Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Closing in on Kindle in eReader Ownership
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have owned an iPad since it came out. I just recently, upgraded my Kindle 2 to kindle 3. I do not use an iPad to read books. I would never want to read a book on my iPad. The ipad is too heavy, glare from overhead lights is horrible on an iPad, not comfortable to hold and the back lighting kills my eyes. I use both devices nearly daily. I wonder how many folks use both?
I wonder how accurate these surveys really are?
you hit every point
You may be able to read on an iPod fine, but could you do so if reading for 3+ hours without incurring blurred vision, headaches, or any other symptom? Maybe so, but for the vast majority of people the answer is no. I've adjusted the brightness appropriately on my iPad and iPhone, and I still get headaches after just 15-20 minutes of reading with a reasonable sized font nonetheless.
I for one read my Kindle in very close to or complete darkness (I have a lamp on a small table by my bed, like millions of other Americans), and when I'm done reading I will simply turn the lamp off and lay the device down. I'm not really seeing the alleged 'hassle' here with having to adjust to using the Kindle in every environment. The Kindle is by far a more prolific e-reader outdoors (bright or cloudy). Not to mention indoors with incandescent lighting (approx. 700 lumens) the Kindle preforms very well with no adjustments.
When it comes down to portability and usability in an everyday environment for reading, the Kindle wins here again. My Kindle weighs 241g, and an iPad weighs approximately 726g. That's nearly three times as heavy, and for reading while holding the device/book with one hand (most comfortable for me) 726g gets very troublesome staying upright unless you're holding it with a death grip. I use my Kindle for about 20 hours a week. I charge it once every 3-5 weeks. When I had my iPad, it was glued to the charger every night, and during the day when I was not using it.
Essentially, while an iPod/iPad/iPhone may more adequately fit your reading needs, a Kindle or similar e-ink reading device is more adequate for mankind as a whole. There are more people getting tangible books through libraries, bookstores, their own collections, etc. than there are downloading eBooks, and between a Kindle and a real book, the comfortability of viewing both surfaces is nearly indiscernible; therefore, the Kindle, or similar reading devices is more universal, affordable, and productive when it comes to eBooks.
If only there were something that produced energy in the visible spectrum (let's call it "light") besides the LCD on an iPad that you could use to read the Kindle in bed!
If you go to Germany, I hear you can buy these things called "heat balls" that also give off sufficient light for reading and other tasks.
Nope. I'd say the new price point of the Wifi Kindle 3 along with E-ink's towering performance over the iPad's in terms of e-reading (as evidenced by the posters on this thread) should make this quite a good Christmas for Amazon. And you'd need to be a serious Apple desperado to even consider the iPhone for e-reading.
I don't understand the love for e-ink.
I've read a couple dozen books on my iPad since it was delivered on launch day. Theres been a few times where I've read for hours long stretches at a time.
No eye strain. None. At all. I just set the brightness to whatever feels comfortable at that time and read. Simple.
I've read for a couple of hours on both a Kindle 2 and 3. The display looks like cheap recycled paper. And I'm a fast reader, so I'm changing pages pretty quickly. Having the entire screen go black then back to normal is pretty jarring. That combined with the cheap recycled paper look of the display really makes the entire device itself feel "cheap".
Reading is pretty much all my iPad is good for these days.
I'd rather have a nook color with a good anti-glare coating on it than either my iPad or a Kindle.
I've read a couple dozen books on my iPad since it was delivered on launch day. Theres been a few times where I've read for hours long stretches at a time.
No eye strain. None. At all. I just set the brightness to whatever feels comfortable at that time and read. Simple.
I've read for a couple of hours on both a Kindle 2 and 3. The display looks like cheap recycled paper. And I'm a fast reader, so I'm changing pages pretty quickly. Having the entire screen go black then back to normal is pretty jarring. That combined with the cheap recycled paper look of the display really makes the entire device itself feel "cheap".
Reading is pretty much all my iPad is good for these days.
I'd rather have a nook color with a good anti-glare coating on it than either my iPad or a Kindle.
*shrug* I like my iphone for e-reading. It's small and holds in one hand easily enough. I like it better than paper books honestly. And it means I'll be able to pack a bunch of books for my fllght with no added weight (now if they'd put an ibook reader on the mac that would be even more awesome cause my MBP also goes with me when I travel. And no I'm not buying an ipad or a kindle just to read a book with, that's extra stuff to carry and money spent on items I can do the same thing and better on items I already have and as I said, I have no problems reading books off my iphone).
