iPad vs iPod touch 4 for reading text!

[Jowi]

I finally got an iPad - mainly for educational apps for my kids and for Netflix and stuff. Just wanted to 'get on record' for whatever it's worth to anyone shopping for an ebook reader ... In MY opinion the iPod Touch (4) is soooo superior! For surfing the web -maybe- the iPad wins just due to it's size, but the text, even large, takes you aback after being used to the 'retina' display.

I know many disagree, maybe I'm just picky, but for books, I'll take my iPod still.

But I am considering a Kindle SO for summer use at the park, beach, etc., but still debating if I really (really!?) need yet another toy, lol!!!

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Jowi

I finally got an iPad - mainly for educational apps for my kids and for Netflix and stuff. Just wanted to 'get on record' for whatever it's worth to anyone shopping for an ebook reader ... In MY opinion the iPod Touch (4) is soooo superior! For surfing the web -maybe- the iPad wins just due to it's size, but the text, even large, takes you aback after being used to the 'retina' display.

I know many disagree, maybe I'm just picky, but for books, I'll take my iPod still.

Nah, I think you'll find that for people who've actually used an iPod Touch 4th gen/iPhone 4 the iPad's pixelated screen is a step backwards. Back when I had a 3GS, I used my iPhone 16GB (2G) as back-up reader when I'm charging my phone. After upgrading to the iPhone 4, I just couldn't go back to using my old iPhone anymore.

[Dylrob]

The only time I have noticed pixelation on my iPad screen is when trying to view magazines or comics in a two page layout. I have no problems reading books off of it.

[Ea]

Of course you need another toy! Plus, if you want to read outside, an e-ink screen is far superior.

I have an iPad, an iPhone 4 and a Kindle 3 - for pure text (fiction) I prefer the Kindle, and for non-fiction, I generally prefer the iPad because of the large screen. For reading, the iPhone is a backup and good for travelling light. I can certainly see the difference of the iPhone and iPad and the retina screen is definitely superior - but the larger screen outweighs the difference for me. Now, if the choice was between a retina screen and the previous one...

I use both the touch 4G for portable and the iPad for home reading. My eInk Sony is still best for outdoors, but it gets used less and less. I enjoy using iBooks despite its lackluster setting controls for customizing the way text is displayed. The reason I love iBooks is that it will sync book information between my touch 4G and iPad so that I can read while away from home using my touch 4G and when I get home pick up right where I left off using my iPad. It syncs current reading location, bookmarks, highlighting, etc. That is really essential for me as I read a lot of scholarly works and need to sync that info. And best of all, it even syncs book info for sideloaded books!

As far the touch 4G, I love the retina display but the 3.5" screen is a bit small. I keep wishing Apple will come out with a 4.3" or 5" version. That would still be small enough for portability and pocketability, but easier to read. I find that it bothers me a bit to see many or most paragraphs spread across multiple screens due to the tiny 3.5" screen. That makes highlighting large passages more difficult and clunky. Also the tiny screen makes viewing illustrations less of a pleasure. On the iPad I can zoom in on tiny illustrations to see better detail. For text only books though the touch 4G is pretty good, though the battery life is pretty dismall on mine--4 hours at best with dimly lit screen.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Jowi

I know many disagree, maybe I'm just picky, but for books, I'll take my iPod still.

But I am considering a Kindle SO for summer use at the park, beach, etc., but still debating if I really (really!?) need yet another toy, lol!!!

I have a rooted Nook Color (NCr), iPod touch 4 (iPt4), Kindle 3 (KSO), and a Sansa Clip+. For ebooks I use my KSO. For audiobooks I use my Clip+, iPt4, and KSO.

I don't read on my NCr because it's too heavy and the backlit display bothers my eyes after prolonged reading sessions. I don't read on my iPt4 because it also has a backlit display and it's too small.

Since my negatives for reading on the iPt4 don't apply to you, my advice is to save your money and sit in the shade.