In this article I am going to be discussing the Amazon Kindle and the Apple iPad 2. I shall be reviewing both products and giving you information on both so you can make an educated decision on which product will suit you best.
The purpose of this article is to solely focus on the reading capabilities of the kindle and the iPad 2, but I shall outline points that I think are important to you when deciding which product you would like, and of course after this article you may decide that neither device is for you and if that is the case then hopefully we can point you in a new direction. Enough of the intro let's get down to business.
Just read or do more?
Like I stated above I will be focusing on the reading capabilities of both devices, however I will outline other features of the devices that I think could be an advantage/disadvantage of the device.
Just Reading
If you want a device that allows you to read without the distraction of emails and social network updates then the Kindle is a great device.
The Amazon kindle does allow you to surf online but because of the black and white screen I wouldn't recommend especially on social networking sites. When I want to read I really don't want the distractions or interruptions that social networks and emails often give us. When I read I want to be drawn in by the book and if I were to get interrupted by learning that someone had posted a new status message on Facebook saying they have "just had an ice cream at Ben and Jerries" then I think it would take the magic away from reading.
The Kindle also comes much closer to replicating a page of a book and this is because of the e-ink screen that it has. The e-ink screen also consumes much less power than a standard LCD screen which keeps the battery charged for longer. I will discuss this in more detail later though.
Wanting to do more
If you however are in the other camp of people that wants to keep updated by social messages, read emails on the go while still being able to read your favorite books then the Apple iPad 2 is a great device.
The iPad 2 also as video and audio capabilities that the Kindle doesn't have, so if you are out on the go you can plug your headphones into it and watch your favorite film or TV show, that is if you can put your book down for long enough.
If you have decided on either option yet, don't buy anything because we still have a lot to cover and by the end of this review I may have changed your mind or may have helped to make your decision easier.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of both the Kindle and the iPad 2 varies greatly and the iPad 2 is larger in both areas. The Amazon Kindle weighs in at only 6 ounces and is the lightest e-reader available to purchase. The iPad 2 on the other hand is much bigger at 1.35 pounds and is around 10 inches in length.
At this point you may be thinking just like I thought that the bigger screen would give the iPad an advantage when it comes to reading but this is not the case as font sizes on all e-reading devices can be resized to fit the users reading preference. This means whether you're reading on a 6 inch screen or a 10 inch screen that there is no sacrifice of text readability.
Weight on the other hand is something you really should think about before purchasing either device. The Kindle is light whereas the iPad is heavy. I can tell you now from personal experience that after using the Kindle for a few hours my arms start to become tired and I often find myself switching positions so I can continue reading. The iPad 2 is much heavier and fatigue from holding this device aloft occurs a lot quicker than using the kindle.
Adding a case on to either device for protection also adds on weight, so you should in my opinion take the weight of each e-reader into consideration before making a purchasing decision.
E-ink vs LCD
The Amazon kindle uses e-ink where the Apple iPad 2 uses LCD. Both e-ink and LCD have advantages and disadvantages. One display won't suit everyone and there for you and I might have different preferences when it comes to screen types.
Advantages of E-ink
E-Ink is the closest technology at this time that comes to replicating an actual book page.
Reading in direct sunlight isn't a problem with e-ink. This can't be said for LCD which is apparent in the iPad.
E-Ink uses up less battery power than an LCD allowing you to read for longer.
Disadvantages of E-ink
E-ink is only available in black and white colors. If you like reading comics or something with graphical content then e-ink won't display this type of content correctly.
The refresh rate in which the page is turned isn't as quick as a LCD. I however doubt that a casual reader would even notice.
The biggest disadvantage in my opinion is that e-ink doesn't have a backlight, this means that you can't read on your Kindle in the dark without an external light source. Now you can buy lights to accompany your kindle but the cheapest option that I have found is to simply purchase a desktop lamp. This is what I had to do, because I do most of my reading before I go to bed as it relaxes me.
Advantages of LCD
LCD has a color screen allowing you to read graphical content such as comics or magazines in the way they were intended to.
