Do I get an ipad or a kindle?

[bigbadbarry]

I know they are quite different but I am going to buy myself...something...and can't quite decide. DH has a kindle so there is one in the house already - plus I have a big pile of paper books waiting to be read. But I keep thinking how it would revolutionise packing to go away if I didn't have to fill my case with books! So I giess what I am really wondering is, what is it like to read on an ipad? Is it manageable? Will it give me a headache?
Any other thoughts?

[lilystar]

If your DH has a kindle you could use while you are away, then I'd say get an ipad. I use mine for reading (via the kindle app) all the time indoors, and have never got a headache from it, but it is useless outside. It does make a huge difference to packing though. And I have managed to reduce the bookcases in our bedroom from 3 to 1 since I bought it. The ipad is heavier than the kindle, so you really need to rest it on your lap or prop it on your knees etc.

I am still seriously considering getting a kindle too, just for reading outside, but that's because dh won't ever buy one I could 'borrow' as he rarely reads anything other than the paper!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I've got both, but I prefer the Kindle for taking out with me as it is much lighter, I can't carry a shoulder bag with the Ipad in it for long without getting shoulder ache. I like the fact that you have the Kindle App on the Ipad and it syncs with the Kindle so you can pick up either one and be in the right place. Perhaps get an Ipad and whoever is at home uses that and whoever is out takes the Kindle (you can be reading more than one book at the same time) and take both with you on holiday?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

You can get a 3G Ipad, or use a dongle.

[bigbadbarry]

It's the other functionality I suppose that is making me think it might be a good idea - can keep the kids quiet on the flight! DH will probably (!) let me use his kindle when he is not using it - and with three small children I suppose the chances of us simultaneously reading beside the pool are a bit slim.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Well, I was dubious about the Ipad but it has become the most used gadget in the house, it is just SO handy. Much easier to sit with it on your lap and browse than using a laptop, prop it up in the kitchen for reading recipes from it, the DCs play games on it, I browse MN endlessly. The best thing is that when you want to just quickly do something you press a button and its on, none of this waiting to boot up like other computers. Have no experience of other tablets but I imagine they are pretty good too.

[TheMitfordsMaid]

I couldn't be without my iPad now. I use it for everything.

[Mousey84]

What about an iPhone? I have the kindle app on mine and love it. Obv screen size isn't huge but i read it while walking on treadmill so not that difficult to see!

[MardyBra]

Marking space. Just going through the same decision process.

[NetworkGuy]

"(How about a non-apple tablet, eg the Dell Streak or Samsung Galaxy, both a bit smaller?)"

Even the ones that aren't necessarily much smaller can be considerably cheaper... Saw one 7" android tablet at under 125 and a 10" model at 200 in town today but had to run for my train so didn't get chance to check out what versions of Android they were running, nor expected battery life etc.

There's also one with a separate 'base' that has keyboard, extra USB ports, HDMI (I think) and SD card reader, oh, and another whole battery to bump up to 16 hours use without recharging :)

[bigbadbarry]

Arg! Don't expand the parameters, it confuses me :)

[CandiceMariePratt]

I love my Ipad for reading as you can read in the dark

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Pluses for the Kindle for me, we go camping, the Kindle charge lasted me the whole week (about 4 books) without needing charging, the Ipad would not last nearly as long. The Kindle is smaller and lighter for reading in bed, easier to hold, although you can prop up the Ipad. You can get a cover with a little light in it for the Kindle.

I find if I am using the Ipad during the day the DCs pester me relentlessly for their turn, while I can have the Kindle just sat next to whatever boring game interesting pastime we are doing and have a sneaky read whilst playing games, doing puzzles etc.

I just don't read as much with the Ipad because it's too tempting to browse MN instead.....

I would say if you want to surf the net etc with it as well, go for the Ipad or tablet but if it really only is for reading the Kindle is the winner.

