Wired's Comparison of iPad and Kindle2 as eReaders

disney_mommy · 04-05-2010, 10:50 AM

"As a Kindle aficionado I was curious to see how the iPad stacked up to Amazon's device as an e-reader. The answer: Pretty well. Newspapers, of course, are a natural, and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters and USA Today are all taking a step toward Minority Report–style living newspapers, where a touch expands a story or starts up video. (That's much better than Kindle's clunky newspaper navigation.) Using the familiar conventions of the iTunes store, the iBooks store made it easy to buy a virtual book, though many best-sellers cost more on Apple's store than Amazon's.

Apple has added some welcome innovations to the reading process, like a scroll bar that makes it easier to zip through chapters. Pages turn really fast. And the backlit screen makes the pages themselves clearer. But I'm not sure whether the backlighting is a plus — I found it easier to read with the brightness turned halfway down. After a bunch of long novels I'll figure out whether or not backlighting in "ludic reading" situations (intense, lengthy sessions) really does strain the eyes more than the Kindle's screen does, as some have claimed."

http://www.wired.com/reviews/product...tories+2%29%29

I don't know about anyone else, but I have not yet been convinced to give up my K2.

rhadin · 04-05-2010, 12:14 PM

I haven't been convinced to give up either my Sony 505 or pbooks for an iPad. But then I don't own an iPod, an iPhone, or an iMac -- or anything Apple -- for that matter. Apple's hype has yet to sway my purchase desires.

pboss · 04-05-2010, 04:44 PM

The ipad fails for one single stupid reason alone: you cannot hold it comfortable in one hand.

JSWolf · 04-05-2010, 04:52 PM

The iPad does not compare to the K2. It compares to the KDX.

Can the KDX be held in one hand easily?

dmaul1114 · 04-05-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pboss

The ipad fails for one single stupid reason alone: you cannot hold it comfortable in one hand.

That didn't bother me at all in playing around with my girlfriend's iPad yesterday.

But of course I read my Kindle with holding it with two hands most of the time, and same for physical books.

I really liked the reading experience on the iPad. Bigger screen, can adjust the brightness to a level I like vs. needing to be near a light or hassle with my clip on book light I use with my Kindle in dim rooms etc.

I'm not sold on buying an iPad yet as I want to see what other tablets come out in the next 6 months or so as it has some non-reading related draw backs I'd like to see improved on.

But I could see a tablet becoming my main e-reading device and maybe selling my Kindle. I seldom read for more than 60 minutes, so I don't really need e-ink like the avid readers do. I just love the convenience of e-books.

TallMomof2 · 04-05-2010, 10:54 PM

You can't easily read outside on the iPad. What is this mania with reflective screens that don't work well with glare? If Apple had figured out how to make a color reading device that is as easily used outside as in then that would be magical.

The DX is significantly lighter than the iPad but I wouldn't want to hold either for long one-handed.

dmaul1114 · 04-06-2010, 12:35 AM

That's very true. Moot for me as I never sit outside and read, but yeah the iPad is not a good outdoor device. I'm pretty much not outdoors unless I'm going somewhere or doing something like hiking. The iPad is ok in the shade (or on a covered porch/balcony) etc. from the little I used it though.

lene1949 · 04-06-2010, 03:49 AM

The kindle is a dedicated reader... If all you want to do is read - get a kindle...

I do love my ipod touch, but I don't use it too much for reading... I mostly use it for the music and its applications... I suppose I would use an Ipad the same way... I find the ipod touch quite easy to read on, even when switching directly from the kindle to the Ipod..

I think I want an Ipad...

sianon · 04-06-2010, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The iPad does not compare to the K2. It compares to the KDX.

Can the KDX be held in one hand easily?

