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Thinking about adding a Kindle.....
- Thread starter 3lionsbecks
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You can read every book on Amazon or iBooks you haven't proven anybody wrong. The only thing you've proven is you prefer the iPad for reading,many of us feel otherwise.
All any of this debate resolves is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. For some people the Kindle wins and for others it's the iPad.
I agree. I got my Ipad in May and my husband tried it but said he guessed he would get one when I upgraded (i'm a photographer so he gets my computers which are more than enough for his needs when I have to upgrade to a more powerful machine. I guess he saw that scenario for the Ipads too LOL). I knew he would love one when he had his own. I bought him one for his birthday this month and he loves it-- and we do use ours differently. We share books in several apps as well as apps but one would never work well for two of us to share. Both of us read a lot also and I read a lot of news and magazines in addition to books. I also use apps like Dropbox, OfficceHD, Goodreader, Notebooks, etc. Its a much better single device for me than an ereader and I like to read on it. I wouldn't consider reading outside in the sun living in NC. I never read in the sun but do routinely use the Ipad under an umbrella on our deck or at our poolhouse.
Next best would be to add the Kindle for reading for the second person as the OP says for economic reasons. My Kindle app syncs with my Touch as it would with the Kindle and that's very nice.
Next best would be to add the Kindle for reading for the second person as the OP says for economic reasons. My Kindle app syncs with my Touch as it would with the Kindle and that's very nice.
It's fact for me, which is the point I was making. Anyone who says this is not a good device for reading books is wrong, for I have proven it wrong. Even if I was the only person in the world who thought the iPad is better for reading books, that would still negate the statement that the iPad is not as good for reading books.
I was using my opinion to disqualify someone else's opinion disguised as fact.
You can read every book on Amazon or iBooks you haven't proven anybody wrong. The only thing you've proven is you prefer the iPad for reading,many of us feel otherwise.
Something I've said repeatedly, that each person has to decide for themselves. I couldn't take the eyestrain of reading on the Kindle, and have no problem with the iPad.
So yes, I did prove some folks wrong, the ones who said the iPad is not good for reading books. Proven wrong by me and several others in this thread. What those dogmatic folks should have said is that the "iPad is not good for reading books for me." Instead they made a blanket statement of fact that is no fact to me. Ergo, proven wrong.
To answer the original question, yes, add a Kindle. I have one and find it a great reader for what it's supposed to do. I bought mine because of tendinitis in my thumbs. Holding open small paperbacks or or large hardbacks was getting hard on my joints from years of life as a programmer. So there other reasons to get the Kindle. The weight and form being up there.
Now my question for those who do use Kindles on here as well as the iPad. Does anyone use a DX for reading technical books? I bought an iPad for this and then got "iPad Finger". Debating going to a DX for this kind of reading, but I haven't heard great things about the DX for reading tech books / programming books.
Now my question for those who do use Kindles on here as well as the iPad. Does anyone use a DX for reading technical books? I bought an iPad for this and then got "iPad Finger". Debating going to a DX for this kind of reading, but I haven't heard great things about the DX for reading tech books / programming books.
I personally am happy with my iPad, but my wife prefers the Kindle. She's an avid reader and she still uses her iPad for other stuff, she'd rather read on the Kindle. She has had a Kindle 1 and a Kindle 2 and just last week received her Kindle 3.
The screen on the Kindle 3 is very nice, no doubt about that. But while she prefers a dedicated e-paper reader, I prefer the multifunctionality of the iPad.
But, that's why they make both iPads and Kindles. Because not everyone likes the same thing.
The screen on the Kindle 3 is very nice, no doubt about that. But while she prefers a dedicated e-paper reader, I prefer the multifunctionality of the iPad.
But, that's why they make both iPads and Kindles. Because not everyone likes the same thing.
That's wisdom that many message boards like this would do well to heed. It's not either or. iPad vs. Kindle, 360 vs. PS3, iPhone vs. Android. We have choice and that's good.
