iPad vs. Kindle DX Graphite

[mgmueller]

The following certainly doesn't represent the majority of users.
And it's no fair comparison.
But still I wanted to share my experience with you, as to me it was quite surprising:
I took iPad 32G WiFi only and Kindle DX Graphite with me on a trip.
Both in their respective covers and for additional protection back to back in an "Apple sock".
Because of that package, I had to take them out of their "sock" together, even if I just wanted to demonstrate one to my colleagues.
Quite surprisingly, the reaction of all my colleagues (about 6 separate occasions) was the very same:
Kindle DX Graphite did have the screensaver on. The reaction was: Wow, it's so dark, that's phantastic. Let me check a book.
When showing iPad then, none of them was interested and went back straight to Kindle DX Graphite. I would have expected exactly the opposite: Yes, DX Graphite is great. But iPad with its color screen, multimedia capabilities, speed, games, .... would have more to demonstrate.

I guess, my colleagues probably don't represent the average iPad customer. Most of them (all about 40ish) probably aren't into games, whereas most of them most likely read a lot.

Just wanted to share my surprise....

BTW: I was neutral about their feedback. I took both units with me on the trip as a great combo and each for different reasons/features/strengths...

[Talldog]

I took both of mine to work today to show to a coworker. I showed her the iPad first, because she has an iPhone and I know she's interested in the iPad. She was quite impressed with it.

Then I put it away and took out the Graphite. I was amazed at her reaction. It literally took her breath away. Her first words were "OMG, it's like reading a book!". My reply was "Yeah, that's the whole point.".

[Maggie Leung]

I'd like to see the graphite one, too. I have yet to see even a white DX in person, though. I've seen people with only K1s and K2s. I'm guessing that those make it out of the house more often.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I'd like to see the graphite one, too. I have yet to see even a white DX in person, though. I've seen people with only K1s and K2s. I'm guessing that those make it out of the house more often.

I've never, not even once, taken my Gen1 DX with me out of the house. It simply did seem too bulky. But I figure: When taking iPad, I can can bundle it with DX. Both are of similar size and jointly in a package, back to back, perfectly can protect each other. Before that, I've bundled iPad and PocketBook 360. PocketBook 360 has been the perfect companion for the beach or the pool, when I simply would have been worried about my shiny iPad. But of course the combo iPad/DX makes more sense.
So far, it really seems the perfect fit.

[JaneD]

Your story really reinforces that these are two different animals.

Maybe people also know what to expect with the iPad: basically a computer on a portable screen. Whereas many people have never seen a Kindle and that makes it a more rare beast.

I'm dying to see the Graphite in person, too. A friend recently ordered one so I'm hoping I can compare our DXs and stop eating my heart out so hard over it!

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by JaneD

Your story really reinforces that these are two different animals.

Maybe people also know what to expect with the iPad: basically a computer on a portable screen. Whereas many people have never seen a Kindle and that makes it a more rare beast.

I'm dying to see the Graphite in person, too. A friend recently ordered one so I'm hoping I can compare our DXs and stop eating my heart out so hard over it!

At first, I wasn't that impressed with DX Graphite. Probably expectations in "new generation of screen" had been too high.
But yesterday, when taking it out of the "sock" and showing it to my first colleague, the screen saver really was impressive. I think it was "Jane Austen" and the letters of the name had been extremely dark and the contrast of the picture was quite convincing.

And personally, I'm kind of glad about these reactions. I'd been a bit worried about all the hype "iPad killing all other readers". Sometimes, this kind of "hysteria" tends to become a self-fulfilling prophecy...

[Maggie Leung]

I doubt iPad or other tablets will kill dedicated devices. They're for a niche market, but niche markets still get served, as long as there's reasonable money to be made.

[=X=]

Great story, I've always felt that the people most exited about the iPad where folks that want a toy and people that love to read get more excited about the Kindle.

No doubt you can play and read on both devices.

