Kindle or iPad 3?

[Kzach]

I realise this is kinda pushing the limits on being a 'media' thread so if it's inappropriate, by all means lock it up.

Basically, I'm trying to decide between getting a Kindle or an iPad 3. This all started when I wanted to buy several books and found them incredibly difficult to locate anywhere other than as expensive paperbacks. I looked up the ebook versions and immediately realised that they were not only much cheaper, but so, so, so much easier to access.

But after looking at Kindle options, I then I also realised that there's a great special on offer for an iPad 3. I need an e-reader of some type. I WANT an iPad 3... 'cause... they're cool... need vs. want.

Now, I have an opportunity to either get a Kindle for $125 or an iPad 3 16GB for $448. I realise they're significantly different and have appropriately different price-tags. The iPad will also delay the purchase of a home gym set I've been saving up for but the thought of paying $125 for something that does nothing more than show text on a screen kinda bugs me.

So, although I have no need of an iPad, and it's significantly more expensive, it's also significantly more powerful and versatile and either way, I get what I need, ie. the e-book reader. Now all I need is to decide which way to go.

Oh, and this decision has a time-limit. The specials start on the 5th of May and finish on the 9th of May.

 

[JediSoth]

If you're just looking at reading text, the Kindle is amazing. eInk is MUCH easier on the eyes than an LCD screen for extended reading, though the new retina display on the iPad 3 might be OK (it's still backlit, though).

If you want to also use it to read gaming PDFs or comics, or other non-ebook electronic files (i.e. anything that isn't an .epub, .mobi, or .azw), you'll have to go for a tablet, because straight Kindle e-readers do a poor job. The Kindle Fire is OK for PDFs, but the screen is a bit smaller than the iPad, so if you plan to read PDFs regularly, the iPad is a better device for it.

Comparing a Kindle to an iPad is kind of like comparing a newspaper to an LCD monitor, both in functionality and usability (again the Kindle Fire is a tablet not an e-reader).

I have a Kindle Keyboard (3rd gen. Kindle, wifi no touch screen) and a Kindle Fire. I've found the Kindle fire great for reading message boards, pretty good for web browsing, OK for PDFs (a larger screen size would mitigate my issues with the Fire for PDF reading), and pretty good for e-books. The Kindle Keyboard is easier to read for an extended period of time, though. If you haven't seen an eInk screen in person, head to your nearest Staples or Target and check it out. Seriously, just for reading novels and such, there is no comparison.

 

[Gilladian]

I would go with the Ipad for another couple of reasons. I'm a librarian; I play with them with patrons all the time. The ipad is much more intuitive to use than any kindle except the "Fire". Touch screen beats buttons any day. (I do own an ipad and am an "Apple" user, so beware of my bias).

And if you are at all interested in using Library books on your device, Amazon is ticking off or scaring the big publishers. They don't want to sell to Amazon's customers, really, and they don't want to support the Kindle. They've made downloading kindle format harder over the past months, and i don't see the situation improving.

Secondly, if you download direct from Overdrive (the biggest, most common ebook provider for libraries right now), they respect your privacy in the way the library does. Amazon does not. They treat your library borrowing habits as they do purchasing info. You'll get offers to buy those books, and they'll use them to tailor ads you see, etc...

If this doesn't bother you, don't let it affect your decision, but you should know what's happening.

 

[Hand of Evil]

One, the iPAD.3 is a good bit heavier than the Kindle.
Two, the iPAD.3 does not like to be outside, very hard to read in sunlight.
Three, battery life iPAD.3 has to be recharged every 6 to 8 hours. Kindle (non color ones) last forever.

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Okay, having said that...I love my iPAD, been reading the Harry Potter books on it using the Kindle Reader app. There is just too much other things I can do with the iPAD, surfing, Facebook, gaming, etc.

Go iPAD as it is soooo much more.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

IPad2 owner, here, divulging his bias. I think that all of the various tablets & eReaders offer the consumer some good options.

Tablets simply do so much more than eReaders. That's why you buy them. The iPad, to me, did what I wanted the way I wanted, and did so very well. I was already accustomed to the iPod Touch when I got my iPad2, which is for most purposes identical. Providing more context, I just got an LG smartphone, and while it is a good machine with hardware that is superior in many ways to the iPhone's, I find it's interface is more awkward than Apple's and am seriously contemplating switching over.

If all you want is an eReader, Kindles & Nooks are probably better. I had to make a decision between a Kindle and a Nook when buying a prize for a raffle. I listened to what the 2 devices did and did not do...and went with the Nook.

