iPad worth it as an e-reader?

[Walter Bell]

I was in this same dilemma and ended up picking up a kindle 3. I live in Hawaii so I do go to the beach/pool 4-5 times a week and the iPad wouldn't work. I also would prefer to have a $115 device get stolen or break then a $500'device.

I came to the conclusion that I will use both, the iPad and the kindle.

 

[CalBoy]

That's not a superiority at all, it's merely a focus on one aspect of overall viability taken from a specific single point of view. When taken from a different standpoint, those things would be weaknesses or of no significant benefit - e-ink displays irritate some users as they flicker through black during page turns, and they aren't usable in mediocre to low-light. 'Thinner/lighter' are not factors that necessarily affect a particularly large number of users, and better battery life is only important to those who have no regular access to a power source.

The offset to your 'dedicated superiority' is that the iPad has much better control over font size and overall ebook display, can handle pdf files much better, can be used in low light, and can do a great deal more in terms of delivering content to users and providing a broad range of other functions and customisations.

It's not a matter of fact that one device is better than another, it's a matter of personal opinion.

For novel reading, e-ink devices like the Kindle or Nook are clearly superior because avid readers tend to read for hours at a time and typically don't care for complicated devices. Being lightweight with extensive battery life and a display that looks like paper is much more important to such users than the iPad's other functions.

Maybe that's why ereaders are outselling tablets (including the iPad).

 

[bjett92]

If you want to read as your main use, then no it's not worth it. However, for some people like me, reading is not a major use, so it works as a good ereader but it's not the main purpose. I read novels on it regularly with no problems.

 

[thelookingglass]

For novel reading, e-ink devices like the Kindle or Nook are clearly superior because avid readers tend to read for hours at a time and typically don't care for complicated devices. Being lightweight with extensive battery life and a display that looks like paper is much more important to such users than the iPad's other functions.

Maybe that's why ereaders are outselling tablets (including the iPad).

Many possible reasons why e-reader sales could be outpacing tablet sales. Price is a huge one. Doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the "superiority" of one device over another. What the poster above was trying to say is essentially different strokes for different folks. I for one can't stand reading on a Kindle. Contrast is too low, bad in dim or no-light conditions and hard
to navigate through a book.

I think it's telling that the Nook is a touchbased LCD and, by most accounts, the next Kindle as well.

 

[AbyssImpact]

Why not the Kindle? If you're only looking for an eReader, the Kindle can't be beat.

Because it's not made by apple?

 

[treyjustice]

I read books all the time on my iPad 2. I use mostly kindle and iBooks. The LCD doesn't bother me at all. You can adjust the brightness and background color so that eases eye strain. If you are planning on reading outside it isn't the greatest though! Beside that it is prefect and with everything else it can do well worth the money!

ps. If you want just an ereader the new nook e-ink touch is the best.

 

[mmo]

Captain Weird, showing up for action! 🙂

200 novels and counting on my iPad, and I still love the experience. I've tried both the Kindle and the color Nook, both urged on me by people who rave about the devices. I like their lightness, and I think they are ideal devices for the beach, but I hate reading on them. I sit down and try it and instantly I'm getting eyestrain. I hate the blink that e-ink makes when flipping pages. I just don't like the experience.

Now, tell Captain Weird what duty he needs to perform. I stand ready to serve!

Well, well, well, my archenemy Captain Weird shows up! DAMN YOU CAPTAIN WEIRD!

Seriously, though, I respect that you prefer reading on the iPad.
But IF an e-reading experience should be compared to reading a regular book, I think the e-reader by far comes closest to the real thing.
Do you also get eyestrain reading a regular book by the way? And also, what e-reader did you try? Some of the earlier have much poorer contrast than the newest pearl screens. One of the new kindles, for instance, should be nearly indistinguishable from a book, contrast-wise.

 

[thelookingglass]

Some of the earlier have much poorer contrast than the newest pearl screens. One of the new kindles, for instance, should be nearly indistinguishable from a book, contrast-wise.

Really? I have a Kindle 2 and a Kindle 3. The 3s contrast is much improved, but try holding it next to a printed page. I like my backlit iPad screen much better. Easier on the eyes, ironically enough.

 

[mmo]

Really? I have a Kindle 2 and a Kindle 3. The 3s contrast is much improved, but try holding it next to a printed page. I like my backlit iPad screen much better. Easier on the eyes, ironically enough.

