Kindle or IPad

[Paulonius]

My inlaws want to give me one or the other for my birthday. Which should I choose and why?

[jtw1984]

I think the obvious answer is Ipad.

Let's start with basic pricing:

Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7" Display: $379.00 (http://www.amazon.com/).

Ipad Middle Priced with Wi-Fi and 3G plus 32GB: $729.00 (www.apple.com)

Price differential: $350.00

Functions:

Kindle: Download Books, Newspapers, and magazines. Stores books bought in online library to be downloaded anytime. 3G capabilities to check twitter and what not. Books can be downloaded in under 60 seconds. No glare screen. The perfect piece of equipment for the serious book reader. 9.7" inch screen (Black and White).

Ipad: Web Browser, Email, Photos, Videos, YouTube, iTunes, iBooks (Apple's version of Kindle. I know on my ipod there is a kindle app but not sure about Ipad), Thousands of Apps, Map system for directions, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Built in Speakers, 9.7" COLOR screen.

Main Differences:

Ipad offers the best of all worlds for just a 350 dollar difference. You get a color screen with built in speakers for watchign videos or listening to music. Kindle offers no speakers or color screen but is great for reading books.

Overall I would suggest Ipad if given the choice. Shorter battery life but lots more you can do.

Most the features were taken from respective pages.

[TrailMyx]

You really can't compare the two.  Kindle is an awesome reading device. IPad is a general web tool. Kindle you can read in direct sunlight whereas you'll need to think a bit more about your reading experience.  I've owned my kindle for 3 weeks andhave charged it once with heavy use.

Anyhow the kindle does what it was designed to do very well.

[jtw1984]

I always contemplated a kindle, but I guess maybe I'm too old fashioned...or cheap. One or the other. hehe

[TrailMyx]

One correction about the kindle specs jtw, it does have speakers and can even "read" the books to you.  I plug it into my car audio system when I drive to work so I can read and drive.

I only own the 6" kindle, and that's just $189.

[jtw1984]

One correction about the kindle specs jtw, it does have speakers and can even "read" the books to you.  I plug it into my car audio system when I drive to work so I can read and drive.

I only own the 6" kindle, and that's just $189.

Ah my bad! Yeah I always figured Kindles were for people that LOVED reading and Ipads were for people that wanted...well a giant ipod.

[yucka]

One correction about the kindle specs jtw, it does have speakers and can even "read" the books to you.  I plug it into my car audio system when I drive to work so I can read and drive.

I only own the 6" kindle, and that's just $189.

Out of curiosity, how does it sound when it reads a book? I listen to a lot of audio books on the road, would it be good enough for long trips?

-yucka

[TrailMyx]

I was actually surprised how well the books are annunciated.  Sometimes it gets a bit silly with strange words, but it's pretty clear for most reading.

For me, I look forward to long drives; I just crank up the audio level and GO! 

One thing to be clear about: some publishers are out to milk the cash cow and restricted Amazon to "turn off" the audio reading feature (so they basically force you to buy the book on CD).  Kinda lame if you ask me.

However, most of the titles I read are older, so they don't have this restriction.  I'm sure that new releases will be more susceptible to this limitation.

[Xclio]

I would say the decision is kinda based on what you want to do.  If you want something for reading then the Kindle is the way to go.  If you are looking for something that is more all around multimedia then the Ipad is the way to go.  I have neither as I am not a reading type and honestly don't want anything to do with apple.

[TrailMyx]

BTW:  linky for sound example:

... and honestly don't want anything to do with apple.

Amen, brotha!

[Paulonius]

Thanks for the input guys, I went Kindle.  Now going to figure out how to download some books...

[TrailMyx]

Thanks for the input guys, I went Kindle.  Now going to figure out how to download some books...

Book ordering is amazingly simple.  You just buy them through the kindle store and they automagically appear on your kindle (your kindle comes automatically bonded with your amazon account)  Another neat feature is I have the kindle book reader on my Android phone as well and I can read the same book on both pieces of hardware, and they will stay in sync with my current reading position.

Ahh, one less Apple drone.  (and the angels sang)