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sasha.danielle

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 15, 2015
218
18
What is everybody else's experience with the Air 2 as a reader? I just bought one and it feels to me a bit uncomfortable or unwieldy for reading for any considerable period of time. I used to have an iPad 2 and thought the same thing then but was hoping the reduced weight might help, bit now I think it might just be the size of the machine I'm thinking about returning it for a mini. The problem is I just ordered a beautiful custom leather case for it for about a hundred bucks and I don't really want to have wasted the money.

The iPad itself is on a payment plan with my carrier so in not really worried about the cost of the device.

Am I just being too finicky? Would I have a significantly improved experience with a Mini 2 or 3?

I'm doing my Masters and using it mostly for reading and some light editing in Pages, so my needs are otherwise not heavy.
 
I think using the iPad Air 2 as an e-reader works best when you have some sort of stand to prop the device up. When I got my iPad Air 2 I began using my iPad mini as my main e-reader - much easier to hold for longer periods of time.
 
I think using the iPad Air 2 as an e-reader works best when you have some sort of stand to prop the device up. When I got my iPad Air 2 I began using my iPad mini as my main e-reader - much easier to hold for longer periods of time.

Yeah that's what I found too. I wonder what I can recoup on the case... *sigh*
 
E-ink Kindles are far better options as e-book readers. I realize that some people don't like having multiple devices, but I find that it's just much easier on my eyes reading on a Kindle. I'll read books on my iPhone or iPad Kindle apps for short periods, but I couldn't imagine using them for the bulk of my reading.
 
What is everybody else's experience with the Air 2 as a reader? I just bought one and it feels to me a bit uncomfortable or unwieldy for reading for any considerable period of time. I used to have an iPad 2 and thought the same thing then but was hoping the reduced weight might help, bit now I think it might just be the size of the machine I'm thinking about returning it for a mini. The problem is I just ordered a beautiful custom leather case for it for about a hundred bucks and I don't really want to have wasted the money.

The iPad itself is on a payment plan with my carrier so in not really worried about the cost of the device.

Am I just being too finicky? Would I have a significantly improved experience with a Mini 2 or 3?

I'm doing my Masters and using it mostly for reading and some light editing in Pages, so my needs are otherwise not heavy.

Sounds like a Mini would suit your needs better. Get a refurb Mini 2. You can get a 128 GB wifi Mini 2 on the refurb store now. There's no reason to get a Mini 3 since Touch ID is the only added feature.
 
E-ink Kindles are far better options as e-book readers. I realize that some people don't like having multiple devices, but I find that it's just much easier on my eyes reading on a Kindle. I'll read books on my iPhone or iPad Kindle apps for short periods, but I couldn't imagine using them for the bulk of my reading.

Indeed, e-ink readers are designed specifically for that purpose.. and they read just as well in the dark as they do in direct sunlight. I have a Kindle Paperwhite that I bought for reading outside, an iPad just isn't the best device for that purpose because of the type of display used.
 
Sounds like a Mini would suit your needs better. Get a refurb Mini 2. You can get a 128 GB wifi Mini 2 on the refurb store now. There's no reason to get a Mini 3 since Touch ID is the only added feature.

The Canadian store unfortunately has no iPad refurbs at all.
 
Indeed, e-ink readers are designed specifically for that purpose.. and they read just as well in the dark as they do in direct sunlight. I have a Kindle Paperwhite that I bought for reading outside, an iPad just isn't the best device for that purpose because of the type of display used.

That's a good point. Maybe I should just augment with an actual ereader. The new kindle voyage looks spectacular (if pricey).

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E-ink Kindles are far better options as e-book readers. I realize that some people don't like having multiple devices, but I find that it's just much easier on my eyes reading on a Kindle. I'll read books on my iPhone or iPad Kindle apps for short periods, but I couldn't imagine using them for the bulk of my reading.

Can I load my kindle with all my non-amazon non-drm epubs from a Mac?
 
That's a good point. Maybe I should just augment with an actual ereader. The new kindle voyage looks spectacular (if pricey).

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Can I load my kindle with all my non-amazon non-drm epubs from a Mac?

The Kindle Voyage may be a bit pricey, but it has an incredible screen. I have a friend who owns one, it's so much easier on the eyes than my Kindle paperwhite.
 
The Kindle Voyage may be a bit pricey, but it has an incredible screen. I have a friend who owns one, it's so much easier on the eyes than my Kindle paperwhite.

Yeah. Ok cool. I study literature anyway, so I think I can justify this purchase (although I could probably justify any tech purchase really...).
 
The Kindle Voyage may be a bit pricey, but it has an incredible screen. I have a friend who owns one, it's so much easier on the eyes than my Kindle paperwhite.

This surprises me. I have a Voyage and, while I love it, I don't find it to be enough of an upgrade from my second generation Paperwhite to justify the price. I tell anyone who asks to save some money and buy the Paperwhite.
 
So I just went to Staples and tried out the mini and I think I find it much more usable. Even when I'm teaching I think it will be much more convenient to hold as I'm waking around the classroom.
 
So I just went to Staples and tried out the mini and I think I find it much more usable. Even when I'm teaching I think it will be much more convenient to hold as I'm waking around the classroom.

Yep, the iPad mini is a great device. I use my iPad Air 2 for web surfing and videos, my iPad mini 2 for reading ebooks and documents, and my iPhone 6 for communications. I don't see anything wrong with owning all three devices.

If money is a factor, you might think about a refurb iPad mini from Apple, they're as good as new and include a warranty: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad/ipad_mini_2
 
Yep, the iPad mini is a great device. I use my iPad Air 2 for web surfing and videos, my iPad mini 2 for reading ebooks and documents, and my iPhone 6 for communications. I don't see anything wrong with owning all three devices.

If money is a factor, you might think about a refurb iPad mini from Apple, they're as good as new and include a warranty: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad/ipad_mini_2

Apple doesn't make iPad refurbished models available in Canada, it seems. I think I'll keep the Air and augment with a smaller device, either a kindle or a cheaper mini (I don't really want to invest in an anyway long outdated device). I like the kindle because it's nice as a dedicated reading device but it's also nice to have all my notes and highlights in the same ecosystem.
 
Apple doesn't make iPad refurbished models available in Canada, it seems. I think I'll keep the Air and augment with a smaller device, either a kindle or a cheaper mini (I don't really want to invest in an anyway long outdated device). I like the kindle because it's nice as a dedicated reading device but it's also nice to have all my notes and highlights in the same ecosystem.

You make some good points.. the Kindle is also much cheaper. If I remember correctly, you can email documents to yourself and open them directly on the Kindle.
 
You make some good points.. the Kindle is also much cheaper. If I remember correctly, you can email documents to yourself and open them directly on the Kindle.

Yeah. The more I think about it the more this makes sense. A mini would be redundant (though certainly nice to have) in all aspects but as a reading device and as such it definitely is a trade off.
 
I used my iPad and didn't really like reading books on it. I bought a Kindle Paperwhite (I got it for a steal at $40) and I have to say, there is no way I'm reading on my iPad again. Really no comparison.
 
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