I love, love, love my Kindle. I received my order from Amazon last week, and am extremely happy with it. For reading, I have no doubt that a Kindle is the way to go: it's lighter, more compact, and the e-ink screen is better for your eyes.
The iPad is an amazing device as well, but for different tasks.
The iPad is an amazing device as well, but for different tasks.
That should be obvious, but as with everything else here it's more of a "me-centric" approach to answering every question.
I really do wonder, when I see so many people extol the Kindle screen, what is different about my eyes that I get eye strain from the Kindle, but I so love reading on my iPad that I am getting rid of my paper books. I see these comments about e-Ink being better for your eyes, and while I don't doubt that's true for you who are saying it, it is false for me. Why? What is it about my eyes that react this way?
Which is another way of saying what I've said before in this thread, and others have too: Check each product out for yourself because truly, your mileage will vary. You cannot just ask for advice. Your eyes will tell you which is the right solution.
Which is another way of saying what I've said before in this thread, and others have too: Check each product out for yourself because truly, your mileage will vary. You cannot just ask for advice. Your eyes will tell you which is the right solution.
For me, at least, lighting is the key. If you're trying to read the Kindle in sub-optimal lighting conditions or with a clip light, I find it more irritating. Having a backlight that yo can fine-tune to your needs at a particular moment has worked out well for me. To be fair, I've never tried a back-lit ereader device, but I suspect I would find it to be less fatiguing than the Kindle in sub-par lighting (which again, for me, is pretty often).
Yeah, that's probably it. I tend to avoid artificial lighting if I can, depending on windows to provide natural light and then sitting in what is probably too dim conditions for most people. And I do most of my reading in bed with the lights completely out. So it's probably just that.
If I were doing most of my reading at the beach, I'd be extolling the virtues of the Kindle on my eyes.
Again with the dogmatic statements. I've now read 50+ novels on my iPad since April. I read every single night, and usually during the day. Does that count as voracious?
As for satisfying, I've never enjoyed the reading process as much as I am now. I cannot believe how satisfying it is to read on an iPad.
Care to adjust your statement to add a "me" at the end?
Great, another generalization. I and others here read at least a book a week on my iPad (sometimes have 2 or 3 going at once). I'm not sure if that qualifies me as "voracious" by your standards but I think that qualifies me to state my contrary opinion. Thanks.
Here's my take on it (seems others have similar sentiments) - the iPad for me as a do-all or at least most things device. I use to own a Sony eReader 505 which was great as an eReader in the early days. Since getting the iPad at launch, I've retired it to a good home via another online user. My wife however didn't want the iPad due to the weight, but was interested in an e-Ink based reader. For her the importance of being able to lug around a few books without the weight. She wanted the Kindle and I've placed an order for the Kindle 3 recently. They are both good devices and serve specific needs well.
My Sony PRS-505 now sits untouched in a drawer on my nightstand ever since I got the iPhone 4 and iPad. The only time I use it now is if I check out an ebook from the library, since it supports Adobe DRM epub. Oh to have Adobe DRM epub on iPad so I can check out library books for it... /sigh.
+1 When i gave my initial answer, I had just given my Kindle to my wife, as I preferred(and still do) the multifunctionality of the Ipad. I am still lugging my macbook pro with me on business trips, even though for the most part I use ONLY the Ipad. When the printer app comes out the Pro will stay home
For me, as a long time business and pleasure traveler, a single device for all needs has long been the Nirvana. The iphone didn't quite get there. With the Ipad and printer app and Kindle reader on the Ipad, I will have one little lightweight device to carry.
I never read under a tree or on the beach with any electronic device. But i did use the ipad to stream a game and read the gameday news while in the stands last week. no problems. read some technical papers that night..no problem Read part of a fiction book the next am , checked email.business and personal, and made a reservation
If I were going to have another device to read in my house, it would still be the ipad for the reasons i just listed. And really, it's just my own opinion.
