Should I get an iPad or...?

pina · 07-24-2010, 10:18 PM

Hi,

I'm new on this forum and have been interested in buying an e-reader the last few days. I did a lot of research but still got some questions:

- I think the biggest advantage of the ipad is, that it can support all types of e-books. F.e. using the amazon-app, you can buy e-books from amazon. Using a kindl, you can't buy e-books from apple... There are so many different kind of book-formats that I really want to make sure that my future e-reader can handle the type of e-books I would like to read...

- I would also like to read comics and manga's. But from the previews that I have seen, they are all black and white. Doesn't that make it useless to buy an e-reader with a color screen?

- Is it also possible to buy magazines or newspapers on other devices? Then I'm thinking of websites like Zinio

- If I read comics/books, I would like to have a full page view, without the need of scrolling and zooming. My brother in law has got a 6 inch e-reader, and it's not possible to watch a full page comic, because it becomes too small. Some other books are too small to read, so eventually I have to zoom in at each book. That's something I really hate. I need a readable full page view.

Thanks for reading and answering my questions!

GA Russell · 07-25-2010, 12:34 AM

pina, I think there are valid criticisms of every device available. If you have found a device that satisfies your primary desires, go for it! Just keep in mind that nothing today meets all objections, no matter what you are willing to spend.

HarryT · 07-25-2010, 02:14 AM

The iPad is a very nice book reader, as well as being useful for all sorts of other things too. Yes, I'd say go for it.

neilmarr · 07-26-2010, 02:36 AM

Good luck, Pina. Nice to have your new company here. Best wishes. Neil

davidspitzer · 07-27-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pina

Hi,

I'm new on this forum and have been interested in buying an e-reader the last few days. I did a lot of research but still got some questions:

- I think the biggest advantage of the ipad is, that it can support all types of e-books. F.e. using the amazon-app, you can buy e-books from amazon. Using a kindl, you can't buy e-books from apple... There are so many different kind of book-formats that I really want to make sure that my future e-reader can handle the type of e-books I would like to read...

- I would also like to read comics and manga's. But from the previews that I have seen, they are all black and white. Doesn't that make it useless to buy an e-reader with a color screen?

- Is it also possible to buy magazines or newspapers on other devices? Then I'm thinking of websites like Zinio

- If I read comics/books, I would like to have a full page view, without the need of scrolling and zooming. My brother in law has got a 6 inch e-reader, and it's not possible to watch a full page comic, because it becomes too small. Some other books are too small to read, so eventually I have to zoom in at each book. That's something I really hate. I need a readable full page view.

Thanks for reading and answering my questions!

I love my iPad. I even wrote this reply on it

pina · 07-27-2010, 04:48 AM

Yesterday at the store, still doubting whether to buy one and which one. The reseller told me all his ipads would be sold out yesterday since there was only a few left and the new batch should be expected in 1 month.

Then I thought, just buy it and when I don't like it, I could sell it further. Since there will be a shortage during at least one month, I could resell the device at the same price as I bought it. I will pick it up this afternoon

Unlike many people, I will use the device primary as a reading device, decondary as a surfing device because it's very comfortable to surf on the couch with such a tablet

GeoffC · 07-27-2010, 05:21 AM

Welcome pina

murraypaul · 07-27-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pina

- I would also like to read comics and manga's. But from the previews that I have seen, they are all black and white. Doesn't that make it useless to buy an e-reader with a color screen?

Manga is (almost) exclusively black-and-white, while western comics are (almost) exclusively colour, so it depends what you would be interested in reading.

Quote:

- Is it also possible to buy magazines or newspapers on other devices? Then I'm thinking of websites like Zinio

Yes, there is a Zinio app for the iPad. You can tell from the Zinio website which magazines are available for the iPad (on the magazine page it shows icons for each format supported).
For newspapers there is a similar type of app called PressReader (www.pressdisplay.com).

