iPad Anyone else NOT like reading on their iPad?

nremondelli · 06-09-2010, 11:53 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I hate reading books on my iPad. Don't get me wrong, I love it for other things, and it is my sole source for reading news and magazines, but when it comes to sustained reading, I find I hate it. I miss the Kindle I had to sell to afford the iPad. I bought a Nook and haven't opened it yet...I hate to justify two eReaders. Sigh.

scottjl · 06-10-2010, 12:23 AM

Care to tell us why you hate it? Is there something wrong with the apps you're using? You don't like the weight? The size? The screen? Is it something that can be addressed or you're just stuck with it?

ficbot · 06-10-2010, 12:38 AM

I don't like reading on it either (except magazines in Zinio). I just find the large screen doesn't work for me. I prefer to read on a book-size screen. I find myself feeling impatient when I have tried to read on the iPad because there is so much more per page. I just like the Kindle-sized screen better.

nremondelli · 06-10-2010, 12:41 AM

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.

VictoriaP · 06-10-2010, 12:52 AM

I do prefer the paperback sized screen of my Kindle, and it's a little too easy to get distracted by everything else on the iPad...I call it the "let's check email/forums/oh look there's an app update/let's play a game instead" syndrome.

But the iPad is a killer reader at night. Turn on the Kindle app, turn the text to white on black, and no annoying book light needed. I found I absolutely love reading this way. From there, I was able to start reading in the daytime on it as well, and I'm afraid my K2 hasn't seen much use since.

All I can say is, turn off wireless, find a comfortable position, and try again.

Maggie Leung · 06-10-2010, 01:18 AM

You could try to eBay or Craigslist your iPad for a markup, so you can afford to replace your iPad and Kindle. (Maybe get a used Kindle for less?)

To me, it doesn't matter whether anyone else (dis)likes any device I (dis)like. If something works for me, I use it, and I don't if it doesn't. I tried and returned a Sony, for instance, but that doesn't mean the device is any less useful for those who like it.

Estuche · 06-10-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I don't like reading on it either (except magazines in Zinio). I just find the large screen doesn't work for me. I prefer to read on a book-size screen. I find myself feeling impatient when I have tried to read on the iPad because there is so much more per page. I just like the Kindle-sized screen better.

You can always increase the font size so there is less text per page

HarryT · 06-10-2010, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estuche

You can always increase the font size so there is less text per page

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

Personally I find reading with iBooks to be an extremely pleasant experience.

athlonkmf · 06-10-2010, 02:53 AM

I also like to read on the iPad, for it being so fast in everything. Rotating, changing fonts. The high contrast and viewing angle of the IPS screen certainly helps.

Donnageddon · 06-10-2010, 03:12 AM

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... With variable font sizes, brightness, and font schemes and a built in dictionary.

I can't say I do not like it at all.

Maybe I am forgetting to miss something?

amjbrown · 06-10-2010, 05:29 AM

Really enjoy reading with it - prefer the Kindle app to iBooks.

I do get distracted by all the other features. When I used my Sony, all I was doing was reading, it was very immersive. I find the Kindle app immersive, but only when I get there. I think this will ease as the shiny new toy gets older

amjb

Bremen Cole · 06-10-2010, 06:33 AM

The iPad is the best reading experience ever for me. But , I will agree about the distractions. Seems like there are just endless other things to do......

Stitchawl · 06-10-2010, 06:43 AM

I don't know if it was the weight or the size or just the ergonomics, but holding it up and reading for 10 minutes was not comfortable to me, compared with my Sony. Perhaps if I read longer I might change my mind, but I doubt it.

Stitchawl

Magnesus · 06-10-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

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

I for one hate hardback books. I never thought a screen that size could be too big to me though. I'll have to test it before I buy a similar device. Right know I use 6 inch reader and it's quite all right (but 7 or 8 would be probably better).

tyche · 06-10-2010, 07:11 AM

I read in 2 page landscape mode and really like it. Actually, I do everything in landscape on the iPad as i find it the most comfortable.

There is a bit more glare from the screen but my Sony has glare as well and I just adjust it to make it readable.