G
I bought my kindle 2 prior to the ipad, and i admit when i just had my kindle i used it ALL the time, it was a great companion on my honeymoon - the wife was too!
I bought my iPad and took that everywhere and my kindle started gathering dust - especially when i figured out how to convert my ebooks stored on my macbook to ibook readable format - thanks Stanza!
After the honeymoon period of owning the ipad finished i realised that the pad was HEAVY especially when holding a sandwich in one hand and trying to read on the kindle with the other, i also realised i was carrying an expensive bit of kit and i wasn't using it for anything morew than reading whilst at work - just wifi only plus i've got an iPhone so i game on that.
The decision to restart using my kindle was a good one, after weeks of no use i fell back in love with it, the lightness, the fantastic screen and it just does what i want it for to read books when commuting or having lunch, when i'm home kindle stays in work bag and i pick up the iPad who'll entertain me all evening with web, games, music and video.
My Wife was skeptical about the kindle being any good but after reading a few books on it when i wasnt using it she wanted one for herself, so for her birthday i bought her the kindle 3 wifi, i'm so jealous the screen looks even better than my kindle 2 and it's lighter and smaller but with the same screen size!
So all in all if you have an iPad and you really want a kindle purely to read on go for it, if you don't read much, try the kindle app for a few months, make sure they have the types of books you like to read then if your happy take the plunge or if you don't mind the weight and the backlit glossy screen stay with the iPad, they are both great devices!
I bought my iPad and took that everywhere and my kindle started gathering dust - especially when i figured out how to convert my ebooks stored on my macbook to ibook readable format - thanks Stanza!
After the honeymoon period of owning the ipad finished i realised that the pad was HEAVY especially when holding a sandwich in one hand and trying to read on the kindle with the other, i also realised i was carrying an expensive bit of kit and i wasn't using it for anything morew than reading whilst at work - just wifi only plus i've got an iPhone so i game on that.
The decision to restart using my kindle was a good one, after weeks of no use i fell back in love with it, the lightness, the fantastic screen and it just does what i want it for to read books when commuting or having lunch, when i'm home kindle stays in work bag and i pick up the iPad who'll entertain me all evening with web, games, music and video.
My Wife was skeptical about the kindle being any good but after reading a few books on it when i wasnt using it she wanted one for herself, so for her birthday i bought her the kindle 3 wifi, i'm so jealous the screen looks even better than my kindle 2 and it's lighter and smaller but with the same screen size!
So all in all if you have an iPad and you really want a kindle purely to read on go for it, if you don't read much, try the kindle app for a few months, make sure they have the types of books you like to read then if your happy take the plunge or if you don't mind the weight and the backlit glossy screen stay with the iPad, they are both great devices!
I bought my kindle 2 prior to the ipad, and i admit when i just had my kindle i used it ALL the time, it was a great companion on my honeymoon - the wife was too!
I like that. My wife and I turn off most devices on vacations. Especially overseas. But the Kindles are companions.
This ^.
In fact, I am returning my iPad today. It just doesn't have a niche for me given the weight. The iPhone is my gaming device (replacing my DS which I sold yesterday). I bought a Kindle DX instead to see if this serves me better for reading PDFs.
You'd really have to post your vision acuity and even then you'd have to calculate in reading preferences for fonts, ambient lighting choices, do you prefer reading while seated or lying down, angle of view, etc.
In short, its such a subjective personal thing that even if you put two identical situations together, personal preferences would still push one person one way and another person another.
Again, I've got both (plus a Nook as well) and will reach for either the Kindle or the Nook anytime I am going to do extended reading. The iPad is my last choice for reading ONLY. I will say, however, one nice feature of the iPad is to read something technical and then hop out to Safari to do a little more research (or Wiki or whatever) and then come back and read some more.
But for straight novel reading....my iPad takes last place.
Oooh, gaming is SO much more fun on the iPad. But now we're getting off topic.