Quote:

- If I read comics/books, I would like to have a full page view, without the need of scrolling and zooming. My brother in law has got a 6 inch e-reader, and it's not possible to watch a full page comic, because it becomes too small. Some other books are too small to read, so eventually I have to zoom in at each book. That's something I really hate. I need a readable full page view.

This may end up being personal preference. With Manga having smaller pages than western comics, I don't think you will have any issues. I personally find western comics fine, and in most cases readable in two-page landscape view, but others might find them too small.

What I did was to make PDF versions of a couple of pages from various comics and email them to myself, then use an iPad in the Apple store to log onto my email and try viewing the various files, to try them out.

pina · 07-27-2010, 10:02 AM

reserved my ipad 16GB wifi yesterday. Today, they told me the vendor accidentaly selled that one so they didn't have one anymore in stock. So I had to buy a 32GB wifi... but I'm now doubting whether I should go back and change it to a 16GB 3G version. Damn

Bremen Cole · 07-27-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pina

reserved my ipad 16GB wifi yesterday. Today, they told me the vendor accidentaly selled that one so they didn't have one anymore in stock. So I had to buy a 32GB wifi... but I'm now doubting whether I should go back and change it to a 16GB 3G version. Damn

If you need the 3G, exchange it... now is the time........ but remember the data plan cost as well....

Hope it works out for you!!!!

zetareticuli · 07-27-2010, 11:44 AM

I have the 32 GB (no 3G). I am not willing to pay the money for the 3G/WiFi model plus the monthly 3G connection fees. Besides, 32 GB is plenty for my current requirements. In 2 - 3 years, the tablet market will be much more competitive and cellular connection fees will be even cheaper. In 3 years, there will be tablets from major manufacturers with WiFi, cellular 3G or better, local storage and add-on storage for around $200.

mgmueller · 07-27-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pina

reserved my ipad 16GB wifi yesterday. Today, they told me the vendor accidentaly selled that one so they didn't have one anymore in stock. So I had to buy a 32GB wifi... but I'm now doubting whether I should go back and change it to a 16GB 3G version. Damn

3G certainly is very nice to have. But you always can go for a MiFi hotspot, still mobile enough. And you don't need a Micro SIM for it and probably will find a cheap data plan (or use an existing multi SIM).
Concerning storage, it depends on your usage. If you go for apps or even movies, 16GB can be very slim. If you go for books and some comics, 16GB is plenty...

zetareticuli · 07-27-2010, 03:03 PM

I purchased the iPad to read books and technical documents in PDF but I was disappointed. Not at the features, though. The iPad is the best PDF reader by far. However, the LCD screen is tough on my eyes when I read for long periods of time. I purchased the 32 GB version and I think that is plenty of storage for what I need. By the time I outgrow that capacity, new and better devices will be readily available.

I still think the iPad is a bit overpriced but it is a very nice device. It has a very nice display and it is very responsive. I have the WiFi only version and I have never experienced any disconnections and I have already used it with about 90 different access points. It is a very nice device and I recommend it. I don't regret having purchased one even though I did not fulfill my reading requirements.

babalou · 07-27-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetareticuli

I purchased the iPad to read books and technical documents in PDF but I was disappointed. Not at the features, though. The iPad is the best PDF reader by far. However, the LCD screen is tough on my eyes when I read for long periods of time. I purchased the 32 GB version and I think that is plenty of storage for what I need. By the time I outgrow that capacity, new and better devices will be readily available.

I still think the iPad is a bit overpriced but it is a very nice device. It has a very nice display and it is very responsive. I have the WiFi only version and I have never experienced any disconnections and I have already used it with about 90 different access points. It is a very nice device and I recommend it. I don't regret having purchased one even though I did not fulfill my reading requirements.

