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Kindle vs iPad - Advice Requested...

by I.M.Retired
13 replies
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My husband, who is totally computer illiterate but an avid reader, has become fascinated with the concept of an electronic reading device.

I want to get him one for a gift, but I haven't used or tried either, so if anyone with experience - preferably with both machines - could give me an opinion, that would be great.

I know there is a big price difference. However, I tend to favor the iPad as I think he would enjoy it more once he got the hang of it. My feeling is that it is so much more versatile than Kindle, or other similar eBook readers. Plus, we do have wireless in the house, so an Internet connection isn't a problem. (Does Kindle connect to the Internet to for downloading books? I'm not familiar with how Kindle or and iPad works.)

Comments and suggestions gratefully appreciated!
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Is he going to use it strictly for reading? Or will he use it for other things as well?

    If he plans to use it for multiple things, I would go with an iPad. You can do a lot more with it than read books.

    If he's just going to read books on it, a Kindle may be all he needs. Its screen will also be easier to read if he likes to read outside in the sunshine.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    They are two totally different types of devices, so you are basically asking to compare apples with oranges.
    A kindle is for reading books purchased from Amazon.com Now,I think there are options to also purcahse some audio books,but for the most part you are limited to buying from amazon.
    A kindle starts at about $139USD,while an Ipad starts at $499USD.
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  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Thanks Kim. I didn't realize that Kindle could only be used for Amazon books.

    I'm wondering how cumbersome the iPad would be for reading books. Reading books in bed that is. My husband likes to go to bed and read.

    I still don't know how you get the books into the iPad. Our local library has books you can download - at least I think that is what you do with them as they just recently offered books in electronic format.

    I presume you have to buy all the books you want to read on either device. Or can you just download them from the library instead of bringing an actual book home.

    Sigh - I feel old. Books I understand. Computers I understand. eBooks I can write. But getting an electronic book from where ever one gets electronic books is all new to me. I never gave it a thought until my husband expressed an interest in getting a reader, so this is my first foray into this here-to-fore unknown realm.

    Dan: Primarily he wants it for reading books. But I know him well enough to say that he would be delighted to explore the Internet if he didn't have to type or sit in front of a computer! That's why I'm looking seriously at the iPad. As for Kindle, it's not something of interest to me (yet) as I like real books. I have no desire to look at a screen to read something after working on the computer for most of the day. A book is a luxury as far as I am concerned. I've been considering getting an iPad for my own use, but it's different when you are considering purchasing it for someone else - especially not having had a chance to try one out beforehand.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kym Lawn
      Val, I went through the same dilemma myself a few weeks ago.

      Kindle or ipad.

      I love to read, I had the amazon app on my iPhone and laptop. I found it cumbersome and uncomfortable and wasn't enjoying the reading experience.

      I made my decision and my kindle arrived last week

      I am in love...

      I got the 6" wi fi version for $139 + freight to Australia.

      I can load all of my pdf's onto it via my pc and read them as well as getting the books from amazon. It has the ability to search and use the internet as well.

      I am very much a novice user, and haven't explored other ways of interacting with it. I have been using it for reading and am loving the experience.

      My laptop and iPhone are "backlit" and it was hard on my eyes to read the screen, I find the kindle much more user friendly on my eyes.

      Hope this in someway helps your decision

      Cheers
      Kym
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by Val.S. View Post

      I'm wondering how cumbersome the iPad would be for reading books. Reading books in bed that is. My husband likes to go to bed and read.
      When the iPad first came out and people were saying it's too big and such, I got the measurements of the device off Apple's website. I cut down some cardboard to the dimensions and taped them together. Now, my cut-out had straight sides, not sleek and curved like the actual iPad. But, going by the size, it was not at all unwieldy. If you hold it horizontally, it's just slightly larger than a typical paperback opened up. Vertically, it's about the size of a unopened manual. So, as far as size goes, I don't think it would be an issue at all for reading in bed.

      Get the dimensions and cut a sheet of paper to size and see what you think.

      Dan: Primarily he wants it for reading books. But I know him well enough to say that he would be delighted to explore the Internet if he didn't have to type or sit in front of a computer! That's why I'm looking seriously at the iPad. As for Kindle, it's not something of interest to me (yet) as I like real books. I have no desire to look at a screen to read something after working on the computer for most of the day. A book is a luxury as far as I am concerned. I've been considering getting an iPad for my own use, but it's different when you are considering purchasing it for someone else - especially not having had a chance to try one out beforehand.
      Grayscale screens, like the Kindle has, are easier on the eyes, but I'm comfortable reading my laptop day and night, so, for me, it's not a big issue. And, I would like color.

