same goes for the Nook.

2. If you're reading at night, the iPad is a much better display that is bright and will keep you awake due to it's IPS roots. Sure, the Kindle Fire is also IPS but the iPad is just superior due to it's larger reading surface and higher resolution.

3. If you're kept awake by IPS displays like most normal human beings, the Kindle and Nook that are black and white E-ink displays are better for reading at night when you want to sleep. This will however be harder to read due to low backlighting.

4. If you're using devices in the sun, the iPad brightness can be turned down so you can allow the sun to light the screen. Sure, it's not as viewable as the Kindle or Nook but it's still usable.

5. Amount of content is better on the Amazon store so the Kindle or having the Kindle App on the iPad will be a good way to purchase books. I personally prefer the iPad since I can be on the Nook store, Kindle store, and iBook store all at once.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back