Do you really think, iPad is overpriced?
I thought exactly the opposite, when it came out.
Any iPod touch is nearly expensive. The bigger screen alone makes up for the difference.
If I compare to "real" tablets, iPad seems to be a catch. And even compared to netbooks (which I don't like, they seem as cheap as they are) the price seems absolutely okay...

zetareticuli · 07-27-2010, 04:30 PM

I think it is. I got a multi-core laptop (not a netbook) wih 4 GB of RAM and a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive with a Super Multi DVD for $400 US, which is much more powerful than an iPad though much less portable. But then again, Apple products are expensive and quality is usually very good.

07-24-2010, 10:18 PM	#1
pina Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none yet	Should I get an iPad or...? Hi, I'm new on this forum and have been interested in buying an e-reader the last few days. I did a lot of research but still got some questions: - I think the biggest advantage of the ipad is, that it can support all types of e-books. F.e. using the amazon-app, you can buy e-books from amazon. Using a kindl, you can't buy e-books from apple... There are so many different kind of book-formats that I really want to make sure that my future e-reader can handle the type of e-books I would like to read... - I would also like to read comics and manga's. But from the previews that I have seen, they are all black and white. Doesn't that make it useless to buy an e-reader with a color screen? - Is it also possible to buy magazines or newspapers on other devices? Then I'm thinking of websites like Zinio - If I read comics/books, I would like to have a full page view, without the need of scrolling and zooming. My brother in law has got a 6 inch e-reader, and it's not possible to watch a full page comic, because it becomes too small. Some other books are too small to read, so eventually I have to zoom in at each book. That's something I really hate. I need a readable full page view. Thanks for reading and answering my questions! Last edited by pina; 07-24-2010 at 10:20 PM.

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07-27-2010, 04:48 AM	#6
pina Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none yet	Yesterday at the store, still doubting whether to buy one and which one. The reseller told me all his ipads would be sold out yesterday since there was only a few left and the new batch should be expected in 1 month. Then I thought, just buy it and when I don't like it, I could sell it further. Since there will be a shortage during at least one month, I could resell the device at the same price as I bought it. I will pick it up this afternoon Unlike many people, I will use the device primary as a reading device, decondary as a surfing device because it's very comfortable to surf on the couch with such a tablet

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GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Welcome pina

07-27-2010, 10:02 AM	#9
pina Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none yet	reserved my ipad 16GB wifi yesterday. Today, they told me the vendor accidentaly selled that one so they didn't have one anymore in stock. So I had to buy a 32GB wifi... but I'm now doubting whether I should go back and change it to a 16GB 3G version. Damn

07-27-2010, 11:44 AM	#11
zetareticuli Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aztak Mentor	I have the 32 GB (no 3G). I am not willing to pay the money for the 3G/WiFi model plus the monthly 3G connection fees. Besides, 32 GB is plenty for my current requirements. In 2 - 3 years, the tablet market will be much more competitive and cellular connection fees will be even cheaper. In 3 years, there will be tablets from major manufacturers with WiFi, cellular 3G or better, local storage and add-on storage for around $200.

07-27-2010, 03:03 PM	#13
zetareticuli Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aztak Mentor	I purchased the iPad to read books and technical documents in PDF but I was disappointed. Not at the features, though. The iPad is the best PDF reader by far. However, the LCD screen is tough on my eyes when I read for long periods of time. I purchased the 32 GB version and I think that is plenty of storage for what I need. By the time I outgrow that capacity, new and better devices will be readily available. I still think the iPad is a bit overpriced but it is a very nice device. It has a very nice display and it is very responsive. I have the WiFi only version and I have never experienced any disconnections and I have already used it with about 90 different access points. It is a very nice device and I recommend it. I don't regret having purchased one even though I did not fulfill my reading requirements.

07-27-2010, 04:30 PM	#15
zetareticuli Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aztak Mentor	I think it is. I got a multi-core laptop (not a netbook) wih 4 GB of RAM and a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive with a Super Multi DVD for $400 US, which is much more powerful than an iPad though much less portable. But then again, Apple products are expensive and quality is usually very good.

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