iPad Anyone else NOT like reading on their iPad? - Page 2

omk3 · 06-10-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nremondelli

Scott, I cannot put my finger on it (no pun intended). I did not say I don't like the iPad, quite the opposite actually. But as I read, I do not find myself getting lost in the book the same way I did with the Kindle. I also find that I cannot read novels for a long period of time. I'm not attacking the device, but looking for other opinions.

I don't have an iPad, but I think I understand what you're saying. It happens to me when I try to read a book on my laptop. I tend to read more quickly and superficially, and not get immersed in what I'm reading. It's not that I'm tempted to do something else, but I just can't go into reading mode. It feels more like reading things on the internet. I read maybe more words on the internet than in a book, but it is not the same reading at all. It's probably a psychological thing. I believe that if I tried to read on an iPad, or on any device that reminds me of a computer, I would have the same feeling.

John F · 06-10-2010, 08:58 AM

I prefer reading on my Sony 505. I'm a little surprised, because I thought the size of the screen of the iPad would make it a very good reading device for my needs.

scottjl · 06-10-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nremondelli

Scott, I cannot put my finger on it (no pun intended). I did not say I don't like the iPad, quite the opposite actually. But as I read, I do not find myself getting lost in the book the same way I did with the Kindle. I also find that I cannot read novels for a long period of time. I'm not attacking the device, but looking for other opinions.

never said you were attacking the device.. i was just looking for more of an explanation than "i just don't like reading on it." i'm especially curious because you said you like it for everything but reading..

Sischa · 06-10-2010, 09:16 AM

I don't like to read books on my iPad (on this order):

1. Too heavy
2. I have a kindle2 (better screen for reading) and a CybookG3 (weight)
2. No way that you can read in direct sunlight and amazingly we have good weather since i got my iPad (the sun will go away though

)
3. backlight hurts my eyes after some hours

And last but not least when i have options why should i bother using my iPad for long reading sessions. Usually i watch some youtube clips, read some Newspapers or RSS feeds and surf some websites. After that i give my iPad battery some break and move to the kindle

leebase · 06-10-2010, 09:31 AM

I'm not surprised -- everyone is going to have their own personal opinions. I love reading on the iPad. Here are some things to try.

1. Do you have the iPad case? I found holding the iPad to be heavy. When I got the case, it gives the ipad a wider base (I read laying down a lot with the ipad resting on my belly) -- which made reading much more comfortable.

2. Use a larger font -- or adjust the margins. When I did the jailbreak thing to run Stanza (before Stanza for the iPad came out) -- I didn't enjoy reading as much because with no margin controls, the line length was too long for me. My eyes had to move more across the page.

3. Change the screen brightness. You don't want the screen to be much brighter than the light around you. If you are in a dim to dark room, try "night mode" (the kindle app can do this, iBooks you'd have to change the settings on the iPad itself). White text on black background is very comfortable on the eyes when the room light is dim.

4. Give it some time. I loved reading on my iPhone right away. I did NOT instantly love reading on the iPad. I did not buy my iPad primarily as a reading device as I enjoyed reading on the iPhone. Within a week, though, I pretty much stopped reading on my iPhone because I got hooked on the larger iPad screen.

5. Try the different ereading apps. I like iBooks best, but I like Stanza too and the kindle app. With the Stanza app you can try one of their themes or build one of your own.

Lee

6charlong · 06-10-2010, 09:58 AM

I don't use my iPad for reading books either. It has the disadvantages of hardbacks without the advantages of an ebook reader.

Frankly, I've avoided buying hardbacks for decades. One of the sweet things about eBooks is the many problems with paper books that they solve. Hardbacks are too heavy and awkward to hold and carry around. I always look for a paperback edition of books I wanted to read, but when I found a paperback they were often stIll too heavy and awkward. With books of more than about 250 pages, they make the fonts too small and the books, although better than HB books, are still awkward to hold or carry.

A 5-inch, 6-ounce reader solves all of those limitations. It's lightweight, easy to hold, gives me a useful size font, and carries my whole library.

The iPad is perfect for newspapers and magazines, WEB browsing, even reading interactive fiction like the old Infocom offerings--you can't do that with any other book.

Fotoman · 06-10-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Or read in landscape orientation, so there are two pages on the screen.

When a friend at work saw the portrait and landscape 2-page views on the iPad for the first time, she commented on how clever it was that iBooks simulates a hard-cover one way and a paperback the other.