IMHO the Kindle beats the iPad for reading experience. Great price point too. Doesn't mean i don't like my iPad anymore though jeez!
Are we talking proper books or ones with lots of pictures? Seriously though, the eye strain and constant scrolling would, IMO, be a total misery. I'm currently writing a masters research paper and downloaded a few medical papers onto my iphone to save me taking out my MBP on a cramped flight. I got as far as the first paragraph before giving up. The other issue is the battery life; I can't imagine it lasting very long with the screen constantly on.
i agree, reading on the iphone is a pain. the words have to be set to a very small font to fit the whole line.
the ipad seems like it would be good for graphic novels. i havent gotten into those yet but ive been told to give them a try.
IMO, the iPad is fantastic for reading newspapers, reference books and magazines. However, where I feel it isn't as good is for reading novels. This is partly because of the size - I prefer a smaller screen for novels to create a more "intimate" experience
The Kindle definitely has a place alongside the iPad and that's why I'm getting one for Christmas
As an aside, I've heard rumors that Amazon are subsidising the kindle so they'd probably prefer people to just buy the books and read them on the Kindle app on the iPad!
The Kindle definitely has a place alongside the iPad and that's why I'm getting one for Christmas
As an aside, I've heard rumors that Amazon are subsidising the kindle so they'd probably prefer people to just buy the books and read them on the Kindle app on the iPad!
Well, I have had my Sony eReader for about a year now and still use it daily to read books. I don't have an iPad - mainly because I find it too heavy, but even if I did I would not use it to read books, the advantages of an eReader and eInk are the complete lack of eye strain, especially on tired eyes in the evening, and the fact you hardly ever need to charge it. Therefore you can leave it by your bed for weeks on end and not have to worry.
I would upgrade to the Kindle (sorry Sony - Amazon has more books) but as yet have not found an easy way to transfer all my DRM ePub books that I have bought to the Kindle...
I would upgrade to the Kindle (sorry Sony - Amazon has more books) but as yet have not found an easy way to transfer all my DRM ePub books that I have bought to the Kindle...
It is strange that there's no iBooks reader for OS X. There is a kindle reader and an ereader.com reader.
Pfffft. The Kindle is a much better device for reading books. The iPad is much, much more, but it is not the greatest for reading books. I've tried both. Given the cost of each, it's a no-brainer.
Interesting to see peoples response... and of course, it always comes down to the same old argument, "which is better" and why.
A few people have said it, it's not a fair comparison. Kindle is an e-book reader and good at it. iPad is a portable light computer that you can surf the web, do email, run apps, play music, organize photos, watch movies, and oh, yes, read books.
I think Kindle will appeal to people who read a lot or for people on a budget and don't need to surf the web, etc.... For the casual reader, I think the iPad will win because people will want to do more. That simple.
I can see people's argument about reading a backlit LCD, but at the same time, most of us here stare at an LCD screen all day long reading something? Email, code, reports, etc... so what's the difference?
Anyway, the beautiful thing is, we have choices. People can buy what's best for them. One does not make the other junk or silly, one just has different advantages over the other and meets the needs of different people. Overall, this report is silly because it's really two different categories of product, but what is interesting, is that given the price point, it shows that multi-purpose devices have a wider appeal than single purpose devices.
The only thing at risk of being killed by these numbers is eventually the physical printed book, book stores and a good chunk of the printing industry. As more and more people have access to digital readers and easy access to content, less and less people are going to travel to the book store to browse through the books and buy something there.
A few people have said it, it's not a fair comparison. Kindle is an e-book reader and good at it. iPad is a portable light computer that you can surf the web, do email, run apps, play music, organize photos, watch movies, and oh, yes, read books.
I think Kindle will appeal to people who read a lot or for people on a budget and don't need to surf the web, etc.... For the casual reader, I think the iPad will win because people will want to do more. That simple.
I can see people's argument about reading a backlit LCD, but at the same time, most of us here stare at an LCD screen all day long reading something? Email, code, reports, etc... so what's the difference?
Anyway, the beautiful thing is, we have choices. People can buy what's best for them. One does not make the other junk or silly, one just has different advantages over the other and meets the needs of different people. Overall, this report is silly because it's really two different categories of product, but what is interesting, is that given the price point, it shows that multi-purpose devices have a wider appeal than single purpose devices.
The only thing at risk of being killed by these numbers is eventually the physical printed book, book stores and a good chunk of the printing industry. As more and more people have access to digital readers and easy access to content, less and less people are going to travel to the book store to browse through the books and buy something there.
Ahhh... that announcement came out sometime last summer when the iPad became the hottest selling new gadget.
