CNET: Retina Display iPad vs. e-ink Kindle: Which do I prefer for reading?

Kris777 · 04-09-2012, 10:15 PM

Interesting article:

Retina Display iPad vs. e-ink Kindle: Which do I prefer for reading?
Can the new iPad's high-resolution display compete with e-ink? It's apples and oranges, so to speak.

...

Text on the Kindle still feels equal to the new iPad in terms of clarity, despite a resolution advantage for the iPad. My 6-inch Kindle has a screen resolution of 600x800 pixels and 167 dpi (dots per inch). The third-gen iPad's resolution is 2,048x1,536 pixels with 264 dpi. Despite the difference in screen size, the iPad is still leaps and bounds ahead. Yet, I hardly ever notice my e-ink Kindle's resolution limitations like I did on my larger-screened iPad 2 (which had a lower 132 dpi). Would I need a "Retina Display" for my Kindle? I'm not sure. It certainly couldn't hurt, but the lower resolution on a smaller e-ink screen bothers me less.
...

JSWolf · 04-09-2012, 10:23 PM

The picture of the iPad is very poor and given that the app in use is iBooks, the margins looks ridiculous. I can customize Bluefire such that it would look much better then iBooks. I feel that in order to make the comparison, you have to put the best view forward and the view of that iPad is just silly.

mewmartigan · 04-10-2012, 10:50 AM

Even just looking at that photo, I much prefer the e-ink for reading.

I'm not sure for most folks the decision is based on resolution....I think for most its LCD backlight vs. e-ink.

I am interested to see where the soft blue backlighting for e-ink goes in the near future.

tubemonkey · 04-10-2012, 10:56 AM

$499 iPad vs $79 Kindle

hmmm ...that's a tough one

Shack70 · 04-10-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

$499 iPad vs $79 Kindle

hmmm ...that's a tough one

So true

murraypaul · 04-10-2012, 11:12 AM

If you are reading normal fiction at medium font sizes then while the iPad 3 display is nicer than other LCD displays, I don't it would be significant enough to switch from something else to, and if you already preferred eInk, I don't think it would change your mind.
Where it really shines is magazines and newspapers, where the higher resolution allows you to read a full page without zooming.

pidgeon92 · 04-10-2012, 11:41 AM

I just picked up my new iPad on Friday. I've been reading on it daily since then. So far, I still prefer my Kindle (and other eink devices). I just don't care for the backlighting while reading a novel. However, the new display is fantastic for magazines and other apps.

RainingLemur · 04-10-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

$499 iPad vs $79 Kindle

hmmm ...that's a tough one

Hmm. 6 Kindles, 1 iPad. Decisions, decisions...

fjtorres · 04-10-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainingLemur

Hmm. 6 Kindles, 1 iPad. Decisions, decisions...

1 Kindle/Nook/Sony + 100 ebooks would be my choice.

Casey57 · 04-10-2012, 03:08 PM

The new iPad has terrific resolution and is a really nice upgrade (for me) from the first generation iPad. But I still prefer the Kindle for book reading.

Talldog · 04-10-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey57

The new iPad has terrific resolution and is a really nice upgrade (for me) from the first generation iPad. But I still prefer the Kindle for book reading.

I agree, as far as books are concerned. I prefer magazines on the iPad.

Andrew H. · 04-10-2012, 06:51 PM

I still prefer my Kindle 3 to my iPad 3. Although the iPad 3 has narrowed the gap.

When I had an iPad 2, if I couldn't use my Kindle I'd read on my phone as opposed to the iPad - the better resolution of the phone trumped the better size of the iPad. I couldn't stand reading more than a couple of pages on the iPad 2, even though I would happily read for 30 minutes or so on my phone.

I like the iPad 3 better than my phone now, and can happily read on it for a while. But I still prefer the e-ink of the Kindle.

uieluck · 07-02-2012, 04:25 PM

Does anybody know the specs for ebook covers for retina displays?

ucfgrad93 · 07-02-2012, 06:01 PM

Regardless of the resolution of the iPad 3, I prefer reading on my Kindle.

ilovejedd · 07-02-2012, 06:15 PM

I've got a 5" PRS-350 so pixel density on that is higher compared to most 6" readers. Definitely still prefer the PRS-350 for reading fiction.

However, reading on the new iPad isn't atrocious anymore. I couldn't stand using the iPad 2 for recreational reading because of the low pixel density. With the new iPad, I can read on it in a pinch if I don't have any other device I can use. I'd still gravitate to my PRS-350 or iPhone/iPod Touch if those are available but iBooks in landscape mode on the iPad is an acceptable alternative (for short periods of time, in medium lighting conditions).

