ipad too heavy for ebook reading - imho

zzzxtreme · 07-21-2010, 02:38 AM

well, tried the ipad. the screen is not bad. reflection is not too bad of a problem, since i can crank up the contrast to use with anti-glare-reflection protector thingey.

but the thing is, try reading a pdf like a book or kindledx, it is considerably heavier. I underestimated it's weight. don't get me wrong, the weight has no competition amongst the tablet peers. But ipad is not there yet as an ebook reader.

so now I'm left without any ebook reader, impatiently waiting for readers from Acer or the upcoming windows slates and wishing amazon would add Wifi to kindle DX

HarryT · 07-21-2010, 02:51 AM

It's no heavier than a typical hardback book. Personally I find it to be absolutely fine, but I realise that we all have different views on these things.

Maggie Leung · 07-21-2010, 03:55 AM

I'm a wuss. Even if I held up my hands empty for hours, they'd tire. I prop everything -- iPad, Kindle, print books. I'd like a lighter tablet for on the go, but it doesn't matter if I'm reading it propped. I use a cheapo plate holder that's pretty indestructible and works with all my devices, at myriad angles. It's good on flat or bumpy surfaces. It even works on cushions; I'm typing with iPad in it now, atop a cushion, as I'm slouched in an easy chair. It cost two or three bucks.

neilmarr · 07-21-2010, 04:32 AM

As Harry says, the iPad is no heavier than a reglar hardback, ZZZ. On the other hand, one of the most appealing advantages of a dedicated device to me is that it's a lot lighter than a regular hardback. I find reading a hardback or even a paperback these days darned uncomforftable. Mind you, the ebook reading function is only one of many features the iPad offers. I can understand its enthusiastic reception. Cheers. Neil

harakiri · 07-21-2010, 04:36 AM

thats why I am still using my Sony to read books on the train to work.

But using the iBook "only" as an ebook reader is a waste IMHO

EowynCarter · 07-21-2010, 04:44 AM

Quote:

It's no heavier than a typical hardback book.

That's why i don't buy hardback, too heavy

With a few exception i've read at home.

HarryT · 07-21-2010, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harakiri

But using the iBook "only" as an ebook reader is a waste IMHO

The iPad is actually a very nice bookreader; these days, I find myself using it in preference to my eInk devices. It's especially nice for marking text when proofreading - much faster to do on the iPad than on eInk readers.

You're right, though; the fact that the iPad can also do so many other things is a bonus. These days, when I go away from home, I no longer take my netbook, because I use the iPad for web browsing, e-mail, etc. It really can replace a notebook for pretty much everything I take a notebook away with me for.

Bremen Cole · 07-21-2010, 06:01 AM

I don't have a problem with the weight, but I can see how someone could. I doubt in the near future (next few years) you're are going to see anything much lighter in the tablet form.... The good news is, with the iPad shaking up the industry, little eInk readers are a whole lot cheaper than they were BI (before iPad)

Remember, if you have not had your iPad longer than two weeks you can take it back....

Zorz · 07-21-2010, 06:21 AM

I saw an ipad in real life today on the train for the first time. Much smaller than how I perceived it to be from the apple website. Maybe 3x smaller.

harakiri · 07-21-2010, 07:45 AM

I don't think that size is an issue. Its actually heavier than most people anticipate it.
It has a huge battery inside and that makes it heavy (this and probably the aluminium enclosure)

I use the iPad for reading comics (color!, take that Sony), browsing, eMail, watching TV series.
I hooked it up to our company network via VPN and can now access all our online services.

Only thing I currently don't like so much is using its iPhoto app. Its too limited to my taste. But at least it works as an image tank nicely

Beats my netbook anytime (poor Dell mini ... )

nursedude · 07-21-2010, 07:46 AM

For my purposes the iPad is NOT too heavy. I find it quite comfortable to hold while reading. I can see that it would weigh too much for some but if you can hold a hard cover comfortably then the iPad should not be a big deal weight wise. I don't buy many hardcovers, (I let the library do that for me) but I do read a lot of them.

drofgnal · 07-21-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harakiri

But using the iBook "only" as an ebook reader is a waste IMHO

I don't think so at all. I bought the cheapest ipad at 499. Yea, that's pricey for an ereader and I use my ipad 95% of the time for reading. Its really nice though that other 5% to relax, play a game of chess, look something up, order something without having to go in the other room and boot up the imac.