My transition from the Sony 505 was absolutely painless despite I having been one of those who worried about going from e-ink to LCD. The only thing I found distracting was the smooth feel of the metal and glass but that was easily fixed once I put it in the Apple case.

I can see people who are reading ebooks for the first time on the iPad having some adjustment issues but evaluating it as an ereader compared to any other one, the iPad is an excellent device.

dorino · 06-10-2010, 12:52 PM

I tried the iPad, and as an ereader it falls a little short for me. I prefer e-ink screens... I spend all day looking at LCDs, it's nice to give my eyes a break when I want to read, rather than stress them out more.

Even with brightness down, it still seemed bleh. I can see the appeal, for sure, though. Not my cup of tea, though.

HistoryWes · 06-10-2010, 01:50 PM

I've just finished reading my first book on the iPad. While it's more bulky than my Sony, I didn't have any problem holding it for a long time. And quite frankly, every time I turned the page, I enjoyed not having to wait for the next page.

scottjl · 06-10-2010, 02:10 PM

i've read books on laptops, netbooks, desktops, my iphone, my sony 600 and now my ipad. i vastly prefer my ipad over any other device. i have no problem viewing a LCD display for hours, with my tired old eyes, i already look at such a display for most of the day, as well as TVs. desktops, laptops and netbooks never were convenient (large, bulky) for reading for long terms. my iphone is certainly serviceable, but at times a larger screen is better, for graphics and technical diagrams. my sony 600 was great, nice size, light weight, great battery life, but eink is slow, technical documents (PDF files) look horrible on it, and it requires a book light to use in low-light or darkness. the picture would look great as i lay under a tree in a bright sunny day, i'm not issiac newton and spend more of my time in offices, especially 90 degree summer days. the ipad's display is crisp, backlit, fast and responsive, environmental lighting is never an issue, and if i'm outdoors i can likely shade the display with my body to make it readable as opposed to hunt for a booklight to see the screen. i'm comfortable with the size of the screen (some times i wish it was bigger, some times smaller). i guess my only complaint is weight. if it were paper thin and light it would be easier to hold for hours on end one-handed. maybe in another 20 years. though i expect i won't be around by then anyway. lol.

to each his own, but for all the devices i've tried, my ipad is the best of the bunch for my ereading needs.

Waba · 06-10-2010, 02:53 PM

Got to play with an ipad over a 4 day weekend... I liked it, but I don't think it could replace my 505, maybe my netbook.

*After a 4 hour reading session that went into the night, my eyes were definitely irritated... The technical PDFs looked great, just like my computer -but with proper preprocessing they look just fine on my 505.
*The refresh was certainly quicker, but it has never been an issue with me on my 505. I read at pretty small fonts.
*I found the size awkward, almost out of the question in bed.... I like the paperback size. The ipad reminded me of ordering of a big menu.
... opening up my 505 w/600 light cover in bed on Sunday night was like coming home... Never again, baby

*What I really liked it for was quicker web based reading, like my morning RSS. Really cool. Also held my attention really well when I was slightly antsy or distracted...
*video was also impressive... But then if I have the option -I'd rather be watching a TV or monitor hands free.... Unbeatable as a portable video player in my opinion.
*quick games and apps are fun, addictive little distractions. Keep them away from me

Like all apple devices it does a lot of stuff... Just most of them are done better by other individual gadgets.
505 is way better ereader. MP3 is much better music. Netbook is an actual computer... Maybe with more time I could adopt the ipad over my netbook... But I don't see it ever replacing an eink reader.

Sonist · 06-10-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

I find the comment of prefering to read "on a book sized screen" puzzling.

Perhaps if someone prefers a paperback, a 6 inch screen causes nostalgia. But the iPad seems much more like a hardback book....

Just for the record, the smallest mass-market paperback (A Format) is about 8.24". Hardcovers are usually about, or over 11".

So, the 6" readers are too small, compared to standard sized paperbacks, and the iPad is too small compared to a hardcover.

curiousrobot · 06-10-2010, 04:27 PM

I looove my iPad generally, but I'm not overwhelmed by the overall reading experience after a few years with my Sony 500-series devices. The iPad is a little bit heavy and thus a little cumbersome to lie around with completely comfortably. It's still going to be my primary reading device (I like the backlighting, and the screen is in every way fine for me), but I wish it weighed just a bit less.

