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Originally Posted by Sweetpea
Actually, you're doing the same as most reviewers that did point out both sides. Comparing a larger LCD device with a smaller e-ink device. You just can't compare them! It's like comparing apples with pears. Also, you're only focusing on reading on it, while it's not a dedicated reader.
But your example gives me a good starter to explain what I mean!
What i would have written is:
The device has a good LCD screen, backlit, so you can use it in the dark.
It is a large sized screen, thus good for PDF's and technical books.
It has a fast processor, so pages are rendered fast.
It has WiFi so you can connect to the internet if you have a wireless signal available (some models also support 3G).
The weight is xxxg, which means it's heavier than the average e-ink dedicated reader, but lighter than the average laptop.
The price is lower than the average larger screened e-ink dedicated device.
It can be used for more functions than reading, such as internet browsing or watching movies.
Files can be loaded by way of USB, but this must go by way of Itunes.
It supports Apple's own DRM and other DRM formats *.
I wrote exactly the same as you, but I didn't put any personal values to them. It's those personal values that can completely ruin a review. I always get a feeling they want to push you in a certain direction.
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None of the comments above are "personal" values. I love my iPad, but not really for any of the reasons listed. I like it mainly because the tactile experience makes it feel more connected to me personally, and because it's fun. Those aren't things you can quantify or objectively measure, so I usually just leave them out.
Part of the problem is that there really aren't any good product comparisons for the iPad. So people have to compare them against what they do have, and it leads to very dual-edged arguments. Just like you wouldn't prefer to use a pick-up truck for commuting, but you might if it was your only vehicle, the iPad is more of a van (or maybe a cadillac??) to a 6" reader's civic. (Making a desktop a dumptruck? But I thought we already knew the internet wasn't a dumptruck... :-P) Anyway, sometimes its nice to have more than one car?
It really depends on what and who the reviewer is reviewing for. If they want an ebook reader for fiction, comparing against a 6" device is a good choice since 6" devices emulate paperback pretty well. If you're comparing against technical books, comparing against the Que or iRex DR1000 is a good choice. That's why I slanted the first one towards comparisons of that type, and the latter for paperbacks. Technical books and large format reading (and comics) is really where the iPad shines. It can do all the things a 6" reader can, but there's no real reason to use an iPad for it, since it is kind of heavy. (But then again, so is my Wheel of Time novel...) Some people will not be bothered by it, I personally already have an iPhone which I tend to use when reading fiction, so I'd say that it doesn't shine as well when compared against smaller fiction readers. I'd love to have an iPad that was about the size of my iRex, in-between my iPhone and iPad.
As far as the screen, I have never had any eye-strain from reading on an LCD, so I can't really comment on that at all. I like my iRex, but prefer lit screens most of the time since I live in the Pacific Northwest where most of the year it is dark in the evening, and I prefer not to light up my house like a Christmas tree.
I absolutely agree that it is great for non-reading purposes. I use my iPad for more non-reading than reading, admittedly. It's absolutely fantastic for games and movies. My favorite activity with it is to play scrabble or boggle while watching a movie.
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* where did you read support for multiple DRM formats? Can you read DRM mobipocket on them? DRM ebook? DRM LIT? I'll presume you can read DRM epub (not only their own DRM scheme)
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You can read DRM Mobipocket (Kindle), DRM ePub/PDB (B&N), DRM Adept (txtr). DRM LIT is dead so far as developers go, otherwise I bet you would find an app for it too. You don't use iBooks for these other DRM formats, but instead the corporate app that was designed for them.
DRM ePub and DRM Adept are still iPhone applications that happen to run on the iPad, and they only take up about 1/4 of the screen. B&N is working on the iPad version of their app (expected within 1 or 2 months) and Kobo is working on adding Adept side-loading support to their pre-existing iPad app.