LCD also has a backlight which the kindle doesn't and this allows you to read in low light situations.
Disadvantages of LCD
Having a backlight can be an advantage but it can also be a disadvantage as some users complain that over usage causes your eyes to tire over a long period of reading.
LCD is more of a drain on the batteries resources and this shows as the iPad 2 has a smaller battery life than the Kindle.
LCD screens are reflective, because of this lights and even the sun can reflect off the screen causing the text to be unreadable.
E Ink vs LCD - The Winner
I don't really think there is a winner of either type and I can simply see two display systems that would benefit different people.
If you already stare at a computer screen for hours without a problem, like reading in the dark and indoors then an LCD (iPad) would probably be the best choice for you. If you like going outdoors, reading in sunlight and prefer the look of a real book then an e-ink (Kindle) display would be better for you.
Turning the page
You may be thankful to know that no finger licking is required to turn the pages on either device but I'm sure if you're dead set on keeping to your old habits then you can do it, but you will probably end up with a mucky screen.
As you know the iPad 2 is a touch screen tablet that uses your fingers to navigate. To turn the page on the iPad you simply put your finger on the page and do a flicking motion from right to left. The iPad then shows a cool animation of the page being turned.
The kindle which isn't a touch screen changes pages via buttons on the side of the device.
When I first purchased the Kindle I must admit I didn't like these buttons because they felt weird to use. The buttons didn't go in or down instead to change the page it feels like you have to roll your thumb on them. Now that I'm used to the system it doesn't bother me but it did take some time getting used to.
The Kindle has four of these buttons, two on either side. One turns the page back and one goes onto the next page. I really don't see the need for these four buttons and I think that 2 buttons would suffice.
The only time I have seen a point of these buttons is when I have laid on my side with the kindle also on its side. Having a back and forth button on both sides of the device means that I didn't have to pick the device up to change pages. I don't know if this was the intention of the designers but that is the only use of so many buttons that I can think of.
Downloading Books and Your local library
Both iPad 2 and Kindle that I have used only had Wi-Fi connections. It is worth noting that you can get 3G connections on both devices, but this will cost you more money and will drain your battery quicker when in use.
3G connection also adds on more weight to both devices. If you really want it then get it but I wouldn't recommend it as downloading books via Wi-Fi or your computer is simple and quick enough to do on both devices.
Battery Life
Kindle - The kindle is advertised to be able to be used for over a month on just one charge. I believe this is when using the device for only an hour a day. If like me you like to read more than an hour a day then you will probably get around 30-35 hours of reading on a single charge.
iPad 2 - The multimedia capabilities and LCD have a big effect on the battery life on the iPad. Apple advertise the battery of the iPad 2 to last around 10.5 hours but this is greatly reduced when watching media or using the internet.
One tip for saving battery on both devices is to turn off Wi-Fi on both devices when not in use.
Kindle Conclusion
Good Points
Compact and lightweight
Very Affordable
Crisp E ink Display
Can store hundreds of books
Portable
30 hours of battery life between charges
Bad Points
No touch Screen
No keyboard (on screen keyboard is provided)
No audio
AC charger separate
Summary
Overall the Amazon kindle is a great little portable e-reader that allows you to transport hundreds of your favorite books around with you at all times. The kindle is the lightest e-reader on the market and it can really fit in your back pocket. I for one wouldn't travel anywhere without it, in fact when I do leave my house I often check to see if I have my wallet, keys and kindle in my pockets.
If you're looking for a great little e-reader then the Kindle is an excellent choice.
iPad 2 conclusion
Good Points
Color Screen
Media capabilities
Social connection
Huge Storage
Bad Points
Heavy
Expensive
LCD Screen glare
Final Conclusion
Light vs heavy, color vs black and white, e ink vs LCD, Kindle vs iPad 2. Whatever your preference I'm sure that one device doesn't fit all and quite possibly you and I will have different opinions on which device is better for reading. One thing I won't argue either is that both of the devices in question are fantastic e-readers.
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