Do you have proper ambient lighting then?
Also, maybe someone simply prefer looking at an LCD because that's what they're used to. The eyes are not used to NOT having a backlight when reading. (not saying that's so in your case)

 

[palpatine]

In a well-lit room I think the Kindle screen (Pearl) is much better than paper. A lot of stuff is printed on bleached white paper with black text, and I find that a little irritating. I think the slightly gray background of the Kindle is far superior. But, to each his own. I read on both the iPad and Kindle, enjoying them both for their respective strengths. The really cool thing is that we can carry aorund so many books in either device. I love being alive in this age 🙂

 

[za9ra22]

For novel reading, e-ink devices like the Kindle or Nook are clearly superior because avid readers tend to read for hours at a time and typically don't care for complicated devices. Being lightweight with extensive battery life and a display that looks like paper is much more important to such users than the iPad's other functions.

Maybe that's why ereaders are outselling tablets (including the iPad).

That doesn't explain why devices like the Nook color, which is not an e-ink reader, are also selling well. The simple fact is that notwithstanding the sweeping generalisations offered, different individuals prefer different reading experiences, which means that some will prefer an e-ink device, and some won't. There is no single preference for 'avid readers' and it's a total nonsense to suggest that such a group of people 'don't care for complicated devices'. There's no such group, there are just a whole lot of individuals with individual preferences.

It's certainly going to be true that for some, e-ink provides a better experience and the weight and battery life of a Kindle, Nook, Sony etc, is preferable. However, for others, the convergence of functions and uses of a device such as an iPad or Android tablet, even the Nook color, is preferable due to convenience or even a preference for widely controllable, backlit, displays.

And as has been said, the probability is that price, not screen type, is amongst the most significant of factors in comparative sales volumes.

 

[NebulaClash]

Well, well, well, my archenemy Captain Weird shows up! DAMN YOU CAPTAIN WEIRD!

Seriously, though, I respect that you prefer reading on the iPad.
But IF an e-reading experience should be compared to reading a regular book, I think the e-reader by far comes closest to the real thing.
Do you also get eyestrain reading a regular book by the way? And also, what e-reader did you try? Some of the earlier have much poorer contrast than the newest pearl screens. One of the new kindles, for instance, should be nearly indistinguishable from a book, contrast-wise.

🙂

I agree with you that an e-reader should come closer to a regular book, and it really does. My problem is that now that I see what an ebook can be, I no longer want to settle for the look of a regular book. This is how all technology progresses. At first the new device keeps the old metaphors in place for familiarity, but this cripples the new device that is capable of so much more. Eventually they move on to new metaphors and the device comes into its own.

In other words, I no longer want to settle for a printed book and see no reason to imitate it. And yes, this means I no longer enjoy reading paper books. I am systematically replacing my printed book collection with ebooks, and then I sell the printed books. If I never read paper again, I'll be fine with that.

The ereaders I've tried are the second-gen Kindle (and yes, I see there are newer versions that look much like an iPad), and the current Nook Color. My view of them is more power to you if you can read them, for they truly are handy and small. I've been recommending them to friends and family as adjuncts to an iPad: use the Kindle or Nook for the beach when you don't mind throwing something into the beach bag.

To me this is not a zero-sum game where one side has to lose in order for the other side to win. Amazon and B&N have priced their devices as accessories. Buy it in addition to an iPad. The only thing I object to is the groupthink that insists that everyone will find e-ink easier on the eye and if you don't agree you are just wrong. My odd example (and others like me) show that our eyes react differently, and for some people the e-ink advice will be the wrong one. I want newbies asking in genuine curiosity to understand that the best advice is to ignore what all of us say and go try the devices for yourself. Only their eyes will give them their answer.

 

[palpatine]

🙂

In other words, I no longer want to settle for a printed book and see no reason to imitate it. And yes, this means I no longer enjoy reading paper books. I am systematically replacing my printed book collection with ebooks, and then I sell the printed books. If I never read paper again, I'll be fine with that.

I agree with the sentiment that you don't need to read a printed book again. I love books and paper, and as a historian I get to enjoy plenty of both, but when it comes to my own library, I prefer everything digital.