      I think the Kindle can open PDFs now, but I don't know for sure.

      Do backlit screens bother him? If it does, then the Kindle may be a better choice. If not, then it comes down to what he will really use it for. If just for books, then, again, the Kindle may be the best choice. But, if he may use it for more than books, then maybe an iPad is a better choice.

      For me, I'd like the option of reading books or watching a movie or even playing a game. Heck, I'd just like it for writing because there is an iPad version of Pages and I think it would be easier than dragging out the laptop.

      It just comes down to what he might like to use it for.
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  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Thanks everyone. This is good information.

    Here's what I've decided. I'm going to check with our local library and see what I can learn about the ebooks they are offering.

    Then, depending on what I learn, I'm going to get a Kindle reader for my husband and an iPad for myself. It will be great for my local marketing forays, and if he wants to play with it when I'm out and about or on the computer, then he can. Best of both worlds.

    Now I just have to get out and drum up some revenue!!!! This is an expensive decision, but one that I think will work best after all is said and done. Which it never is, around our house, that is!

    Thanks again for all the good information - I really appreciate it!

    Val
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Brian
    You can install the kindle software on almost any device: PC, Ipad, Mac, Andriod, Blackberry, etc.

    If I were you, I would get a tablet that runs Andriod then install Kindle :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
    Originally Posted by Val.S. View Post

    (Does Kindle connect to the Internet to for downloading books? I'm not familiar with how Kindle or and iPad works.)
    The Kindle WiFi connects to the 'net (to download books, etc) through your home internet connection; the slightly more expensive Kindle 3G has the option of either doing the same, or connecting independently, much in the same way as a mobile-phone does.

    I don't have an iPad, but I know several people who do, and I do have a Kindle 3G, myself.

    iPad is obviously much more expensive and is a bit less compact. If you're after a device only for reading, and you're not fussed about colour or the ability to play videos and so on, then I'd say go with the Kindle. The iPad would just be overkill.

    Also, as someone else pointed out, the Kindle's e-ink screen is much more suitable for reading outdoors, in direct sunlight (where using the iPad is more or less impossible). In contrast, you'd need some form of external lighting (such as the light built into the official leather Kindle cover) to be able to read in a very low-light (or unlit) environment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    I have an iPad and have played around with Kindles



    As sort of a tech junkie, I vote iPad because there is soo much you can do with it beyond just reading books. As you are reading, you come across a term you don't know or a place you never heard of...BAM in two seconds you are on the internet and checking out youtube to see what that place looks like or you are on dictionary.com looking it up. Heck 5 seconds later you are on Google Earth taking a look down at that place!


    Of course the iPad is more expensive and a bit larger, so if its strictly going to be used for reading and that's it, then the price and compactness of the kindle may make it the better option!

    But I am a huge fan of my iPad!
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  • Profile picture of the author ce2gain
    I got my Kindle 3G as a gift in September, and I am in love! I'm an avid reader and never thought I would like reading on a screen, but to have all my books with me all the time is awesome! The screen is so much easier on your eyes, and I love that I can increase the font size. I now even read on my treadmill by adjusting the font size. Since I have the 3G I can also buy books anywhere and be reading them within seconds.

    I wanted to comment about ebook formats. You can read PDFs on a Kindle. One drawback to library books is that they are nearly always in epub format which you can't read on a Kindle. However, check to see what kind of selection your library offers. I found that mine was so limited, that it wasn't going to make any difference to me.

    Another thing I love about the Kindle is that Amazon usually offers a free sample of Kindle books before you commit to buy them. Not only that but they offer free books all the time, as well as bargain pricing like $.99 ebooks. I've tried so many new authors since I've owned my Kindle.
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  • Profile picture of the author neel2re
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    • Profile picture of the author ChrisWF
      I have a B&N Nook, Amazon Kindle and the Apple iPad.

      I love all three of them but lately most of the Time I use only the iPad.
      The Screen is very colorful and bright and I´m able to read the long Warrior Forum Threads and also PDFs I downloaded.
      It´s a joy to scroll with the tip of your finger.

      Reading PDFs on a Kindle is no joy. You have to scroll right and left by pressing the buttons and thats no fun at all. Even in landscape mode the font is to small for me. Bigger Font means you have to scroll.

      The Nook does a better job with PDFs when switching to landscape mode. It zooms better than the Kindle.

      When reading a book is what you most often want to do, I would recommend the Kindle or the Nook. They are way cheaper and the device is also a lot lighter and thinner.
      When Colors and the Internet come to play than the iPad is the thing to go.

      I think, that made it not easier for you.

      Christoph
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  • Profile picture of the author alg
    Ipad looks nice
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