Yep, I frequently hold the DX in one hand and don't find it too heavy. I would prefer the page change buttons on the left hand side as I prefer to hold the device in my left hand. I also take the deivce on public transport and read even on those odd occasions where I cannot get a seat and have to stand with one hand holding a safety strap (I choose to travel to work early rather than endure packed trains). I dont expect that the Ipad will be any different when I get it.

pbennett · 04-06-2010, 10:56 AM

Here's one users first impressions (who also has a Kindle):
http://www.pvponline.com/2010/04/05/...ons/#more-5518

So.... cool device. Kindle replacement? No way. Supplement? Sure.

Another thing to keep in mind - the IPad has a glossy screen (so you'll be looking at your face and whatever else is behind you while you read) and will be pretty much *completely* unreadable in bright sunlight. The iPad also looks to be *very* fragile:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/19338...ess_tests.html
PC World found that the screen was permanently damaged with just 3 drops on carpet!

angelad · 04-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sianon

Yep, I frequently hold the DX in one hand and don't find it too heavy. I would prefer the page change buttons on the left hand side as I prefer to hold the device in my left hand. I also take the deivce on public transport and read even on those odd occasions where I cannot get a seat and have to stand with one hand holding a safety strap (I choose to travel to work early rather than endure packed trains). I dont expect that the Ipad will be any different when I get it.

Agree. No problem at all with holding my unit in one had, easily.

dmaul1114 · 04-06-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbennett

Another thing to keep in mind - the IPad has a glossy screen (so you'll be looking at your face and whatever else is behind you while you read) and will be pretty much *completely* unreadable in bright sunlight.

I've had no problems with reflections. Glare is an issue of course in sun or really bright lighting, but I don't read in either condition.

Quote:

The iPad also looks to be *very* fragile:

It's not any more fragile than a Kindle DX with its 9.7" glass screen. All these devices are pretty fragile and need to be kept in cases, care taken to not drop them etc.

whitearrow · 04-06-2010, 06:41 PM

For me it's just too heavy to replace my K2 as a reader. I hope to get some kind of slate device this year, be it iPad or something else, but I can't see it becoming my primary reading device.

NavyDad6 · 04-07-2010, 11:01 AM

For me the single most important factor is battery life. I doubt that I could charge an Ipad and still be reading on it a week later without plugging into an outlet. I am in the Navy and travel alot and some of that travel is in areas that do not afford a source of power.

If they could ever advance a technology, it would have to be battery life for illuminated, constantly connected devices. Imagine not worrying about plugging in your smartphone for over a week.

dmaul1114 · 04-07-2010, 12:19 PM

Yeah, the iPads battery life is great for what it is. But we've gotten 10-11 hours out of it, so it wouldn't fit your needs like an e-ink device.

I don't need it as I'm always around power and have no problems plugging it in every night or two rather than every week or two like my Kindle. But e-ink is far superior on that front for people who have to spend long stretches away from power or just hate having to charge more frequently for whatever reason.

04-05-2010, 10:50 AM	#1
disney_mommy Ebook fanatic Posts: 120 Karma: 120000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampton Roads, VA Device: Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Kindle Keyboard	Wired's Comparison of iPad and Kindle2 as eReaders "As a Kindle aficionado I was curious to see how the iPad stacked up to Amazon's device as an e-reader. The answer: Pretty well. Newspapers, of course, are a natural, and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters and USA Today are all taking a step toward Minority Report–style living newspapers, where a touch expands a story or starts up video. (That's much better than Kindle's clunky newspaper navigation.) Using the familiar conventions of the iTunes store, the iBooks store made it easy to buy a virtual book, though many best-sellers cost more on Apple's store than Amazon's. Apple has added some welcome innovations to the reading process, like a scroll bar that makes it easier to zip through chapters. Pages turn really fast. And the backlit screen makes the pages themselves clearer. But I'm not sure whether the backlighting is a plus — I found it easier to read with the brightness turned halfway down. After a bunch of long novels I'll figure out whether or not backlighting in "ludic reading" situations (intense, lengthy sessions) really does strain the eyes more than the Kindle's screen does, as some have claimed." http://www.wired.com/reviews/product...tories+2%29%29 I don't know about anyone else, but I have not yet been convinced to give up my K2.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Magnified Comparison of eInk / Kindle and iPad Displays	Kali Yuga	General Discussions	4	08-18-2010 08:51 AM
Looking for comparison of IPad relection/glare vs Sony Readers with Touch Screen	MerLock	Sony Reader	3	04-07-2010 10:11 AM
Wired's Hands On (Brief) Review of the iPad	Sonist	News	2	01-28-2010 06:23 PM
Comparison Chart of Sony and Kindle eReaders	junglesgal	Which one should I buy?	3	05-19-2009 12:09 PM
Quick Tips for New Kindle2 Users (from a new Kindle2 User)	psevetson	Amazon Kindle	8	03-14-2009 07:23 PM

