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iPad mini / kindle differences?

sjleworthy

sjleworthy

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 5, 2008
1,505
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Penarth, Wales, UK
hi guys, i know there's obvious differences between ipad and Kindle, but here is my issue.....

I've never owned a mini. but certainly plan to soon. basically for mobility and flexibility where my 12.9 ipad doesn't deliver. and i'd love to use the mini for ebook reading.

I already own 2 Kindles, a regular one and a Voyage2. Problems for me - i find the screen size too small. i also find the e-ink, lovely that it is, too matte on the screen, whereas i like the more glossy glass of the iPad. i also don't like the page numbering system, page turning re-fresh methods and general nav of the Kindles. Basically, never got on with them from day 1.

So, how does the iPad mini compare directly to the Kindle for book reading? is the selection of books i can purchase pretty big? and the costs per book? does the screen of the mini provide and better reading experience due to the difference between ipad and kindle screen quality/size etc?

How many apps are there for ebooks? and which is generally the best?

Thank you for your help
 
I actually have both an iPad mini 4 and Kindle Paperwhite.

I like reading on the Paperwhite because of eye strain that I get from being on the mini for too long. I read books this way. When I read my magazine subscriptions, they are on the mini. I carry both of them with me on the train when I commute and it is nice.

I thought I would try just using my mini for reading books also, but after giving it to my daughter for a few months, I ended up going out and buying another one when it was on sale for under $100. I just feel I can sit and read from the Kindle for longer periods of time. Hope this helps.
 
I think iBooks app is better for reading than the Kindle app but the books cost more. As you already have a pro, that should give you an idea of functionality in the kindle app. I tend to agree with others that the kindle for books is better for long reads of novels, but speed on iPad and functionality make up for some of that, and magazines for example can have embedded audio, video and web links. I
 
thanks guys.

as i say, issue i have with Kindle is the size. it's just way too small for my liking. way too small. the mini is almost 2 inches bigger, which is a country mile.

yes, i have tested out the kindle app, but find a real comparison hard as i dont have a screen the size of a mini to compare too.

it's like the iphone. a beautiful bit of kit, but because i have no need of a mobile phone i'm glad i dont feel personally obliged to myself to buy one, purely because i know the screen size would drive me insane!
 
I have an iPad Mini and use both the Kindle and the iBooks apps. I buy titles from both services. I find the reading experience to be essentially the same with either app since it is determined by the size, weight and display of the iPad rather than the app.

From your Kindle experience you already know that the prices of ebooks (from either source) has significantly increased lately, and is now about the same as buying a paperback book. Hence I'm finding myself buying more paperbacks now.

Overall, I would echo the advice you have gotten here from others. For long reading sessions of non-color content the Kindle device will be a better experience. Lighter weight, longer battery life and ability to read outside in the sun.

In your situation I would advise visiting an Apple store if you have one nearby and spending some time with the Mini to see if its size, weight and comfort while reading appeals to you.
 
For reading text, no LCD screen comes close to the legibility and comfort of an e-ink Kindle. It's not even a contest. I've tried several times to make my iPad Air my daily reader, and I always quit after a day. The neat iBooks page-turn animation doesn't make up for the glare and eye strain.

And screen size is irrelevant with either device, because you can change the text size at will.
 
M. Gustave said:
And screen size is irrelevant with either device, because you can change the text size at will.
Click to expand...

to me screen size is completely relevant. for me it's a main factor, no matter what text size i use. this is why i dont like the form factor of phones and find the kindle too small. physically too small, whatever text size i have on screen.
 
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OP, ignore everyone saying Kindle is better for reading. There is a significant minority of people who prefer reading on LCD over eink, and sounds like you could be one of them.

I had the original mini, and found it excellent for reading ebooks.

If you open an app in split view on the 12.9 iPad, a mini screen is somewhat smaller than that half screen app.
 
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OP, I use both. My mini4 and kindle paperwhite. I actually prefer reading on my mini cuz I can do other things on it as well; answer an email on the fly while reading, checking news and FB, and my calendar. But I never read it whenever I'm outside in the sun on the beach or by the pool. Sun glare just renders the mini useless, that's where my kindle paperwhite comes in.
 
niamhcdonovan said:
OP, I use both. My mini4 and kindle paperwhite. I actually prefer reading on my mini cuz I can do other things on it as well; answer an email on the fly while reading, checking news and FB, and my calendar. But I never read it whenever I'm outside in the sun on the beach or by the pool. Sun glare just renders the mini useless, that's where my kindle paperwhite comes in.
Click to expand...

Agreed that the Kindle is better for reading in direct sunlight. But I find myself trying to go that only a handful of times during the year. Not sure what the OP's situation is, but just want to point out being able to read in direct sunlight isn't a major requirement for everyone.
 
I hardly every buy ebooks but I do routinely borrow them from my local library. The books I have access to come in 3 formats - kindle, a format that requires the Overdrive app and 3M Cloud Library. If you're going to begin borrowing books the kindle device probably can't handle the latter two formats.
 
M. Gustave said:
"Ignore everyone" who doesn't agree with you? Then what's the point of a forum, a circular mutual confirmation society?
Click to expand...

What I meant is that even if a 1000 people tell you that eink is better, if your eyes happen to work better with LCD, then that's what you should go with. It's not a matter of opinion, it's a physical condition that differs from person to person.
 
Having used both a lot, I prefer e-ink Kindles. I really have my iPad a go for a while and focussed on reading there, originally wanting more screen estate. But in the long run, there is no contest when I compare it to my Voyage. I think Amazon should bring back the bigger Kindle, in a modern version, but that's really a niche market it seems.
 
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