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Is it redundant to have a kindle and an iPad?

I am a huge reader, but I went directly from regular books to an iPad (1) and now new one. Never had a Kindle. I have no issues using the Kindle app on my iPad, along with Nook app and iBooks. I don't think I'll go out of my way to buy a Kindle (already spend enough $$ on tech toys :D) but don't see a reason you could not use both, depending on the situation.
 
Virgo said:
Kindle + iPad owners weigh in?
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I've had every generation of Kindle & iPad. As a voracious reader, I could not go without my Kindle.

These are still two very different devices, each is excellent at what it was designed to do.

As good as the latest iPad is, the Kindle's E-Ink display remains superior for reading. The lightweight, the long battery life, the ability to comfortably read without a hint of glare, is simply terrific. For everything else the iPad 3 is the obvious choice.

For my usage patterns, both are required.
 
Virgo said:
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?
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my wife had a kindle keyboard, but since we upgraded to the new iPad we sold that bc she didn't use it all that much. Only downside I see though, if you use Amazon Prime and want to read free books you can't do that on the iPad app...you MUST own a kindle. Now if you read books daily...you may want to keep a kindle around. We just didn't use the kindle that much to justify having both devices around since we like to keep things simple.
 
rmhop81 said:
my wife had a kindle keyboard, but since we upgraded to the new iPad we sold that bc she didn't use it all that much. Only downside I see though, if you use Amazon Prime and want to read free books you can't do that on the iPad app...you MUST own a kindle. Now if you read books daily...you may want to keep a kindle around. We just didn't use the kindle that much to justify having both devices around since we like to keep things simple.
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i guess have obsessed kindle lovers that are giving negatives to anyone that doesn't own a kindle. ridiculous
 
I also have both for similar reasons mentioned above.

I feel better carrying my kindle touch around in public places vs my new iPad. Could be because my new iPad is WiFi only, but for me, the price point of the kindle makes it much easier to replace if anything was to happen.

The kindle is also easier on my eyes when reading before bed.
 
Can't add anything new, just reiterate that the iPad can't be beaten for magazines and flipboard and I couldn't live without my kindle. Don't know why but I enjoy reading more on the kindle than paperbacks now.

I'm reading 2 sometimes 3 books a week on the kindle due font and line spacing adjustments, portability and the no eye strain factor.

Having said that I still really like the iPad kindle app. Great for getting a chapter in whilst on the iPad and everything syncs up very nicely so I can continue on the kindle.
 
My wife and I went from books and magazines to an iPad. Took the iPad on a trip to Mexico a couple of years ago and between that and a summer of her using it at the pool made us realize that there are times when an e ink screen is just better. The iPad, especially the original tends to overheat in direct sun, plus it's harder to read and you have to turn the backlight up all the way which sucks battery down.

When we went on our last trip a couple of months ago, we also bought a Kindle touch before and it was nice. We ended up buying waterproof bags for the iPads and Kindle and took them right in the pool with us. It was pretty sweet and by the looks on people's faces and the questions we got, you would have thought we split the atom. She used the kindle more than I did as she would read more than me anyway and I tend toward magazines and she to books. She said it was well worth the $99.
 
I have a 3rd gen iPad, a Kindle Touch, and a Nook Simple Touch. I just prefer the eInk screen for reading. It is much easier on the eyes for me.

And, reading in low light situations is not a problem since Amazon makes great lighted covers for the Kindle.
 
I've got a Kindle 3 & love it - it's my second Kindle. The iPad's not about to supplant the Kindle as a reading device.

I also have a Fire. If the iPad was capable of playing Amazon Instant Video, I'd give the Fire to my niece in a heartbeat. As it is, I'm keeping the Fire primarily for watching Amazon video. (I gave up Netflix last year.)
 
Not Redundant

I use both. They are not redundant for a moderate to heavy reader.

1. Kindle works in the brightest daylight, even with sunglasses on, without any extra drain on the battery.
-So its good for the subway, and lunch outside in the park, and a trip to Jones Beach. No glare on the Kindle screen. Goes for a month with Wifi off.

2. Kindle is inexpensive compared to the iPad. If it gets dropped, stolen out of your hand, it is not a big of a loss compared to the iPad. Less attractive to thieves on the subway too. No loss of email, private information, etc.

3. The page width on the Kindle is PERFECT for reading. I read much faster than a wider screen. Two columns on the iPad is not quite the same.
- e ink is superior in reading than the iPad's through iPad 2. iPad 3 is great...but for reasons above, the Kindle in better.