04-09-2012, 10:15 PM	#1
Kris777 Banned Posts: 1,767 Karma: 2520493 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Nexus 7, jetBook-Lite, jetBook mini, Toshiba Thrive, JETBOOK COLOR	CNET: Retina Display iPad vs. e-ink Kindle: Which do I prefer for reading? Interesting article: Retina Display iPad vs. e-ink Kindle: Which do I prefer for reading? Can the new iPad's high-resolution display compete with e-ink? It's apples and oranges, so to speak. ... Text on the Kindle still feels equal to the new iPad in terms of clarity, despite a resolution advantage for the iPad. My 6-inch Kindle has a screen resolution of 600x800 pixels and 167 dpi (dots per inch). The third-gen iPad's resolution is 2,048x1,536 pixels with 264 dpi. Despite the difference in screen size, the iPad is still leaps and bounds ahead. Yet, I hardly ever notice my e-ink Kindle's resolution limitations like I did on my larger-screened iPad 2 (which had a lower 132 dpi). Would I need a "Retina Display" for my Kindle? I'm not sure. It certainly couldn't hurt, but the lower resolution on a smaller e-ink screen bothers me less. ... Attached Thumbnails

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04-09-2012, 10:23 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,784 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The picture of the iPad is very poor and given that the app in use is iBooks, the margins looks ridiculous. I can customize Bluefire such that it would look much better then iBooks. I feel that in order to make the comparison, you have to put the best view forward and the view of that iPad is just silly.

04-10-2012, 10:50 AM	#3
mewmartigan Guru Posts: 852 Karma: 8242060 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis (2019)	Even just looking at that photo, I much prefer the e-ink for reading. I'm not sure for most folks the decision is based on resolution....I think for most its LCD backlight vs. e-ink. I am interested to see where the soft blue backlighting for e-ink goes in the near future.

04-10-2012, 10:56 AM	#4
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,858 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	$499 iPad vs $79 Kindle hmmm ...that's a tough one

04-10-2012, 11:12 AM	#6
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,726 Karma: 19728152 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Note 4, Kobo One	If you are reading normal fiction at medium font sizes then while the iPad 3 display is nicer than other LCD displays, I don't it would be significant enough to switch from something else to, and if you already preferred eInk, I don't think it would change your mind. Where it really shines is magazines and newspapers, where the higher resolution allows you to read a full page without zooming.

04-10-2012, 11:41 AM	#7
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I just picked up my new iPad on Friday. I've been reading on it daily since then. So far, I still prefer my Kindle (and other eink devices). I just don't care for the backlighting while reading a novel. However, the new display is fantastic for magazines and other apps.

04-10-2012, 03:08 PM	#10
Casey57 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 1000454 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philly suburbs Device: Kindle 3/Kindle Fire/Kindle Touch/iPhone/iPod/iPad	The new iPad has terrific resolution and is a really nice upgrade (for me) from the first generation iPad. But I still prefer the Kindle for book reading.

04-10-2012, 06:51 PM	#12
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I still prefer my Kindle 3 to my iPad 3. Although the iPad 3 has narrowed the gap. When I had an iPad 2, if I couldn't use my Kindle I'd read on my phone as opposed to the iPad - the better resolution of the phone trumped the better size of the iPad. I couldn't stand reading more than a couple of pages on the iPad 2, even though I would happily read for 30 minutes or so on my phone. I like the iPad 3 better than my phone now, and can happily read on it for a while. But I still prefer the e-ink of the Kindle.

07-02-2012, 04:25 PM	#13
uieluck Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, Colorado Device: iphone, ipad, kindle, nook	Does anybody know the specs for ebook covers for retina displays?

07-02-2012, 06:01 PM	#14
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	Regardless of the resolution of the iPad 3, I prefer reading on my Kindle.

07-02-2012, 06:15 PM	#15
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,126 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	I've got a 5" PRS-350 so pixel density on that is higher compared to most 6" readers. Definitely still prefer the PRS-350 for reading fiction. However, reading on the new iPad isn't atrocious anymore. I couldn't stand using the iPad 2 for recreational reading because of the low pixel density. With the new iPad, I can read on it in a pinch if I don't have any other device I can use. I'd still gravitate to my PRS-350 or iPhone/iPod Touch if those are available but iBooks in landscape mode on the iPad is an acceptable alternative (for short periods of time, in medium lighting conditions).

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