IPad 2 as a reader ?

[Quelch]

I've been using a Kobo Touch for a few months and was happy enough with it until my wife started using it, now it's hers, I don't know how that happened !

So I'm in the market for an eReader for myself

I've been looking at the Kindle Touch, it's available here for $A185- or about $A155- from Amazon including postage

Though I have other eReading requirements such as technical magazines, newspapers, comics etc that an eInk reader doesn't do very well

So I'm considering an IPad 2 as an eReader, they're available here for $A399-

Reading technical magazines, newspapers, comics etc shouldn't be a problem for me as the time I spend reading them is only a half hour or an hour but I'm concerned how I'll cope with reading novels were I may be reading for a couple of hours at a time

Is reading on the IPad as tiring on the eyes as a full size computer screen ?

Are IPad users happy using it as an eReader ?

Thanks for any advice

[monkeyluis]

I'm happy reading on it. Too me it's not tiring. I think it just depends on your eyes. But you are able to turn down brightness, make font changes, etc. so that could help with getting it just right.

[Valhalla]

I used my ipad2 as an ereader for a week or 2 before I went back to my kindle. Main issue was the size and weight, I was surprised how much difference it made.

[Talldog]

I don't read books on my iPad, but I spend hours every day browsing and occasionally reading magazines, and the screen doesn't bother me. However, as Valhalla said, size and weight might be an issue. Also, you can forget about reading outside in the sun.

[JSWolf]

Since your wife has your Kobo, getting a Kindle would be a very bad idea as they are incompatible. You would be better off with another device that handles ePub be it a Kobo, Sony, B&N, or even an iPad2. I do sometimes use my iPad to read with and I use Bluefire Reader as it works better then iBooks (overall). There are a couple of things vs an eink reader. The iPad is larger, header, and not as easy to hold in one hand. The ability to do so many other things with an iPad could be a distraction (if you get easily distracted). Oh and an iPad is poor in sunlight. The screen just gets very washed out. Plus, the battery life between charges is not as good as an eink reader.

But if all that doesn't bother you, then get an iPad. But if you want an eink reader, get one that uses ADE, having am incompatible reader is going to just be more of a hassle then it's worth. The Kindle won't handle ePub and you will have to strip DRM and convert. And it's a hassle to do so using Amazon's tools. Calibre doesn't convert ePub to KF8 yet.

The Kindle app for the iPad suffers from marginaphobia. It's afraid to get anywhere near the sides of the bezel.

[Andrew H.]

I didn't like reading on my iPad 2 at all. The 3 is much better, although I still prefer the e-ink screen of my Kindle.

[Valkrider]

I only read on my iPad. I use Bluefire reader set to night time colours and adjust the brightness to suit. Works well for me even reading for several hours at a time.

[FlorenceArt]

I read very little on my iPad, but that's mostly because I read on the train, and though I do take my iPad with me sometimes, I can only get it out if I'm sitting down. I couldn't use it while standing and holding it in one hand. An e-ink reader is better suited for that kind of reading.

One big advantage of the iPad against my Opus is the touchscreen, combined with the speed. For turning pages it's not really required, but looking up a word in the dictionary, or quickly flipping back a few pages to read a passage again, is so much easier and quicker on the iPad.

The backlit screen can be a problem sometimes, but I just adjust the brightness. It's relatively easy to do, press the Home button twice then slide the apps bar toward the left to got to the luminosity slider. I do it often but I can live with that.

Andrew H. makes a good point about the iPad 3 being better, because of the higher definition. But the iPad 2 does a good job for me.

[lovelygirl]

Originally Posted by Quelch

I've been using a Kobo Touch for a few months and was happy enough with it until my wife started using it, now it's hers, I don't know how that happened !

So I'm in the market for an eReader for myself

I've been looking at the Kindle Touch, it's available here for $A185- or about $A155- from Amazon including postage

Though I have other eReading requirements such as technical magazines, newspapers, comics etc that an eInk reader doesn't do very well

So I'm considering an IPad 2 as an eReader, they're available here for $A399-

Reading technical magazines, newspapers, comics etc shouldn't be a problem for me as the time I spend reading them is only a half hour or an hour but I'm concerned how I'll cope with reading novels were I may be reading for a couple of hours at a time

Is reading on the IPad as tiring on the eyes as a full size computer screen ?

Are IPad users happy using it as an eReader ?

Thanks for any advice

IMO,it depends on one's personal habits, it has little effect to me...

[eljoden]

well, I like it ... it has an appropriate screen size, comfortable for reading...besides, it's useful when I travel and it don't give me bored

[boydcarts]

I got my iPad 2 last November, and I haven't used my Nook since. I had a Nook Color at the time too, but ended up giving it to my sister because I knew I wasn't going to use it one I had the iPad. I found that I liked the "page" size on the iPad better, even though though the NC had a better resolution than the iP2. That being said, I don't have any problems reading on the iPad. I'm fine with the weight/size issue, but that's going to vary based on personal needs. I do miss the battery life of my eInk Nook, but battery life hasn't affected my ability to read.

[Madmanden]

I find myself using my Kindle less after I got my Ipad 2. It's not that the Ipad is a better reader, it's just that it can do so much more at the same time (which can be both good and bad I guess ). But it's a surprisingly capable e-reading device, although the Kindle is the best in that regard. But the Ipad is not bad at all.

[HarryT]

I find them good for different circumstances. When I'm out and about, the convenience of the Kindle is great. When I'm reading at home, the iPad is equally superb, but it's too big to carry it everywhere with me as I do the Kindle. There's really no such thing as a single reading devices that's "best" in all circumstances.

So yes, the iPad is a very good reading device. But so is a Kindle, or other eInk reader.

[Latinandgreek]

I find that I use my iPad a lot for reading PDFs, manga, comics and magazines, but I very rarely read anything that I can find as an epub on it. I find eink much more pleasant to read on, and would likely be more willing to get rid of my iPad before getting rid of my Sony readers.

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I find that I use my iPad a lot for reading PDFs, manga, comics and magazines, but I very rarely read anything that I can find as an epub on it. I find eink much more pleasant to read on, and would likely be more willing to get rid of my iPad before getting rid of my Sony readers.

That would be a tough choice for me! I want both!