 

[Janx]

on the long term readability part, that varies. My wife gets migraines. Bright lights, sounds etc can agravate that. She likes her eBook for that reason.

I've been staring at glowing phosphors from 1.5 feet away for 30 years. I'm fine. I got no problem reading a screen all day.

Now it is true, the eInk reads better outdoors. I've read a book outside probably twice in my lifetime. Generally, electronics and books don't go outside, with the exception of things like cellphones. And then, if it looks rainy, I take precautions. Basically, reading outdoors could be a non-issue for Kzach as well.

One handy consideration for iPad is that it has reader software from a few other sources, not just Apple, and including Kindle. If you buy it, you got Apple's store, kindle, and Kobo for sure. If you buy Kindle, you have Kindle's Store.

Battery life of 6-8 active hours will probably be fine. Plug it in when it needs it and get up and take breaks. Maybe exercise.

If cost is an issue, consider getting an older gen model. Even the iPad 1 is only 2 years old. My iPad 1 serves me great.

If you're hemming and hawing overr iPad vs. Home Gym, there are plenty of articles on why home exercise equipment is a bad investment. Don't take that as disouragement about exercising, merely that for a majority of home exercise equipment owners, it will end up collecting dust. You can spend your money on other things and still exercise.

Good luck!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It can use Nook stuff as well.

In addition, if you go iPad, save a few bucks and DON'T get one with 3G. I've found that wi-fi is good enough, generally, and for when it isn't, I just purchased a hotspot. You need a dataplan for one of those- just like for a 3G iPad- but it can support multiple devices and is 4G. This means it's faster...sometimes, a LOT faster.

 

[Morrus]

It can use Nook stuff as well.

In addition, if you go iPad, save a few bucks and DON'T get one with 3G. I've found that wi-fi is good enough, generally, and for when it isn't, I just purchased a hotspot. You need a dataplan for one of those- just like for a 3G iPad- but it can support multiple devices and is 4G. This means it's faster...sometimes, a LOT faster.

He's in Australia. The iPad 3 doesn't work with non-US 4G networks. In fact, in Australia, Apple had to give refunds to craploads of people when it transpired it didn't work on 4G networks there.

Something to do with different frequencies being used for 4G in different countries or something.

 

[Kzach]

Basically, reading outdoors could be a non-issue for Kzach as well.

Very much a non-issue. If I had a choice, I'd live underground. The suns... I hates it.

One handy consideration for iPad is that it has reader software from a few other sources, not just Apple, and including Kindle. If you buy it, you got Apple's store, kindle, and Kobo for sure. If you buy Kindle, you have Kindle's Store.

From another thread I started elsewhere on the same topic, I've learned that there are numerous sources for ebooks that can be read on the Kindle and iPad. This one is my favourite: Project Gutenberg - free ebooks

If you're hemming and hawing overr iPad vs. Home Gym, there are plenty of articles on why home exercise equipment is a bad investment. Don't take that as disouragement about exercising, merely that for a majority of home exercise equipment owners, it will end up collecting dust. You can spend your money on other things and still exercise.

Well... I've been saving towards the home-gym setup for seven months and an iPad investment would set me back another two or more months. The only reason I'm considering the iPad is because there is a rare synergy between the iPad being recently released, a special being on where I work, AND a special staff discount, all at the same time which reduces the price of the iPad by $92 AUD. I'm not going to see a synergy like that for a LONG time to come.

As for $1,315 worth of home gym equipment gathering dust... yeah, not likely. The guilt of spending that much money alone will be motivation to use it as much as possible

He's in Australia. The iPad 3 doesn't work with non-US 4G networks. In fact, in Australia, Apple had to give refunds to craploads of people when it transpired it didn't work on 4G networks there.

Something to do with different frequencies being used for 4G in different countries or something.

I blame this entirely on Australia. We have the stupidest, most incompetent, money-grubbing, idiotic telco's in the world. Seriously.

 

[Morrus]

I blame this entirely on Australia. We have the stupidest, most incompetent, money-grubbing, idiotic telco's in the world. Seriously.

I'd blame it on Australia, too, if it wasn't the same in every country except the US. It doesn't work on UK, or French, or German, or anyone else's 4G networks, either. The device was just designed with the US* 4G frequencies hardwired in, and nowhere else's.

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/new-ipad-refunds-offered-in-aussie-4g-furore-50007477/



*Maybe Canada? Dunno.