Survey Reveals 49% of iPad Owners No Longer Want an eReader

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

But I'd never replace any of my specialised units with iPad.

That's interesting - for me, the iPad has replaced my dedicated readers for everyday use.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

However, since the iPad is an ebook reader

The iPad is a multimedia tablet that also happens to have an ebook reader app. I'm not saying that's a pro/con, but I wouldn't call my PC an "ebook reader" either, although it's just as much of one as the iPad is.

After buying an ebook reader, some people don't want to buy another one. Seems reasonable, though a bit out of character for the Apple buyer stereotype.

I would imagine that the majority of iPad owners don't care about eBooks.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's interesting - for me, the iPad has replaced my dedicated readers for everyday use.

Harry, do you care much about typography, margins and such? I don't care much about them unless they impede my reading. I don't care about two-page reading, either. I read for content and don't pay much mind to display (brightness adjustments are my one "thing"). I wonder whether some readers who are wedded to e-ink prefer a more "book-like" experience.

[mreclass]

This isn't too much of a surprise given that it has the ability to act like an eReader and is quite an expensive device.

In my five minutes of handling the device at an Apple store, I determined that it would be most uncomfortable for me to use the iPad as an eReader. I like being able to use one hand with my Kobo. And the weight of the iPad would be quite a burden on my troubled wrists.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's interesting - for me, the iPad has replaced my dedicated readers for everyday use.

"General purpose device" vs "dedicated device" is an argument that will probably never be answered. It's all down to personal preference.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's interesting - for me, the iPad has replaced my dedicated readers for everyday use.

I kind of envy that. It would be great, to have a single device instead of 3 or 4 specialised ones.
But I found, this doesn't work for me:

When at home, there's no need to focus on a single unit. I can use 734 units, if I have to.
And it's still way more fun to play on PSP than on iPad. Maybe not even because of the hardware, but (for now?) I find the quality of games on iPad usually less appealing. Apple and the developers seem to think the same, else they'd sell the games for way higher prices.
Same for reading: I don't even say, iPad is worse than, let's say, Kindle DX Graphite. But it's heavier than most of my readers. And when using iPad for surfing AND for reading, the battery runs dry way too fast.

When traveling, reducing the number of items would be great of course.
But again: I already use iPad for eMails, online banking, surfing, .... and permanently are at the limit of my battery. Adding reading - and the battery would be dry all the time.
So I'm maybe using iPad for 2 hours on a 4 hours train ride for web related stuff. And I use Kindle DX Graphite for reading another 2 hours.

If I'd find iPad superior for reading or gaming, I'd try to find a solution, for example checking out battery packs or something like that. But as long as I find the dedicated devices (slightly) superior, it perfectly makes sense to use them both and drain battery of iPad less quickly.

BTW: I have to charge my iPad every single day already.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

The iPad is a multimedia tablet that also happens to have an ebook reader app. I'm not saying that's a pro/con, but I wouldn't call my PC an "ebook reader" either, although it's just as much of one as the iPad is.
...
I would imagine that the majority of iPad owners don't care about eBooks.

There's the hostility I was looking for! I was afraid we'd have to wait for Worldwalker or whatever their name is to come in with their "it's not really a reader" stuff.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Harry, do you care much about typography, margins and such? I don't care much about them unless they impede my reading. I don't care about two-page reading, either. I read for content and don't pay much mind to display (brightness adjustments are my one "thing"). I wonder whether some readers who are wedded to e-ink prefer a more "book-like" experience.

I like books to look nice, but I'm certainly not as wedded to the minutiae of typography as some people are (no disrespect intended - we all have different views about these things).

[Maggie Leung]

I'd like longer battery life as well. I've considered getting a second iPad, so I can switch off while charging. I just can't justify the cost, because it's a first-generation device and better tablets are likely to come along soon.

