iPad vs Kindle?

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I'm sure I've seen a thread on this before but I can't find it. Anyway...

I got a Kindle for Christmas which I really love. But, after having had a really rough time the last few days my dad has said if I give the Kindle to my brother he'll buy me an iPad. I would absolutely adore an iPad, I'm a real Apple fangirl and only lack of funds has stopped me getting one already. But I'm not sure I want to give up the Kindle to get one as I have an iPhone.

So, sell me the iPad as an e-reader. I don't need selling on any other aspect, I've touched one, that's enough! I just want to know if it does a decent job as a Kindle replacement.

The screen is different.

As you know the Kindle is like reading a book, and the iPad has a back lit screen.

According to the blurb, Kindle screen should be easier on the eyes when reading for a longer period of time.

Saying that, I have never had any kind of eye strain reading on the iPad.

You can download the Kindle app to your iPad, and synch it to your iPhone so that you are never without your book.

I have both and tbh, I use the iPad more. It is slightly heavier, but because it is backlit, I can use it in bed (dark screen, light out) and don't disturb DH.

I only now use the Kindle if I am going somewhere I don't want to risk taking the iPad to - eg. a beach or park.

If your Dad is happy to buy you the iPad then I would go with it.

i does a decent job of being an e-reader. Obviously it doesn't do as good a job as a dedicated reading gadget but I've not had any issues with reading books on it.

however.... Should you be waiting for the rumoured next generation iPad...?

It is good if you want to read in dark places (bed) but if for example you want to read in bright sunlight (beach) you can get a reflection off the smooth flat screen which is a problem. I prefer it as the text resize is a lot easier with 'the pinch' movement. Plus it has all the other gubbins that comes with an iPad where a Kindle does not. iPad power consumption is not very bad but liquid ink on the Kindle uses hardly any juice at all.

*electronic ink not liquid ink sorry

Don't you have to pay for the 3G iPad connection, whereas you don't for downloading to the Kindle on 3G?

Obviously not an issue if you're just going to use wifi.

Thanks for the replies. Pretty much what I thought then. My Kindle is only wifi which was a mistake with hindsight, would definitely go for the 3G iPad. It's about a tenner a month I think.

There isn't any hurry, so I might see if an iPad 2 materialises. I just have a niggling feeling I'll regret losing the Kindle and end up buying another one.

Really depends where and how you use your Kindle.

Saying that, if your Dad is willing to buy you an iPad, you can always buy yourself another Kindle, one with 3G.

but the iPad is puuurdy

and there's games (BIG ANGRY BIRDS!!), and the star map thing where you hold it up to the sky, e-mail, download documents, photos, nice big MNing in the dark...what's not to love?

and did I mention it's a very gorgeous thing?

I like MmeLindt's wicked plan.

Well I have the iPad money in my sweaty paw and one reserved at pc world tomorrow. When you sign up for the 3G service do you do that through iTunes? I know what I want to get but don't want pc world trying to flog me anything.

If you can't wait the 4 months until the ipad2 then go get the ipad 1.

My advice is not to buy ANY accessories. Get yourself a case at a fraction of the price from ebay, oh and a couple of screen protectors too. Get more than one cos invariably you will mess up the first. They're only a couple of quid versus like £10 in PC World.

As for 3G, my advice is to start off with a monthly contract or even pay as you go. I doubt you will use it a lot. I rarely travel with mine.

I have the wifi version, and have rarely used it out of the house. Or needed to use it.

I have bought a mobile wifi dongle thingy but have not yet got it to work, must fiddle with it sometime this week.

Yes to screen protector and case but I would go for a more expensive screen protector. The first one I had was useless, then I bought this screen protector and it is fab. It definitely cuts down on fingerprints marks.

Thanks. I will need the 3G; I'm going to start getting the train to work instead of driving , my parents don't have wireless and we go away for weekends a fair bit.

I have the screen devil for iPhone and it is great so will be getting one of those and need to get a case quickish so will start ebaying now!

As I said, I'm a bit of a fangirl so have been looking at the features rumoured for the iPad 2 and I can't see anything that's a dealbreaker. I have an iPhone 4 which I will always carry with me and which I'll sell and upgrade as and when.

Ooh excited now!