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Is it redundant to have a kindle and an iPad?

Virgo

Virgo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 7, 2011
514
155
Los Angeles, CA
I have the new ipad and I know I could just use the kindle app, but the real kindle's size, weight, e ink and battery life keep calling to me. The current touch model particularly, since they did away with that ugly keyboard and you can focus on content.

Also I live in manhattan so I could see myself throwing it in my bag to read on the subway, whereas I'm not going to read on a huge expensive tablet while I'm elbow to elbow with bums and weirdos.

I just hesitate because I don't want to spoil myself with too much technology at once and end up barely using any of it, if that makes sense. Kindle + iPad owners weigh in?
 
Virgo said:
Also I live in manhattan so I could see myself throwing it in my bag to read on the subway, whereas I'm not going to read on a huge expensive tablet while I'm elbow to elbow with bums and weirdos.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should stick to paperbacks if you fear the contact with bums and weirdos:mad:
 
Depends....They say the Kindle is better for reading, but the new iPad when publishers upgrade to the new display, will be a lot better. I have the new iPad, and have never used a kindle, others here will be able to make a comparison.
 
E-ink Kindle is great for what it does - displaying text well in all lit environments (no backlight), even outdoors. I've got both and have no regrets. I also like the flexibility of having a Kindle app on the iPad.

Although the retina display is nice, the bottom line is that it's still a backlit LCD display, which means poor visibility in sunlight and causes more eyestrain than E-ink. Also, the battery life of the Kindle is impressive - I can go more than a month between charges.
 
E-ink is designed for paper-like reading without eye strain if you read books. For magazines and articles with pictures, color, etc. you may prefer an iPad.
 
They're two very different readers for different application. If its books you're reading, the Kindle is hard to beat. The iPad shines in reading magazines and anywhere that lighting is insufficient.
 
As a xoom owner and kindle keyboard owner I still use my kindle for reading, its easy on the eyes. The only drawback is you can't see in the dark with them.

My opinion is that e-readers have a different use and their own pluses enough to justify having both. I use my kindle keyboard to read all the time and it has a big advantage of a very long battery life vs tablets.
 
Many people have both. I would love for Apple to make a small e-ink reader to fill the gap.
 
I have both and I travel on public transit for my commute. The iPad is not a good reader when you are on the go - its way too bulky and hard to stash. I recommend the Kindle 4 - its light and even fits in your pocket. On top of that, it only costs $79 so if it gets lost its not a big deal.
 
If you do a lot of reading, then having a Kindle in addition to an iPad is probably a wise investment. However, you wouldn't need to get a Kindle Fire, even the $79 basic model with ads would suffice. But if reading is more of an occasional thing, then you would most likely be fine with the iPad by itself.

The other consideration is where the majority of your e-books come from. If you own mainly Kindle titles, then the Kindle is still a good option, especially with their wireless sync features. But if you have more iBooks titles, then the iPad with the Kindle app might be more attractive.
 
I have a new iPad and a Kindle Touch. I would never use an iPad for reading books no matter how good the new screen is. E ink FTW!
 
I have both a Kindle (not the Fire) and an iPad (had the 2 and recently upgraded to the new one). I really don't read books on my iPad. I read a lot and the weight of the iPad makes it very tiring to hold to read for long periods of time. Plus the Kindle can easily be used with just one hand. The e-ink really is easier on the eyes when reading for long periods. And the battery life on the Kindle is so good I can take it on a week's vacation and not worry about charging the whole time.

But if you want to read magazines or anything with color then the iPad is the way to go.

I don't consider them redundant for my uses. I suppose it depends on your needs and how much you read. I would not be willing to give up my Kindle at all.
 
I have a Kindle, a Sony reader and an iPad.

I use my iPad for all my work related reading, because it involves scrolling through and marking up tons of pdfs. E-ink readers are useless for that.

I use my e-ink readers for 90% of my 'fun' reading. I love the screen, the light weight, the ease with which I can read outside, and the long battery life. It's also much more convenient to bring to certain places such as the gym (I can just put it in front of me on the exercise bike, for example, and iPad is too big for that I think).

I currently have the iPad2 but will probably be upgrading. I'm guessing that the use pattern I've outlined above will continue in spite of the retina screen. I just really like my e-ink readers.
 
I have a kindle fire and a third generation iPad. I used to kindle fire while I'm at work, where more damage might occur. But when I'm at home it's all iPad. The Kindle fire is much smaller and easier to pack into my lunch cooler. So it is perfect for work. Plus it's $200 versus $700 so if I broke the Kindle fire at work, I would not feel near as bad as if I broke the iPad at work.
 
I have the Kindle Touch and the 3rd gen iPad. The kindle is perfect for reading and just toss anywhere type of device due to the price. I have read books on my sister's iPad2 and I prefer the kindle.

A side note: I love my kindle but there is still nothing like curling up on the couch with an actual book :)
 
No, its not. I went on a trip this weekend and decided I didn't need to take my Kindle since I had my new iPad. I wasn't 30 minutes down the road before I was wishing I had my Kindle!! The whole ride I was having to adjust the way I was holding the iPad to keep the glare off the screen. Also the weight was bothering my wrist. I have always loved my Kindle and now I know why.
I will say that I sold my Kindle 3 with the keyboard and got the new 79.00 one because of its size and the fact that I don't use it for anything but reading so I don't need the keyboard. If you have the iPad I wouldn't see that you would need the touch, just get the smallest one and go!
 
Yep,
I love my new iPad and will hit the Kindle app for a quick page read if I have to.
But you couldn't pry my Kindle Touch or Kindle DX from my dead hands.
I love e-ink, there is nothing like it (except, well, paper).
I tried reading with night mode on the new ipad and it felt like lighted words were floating in mid air.
 
No, not redundant. Similar products but different uses -- like a carving knife and butter knife.

iPad is great for around home, office, coffee shop <inside>.

Kindle (or other eInk reader) is great for compact areas <like a subway or bus>, any time you'll be reading outside. Plus it's $79 or less if you find a refurb or buy a used one.
 
reaborg said:
E-ink is designed for paper-like reading without eye strain if you read books. For magazines and articles with pictures, color, etc. you may prefer an iPad.
Click to expand...

This.

My Kindle is my go-to device for reading. I only read on the iPad (usually via the Kindle app) when I'm in bed and want to read a quick chapter while my wife watches TV or whatever.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
No, not redundant. Similar products but different uses -- like a carving knife and butter knife.

iPad is great for around home, office, coffee shop <inside>.

Kindle (or other eInk reader) is great for compact areas <like a subway or bus>, any time you'll be reading outside. Plus it's $79 or less if you find a refurb or buy a used one.
Click to expand...

This. Definitely room for both.
 
There is room for both but from one manhattanite to another, if I catch you reading anything while on the subway, I would smack you 2 days from sunday. With the cutbacks from the MTA and the sheer amount of people on the trains nowadays (damn you 2nd ave subway and taking 60 years to make another line!), it's a pretty egregious offense to be using your arms on the subway now. It may be halfway acceptable to use it while you're sitting but how often does that happen? That said, I'm an iPad reader because I don't like clutter. I'm the type that wants one device in one location that does multiple things.
 
for me the iPad is the ultimate reader.
I live in NYC and see plenty of bums and weirdos with iPads tucked under their arms.

I also see some of the smaller book readers.
IMO- they remind me of the computer screens in my elementary school 1977
 
Only read novels on my Kindle or Nook. Love both of them, their portability, and amazing battery life.
 
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