All iPads iPad Air as a reader?

rui no onna said:

Comparing the weight is easy. It's the effect of the retina display on the mini that you really need to get a feel for. When I switched from a Nook Color (7" 169ppi) to a Nexus 7 2012 (7" 216 ppi), I found myself not needing to zoom in on stuff all the time. I realized it's not really bigger screen real estate that I needed. It's just the increased resolution. I expect for me, the 7.9" mini 2 will work just as well as bigger iPads while being 30-50% lighter.

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Agree that increased resolution does make a big difference. I think I'd still prefer the bigger size, because I can type better with the bigger keyboard, and also my muscle coordination problems make hitting the smaller touch targets on a smaller screen a pain. But for people with no motion control problems this won't be an issue.

For long reading sessions -> the ligther the better!

The weight of my nexus 7 2013 is just right for one hand reading in bed

illian said:

For long reading sessions -> the ligther the better!

The weight of my nexus 7 2013 is just right for one hand reading in bed

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I agree, the lighter the better. I'd love for tablets to reach Kindle Paperwhite-level weight. I just received my 2013 Nexus 7 LTE and so far, I like the feel of it in hand. Noticeably lighter compared to the 2012 Nexus 7 and it doesn't feel cheap despite the plastic.

Still, 340g isn't bad and I prefer the Mini's 4:3 aspect ratio so I'm willing to compromise a bit on weight.

I'm not trying to criticize anyone, just curious: For people who think the pre-Air iPad is too heavy and tiring for long periods of reading, how are you holding it? I use my iPad 4 for hours at a time, and I've never found it fatiguing. It occurs to me, though, that I never hold it in one hand. The back or the bottom edge is always supported on my lap, legs, or stomach, depending on my position. I can see that it would get tiring if I were standing in a subway or something, but I've never used it standing up for more than a few minutes at a time.

As for the reading experience, to me, it's great, except for in bright light, and then it's terrible. I've been reading stuff on computer monitors since the 1980s, so I guess I'm used to reading on computer screens, even though I have middle-aged eyes. The iPad 1 was acceptable to me, but the Retina iPads are superb. If I read lots of text-based books in bright light, I'd probably buy a Kindle, but I don't, and I prefer to carry only one device, so the iPad is fine for me.

Well at least someone posted a thread about something that the iPad is used for instead of screen defects, thickness and lightness, should I keep this one over that one.

I have yet to see a "how's the Air for games, movies, PDFs, comics, magazines etc etc.

Geez!

Ubele said:

I'm not trying to criticize anyone, just curious: For people who think the pre-Air iPad is too heavy and tiring for long periods of reading, how are you holding it? I use my iPad 4 for hours at a time, and I've never found it fatiguing. It occurs to me, though, that I never hold it in one hand. The back or the bottom edge is always supported on my lap, legs, or stomach, depending on my position. I can see that it would get tiring if I were standing in a subway or something, but I've never used it standing up for more than a few minutes at a time.

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Case I use works quite nicely as a stand. Same as you, it's always supported by something other than my hands. When in bed, it's propped on some pillows so I always have to be lying down on my side or stomach when reading/watching. For reading one-handed, I still use my iPhone 4/4S or 4th gen iPod Touch.

Night Spring said:

Why are people persisting in discussing Kindle vs iPad when the OP has emphatically stated he's not interested in the Kindle.

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Seriously.

The rMini is the way to go.

ZBoater said:

Sorry to tell you the Kindle Paperwhite runs circles around any iPad in terms of readability and portability. I own both because of it. When I want to do serious reading, its Paperwhite all the way. For everything, and I mean everything else, its iPad. eInk is just that much better and easier on the eyes.

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For 119 the new kindle paperwhite is the best way to go for reading. I know two devices but the paperwhite is so good I would carry both and iPad and kindle when traveling. I believe they are 15% off today.

darabo said:

But if you're not sure just go to a store and test out the current iPad Mini on display, since the Retina model will be the same size and around the same weight you'll know what to expect.

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Exactly what I did today & should have done prior to buying the Air. Don't get me wrong, the Air is a stunning device. I loved the speed & clarity. But I decided if I want a larger screen, I'll use my MBP, so returned my Air. The retina mini will provide a middle ground for me between my MBP and iPhone 5 as well as easier portability than the Air.