=X=

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I doubt iPad or other tablets will kill dedicated devices. They're for a niche market, but niche markets still get served, as long as there's reasonable money to be made.

Personally, I'd always go for the highly specialised product.
But of course such specialist units only will be available, if there's a certain market potential.
Amazon for example permanently will analyse, whether the Kindle app on 25 different systems/plattforms would be profitable enough or whether they need Kindles as references in parallel.
But the problem I see: Often, the way better product still disappears.
In the US you may never have heard of Video2000. It has died even before Betamax, although widely considered by experts as the superior product.
And even Betamax by many has been considered superior to VHS.
But obviously clever marketing and maybe smarter contracts with the studios did change the market.

And so the question to me really is, whether the majority (or at least a big enough minority) of customers actually compares features or prices. Or whether the momentary hype draws a picture, that's far from reality yet. But customers still may believe it and follow what they consider the general trend...

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Personally, I'd always go for the highly specialised product.
But of course such specialist units only will be available, if there's a certain market potential.
Amazon for example permanently will analyse, whether the Kindle app on 25 different systems/plattforms would be profitable enough or whether they need Kindles as references in parallel.
But the problem I see: Often, the way better product still disappears.
In the US you may never have heard of Video2000. It has died even before Betamax, although widely considered by experts as the superior product.
And even Betamax by many has been considered superior to VHS.
But obviously clever marketing and maybe smarter contracts with the studios did change the market.

And so the question to me really is, whether the majority (or at least a big enough minority) of customers actually compares features or prices. Or whether the momentary hype draws a picture, that's far from reality yet. But customers still may believe it and follow what they consider the general trend...

I don't think superiority in of itself is the key in this case. Giant remote controls exist for seniors because there's demand. The remotes are superior only if you have that need. I think dedicated readers are similar, and I think there are enough people with eye complaints and e-ink preferences to sustain a niche market. Whether Amazon continues to produce them longer term is less certain, but I think the devices will continue to be made.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Talldog

I took both of mine to work today to show to a coworker. I showed her the iPad first, because she has an iPhone and I know she's interested in the iPad. She was quite impressed with it.

Then I put it away and took out the Graphite. I was amazed at her reaction. It literally took her breath away. Her first words were "OMG, it's like reading a book!". My reply was "Yeah, that's the whole point.".

Exactly.

[Maggie Leung]

I wonder how much dedicated-device preference is tied to people preferring a "book-like" reading experience. I've edited on computer for two decades. I'm comfortable reading on screen for work and leisure, without any book-like appearance. I started editing on amber screens, lol.

[Talldog]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I wonder how much dedicated-device preference is tied to people preferring a "book-like" reading experience. I've edited on computer for two decades. I'm comfortable reading on screen for work and leisure, without any book-like appearance. I started editing on amber screens, lol.

That's certainly the case for me. I'm a long time IT professional who was doing PDA and smartphone tech support for a large corporation when they first became a big thing. I'm used to spending many hours looking at backlit screens, and they don't really bother me, but when I want to relax with a book at the end of the day, I'd much rather look at an e-ink screen.

[Zorz]

I saw next to a man with an ipad today on the train. He was reading the new yorker and the font seemed fuzzy to me. It was almost jagged if thats the correct word for it. His font was very large, I guess he was farsighted as he had no glasses.

It was the first time I saw the iPad and was pretty disappointed to say the least. I thought it was about 3x bigger than it actually is, so the size was decent. But the screen was so bright, even on a lit subway car, it had this glow coming out of it.

[Bremen Cole]

Originally Posted by =X=

Great story, I've always felt that the people most exited about the iPad where folks that want a toy and people that love to read get more excited about the Kindle.
=X=

Yeah.... that's it...

anyway,

People that want an iPad, get an iPad.... people that want something else, will get something else. As I say over and over..... no right/wrong choice, no better or worse, just personal choice. No "toy" or "reader", just what the individual wants to use it for.