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My iPad will be a complement to my Kindle, not a replacement

S

samcraig

macrumors P6
Original poster
Jun 22, 2009
16,786
41,983
USA
Been using the iPad (exclusively) as an eReader since I bought it. And after a few weeks I've determined for myself (let me reiterate that - FOR MYSELF) that I prefer the Kindle for eReading.

I love the real estate the iPad gives. And I wouldn't rule out using the iPad for eReading when I don't have my Kindle or when I'm multitasking, etc.

Also - during the day and inside it's less of an issue. But at night time - even with brightness turned down, I simply don't like the readability and glow in my face from the iPad. My eyes get tired more easily than having a lamp on and reading from the Kindle.

Don't get me wrong - the refresh, UI, etc are nice on the iPad. And no one can argue that the Kindle is faster or as nice looking. But when on the go or in bed I prefer the lighter, form factor and readability of eInk.

I'm a voracious reader. And YMMV. I can sit for a few hours reading a book (and I read quickly) - often finishing a book in 2 maybe 3 days. More causal readers might not have the same "issues"...
 
I haven't received my iPad yet but I was thinking the same thing although I sometimes read on my iPhone in bed at night so having the light on won't wake my wife. I turn the brightness completely down and change the Kindle display to white text on black background.
 
ScubaCinci said:
I haven't received my iPad yet but I was thinking the same thing although I sometimes read on my iPhone in bed at night so having the light on won't wake my wife. I turn the brightness completely down and change the Kindle display to white text on black background.
Click to expand...

People will think I'm crazy for saying this - but perhaps it's the real estate and moving my eyes across the full screen of the iPad - but I had/have less of a problem reading eBooks off of my iPhone screen. Again - I prefer the Kindle because it's a larger screen. But I didn't have as much eye fatigue from the iPhone. Or at least that's my recollection as I haven't read on my iPhone in a few weeks since getting the iPad.
 
I have a Sony eReader rather than Kindle, but there are significant advantages to both over the iPad for reading.

The iPad screen is larger, it can display colour for book covers, embedded graphics and illustrations, it can manage a wide range of font sizes and even fonts, and the simplicity of control is excellent. It's usable in low light and in landscape provides a pleasant book-like double-page display. On the other hand, the Sony has a digital ink screen which is very easy on the eye, it's readable in bright sunshine, it's bookmarking and annotation features are vastly superior allowing several books to be on the go at one time with easy switching between, it can handle a wide variety of ebook file formats, and not least, the battery doesn't require changing more than once a week (or even less).

On balance, the iPad will be great for reading books with illustrations or graphics, and for those occasions where there's only one device around (of which the iPad will be the one of choice) but the Sony will remain my ebook reader in the broader sense.
 
If the international kindle could do basic websites (Gmail, MacRumors etc) then I think I would have gone that route.
 
samcraig said:
...I prefer the Kindle because it's a larger screen. But I didn't have as much eye fatigue from the iPhone. Or at least that's my recollection as I haven't read on my iPhone in a few weeks since getting the iPad.
Click to expand...

Interesting that you should say that. The Kindle actually has a smaller screen than the iPad. The regular Kindle has a diagonal width of 6 inches, while the DX has a 9.7 inch width.

The iPad has the same diagonal width as the Kindle DX, 9.7 inches.
 
Swampthing said:
Interesting that you should say that. The Kindle actually has a smaller screen than the iPad. The regular Kindle has a diagonal width of 6 inches, while the DX has a 9.7 inch width.

The iPad has the same diagonal width as the Kindle DX, 9.7 inches.
Click to expand...

I should mention - I have the Kindle2 NOT the DX.
 
samcraig said:
Been using the iPad (exclusively) as an eReader since I bought it. And after a few weeks I've determined for myself (let me reiterate that - FOR MYSELF) that I prefer the Kindle for eReading.

I love the real estate the iPad gives. And I wouldn't rule out using the iPad for eReading when I don't have my Kindle or when I'm multitasking, etc.

Also - during the day and inside it's less of an issue. But at night time - even with brightness turned down, I simply don't like the readability and glow in my face from the iPad. My eyes get tired more easily than having a lamp on and reading from the Kindle.

