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eBook reader vs iPad : which do you prefer ?

by phmoisan
15 replies
Hi everyone,

In a few weeks, I might be able to buy an iPad. Especially now that they're finally available in Quebec city.

But I'm not decided. I'm an avid reader. Something like the Kobo might fill that need, with all the PDFs I download to build my business. The main advantage of a genuine eBook reader is battery life, IMO.

The iPad is a very attractive proposition, that's for sure, as it fills the eBook reader need nicely as well as all those things it can do.

Still, the battery life is a very thing for me.

I might decide to buy both.

What do you think ?

Philippe
#ebook #ipad #prefer #reader
  • Profile picture of the author hometutor
    I really prefer a netbook to either one of those choices

    What's Wrong with The Apple IPad by Rick Kirkham

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  • Profile picture of the author vip-ip
    Originally Posted by phmoisan View Post

    it fills the eBook reader need nicely as well as all those things it can do
    Philippe,

    The real question becomes not whether you want an iPad or an eBook reader.
    The real question becomes whether you want a device that reads eBooks, OR
    a device that reads eBooks and "all those things [an iPad] can do."

    Are you looking for something to use in bed before going to sleep?
    Are you looking for something for yourself, or to show off to others?
    Are you going to use it just at home, just to read, or in business as well?

    Remember, an iPad is nearly a substitute for a portable laptop.

    As an analogy, I've recently bought a new TI-84Plus for school. I've had a
    TI-83 and loved it. I know that I will not only need to do basic math, but
    that I will need graphic, modeling, and statistical analysis. I can't do with
    a 5-dollar office calculator from Staples. But if you were to sell me a TI-84+
    when I was in 2nd grade... no way Jose

    I hope this bit of insight helped.

    Best Regards,
    vip-ip ...
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    • Profile picture of the author phmoisan
      vip-ip,

      I am considering using the eBook reader when I wait for a long time. In the bus, for instance. Or ( gasp ! ) in an hospital waiting room.

      The eBook reader would fill the bill nicely. And it would be less stressful if it was stolen.

      The business side of using the iPad is attractive, I think. But, for that, my boss will provide me an iPhone sometime next week. My brother-in-law has had an iPhone for 2 years at least and seems to be very satisfied. He's an entrepreneur in the software development industry.

      The screen size and weight are factors to be considered, as well. The iPhone will be useful using it as an agenda, but actually using it to read an eBook, long term, I'm not sure.

      Color might be an issue, I think. Not for novels, but whoever is involved in IM doesn't have time to read novels, IMHO. I know, I'm an SF and fantasy fan.

      Back to the color issue, the PDFs created in the IM business many times use color. Would that be an important hindrance with the Kobo ?

      Philippe
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      Philippe Moisan
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      my blog Be Proactive Now

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      • Profile picture of the author vip-ip
        Originally Posted by phmoisan View Post

        Back to the color issue, the PDFs created in the IM business many times use color. Would that be an important hindrance with the Kobo ?

        Philippe
        I've never used a Kobo, but common sense tells me that's an eBook reader?
        I guess it comes down to what kind of learner and reader you are.
        If you prefer skimming over reading, and need color to segment your flow, yes.
        If you care about content and you're good at skipping the BS and get to the point, no.

        Best Regards,
        vip-ip ...
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  • Profile picture of the author SidVarma
    any reason you're choosing Kobo over Kindle?

    And, yes, if you want color, you want an iPad.
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  • Profile picture of the author Landis
    wait for the new kindle, cheap as dirt. perfect form factor and weeks of battery life. I think itd be worth the wait for you ;p
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  • Profile picture of the author Manda
    Hi Philippe,

    The biggest question is what are you going to use it for? I have both an ebook reader and ipad and each has its own advantages.

    The ebook reader is great for size (about a paperback) so very easy to carry with you when waiting or to read in bed. It handles many ebook formats well and does work with pdf but on pdf it doesn't perform very well.

    That for me is where the ipad comes in - aside from everything else it does, it is a very good pdf reader, however I'm not sure what, if any, other ebook formats the ipad takes.

    I think the ipad is fantastic if you need to read pdfs when you're on the move as well as take notes, email etc. If I was just reading novels I would stick to an ebook reader. Personally I can't read anything of length on an iphone though I know people who do.

    Hope that helps.

    Manda
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  • Profile picture of the author impact-productions
    An ebook reader, hands down. I couldn't live without my Kindle now.

    It's near impossible to read for long periods of time on a backlit screen. In comparison, an ebook reader is designed to be comfortable to read on, much more like a real book, but with the added advantage of it being much lighter to hold. If you read new releases, there's no comparison to the ease of an ebook reader, as opposed to carting around a huge hardback.

    Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't like an iPad for other things, I would, but this wouldn't be for reading in a traditional manner.

    Thom
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    • Profile picture of the author commercee
      While both are interesting and I have a site dedicated to eBook Readers featuring the iPad on it, I don't want to own either one. They are too much like gadgets. My brother owns one and uses it for almost everthing, he's a apple guy though, no kids and gets all the new toys.

      I'll just stick to the basic laptop. I'm too busy to read a good novel, but it's on the bucket list.
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      • Profile picture of the author FriendlyRob
        I have a simple, very simple, ebook reader. In fact, all it reads is PDF files. This is perfect for me. When I want to read the ebook that I just bought, I can download it to my ebook reader and just read.

        I had an ipod touch for that reason, but I found myself too easily distracted by the other gadgets and apps.

        With my current device, I can just sit and read without thinking about all the other cool things my device can do.
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        • Profile picture of the author Verena
          Depending on what you want, if you want to watch video, youtube , listen audio, access email, use applications, read pdf, read ibooks, then buy ipad.

          If you're after only ebooks and pdf, go for kindle. They're launching the latest version at only $139, shipping next month. The battery last for a month, you get access to 500K+ books at $9.90 (largest collection in world). very portable too....not as large as ipad.

          ipad has a few set backs, no usb, battery very short life. everyone is waiting for ipad2...accept apple fans who buys anything apple sells.
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        • Profile picture of the author RichardHK
          Originally Posted by FriendlyRob View Post

          I have a simple, very simple, ebook reader. In fact, all it reads is PDF files. This is perfect for me. When I want to read the ebook that I just bought, I can download it to my ebook reader and just read.
          ... ...
          With my current device, I can just sit and read without thinking about all the other cool things my device can do.
          Yes, that is what I need. Tired of printing paper to read endless pdf stuff that doesn't need a hard copy, but is so tiring to read on a PC screen.

          And as (PDF)ArticlesThatRock just noted, I do think a Kindle could change my life too! Only waiting on a color model, but with recent price drop maybe the DX will be fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author ArticlesThatRock
    I own an iPod Touch, Kindle, and netbook. I'd like to replace the netbook with an iPad, but it doesn't have enough features such as a USB port and Flash support.

    The Kindle has changed my life. The screen is very easy to read, especially outside in a cafe, restaurant, or park. The average Kindle user buys 3 times as many books as (s)he did before owning one, and that has been my experience, too. The National Endowment of the Arts produced a study, "Reading at Risk" which reported that 43% of college graduates never read a book for pleasure; they read to perform their job. And, 34% of people who never went to college or did not earn a degree never read for pleasure. Reading more could change your life, too.

    My ideal gadget would be a general purpose computer, similar to an iPad, with an e-Ink screen like a Kindle or other e-reader.
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  • Profile picture of the author HarryCharles
    I have to say personally I love my iPad and I wouldnt swicth to anything else. I like playing around with gizmos and games though so it is right up my street.
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