GJDriessen GJDriessen

Best for reading - Ipad or Kindle?

Best for reading - Ipad or Kindle?

I'm thinking about buying either the Amazon Kindle or Ipad2. I wonder if you have experience with these machines and how they match up for reading. Of course I know the Kindle is especially meant for reading, but I wonder if the Ipad comes close or if the kindle is in a league on its own.

 

107,303 views 29 replies
Reply #26 Top

Kindle - but only for reading a book.

Reply #27 Top

Coming from a person who can spend an entire day (between work and recreation) looking at computer screens without any appreciable eye strain: E-ink is a LOT better for reading than an LED screen.

I don't really know why, maybe there is some "hidden" eye strain I just don't notice with normal laptop/led screen viewing that I'm not getting with my ereader. There's something about reading from normal light that backlit technology can't emulate. I just like it a lot better for reading.

 

On the flipside, while pdfs display pretty good (with zoom, landscaping, etc), ereaders still tend to not do well as a referencing reader. Having a mouse (or touch screen) to go to the embedded links, or having multiple open and easily switched like a laptop or ipad does (presumably, I don't have one), means all the difference.

But... I already have a laptop. I don't need to drop nearly a grand on something that does things "not quite as good" as my laptop. If I'm playing games, or referencing material, then I will be sitting at my laptop anyways, not on the toilet or whatever. I'm likely going to need a full keyboard for a LOT of typing, so the Ipad's "master of none" issue really doesn't fill the niche for me.

So, I spent 100$ on my Kobo ereader (the Canadian/Chapters/Indigo one... no ads by the way), strictly for reading, and it's been really, really good to me so far.

Also, I second the emphasis on how great Calibre is. Great library organizing tool.

Reply #28 Top

Thanks for all the reviews and responses. I will definitely buy an e-reader. As regards an Ipad, I will first need to buy a smarthphone :)

 

Reply #29 Top

Quoting GJDriessen, reply 28
I will first need to buy a smarthphone

Wait a couple of years and they will be the same thing! :)