As far as weight goes, I don't notice it. Seems fine for me.

athlonkmf · 07-21-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorz

I saw an ipad in real life today on the train for the first time. Much smaller than how I perceived it to be from the apple website. Maybe 3x smaller.

you sure it wasn't an iphone?

joblack · 07-21-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The iPad is actually a very nice bookreader; these days, I find myself using it in preference to my eInk devices. It's especially nice for marking text when proofreading - much faster to do on the iPad than on eInk readers.

To hold a device which has almost 1 kg weight is uncomfortable on the long run. It's the same with heavy books.

And I know another reason the iPad is that heavy. Steve Jobs will go with the technological progress and will tell us: 'The new iPad 2 is the lightest iPad we have ever made'.

No wonder

m-reader · 07-21-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

Remember, if you have not had your iPad longer than two weeks you can take it back....

Not where I am hailing from, you can't

07-21-2010, 02:38 AM	#1
zzzxtreme Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: nook	ipad too heavy for ebook reading - imho well, tried the ipad. the screen is not bad. reflection is not too bad of a problem, since i can crank up the contrast to use with anti-glare-reflection protector thingey. but the thing is, try reading a pdf like a book or kindledx, it is considerably heavier. I underestimated it's weight. don't get me wrong, the weight has no competition amongst the tablet peers. But ipad is not there yet as an ebook reader. so now I'm left without any ebook reader, impatiently waiting for readers from Acer or the upcoming windows slates and wishing amazon would add Wifi to kindle DX Last edited by zzzxtreme; 07-21-2010 at 02:40 AM.

07-21-2010, 03:55 AM	#3
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	I'm a wuss. Even if I held up my hands empty for hours, they'd tire. I prop everything -- iPad, Kindle, print books. I'd like a lighter tablet for on the go, but it doesn't matter if I'm reading it propped. I use a cheapo plate holder that's pretty indestructible and works with all my devices, at myriad angles. It's good on flat or bumpy surfaces. It even works on cushions; I'm typing with iPad in it now, atop a cushion, as I'm slouched in an easy chair. It cost two or three bucks. Last edited by Maggie Leung; 07-21-2010 at 04:00 AM.

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07-21-2010, 02:51 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's no heavier than a typical hardback book. Personally I find it to be absolutely fine, but I realise that we all have different views on these things.

07-21-2010, 04:32 AM	#4
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	As Harry says, the iPad is no heavier than a reglar hardback, ZZZ. On the other hand, one of the most appealing advantages of a dedicated device to me is that it's a lot lighter than a regular hardback. I find reading a hardback or even a paperback these days darned uncomforftable. Mind you, the ebook reading function is only one of many features the iPad offers. I can understand its enthusiastic reception. Cheers. Neil

07-21-2010, 04:36 AM	#5
harakiri Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 464618 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Device: Kindle Oasis 2	thats why I am still using my Sony to read books on the train to work. But using the iBook "only" as an ebook reader is a waste IMHO

07-21-2010, 06:01 AM	#8
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I don't have a problem with the weight, but I can see how someone could. I doubt in the near future (next few years) you're are going to see anything much lighter in the tablet form.... The good news is, with the iPad shaking up the industry, little eInk readers are a whole lot cheaper than they were BI (before iPad) Remember, if you have not had your iPad longer than two weeks you can take it back....

07-21-2010, 06:21 AM	#9
Zorz Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 36 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle 2i	I saw an ipad in real life today on the train for the first time. Much smaller than how I perceived it to be from the apple website. Maybe 3x smaller.

07-21-2010, 07:45 AM	#10
harakiri Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 464618 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Device: Kindle Oasis 2	I don't think that size is an issue. Its actually heavier than most people anticipate it. It has a huge battery inside and that makes it heavy (this and probably the aluminium enclosure) I use the iPad for reading comics (color!, take that Sony), browsing, eMail, watching TV series. I hooked it up to our company network via VPN and can now access all our online services. Only thing I currently don't like so much is using its iPhoto app. Its too limited to my taste. But at least it works as an image tank nicely Beats my netbook anytime (poor Dell mini ... )

07-21-2010, 07:46 AM	#11
nursedude Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 17102 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo (Original), KT, iPad 1, iPhone 4S, iPad 3rd gen	For my purposes the iPad is NOT too heavy. I find it quite comfortable to hold while reading. I can see that it would weigh too much for some but if you can hold a hard cover comfortably then the iPad should not be a big deal weight wise. I don't buy many hardcovers, (I let the library do that for me) but I do read a lot of them.

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