Putting together a feature-for-feature Kindle vs iPad review, which gadget will likely prevail? No doubt about it, the Apple iPad, with its recent much hyped about launch, is the “in” thing at present. True-blue Apple patrons can barely wait to get their hands on one as the WiFi versions are expected to ship in late March, and the 3G models are arriving in April. When that time comes, we will no doubt see long lines in front of every Apple store as what transpired with the sale of the iPhone.
But what of the ebook reading devices like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader? The ereader has slowly become a mainstream consumer device, with the Kindle getting the bigger share of the market. Seeing the promise of such a device however, a lot of similar ebook readers have also cropped up, with most of them having practically the same attributes as that of the Kindle. Now with the entry of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably function as an ebook reader, the gadget need may swing to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a significant dent on the ebook reader industry? Let’s weigh the significant factors.
First off, the negatives. The iPad will only be associated with Apple?s own ebook store. While this makes sense for those who are still considering buying an ebook reading gadget, if you already own plenty of ebooks, you won?t be able to access these in the iPad. Actual ebook costs are still for confirmation, but there’s talk that buying iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to cost you around $12.99 and $14.99. This can be a little steep for those who have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon’s ebooks continue to retail at $9.99 apiece.
Nonetheless, acquiring an iPad has its own set of benefits, as it’s a device able to serve many functions. You will be able to use this big iPhone lookalike, sans the “phone”, to stream high-def movies, watch your favorite TV shows, browse the net, and play games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. True to Apple standards, the clarity and color is superb, and it comes with your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal storage. With such storage capacity, the Library can hold a lot of books, which are ingeniously displayed on a “book shelf” design. With one simple tap, you may choose your ebook, and read it on the high-resolution, LED back-lit display. Depending on your storage and connection preferences, prices start out at $499 and end at $829. It does run special apps developed specially for the iPad, and you’ll have access to many of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.
On the other hand, the Kindle is a device intended for the user’s most comfortable and easy reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD screen of the iPad, the Kindle, like the present batch of ebook readers, is equipped with e-ink display, which many say, is still best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle’s battery can last up to two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the ideal traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at $259, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs $489.
So which gadget gets our thumbs up in this Kindle vs iPad matchup? Certainly for the gadget geek, the iPad will fit perfectly alongside his MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and its smaller counterpart in looks, the iPhone. Jobs and his staff have created yet another brilliant product for the dedicated Apple user. But for the booklover just aiming to read in the most conjucive “environment” and don?t require all of the other extra features, the Kindle remains to be your best option on the market today.
Handheld ebook readers continue to grow in popularity as more reading enthusiasts discover the benefits of using one. But how will multi-function gadgets like the iPad affect the ereader market? Visit us to read our detailed Kindle vs iPad reviewand to know more about the most popular ebook readers today.