I have switched from my Sony to the iPad for reading and as much as I love the Sony I'm loving the iPad even more due to it's flexibility. The Sony still gets used if I'm sitting outside on a sunny day. That's one thing eink will always be better for.

06-09-2010, 11:53 PM	#1
nremondelli Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 52 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	Anyone else NOT like reading on their iPad? Maybe it's just me, but I hate reading books on my iPad. Don't get me wrong, I love it for other things, and it is my sole source for reading news and magazines, but when it comes to sustained reading, I find I hate it. I miss the Kindle I had to sell to afford the iPad. I bought a Nook and haven't opened it yet...I hate to justify two eReaders. Sigh.

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06-10-2010, 12:23 AM	#2
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Care to tell us why you hate it? Is there something wrong with the apps you're using? You don't like the weight? The size? The screen? Is it something that can be addressed or you're just stuck with it?

06-10-2010, 12:38 AM	#3
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I don't like reading on it either (except magazines in Zinio). I just find the large screen doesn't work for me. I prefer to read on a book-size screen. I find myself feeling impatient when I have tried to read on the iPad because there is so much more per page. I just like the Kindle-sized screen better.

06-10-2010, 12:41 AM	#4
nremondelli Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 52 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	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.

06-10-2010, 12:52 AM	#5
VictoriaP Addict Posts: 298 Karma: 491576 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle PW2; Kindle Touch; Kindle 2; iPad Mini; iPad1	I do prefer the paperback sized screen of my Kindle, and it's a little too easy to get distracted by everything else on the iPad...I call it the "let's check email/forums/oh look there's an app update/let's play a game instead" syndrome. But the iPad is a killer reader at night. Turn on the Kindle app, turn the text to white on black, and no annoying book light needed. I found I absolutely love reading this way. From there, I was able to start reading in the daytime on it as well, and I'm afraid my K2 hasn't seen much use since. All I can say is, turn off wireless, find a comfortable position, and try again.

06-10-2010, 01:18 AM	#6
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	You could try to eBay or Craigslist your iPad for a markup, so you can afford to replace your iPad and Kindle. (Maybe get a used Kindle for less?) To me, it doesn't matter whether anyone else (dis)likes any device I (dis)like. If something works for me, I use it, and I don't if it doesn't. I tried and returned a Sony, for instance, but that doesn't mean the device is any less useful for those who like it.

06-10-2010, 02:53 AM	#9
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	I also like to read on the iPad, for it being so fast in everything. Rotating, changing fonts. The high contrast and viewing angle of the IPS screen certainly helps.

06-10-2010, 03:12 AM	#10
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	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... With variable font sizes, brightness, and font schemes and a built in dictionary. I can't say I do not like it at all. Maybe I am forgetting to miss something?

06-10-2010, 05:29 AM	#11
amjbrown Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1231044 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London, UK Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle app on the iPhone	Really enjoy reading with it - prefer the Kindle app to iBooks. I do get distracted by all the other features. When I used my Sony, all I was doing was reading, it was very immersive. I find the Kindle app immersive, but only when I get there. I think this will ease as the shiny new toy gets older amjb

06-10-2010, 06:33 AM	#12
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	The iPad is the best reading experience ever for me. But , I will agree about the distractions. Seems like there are just endless other things to do......

06-10-2010, 06:43 AM	#13
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	I don't know if it was the weight or the size or just the ergonomics, but holding it up and reading for 10 minutes was not comfortable to me, compared with my Sony. Perhaps if I read longer I might change my mind, but I doubt it. Stitchawl

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06-10-2010, 07:11 AM	#15
tyche Addict Posts: 227 Karma: 2530 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	I read in 2 page landscape mode and really like it. Actually, I do everything in landscape on the iPad as i find it the most comfortable. There is a bit more glare from the screen but my Sony has glare as well and I just adjust it to make it readable. I have switched from my Sony to the iPad for reading and as much as I love the Sony I'm loving the iPad even more due to it's flexibility. The Sony still gets used if I'm sitting outside on a sunny day. That's one thing eink will always be better for.