4. The Kindle is very lightweight to hold for periods of time.

5. The iPad is great for photos and figures in books or magazines. Easy to read in pitch black. I suggest the parchment background for easy on the eyes reading. And of course browsing. Looking up dictionary words on the Kindle for iPad is easier.

6. I always have my kindle...less likely to bring the iPad out. Even slips into a winter inner coat pocket.

7. Of course, with the Kindle software for the iPad, the iPad and the Kindle hardware will synch, so it is easy to go back and forth. Or I continue reading on my iPhone.

The Kindle format has the most book selections of any other reader, the last time I checked.

I clearly see no conflict between the two.
 
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I dislike reading books on my ipad/iphone. To me it's like reading from a LCD screen (which it is), it hurts my eyes after a while.

I have a kobo (canadian version of the kindle) that I use for strictly reading, love it. Much lighter than the iPad, easier on the eyes, crazy battery life, and overall a much better reading experience.
 
E-ink FTW

I have a kindle keyboard, which I've actually thought about selling and getting the new low end kindle since it's smaller and I don't want the touch I like the page turning buttons.

I love my new ipad... but not as a serious book reader. The eye strain is a bitch.

I do love that the kindle app means that I can sync my kindle, with the app on my ipad and my iphone.

As of this moment in time I'll always choose to have both. I thought about loaning my Mom my kindle so she can read a couple books I have on it, knowing that if I really want to read something while she has it I can read it on my ipad.

One more thing, I have a cookbook on kindle and I always look at it and think this is stupid. Now that one I'll use with ipad... I think that is a great selling point for both.
 
everyone already mentioned the plus of the e ink which is really great. kindle for fun reading that you can do for a longer time. ipad for visual, colorful stuff. plus the cheapest kindle is only 80 bucks which is pretty much the same price as a leather smart cover :p
 
So with all the discussion of e-ink, is it safe to rule out the Kindle Fire as an e-reader versus the iPad? It seems that the Fire would have the same readability issues as the iPad vs. an e-ink Kindle. Would y'all say that was accurate?
 
I have both and I'm planning on selling my Kindle ($79 model). Reason being that I don't need two devices and the new iPad's retina display is absolutely stunning for reading. Plus I can read with the iPad at night and in the dark (night theme), rather than using my lighted leather cover that emits a super bright light. My eyes don't hurt anymore from reading on the iPad, but maybe that's because I'm staring at a computer screen all day long for work.

The only thing that sucks about the iPad (when compared to the Kindle) is that it is much heavier and battery life is shorter. FWIW, if it's between an iPad 2 or Kindle, I would go Kindle. But the new iPad's display makes reading much better.
 
If you're asking this question, don't already have both, and know you want an iPad, I suggest you buy the iPad first.

You may never want to use a Kindle (I haven't--I specifically waited on buying a Kindle until the iPad 2 was released, bought the iPad 2 and never wanted a kindle; and reading books is what I do most often with the iPad).

You also have to ask yourself where you will do your reading. I've never been one for reading outdoors which is a big point for some Kindle users--I read in doors in all sorts of lighting (including at night, in bed with the lights off, where a Kindle is not great because--no surprise--you need a night light) and no eye strain issues for my 51 year old eyes.

For me, I have no need or desire for both an iPad and a Kindle since I had the iPad 2 first. The iPad is all the reader I want or need.

It seems like many in this thread who are in the "both" camp, already had a Kindle--if you had a Kindle before the iPad, I could see wanting to use both.

But I would not be in a hurry to buy both--get the iPad, try it as your only reader, and may be you can put that Kindle purchase money in your pocket to spend on something else.
 
I have both. I bought the iPad first and the Kindle later. I wouldn't give up either one. The Kindle is the superior reading experience for long text like books and essays. The iPad is the superior platform for reading media rich content like magazines and instructional material. Kindle is the best in sunlight or bright interior light. iPad is best for low light situations.

The best thing about Kindle, beyond the excellent reading experience, is that it holds so many books. I take it with me when I travel and it's a godsend. I can have as many books with me as I like and it doesn't increase the weight of my luggage at all.

Get both. They're complimentary because they both have different strengths and weaknesses.

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Oh, and with the Kindle app on the iPad you can switch back and forth with ease. Read the Kindle outside on a sunny day and then switch to the iPad in evening when you want to read in bed. When you open the Kindle app it'll synch to the last page you read on the hardware Kindle and vice versa. Very slick.
 
as much as I still love my Ipad 3 and that display. if I need to read a book, i still prefer the kindle. Only because that's all it can do. I'm not distracted.
 
Totally. That's what makes Kindle so great. It's purpose built and very focused.

I do wish it had a better OS, though. Darn thing looks like it came from 1988.
 
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