(I should add to this the caveat that I acquired an infant a couple of weeks before I got the iPad, so that much of my reading is now done one-handed, with said infant in the other. Reading is much more comfortable when both hands are available.)

kjk · 06-10-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

Just for the record, the smallest mass-market paperback (A Format) is about 8.24". Hardcovers are usually about, or over 11".

So, the 6" readers are too small, compared to standard sized paperbacks, and the iPad is too small compared to a hardcover.

Given iBooks..uh..generous...default margins, the iPad is probably more comparable to a good paperback in single page mode.

edit: and I'm enjoying reading on the iPad...but got pretty used to reading on the iPhone's small screen, which replaced my Sony 505 as my main eReader.

We'll see if the Retina Display iPhone replaces my iPad

Fotoman · 06-10-2010, 04:45 PM

The overall size is almost identical to the average hardcover and even with iBook's generous margins it's pretty close.

In Stanza with margin and line spacing control, you can probably get more on the page.

Just a quick snap of the iPad next to a book a friend at work happened to return to me today:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What are you reading this summer on your iPad?	MsAstoria	Apple Devices	33	08-04-2010 08:22 AM
iPad Reading soundoff	leebase	Apple Devices	28	04-08-2010 10:28 AM
iPad Reading on the iPad	nikkie	Apple Devices	28	04-05-2010 09:28 AM
iPad reading in bed	JoeC	Apple Devices	9	04-04-2010 08:52 PM
iPad does allow other reading apps	leebase	Apple Devices	1	04-03-2010 05:39 PM

06-10-2010, 08:58 AM	#17
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,941 Karma: 70766125 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	I prefer reading on my Sony 505. I'm a little surprised, because I thought the size of the screen of the iPad would make it a very good reading device for my needs.

06-10-2010, 09:16 AM	#19
Sischa Evangelist Posts: 428 Karma: 2370 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Device: Nokia 770, Ilead, Cybook G3, Kindle DX, Kindle 2, iPad, Kindle 3, PW	I don't like to read books on my iPad (on this order): 1. Too heavy 2. I have a kindle2 (better screen for reading) and a CybookG3 (weight) 2. No way that you can read in direct sunlight and amazingly we have good weather since i got my iPad (the sun will go away though ) 3. backlight hurts my eyes after some hours And last but not least when i have options why should i bother using my iPad for long reading sessions. Usually i watch some youtube clips, read some Newspapers or RSS feeds and surf some websites. After that i give my iPad battery some break and move to the kindle

06-10-2010, 09:31 AM	#20
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	I'm not surprised -- everyone is going to have their own personal opinions. I love reading on the iPad. Here are some things to try. 1. Do you have the iPad case? I found holding the iPad to be heavy. When I got the case, it gives the ipad a wider base (I read laying down a lot with the ipad resting on my belly) -- which made reading much more comfortable. 2. Use a larger font -- or adjust the margins. When I did the jailbreak thing to run Stanza (before Stanza for the iPad came out) -- I didn't enjoy reading as much because with no margin controls, the line length was too long for me. My eyes had to move more across the page. 3. Change the screen brightness. You don't want the screen to be much brighter than the light around you. If you are in a dim to dark room, try "night mode" (the kindle app can do this, iBooks you'd have to change the settings on the iPad itself). White text on black background is very comfortable on the eyes when the room light is dim. 4. Give it some time. I loved reading on my iPhone right away. I did NOT instantly love reading on the iPad. I did not buy my iPad primarily as a reading device as I enjoyed reading on the iPhone. Within a week, though, I pretty much stopped reading on my iPhone because I got hooked on the larger iPad screen. 5. Try the different ereading apps. I like iBooks best, but I like Stanza too and the kindle app. With the Stanza app you can try one of their themes or build one of your own. Lee

06-10-2010, 09:58 AM	#21
6charlong friendly lurker Posts: 896 Karma: 2436026 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo	I don't use my iPad for reading books either. It has the disadvantages of hardbacks without the advantages of an ebook reader. Frankly, I've avoided buying hardbacks for decades. One of the sweet things about eBooks is the many problems with paper books that they solve. Hardbacks are too heavy and awkward to hold and carry around. I always look for a paperback edition of books I wanted to read, but when I found a paperback they were often stIll too heavy and awkward. With books of more than about 250 pages, they make the fonts too small and the books, although better than HB books, are still awkward to hold or carry. A 5-inch, 6-ounce reader solves all of those limitations. It's lightweight, easy to hold, gives me a useful size font, and carries my whole library. The iPad is perfect for newspapers and magazines, WEB browsing, even reading interactive fiction like the old Infocom offerings--you can't do that with any other book.