I get more battery life if I turn off 3G when book reading. I figure battery life is pretty good overall, considering I can have at least 10 hours of Internet if I want; much better than my netbooks.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by BenLee

Found this interesting article about a recent survey done on iPad users.

The findings were that iPads appeal to mostly females and new Apple users.

But the part I found most interesting was this segment here:



So, half of the iPad owners no longer want to consider buying an eReader. Considering the 3 million (?) iPads that have sold or will be sold.... that's a lot of people who have been eliminated as possible eReader users.

Another interesting bit was this



I knew entertainment and "cool" had something to do with the iPad's success, but wow. Amazing. Plus, nobody even mentioned anything about utility or reading. "convenience" is somewhat vague. Convenient to do what?

Wow that is a huge number of dissatisfaction customers. I knew there would be a lot of folks not happy with the iPad as an eReader solution due to it's glare, wieght, and LCD, but I never would have guessed it as high as 51%.

I'm now curious to see what kind of numbers Kindle/nook/SONY eReaders would return

=X=

[Talldog]

I only want 2 things, a browser and a reader. My normal evening routine is an hour or 2 with my laptop in my easy chair browsing blogs and such, followed by an hour or 2 reading a book on my Kindle. That iPad sure would be more pleasant than the laptop. However, my wife and I have a motorhome and we spend weekends and vacations at various campgrounds where I like to spend many hours reading outside. And, most of the campgrounds we go to have WiFi, and it's frequently free. If I thought the iPad would work for me under those conditions, I'd already have one.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by Talldog

I only want 2 things, a browser and a reader. My normal evening routine is an hour or 2 with my laptop in my easy chair browsing blogs and such, followed by an hour or 2 reading a book on my Kindle. That iPad sure would be more pleasant than the laptop. However, my wife and I have a motorhome and we spend weekends and vacations at various campgrounds where I like to spend many hours reading outside. And, most of the campgrounds we go to have WiFi, and it's frequently free. If I thought the iPad would work for me under those conditions, I'd already have one.

Maybe a Pixel Qi netbook would work better for you. Looks like they're in the works.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I'd like longer battery life as well. I've considered getting a second iPad, so I can switch off while charging. I just can't justify the cost, because it's a first-generation device and better tablets are likely to come along soon.

I get more battery life if I turn off 3G when book reading. I figure battery life is pretty good overall, considering I can have at least 10 hours of Internet if I want; much better than my netbooks.

I totally agree: 10 hours (some even report 12+ hours w/o WiFi/3G) or even the maybe 7 to 8 hours I usually have, are absolutely okay, maybe even great. I can't do more than 5 hours on my UMPC.
BUT: I already have to charge my iPad every single day. Often even while still using it. If I'd add reading, battery would run dry even faster. So it makes more sense, to do my specialised tasks on dedicated units. At home, that's no problem at all. So I have a PSP, an iPod touch and maybe my iPad on my desk. When traveling, it's easy enough to take PocketBook 360 or even Kindle DX with me for reading.
So I can save some battery on my iPad and still I don't have to do any compromises. I wouldn't do so, if eBook readers or game consoles would deliver lower quality.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I totally agree: 10 hours (some even report 12+ hours w/o WiFi/3G) or even the maybe 7 to 8 hours I usually have, are absolutely okay, maybe even great. I can't do more than 5 hours on my UMPC.
BUT: I already have to charge my iPad every single day. Often even while still using it. If I'd add reading, battery would run dry even faster. So it makes more sense, to do my specialised tasks on dedicated units. At home, that's no problem at all. So I have a PSP, an iPod touch and maybe my iPad on my desk. When traveling, it's easy enough to take PocketBook 360 or even Kindle DX with me for reading.
So I can save some battery on my iPad and still I don't have to do any compromises. I wouldn't do so, if eBook readers or game consoles would deliver lower quality.

Sure, mileage will vary with use and preferences. I figure it's great that there are many options for all types of readers / users. I don't get all the hate among some people.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

There's the hostility I was looking for!

What hostility?