Why have you not chosen to use a tablet for reading?

[Grey Ram]

I have three devices: a Kindle Keyboard, an iPod touch and a Playbook tablet.
I read on all of them but all things being equal, I prefer the kindle because it is lighter. When reading on the tablet the weight gets uncomfortable for me after about an hour when reading one-handed, and my eyesight is not the same it was twenty years ago, so reading on the iPod with a suitable font size makes me turn pages frequently.

None of those factors is a deal-breaker mind you, I could easily make do with just the Playbook tablet or just the iPod, but I've grown accustomed to the kindle, for me it's the closest thing to a book in terms of having it around me at any time because it weights less than a thin paperback, reading comfortably in bright lighting conditions (but not direct sunlight, I don't like reading while exposed to bright sunlight ), and forgetting about rechargers.

About the batteries, I initially had the kindle and the ipod, and used the ipod quite heavily to store contacts, receive e-mail, play games, internet access, reading and listening to music(of course!). As a result I had to recharge it daily and after about two years I had to have its battery replaced because it was holding just about three hours charge for moderate use. About the same time I bought the tablet in a sale, and it took over almost all the functions of the ipod, only leaving it to listen to music or reading in poor light. I honestly can't tell how long the kindle battery lasts now because I usually recharge it once a month when loading new books and only once have had it run out on me. As I said, for me it's not a deciding factor, but it is a major convenience nonetheless.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Blossom

My cats like to open my windows when I am reading on my PW and I love that I do not have to change the light setting while they are sunning. It's so adaptable. I leave mine on 8 at all times.

How do they do that? Do your windows open outward with a push or something?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by crich70

How do they do that? Do your windows open outward with a push or something?

No not the actually window but the slat blinds. They will sit on top the sofa and stick their paws or head through the slats opening them. I once had a cat who could open a door though. My current fur babies my youngest likes to open the kitchen drawers and cabinets. I had to baby proof everything.

I keep my windows and doors locked tight. I have some really crazy neighbors who moved in last year that think they own the place.

[Latinandgreek]

I choose to use my ebook reader for reading fiction due to greater portability, better battery life and I find eink screens much more pleasant to read on. I use my tablet to read PDFs because they render much better and are easier to navigate on the tablet.

[brandon7s]

Eye strain is the main reason; I get headaches after reading on an LCD for 30 minutes or so. Weight, battery life, and ease of reading in any lighting condition are most of the others. I also just prefer e-ink for text.

[tomsem]

I am a long time Kindle user but the Fire tablets have not had sufficient appeal for me: I prefer a normal Android experience (direct access to Google Play, etc) . On the other hand, while the Kindle app for Android is improving, it doesn't have most of the reading feature bells and whistles I've come to like on my Paperwhite. Finally I'm enamored of the iPad mini form factor but not its current screen resolution, would prefer Android, but Android clones are only starting to trickle out. So nothing that is available now interests me that much.

So while I don't have issues with reading on tablets per se, at this point I don't have one that I like for reading, and am waiting for the 'right' one to show up. Google is rumored to announce the successor to the Nexus 7/9 next week, an upgraded iPad mini is probably not far off, and then of course we'll see what Amazon comes up with. I'm optimistic something will come along that I'll like enough to use as a primary reading device, but if not, I'll keep waiting.

[Quexos]

I guess the real question is: Why would anyone want to read on a tablet. I mean avid readers of full books of course cause if one wants to read an instruction manual or a blog or the news, a tablet would be better suited.

[hidari]

I read on my Nexus 7 and Android phone (4 inch screen), and my opus, pb360 and Kobo mini. I prefer the eink readers but at night in bed I read on my nexus or phone.... 7 inch tablets are ok for reading I reckon...I have different books on all my gadgets... make reading more varied and fun for me anyways...

Originally Posted by Quexos

I guess the real question is: Why would anyone want to read on a tablet. I mean avid readers of full books of course cause if one wants to read an instruction manual or a blog or the news, a tablet would be better suited.

The choice comes down to which is a better fit for a particular person. Both ereaders and tablets have limitations. Ereaders are well suited to reading outdoors, while tablets are not. Tablets are suitable for reading colour or fixed format documents, while ereaders are not. Ereaders have the edge on weight and battery life. Tablets are more flexible. Pretending that there is one solution that fits everyone's needs (or even all of the needs of one person) is kinda silly. The two markets exist specifically because one devices cannot meet everyone's needs.

[EowynCarter]

I often read in the train, and in summer time, ldc screen can get close to unreadable.

I have a tablet, read a bit with it, but it's just not as comfortable as my cybook.

[ghostyjack]

I don't get eye-strain from reading on LCDs and the weight doesn't bother me either, I have no problems holding either of my two tablets (Original Galaxy Tab and a Transformer Infinity) in one hand, although I need to turn pages with my other hand using the ten inch tablet though.

I find no issues with the quality of the text on screen either. Using Mantano on a Transformer Infinity, to me has a much cleaner, crisper text than on my eInk readers. Although my new Aura HD may change my opinion on this.

In sunlight, yes the LCD readers may struggle a bit - especially my Galaxy Tab - but I still find they are usable. Ok I live in the U.K. and strong sunlight is not as commom here, but it can get pretty bright.

For me, I use whichever device is at hand, I couldn'd care less if it's a tablet or an eInk reader.

[WashWest]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

The choice comes down to which is a better fit for a particular person... Pretending that there is one solution that fits everyone's needs (or even all of the needs of one person) is kinda silly. The two markets exist specifically because one devices cannot meet everyone's needs.

This gets it just right, I think. I love my Kindle for reading fiction and long articles, and love my Android tablet for everything else. (I don't love the Nook Glow Worm quite as I expected to but that's a different story.) But if I could only have one, I'd keep the tablet and deal with its downsides.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I guess the real question is: Why would anyone want to read on a tablet.

Why does anyone do anything differently than anyone else? I'm guessing it's because different people are different.

[Quexos]

Your answer should be directed at the question asked in the title of this thread. I was only stressing my point by putting forth a rhetorical question.

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Why does anyone do anything differently than anyone else? I'm guessing it's because different people are different.

[Blue Tyson]

Back pocket fit, does not.

Sunshine, readable is not.

Battery life, crappy be not.