I also think it is time to move beyond paper. We don't have to imitate it anymore. We can do better. I definitely do not think a screen shining in our faces is the best solution. I believe the Kindle 3 e-ink (called the Pearl screen) is significantly better than the Kindle 2's, and I recommend taking a look. It may not please you (that's fine), but I wouldn't knock e-ink based on outdated technology either. It is kind of like saying you hate portable music players because the cd always skips when you run. Well... maybe not that big of a leap 🙂

New display technology is pretty exciting, especially when it gets incorporated into flexible displays with color. I think Mirasol has some of the most potential, but the fact that they have not been able to bring anything to market yet shows that lcd and e-ink are going to be around a while longer.

 

[poloponies]

Do you have proper ambient lighting then?
Also, maybe someone simply prefer looking at an LCD because that's what they're used to. The eyes are not used to NOT having a backlight when reading. (not saying that's so in your case)

Therein lies the problem with e-ink readers. The ambient lighting conditions need to be correct, which is not always the case. Yes, you can read a Kindle in bright sunlight, but take it indoors and it becomes a game of finding the right reading location/position. On planes, the Kindle is a poor choice unless you're holding it directly under the overhead reading light; in the house I have to be near a table lamp. It's worse than paper and worse than my iPad, which I find to be very comfortable for reading (and I read on it every day).

 

[cdcastillo]

I was having this same debate about 3-4 months ago, when the iPad2 had just come out. In the end, since we needed more than just an eReader (in essence, the camera for Skype) we got the iPad.

If I had just needed the eReader, we would have gotten a Kindle (we're not in the states). I still think this is a valid reasoning.

 

[NebulaClash]

I agree with the sentiment that you don't need to read a printed book again. I love books and paper, and as a historian I get to enjoy plenty of both, but when it comes to my own library, I prefer everything digital.

I also think it is time to move beyond paper. We don't have to imitate it anymore. We can do better. I definitely do not think a screen shining in our faces is the best solution. I believe the Kindle 3 e-ink (called the Pearl screen) is significantly better than the Kindle 2's, and I recommend taking a look. It may not please you (that's fine), but I wouldn't knock e-ink based on outdated technology either. It is kind of like saying you hate portable music players because the cd always skips when you run. Well... maybe not that big of a leap 🙂

New display technology is pretty exciting, especially when it gets incorporated into flexible displays with color. I think Mirasol has some of the most potential, but the fact that they have not been able to bring anything to market yet shows that lcd and e-ink are going to be around a while longer.

I agree that both the iPad and the Kindle will continue to improve screen technology, and what we use five years from now will make today's devices look primitive.

I've seen the Kindle 3s around and they do indeed look nicer.

 

[palpatine]

Therein lies the problem with e-ink readers. The ambient lighting conditions need to be correct, which is not always the case. Yes, you can read a Kindle in bright sunlight, but take it indoors and it becomes a game of finding the right reading location/position. On planes, the Kindle is a poor choice unless you're holding it directly under the overhead reading light; in the house I have to be near a table lamp. It's worse than paper and worse than my iPad, which I find to be very comfortable for reading (and I read on it every day).

Yes and no. A book light makes all your problems go away. Just like with a regular book.
http://www.mightybright.com/

 

[Quake1028]

If you ONLY want to e-read: Kindle 3 is the best choice.

If you are going to do any of the following in addition to e-reading: watch movies, surf the web, read comics/magazines/PDF's, listen to music, play games, download apps, get the iPad 2.

I got the iPad 2 as a birthday gift, and it has replaced the K3 I previously owned as my everyday e-reader (gave it to my fiancee). I have the Kindle, Kobo, nook and Overdrive apps on it, and I could not be happier.

 

[jesterscourt]

It's pretty good for ebooks. I own an iPad2. iBooks is fine, but I think Stanza is even better with all the configuration options. I wouldn't pay at least $500 for an ebook reader though, when you can get an e-ink for around 1/4 to 1/5 that. I have owned both the Nook and Nook Color, and I think if you want to just read ebooks, you'd be best served picking up either the new squarish Nook or the newest gen Kindle. They are dedicated e-readers, have astonishing battery life, the only thing they don't have is backlit displays (which can also be a selling factor, depending on how you look at it).

You want to play videos, browse the web, applications, etc? Then you might want a tablet, such as the iPad...