Does iPad glare make it difficult to read?

WantToBuy · 08-13-2010, 04:56 PM

I am considering buying an iPad and have heard so much about the glare and it's strain on the eyes. Those of you who have one, is the glare really a strain for long-term reading? Is is truly easier to read on eInk?

lilman · 08-13-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WantToBuy

I am considering buying an iPad and have heard so much about the glare and it's strain on the eyes. Those of you who have one, is the glare really a strain for long-term reading? Is is truly easier to read on eInk?

There's already been some iPad glare discussion here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88694

Personally, I don't notice the glare or get eyestrain when reading on the iPad. I read digital manga (i.e. b&w comics from Japan) 2-3 times per day for at least 30 mins per sitting. I also have a Kindle DX, but haven't touched it since I got my iPad. Imho the eink screen is easier to read standard books on, but you can't beat the ease of use of an iPad for non-standard book reading. For me with manga, being able to instantly pinch to zoom, keep my collection nicely organized, view the occasional color page in all its glory, and being able to make full use of the screen greatly outweigh the eink of the DX.

So a big factor should be what you intend to use an ereader for. If you want something purely for standard books, I recommend an eink device. If you want an ereader for anything other than standard books (manga, comics, technical docs, etc.) then I recommend an iPad, even with its lcd screen.

JMikeD · 08-13-2010, 08:11 PM

I can easily adjust the screen brightness on my iPad so that I can read for hours with no eye-strain. Reflections are sometimes a problem, but I can usually find a viewing angle to eliminate them.

Tamara · 08-13-2010, 09:55 PM

I have not had any problem reading on mine so far.

kathyfitz · 08-13-2010, 10:15 PM

I have read all day on mine on a couple of occasions and not had any problems. You can't go outside with it, or even by some windows, but reading indoors has been no problem for me!

OrcaBlue · 08-13-2010, 10:42 PM

I recommend you check both types of display out for yourself. You can get a Kindle and return within 30 days if you don't like it. You can also check out the iPad at Best Buy or Apple Store.

kjk · 08-13-2010, 10:53 PM

whoops, wrong thread.

But no problems with reading here-the screen is reflective when black, but not with a white/sepia page.

HarryT · 08-14-2010, 02:39 AM

Since I've had my iPad, my eInk readers have been gathering dust. I have no problems at all reading on it.

owl123 · 08-14-2010, 07:36 AM

I switched from iRex DR1000S to iPad. No problems unless you want to read outdoors.

mjhudston · 08-14-2010, 08:54 AM

it can be bright in a dark room, but then I turn the brightness down!

JimKal · 08-14-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathyfitz

I have read all day on mine on a couple of occasions and not had any problems. You can't go outside with it, or even by some windows, but reading indoors has been no problem for me!

I agree with Kathy. I bought the iPad a few months ago and have enjoyed reading on it. There are Kindle enthusiasts who don't like the backlit screen and comment on it often. I have looked at an e-ink reader and it is easy to read on as well. I wanted a bigger screen and the iPad gave that too me. Glare would be an issue outside but I don't often read outside. I have taken it on car trips and not found it to be a problem - no, I wasn't driving while I was reading! It really is quite different than reading on your computer.

Mike_73 · 08-14-2010, 10:05 AM

I tried reading on the iPad in the park and it was really not that good of an experience. The glare was very distracting and sometimes reading became impossible, depending on the sun-to-shade balance. At home it's just plain awesome. I still use my eInk readers. Outside and for novels only.
Well, the iPad has its glare, so outside use depends on "where exactly" the outside is located

, but on the other side, try reading eInk in the evening or at night without lights on

...there's a gadget for that...

OrcaBlue · 08-14-2010, 10:33 AM

It boiled down to what type of device you're looking for. If reading is the main purpose, then I would say get an e-ink device. However, if you find that you need to surf the web, email, play games, and read book and magazine as well then the iPad would be better choice.

HarryT · 08-14-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrcaBlue

It boiled down to what type of device you're looking for. If reading is the main purpose, then I would say get an e-ink device. However, if you find that you need to surf the web, email, play games, and read book and magazine as well then the iPad would be better choice.

It doesn't have to be one or the other. Readers such as the Kindle 3 are sufficiently inexpensive that you could get both an iPad and an eInk device and use each according to its strengths.

petermillard · 08-14-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Readers such as the Kindle 3 are sufficiently inexpensive that you could get both an iPad and an eInk device and use each according to its strengths.

Quite; the price of a Kindle 3 is almost exactly the difference between a WiFi-only and a 3G iPad!

Pete

08-13-2010, 04:56 PM	#1
WantToBuy Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: iPad	Does iPad glare make it difficult to read? I am considering buying an iPad and have heard so much about the glare and it's strain on the eyes. Those of you who have one, is the glare really a strain for long-term reading? Is is truly easier to read on eInk?

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08-13-2010, 08:11 PM	#3
JMikeD Evangelist Posts: 473 Karma: 15000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Various and sundry	I can easily adjust the screen brightness on my iPad so that I can read for hours with no eye-strain. Reflections are sometimes a problem, but I can usually find a viewing angle to eliminate them.

08-13-2010, 09:55 PM	#4
Tamara Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 1812 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: iPhone	I have not had any problem reading on mine so far.

08-13-2010, 10:15 PM	#5
kathyfitz Electronics Whore Posts: 115 Karma: 162 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Mountains of Southern California Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad, iPad mini, iPhone5, Kindle3	I have read all day on mine on a couple of occasions and not had any problems. You can't go outside with it, or even by some windows, but reading indoors has been no problem for me!

08-13-2010, 10:42 PM	#6
OrcaBlue Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 2190 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	I recommend you check both types of display out for yourself. You can get a Kindle and return within 30 days if you don't like it. You can also check out the iPad at Best Buy or Apple Store.

08-13-2010, 10:53 PM	#7
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	whoops, wrong thread. But no problems with reading here-the screen is reflective when black, but not with a white/sepia page.

08-14-2010, 02:39 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Since I've had my iPad, my eInk readers have been gathering dust. I have no problems at all reading on it.

08-14-2010, 07:36 AM	#9
owl123 Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 214 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy NotePro 12.2, InkBook	I switched from iRex DR1000S to iPad. No problems unless you want to read outdoors.

08-14-2010, 08:54 AM	#10
mjhudston All round good egg Posts: 229 Karma: 1005039 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Apple Ipad 3rd Generation	it can be bright in a dark room, but then I turn the brightness down!

08-14-2010, 10:05 AM	#12
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I tried reading on the iPad in the park and it was really not that good of an experience. The glare was very distracting and sometimes reading became impossible, depending on the sun-to-shade balance. At home it's just plain awesome. I still use my eInk readers. Outside and for novels only. Well, the iPad has its glare, so outside use depends on "where exactly" the outside is located , but on the other side, try reading eInk in the evening or at night without lights on ...there's a gadget for that...

08-14-2010, 10:33 AM	#13
OrcaBlue Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 2190 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	It boiled down to what type of device you're looking for. If reading is the main purpose, then I would say get an e-ink device. However, if you find that you need to surf the web, email, play games, and read book and magazine as well then the iPad would be better choice.

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