I have both.
Kindle's a MUCH better e-reader, in terms eye strain, clarity of text, concentration (I get more reading done on a Kindle -- too many distractions on the iPad, like e-mail, games, internet, etc.), etc. No contest. I'm keeping my Kindle, and that's where I do the majority of my eReading. Plus, it's smaller and cheaper (less fear of losing it, damaging it, etc.). And the battery life is stellar.
iPad, of course, does EVERYTHING else (except Flash
Kindle's a MUCH better e-reader, in terms eye strain, clarity of text, concentration (I get more reading done on a Kindle -- too many distractions on the iPad, like e-mail, games, internet, etc.), etc. No contest. I'm keeping my Kindle, and that's where I do the majority of my eReading. Plus, it's smaller and cheaper (less fear of losing it, damaging it, etc.). And the battery life is stellar.
iPad, of course, does EVERYTHING else (except Flash
I use my iPad and will never buy a Kindle. Defeats the purpose of having a device like the iPad. Why carry 2 tablets in which one only serves one purpose?
The e-ink vs LCD debate is ludicrous. There is no difference. Your eyes will adjust as needed to compensate. There are many studies on this. LCD screens DO NOT cause your eyes to fatigue more. You guys are trying to read hours at a time. You're suppose to rest your eyes for a few minutes 60-90 minutes.
I've never had a problem reading on my iPad for hours. And when I need a break to rest my eyes, the iPad has plenty of options for me to do that. Funny how Amazon is the only one that says you need e-ink.
The e-ink vs LCD debate is ludicrous. There is no difference. Your eyes will adjust as needed to compensate. There are many studies on this. LCD screens DO NOT cause your eyes to fatigue more. You guys are trying to read hours at a time. You're suppose to rest your eyes for a few minutes 60-90 minutes.
I've never had a problem reading on my iPad for hours. And when I need a break to rest my eyes, the iPad has plenty of options for me to do that. Funny how Amazon is the only one that says you need e-ink.
I agree, Razeus. I cannot understand why people complain about the iPad straining their eyes. For me it's the Kindle that I find hard to read. Yes, you read that correctly, for me the iPad is much easier on my eyes.
So once again I stress to everyone: Try them both and decide, don't just listen to some message board posters. Your eyes might react differently. I thought the Kindle would be easier on my eyes, but it was harder. Too dim. Too much strain. And I love reading on the iPad for hours at a time. I'm coming up on my 100th novel read on my iPad. I think I'd know by now if it was straining my eyes.
People repeat what they hear without trying it for themselves. Try them both, choose the one that works for YOU.
So once again I stress to everyone: Try them both and decide, don't just listen to some message board posters. Your eyes might react differently. I thought the Kindle would be easier on my eyes, but it was harder. Too dim. Too much strain. And I love reading on the iPad for hours at a time. I'm coming up on my 100th novel read on my iPad. I think I'd know by now if it was straining my eyes.
People repeat what they hear without trying it for themselves. Try them both, choose the one that works for YOU.
Don't try to argue with LTD. He's know for completely ignoring facts that go against his distorted world view that anything that dares compete with the almighty Apple sucks and that Apple can do no wrong.
iPad 2 will kill Kindle
I think the iPad 2 will basically all but kill the Kindle. Based on how Apple updates their products, it's already pretty obvious what the new iPad will have:
1. Cameras for Facetime
2. Higher-res display (if not full retina display)
3. Lighter
4. More Battery Life
5. More power.
6. Same Price.
With all of these things it's going to make it even harder to put down bucks for the one-trick-pony Kindle.
I don't read books on my iPad but I do like to read magazines sometimes. However, being able to notice pixels is an annoyance therefore if I were going to select an e-reader I'd probably wait for an iPad2.
I think the iPad 2 will basically all but kill the Kindle. Based on how Apple updates their products, it's already pretty obvious what the new iPad will have:
1. Cameras for Facetime
2. Higher-res display (if not full retina display)
3. Lighter
4. More Battery Life
5. More power.
6. Same Price.
With all of these things it's going to make it even harder to put down bucks for the one-trick-pony Kindle.
I don't read books on my iPad but I do like to read magazines sometimes. However, being able to notice pixels is an annoyance therefore if I were going to select an e-reader I'd probably wait for an iPad2.
this is a pointless comparison. A kindle costs $130, an iPad costs $500. For my wife who already has a netbook, which do you think I'll buy as an ebook reader? That $370 difference buys a lot of ebooks, with money left over for cat food and toilet paper