04-05-2010, 12:14 PM	#2
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I haven't been convinced to give up either my Sony 505 or pbooks for an iPad. But then I don't own an iPod, an iPhone, or an iMac -- or anything Apple -- for that matter. Apple's hype has yet to sway my purchase desires.

04-05-2010, 04:44 PM	#3
pboss Evangelist Posts: 408 Karma: 646 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	The ipad fails for one single stupid reason alone: you cannot hold it comfortable in one hand.

04-05-2010, 04:52 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,841 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The iPad does not compare to the K2. It compares to the KDX. Can the KDX be held in one hand easily?

04-05-2010, 10:54 PM	#6
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	You can't easily read outside on the iPad. What is this mania with reflective screens that don't work well with glare? If Apple had figured out how to make a color reading device that is as easily used outside as in then that would be magical. The DX is significantly lighter than the iPad but I wouldn't want to hold either for long one-handed.

04-06-2010, 12:35 AM	#7
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	That's very true. Moot for me as I never sit outside and read, but yeah the iPad is not a good outdoor device. I'm pretty much not outdoors unless I'm going somewhere or doing something like hiking. The iPad is ok in the shade (or on a covered porch/balcony) etc. from the little I used it though.

04-06-2010, 03:49 AM	#8
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	The kindle is a dedicated reader... If all you want to do is read - get a kindle... I do love my ipod touch, but I don't use it too much for reading... I mostly use it for the music and its applications... I suppose I would use an Ipad the same way... I find the ipod touch quite easy to read on, even when switching directly from the kindle to the Ipod.. I think I want an Ipad...

04-06-2010, 10:56 AM	#10
pbennett Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony 500, Amazon Kindle	Here's one users first impressions (who also has a Kindle): http://www.pvponline.com/2010/04/05/...ons/#more-5518 So.... cool device. Kindle replacement? No way. Supplement? Sure. Another thing to keep in mind - the IPad has a glossy screen (so you'll be looking at your face and whatever else is behind you while you read) and will be pretty much completely unreadable in bright sunlight. The iPad also looks to be very fragile: http://www.pcworld.com/article/19338...ess_tests.html PC World found that the screen was permanently damaged with just 3 drops on carpet!

04-06-2010, 06:41 PM	#13
whitearrow Guru Posts: 808 Karma: 2260766 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Kindle Oasis 2	For me it's just too heavy to replace my K2 as a reader. I hope to get some kind of slate device this year, be it iPad or something else, but I can't see it becoming my primary reading device.

04-07-2010, 11:01 AM	#14
NavyDad6 Reading is FUNdamental Posts: 233 Karma: 1516 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WA state Device: Kindle 2	For me the single most important factor is battery life. I doubt that I could charge an Ipad and still be reading on it a week later without plugging into an outlet. I am in the Navy and travel alot and some of that travel is in areas that do not afford a source of power. If they could ever advance a technology, it would have to be battery life for illuminated, constantly connected devices. Imagine not worrying about plugging in your smartphone for over a week.

04-07-2010, 12:19 PM	#15
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Yeah, the iPads battery life is great for what it is. But we've gotten 10-11 hours out of it, so it wouldn't fit your needs like an e-ink device. I don't need it as I'm always around power and have no problems plugging it in every night or two rather than every week or two like my Kindle. But e-ink is far superior on that front for people who have to spend long stretches away from power or just hate having to charge more frequently for whatever reason.