[bigbadbarry]

Hmm, your point about the kindle being good for sneaking reading is quite persuasive! But an ipad would be good for things like keeping DD2 quiet during DD1's swimming lesson (another mum had one for precisely that purpose last week and it worked an absolute treat). I am vaguely wondering if there is any point having an ipad given that I have an itouch which I use all the time for the internet and what have you - but its screen is just too small to read on.
Gah!

[TheMitfordsMaid]

I've got an iPhone and wondered what was the point of getting the iPad. I was initially reluctant to get the iPad but quite frankly, I really couldn't be without it. I am self-employed, so use it with clients. I use it at meetings, and add actions to the evernote app that organises my life. My son draws on the doodle app when we are waiting smeewhere and we entertain ourselves with noughhts and crosses.

My 2 year old knew instantly how to use it, and he uses it to play with the grandpa in my pocket app. We have all manner of talking cats that they play with too.

I watch the iplayer app if I want to catch up on something, wherever I happen to be. I listen to the radio with it. It gets propped up in the kitchen as I use recipes from the BBC good food website.

It is m diary, my set of accounts is on there. Oh, and it has the kindle app too.


These are just some of the functions it performs for me, and it rarely leaves my side. I am typing on it now, very carefully, as lie in the bath.

[NetworkGuy]

TMM - I just hope the majority of (business) things you use it for are available via the web as well, on some other computer if need be, for the "just in case" situation, if it needs repair (or worse, was stolen)...

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

i love my ipad but have got a seriously sore neck and shoulder from it, it appears to be a known problem...

[AncientsOfMuMu]

If you are reading in bed/on sofa, the iPad hurts more than the Kindle if you fall asleep and drop it on yourself!

[TheMitfordsMaid]

Don't worry network guy, I am very careful about things like that.

[minipen]

The kindle is more like reading a real book to me, you can position yourself better like when reading in bed, I found reading on the ipad was hard going, the screen gets a bit glary after a while, or if you take too long on one page the light goes off! Kindle is so easy for popping in a bag, ipads are great too, for internet and games but for me not great for reading for hours.

Good luck with your decision!

[Bluebell99]

I use my ipad more than the my kindle. I like the fact I can get library books on the ipad for free. My daughter broke her arm recently and has used the ipad in hospital to watch films and listen to audiobooks. So agree that it is useful for entertaining children. If I had to give one of them up, it would be the kindle.

[BerylOfLaughs]

I read on the kindle app on my iPhone, or previously my android phone. Not too heavy to hold up and can read in the dark in bed. I'm not keen on a Kindle - hate the way the pages flash when you turn a page. Also, it is a single function device. My iphone is always with me so when I decide to read a book I don't have to have remembered to bring the kindle with me. Also entertains DD when we are out without having to lug heavy ipad around.

[ImpyCelyn]

I had to decide this and went with the kindle. What swung it for me is that the iPad screen isn't great in the sun. So if I wanted to take it on holiday I'd have to be indoors to use it.

[PatriciaHolm]

Kindle: great if you commute, take books on holiday, go to sports etc a lot where you have to occupy yourself (or an older child who can read, DD (6) loves it). I love mine, i used to take 6+ books on holiday now just this. (The iPad is useless for reading outside). Fully charged it should easily last for a two week holiday. Lots of cheap books available still as they are plugging it like crazy.

iPad: great for all round entertainment, so we use ours on the plane (games, movies for the kids), taking away with us when we'd like web access but don't want to take the laptop, etc. Charge drains much quicker as it's doing much more so you need to remember charger. My kids prefer it to (my!) Nintendo DS's now (in fact I wouldn't buy a child a DS these days I'd get a iTouch instead, the games are soooo much cheaper). We love Macs though, we are a totally Mac household!

If you already have an iTouch and want something for reading, I'd get the Kindle. They aren't really replacements/substitutions for each other (as you can see from the thread as with so many of us having both!)

[theyoungvisiter]

Can I divert the thread slightly and ask what the kindle web-browser is like?

I'm considering getting a kindle, and wondering whether to shell out for the 3G version or not.

Is the browser usable? How weird is it browsing in black and white? And what's connectivity like?