Don't get me wrong - the refresh, UI, etc are nice on the iPad. And no one can argue that the Kindle is faster or as nice looking. But when on the go or in bed I prefer the lighter, form factor and readability of eInk.

I'm a voracious reader. And YMMV. I can sit for a few hours reading a book (and I read quickly) - often finishing a book in 2 maybe 3 days. More causal readers might not have the same "issues"...
Click to expand...

Not surprised you prefer your Kindle. When I bought my iPad I knew that I wouldn't use it as an ebook reader. Though I still prefer the paper version!
 
Swampthing said:
Just FYI, Amazon stopped calling it the Kindle 2 a few months back. It's now just the Kindle. But yes, the 6 inch screen refers to the second model.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Slightly misread your post. I prefer the Kindle for it's bigger screen compared to the iPhone...
 
I've never owned a Kindle, but I have played with a couple. I read an entire book on my iPad and absolutely loved it. I experienced no eye fatigue whatsoever with many different brightness settings in many different environments (fully lit room, dimly lit airplane, pitch black room, etc.).

Perhaps my lack of lengthy experience with the Kindle means I don't know what I'm missing, but I have to say: ignorance is bliss :)
 
I agree about the eye fatigue at night. I use the ipad mostly kate at night when laying in bed or on the couch, and even though I turn the brightness all the way down, the constant glow tires out my eyes.
I would like to add that I used to use a netbook at night and the result was the same. Seems as if the light that makes the screen look great, also is the culprit that eventually causes eye strain, for me at least.


With that said, I wouldn't trade the Ipad for anything! It's a fantastic device for what I use it for.
 
To each their own. For me, its almost impossible to even look at my Kindle now. My iPad has almost completely replaced it. The only time I ever plan on using the Kindle now is when I'm at the beach.
 
I have a K2, hacked with a much higher-contrast font, and skinned with a black skin to improve perceived contrast.

It pales in comparison with the iPad IMO in all uses in my experience.

I just went to LA for the weekend and hijacked a wifi-only model while I wait for my 3G to arrive. Read a novel, and a half dozed scripts, over the course of 2.5 days. Read at all hours of day and night, bright and dim lighting. No comparison. For me and my eyes the iPad offers an unquestionably superior reading experience.

Happy to shed the 3/4 pound, added bulk, and generally-poor contrast of the K2.

The only place I didn't take it was the beach, where I could see the K2 performing better in bright, direct sunlight. However, I'm not a fan of taking electronics to the beach in any case (i.e. I wouldn't take my K2 there either...)

My $.02
 
anthonymoody said:
I have a K2, hacked with a much higher-contrast font, and skinned with a black skin to improve perceived contrast.

It pales in comparison with the iPad IMO in all uses in my experience.

I just went to LA for the weekend and hijacked a wifi-only model while I wait for my 3G to arrive. Read a novel, and a half dozed scripts, over the course of 2.5 days. Read at all hours of day and night, bright and dim lighting. No comparison. For me and my eyes the iPad offers an unquestionably superior reading experience.

Happy to shed the 3/4 pound, added bulk, and generally-poor contrast of the K2.

The only place I didn't take it was the beach, where I could see the K2 performing better in bright, direct sunlight. However, I'm not a fan of taking electronics to the beach in any case (i.e. I wouldn't take my K2 there either...)

My $.02
Click to expand...

Yes. Well as I said - my experiences differ. I'm not suggesting the iPad is not a good eReader and that I won't be using it as such. But my eyes definitely tire more easily with the iPad's screen for reading in a dark room for a long period of time.
 
samcraig said:
Yes. Well as I said - my experiences differ. I'm not suggesting the iPad is not a good eReader and that I won't be using it as such. But my eyes definitely tire more easily with the iPad's screen for reading in a dark room for a long period of time.
Click to expand...

Your poor, old eyes ;)
 
My 3G is still on its way so I may be wrong, but the Kindle itself offers more features than the Kindle for iPhone/iPad. I gather that theres still no way to sync user created ebooks ?
 
I can see why you would prefer the Kindle over the iPad for reading. The iPad gets heavy to hold after awhile. But in terms of reading, I find the iPad and the Kindle at par when there is enough light in the area you're reading at. When it's a bit dim, I would also prefer the Kindle because it is easier on the eyes.
 
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