Ipad on a sunny day

[Metsfan7450]

I'm in the market for a new e-reader and am considering the ipad. What's it like reading outside on a sunny day? Is it difficult to read the print on the screen? Is there anything added to ibooks or the ipad as a whole to make for better viewing while outside on a sunny day?

 

[bluedog3401]

I'm in the market for a new e-reader and am considering the ipad. What's it like reading outside on a sunny day? Is it difficult to read the print on the screen? Is there anything added to ibooks or the ipad as a whole to make for better viewing while outside on a sunny day?

While the screen is readable, it is no where near the legibility of the e-ink alternatives. As a test take a smartphone/iPod touch out into the sun which is going to have a similar effect in sunlight. It's not entirely unusable, just not well suited for long term reading in bright light. It works ok for browsing or shorter reading in my opinion.

The iPad's advantage is it's multipurpose ability and selection of apps.

For absolute readers, I would not recommend an iPad for e-reading. But it is great indoors and good outdoors when it's not full sun.

 

[hexspeed]

Not ideal, but not impossible, either. Biggest problem for me is finding an angle where I'm not distracted by the reflection off the screen. Brightness can be a problem if you want to sit in direct sun - I'm a shade person so get by. Having said this, I have two friends who are big iPad fans who have gone back to their Kindles for vacation reading.

 

[Mrbill317]

Polarized sunglasses make it wierd

With my perscription glasses I can only read on the ipad sideways lol.
I love the ipad while driving , you can also help readability by putting a zagg cover on the screen too.

 

[mgamber]

Not ideal, but not impossible, either. Biggest problem for me is finding an angle where I'm not distracted by the reflection off the screen. Brightness can be a problem if you want to sit in direct sun - I'm a shade person so get by. Having said this, I have two friends who are big iPad fans who have gone back to their Kindles for vacation reading.

I bought a big ole matte screen "protector" for the iPad for this very reason. The glare coming off the screen at one angle and my reflection from another got pretty old pretty fast. Otherwise it's pretty good.

 

[gigaguy]

A matte screen protector definitely improves the reflections inside and outside. Even for other applications etc. recommend it highly.
but the iPad is not as good a reader in sun as the dedicated readers...but it does so much more.

 

[appleguy123]

I can't do it. The glare gives me a major headache. If this is the only reason that you want the iPad then you should consider something else.

 

[duky]

Temperature

You may also run into a heat issue in which the iPad shuts itself down due to the internal temperature getting too hot. I was sitting in direct sunlight for like 15 minutes a while back when this happened to me. Not very pleasant so be careful.