06-10-2010, 12:52 PM	#23
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	I tried the iPad, and as an ereader it falls a little short for me. I prefer e-ink screens... I spend all day looking at LCDs, it's nice to give my eyes a break when I want to read, rather than stress them out more. Even with brightness down, it still seemed bleh. I can see the appeal, for sure, though. Not my cup of tea, though.

06-10-2010, 01:50 PM	#24
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I've just finished reading my first book on the iPad. While it's more bulky than my Sony, I didn't have any problem holding it for a long time. And quite frankly, every time I turned the page, I enjoyed not having to wait for the next page.

06-10-2010, 02:10 PM	#25
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	i've read books on laptops, netbooks, desktops, my iphone, my sony 600 and now my ipad. i vastly prefer my ipad over any other device. i have no problem viewing a LCD display for hours, with my tired old eyes, i already look at such a display for most of the day, as well as TVs. desktops, laptops and netbooks never were convenient (large, bulky) for reading for long terms. my iphone is certainly serviceable, but at times a larger screen is better, for graphics and technical diagrams. my sony 600 was great, nice size, light weight, great battery life, but eink is slow, technical documents (PDF files) look horrible on it, and it requires a book light to use in low-light or darkness. the picture would look great as i lay under a tree in a bright sunny day, i'm not issiac newton and spend more of my time in offices, especially 90 degree summer days. the ipad's display is crisp, backlit, fast and responsive, environmental lighting is never an issue, and if i'm outdoors i can likely shade the display with my body to make it readable as opposed to hunt for a booklight to see the screen. i'm comfortable with the size of the screen (some times i wish it was bigger, some times smaller). i guess my only complaint is weight. if it were paper thin and light it would be easier to hold for hours on end one-handed. maybe in another 20 years. though i expect i won't be around by then anyway. lol. to each his own, but for all the devices i've tried, my ipad is the best of the bunch for my ereading needs.

06-10-2010, 02:53 PM	#26
Waba Groupie Posts: 154 Karma: 368 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Polson, MT Device: Kobo Aura HD, PRS-350/950, HP Touchpad, Kindle Keyboard	Got to play with an ipad over a 4 day weekend... I liked it, but I don't think it could replace my 505, maybe my netbook. After a 4 hour reading session that went into the night, my eyes were definitely irritated... The technical PDFs looked great, just like my computer -but with proper preprocessing they look just fine on my 505. The refresh was certainly quicker, but it has never been an issue with me on my 505. I read at pretty small fonts. I found the size awkward, almost out of the question in bed.... I like the paperback size. The ipad reminded me of ordering of a big menu. ... opening up my 505 w/600 light cover in bed on Sunday night was like coming home... Never again, baby What I really liked it for was quicker web based reading, like my morning RSS. Really cool. Also held my attention really well when I was slightly antsy or distracted... video was also impressive... But then if I have the option -I'd rather be watching a TV or monitor hands free.... Unbeatable as a portable video player in my opinion. quick games and apps are fun, addictive little distractions. Keep them away from me Like all apple devices it does a lot of stuff... Just most of them are done better by other individual gadgets. 505 is way better ereader. MP3 is much better music. Netbook is an actual computer... Maybe with more time I could adopt the ipad over my netbook... But I don't see it ever replacing an eink reader.

06-10-2010, 04:27 PM	#28
curiousrobot Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, OH Device: iPad; Sony 505	I looove my iPad generally, but I'm not overwhelmed by the overall reading experience after a few years with my Sony 500-series devices. The iPad is a little bit heavy and thus a little cumbersome to lie around with completely comfortably. It's still going to be my primary reading device (I like the backlighting, and the screen is in every way fine for me), but I wish it weighed just a bit less. (I should add to this the caveat that I acquired an infant a couple of weeks before I got the iPad, so that much of my reading is now done one-handed, with said infant in the other. Reading is much more comfortable when both hands are available.)

06-10-2010, 04:45 PM	#30
Fotoman Groupie Posts: 157 Karma: 2160 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: iPad 64GB wifi (Sony 505 RIP)	The overall size is almost identical to the average hardcover and even with iBook's generous margins it's pretty close. In Stanza with margin and line spacing control, you can probably get more on the page. Just a quick snap of the iPad next to a book a friend at work happened to return to me today:

Advert

Advert