Back to my ireader, anyone else find it tiring to read on the ipad?

[ender land]

As a grad student myself, I originally bought the iPad to use as an e-reader, because my Kindle DX had too many limitations. It far exceeded my expectations. Moreover, thanks to lots of advice on the forums, I have found that the iPad also makes a great work device. The vast majority of my times is spent reading and/or writing with the iPad. Of course, your mileage will vary, depending on what your research involves, but it is at least worth thinking of the possibilities.

Well, a lot of what I do is programming and compiling code and I'm fairly sure the iPad won't do that too well

 

[DNAppleGold]

Another vote for no problem reading hours on end with the Ipad.
Plus, the experience of reading magazines, newspapers, comics and other highly formatted material is vastly superior on an Ipad vs. e-ink

 

[sebastian...]

I am surprised I didn't read here more about the text size. For those who found ipad tiring what about increasing text size ? The same can be said about those saying the text isn't sharp enough. If you increase size a lot, you can read very very comfortable. Even if you need glasses.

And about the screen being too bright even at the minimum level. That's also odd. I can turn my ipad almost completely dark if I turn off the brightness all the way.

The same for those saying the ipad screen is like looking at a light. I can take a piece of real paper, placing next to an ipad, and I can make the ipad screen (white background with black text) darker than the real paper. Perhaps those saying that, don't know how much you can adjust the ipad ?

EDIT :

How is the ipad screen in this picture like looking at a light ? Looks exactly like a paper. A paper under a glass.

the screen brightness turned down :

The only annoying thing with the iBook app is the unadjustable large margin



which stays ridiculously large even if you increase the size. BTW this could be very nice for elderly or those needing glasses and wanting to read without them

 

[rhinosrcool]

At night, I love reading on my iPad. Since the pda days, I have been reading on lighted screens without any eyestrain.

For outdoor reading, nothing beats the Kindle.

Not only do I read on my iPad and Kindle, but also on my iPhone. Three excellent reading devices.

 

[JoJoCal19]

I'm young and have 20/15 vision (thank you lasik!) and I suffer from eye fatigue when reading on backlit devices, staring at computer screens for long periods of time, etc. That is why I bought a Kindle for reading. Well that and it's small and easy to take everywhere. Some people suffer from computer eye strain more than others. Some people are absolutely immune to it. Just one of those health limitations you have to work around.

 

[jsh1120]

I'm young and have 20/15 vision (thank you lasik!) and I suffer from eye fatigue when reading on backlit devices, staring at computer screens for long periods of time, etc. That is why I bought a Kindle for reading. Well that and it's small and easy to take everywhere. Some people suffer from computer eye strain more than others. Some people are absolutely immune to it. Just one of those health limitations you have to work around.

+1. I'm old and have had cataract surgery on both eyes. Yet I have no problem at all reading a backlit device. Since I spend up to 14 hours a day in front of a computer monitor, though, I take some precautions. The most helpful is not to place my desk against a wall. Instead I place my chair against the wall and the desk facing into the room. Doing so means I can refocus frequently on spots across the room. (Fortunately, I'm not stuck in a small cubicle with few options on that score.)

I also keep a bottle of Visine handy and use it a couple of times a day. Does wonders for refreshing the old peepers.

My wife has a much loved Kindle and does find sitting in front of a backlit monitor tiring after a few hours. But I suspect that part of her reaction stems from the years she spent as a geneticist looking at the display from a monitor linked to a microscope. That is TRULY tiring work and I think she may bring that expectation to any backlit display.

In short, I think you're correct. Reactions to backlit displays depend upon individual differences in sight as well as expectations and experience.

 

[palpatine]

I have a Kindle DX and an iPad. I like reading on both, but for extended sessions, usually rely on the Kindle, because I find it more enjoyable.

The advice about how to use a monitor above is excellent. I think you really need to use your brain with any tech device and take care of yourself: look away from the screen regularly, step out of your mancave into the light, and regularly shift your posture.

 

[Solitaryone]

Eliminate screen glare by....

I love my iPad for reading! I eliminate screen glare by putting a piece of Glad Press n Seal wrap (yes, usually for covering bowls of food) on my screen. It eliminates the glare, I can see through it, type and use the touch screen. The glad wrap is cheap and reusable.

 

[Saturn007]

While I agree that people vary greatly in their vision and what they are sensitive, too, and that is hard for those of us on either side of the spectrum to understand what others experience, I still have the sneaking suspicion that those who adamantly insist that they CANNOT read on a back-lit device have not explore the ebook reading options and display options that the iPad and its apps provide.

Sebastian, great work posting those photos of how dark an iPad screen can get. Your point about making the font size bigger is also really important. As is, changing the font type and colors of text and page--and the margins (just try Stanza or eReader).

All those require making some tweaks to the out of the box, default settings of the iPad, but they are easy to do.

I think some folks look at an iPad in a store, where they are turned up to full brightness, the text might be smaller, and decide they couldn't tolerate it.

Similarly, the sweeping declarations that e-ink devices are easier on the eyes are just that-- sweeping! For many of us, the darn flashing on page turns, along with the ghosting, is an absolute deal breaker.

Those who reject the iPad are missing out, as they could have one device for reading, music, playing, astronomy, newspapers, etc. and have a very rich experience, not just a single dedicated device to only ebooks.

Nevertheless, having options is good!

 

[ratboy90]

I only read newspapers on the iPad and haven't felt a difference yet. Although because I read newspapers I won't read for 2 hours at a time like I do sometimes when I read a book.

 

[Cubs08]

We love our iPads in this family and read tons of books on them. The only issue was reading on the deck of our boat or on cruises. So for the last cruise, we bought cheap Kindles for reading outside.

The reading part worked fine, but I felt like I had gone back in time. I was a caveman holding a stone slate. I can't tell you how many times I touched that screen and then settled for kludgy buttons.

And I found myself not reading as much in the cabin, because I didn't want to turn the light on and wake my wife.

As soon as we returned, the Kindles all went into a box until the next cruise.

One Trick Pony. (and the pony isn't a lot of fun)

 

[darngooddesign]

One thing I found curious was that iBooks lets you dim the screen further than the OS does.