Kindle 3 e-reader versus IPad

scubaangel

The only thing you'd need to take is the kindle and charger (although on a typical holiday I'd be amazed if you needed to recharge it!). The charger lead doubles as the USB cable too so if you wanted to download more books and the hotel didnt have wifi but did have a pc terminal with a USB you could download it that way.

I went for the 3G option because I spend alot of time at my parents apartment abroad and they don't have internet access and nowhere in their village has wifi which is publicly accessible, so I wanted to ability to download as and when I finished one book and wanted the next, if the apartment had internet I'd have gone for the wifi only model.

Loobeylou

Thank you so much for your help over this everyone - I now know which version I'm going to buy ...

devizes18193

http://fwd.five.tv/gadget-show/videos/other/web-tv-107-amazon-kindle-r3play

Loobeylou

Just a further thought. I appreciate the Kindle is primarily a book reader, but presumably if you can get on to the Amazon site then you can access other sites on the Internet. How does it perform?

I am assuming that the 3G part of it makes it better to connect ... ?

kwikbreaks

WiFi is likely to outperform 3G but of course is more limited in where you can use it.

The Kindle browser is still classed as experimental sfaik (and could presumably be withdrawn).

I imagine (but don't know for sure) that the 3G will only support the Kindle store as it comes as a free service with the device and I really can't see Amazon providing permanent free web access.

Look on the Kindle as an e-book reader with the bonus of a cut down web browser. If the web browsing side of things is important to you then look for something else.

Ken68

Looby....You may also want to look into public library downloads...think, not sure, they only do Sony Readers, which cost about £100 more than a Kindle.

prowla

I quite like the Sony readers - you see them in some of the high street shops.
But they still need to lose some of the bloat around the edges and move to a full touch screen operation.
If it's just for reading books, the iPad is not the right tool for the job.

sharkie

buglawton wrote: »

Anyone tried a Times subscription a the latest Kindle? Could an elderly person manage it?

I would probably cheaper to buy the paper. Months ago, Times wanted £1.50 to read it on line, while the Telegraph as free.

there is also the APAD and the APID for round about £120 and both run android o/s

Kindle is a good device, especially in bright light and the battery (not using wireless) lasts ages. However in dim light (night reading) it is not good, has no colour, or the ability to watch films.

the LCD type screens are poor in bright light, have much lower battery life, letters are just not as crisp, but often you can do more with this device.

StumpyPumpy

prowla wrote: »

I quite like the Sony readers - you see them in some of the high street shops.
But they still need to lose some of the bloat around the edges and move to a full touch screen operation.
If it's just for reading books, the iPad is not the right tool for the job.

I know this is drifting off topic, but I've just bought a Sony eBook (PRS-350, the little one) and it is brilliant! I specifically didn't want things like 3G and WiFi and the new versions are all touchscreen (The frame is around 3/8" sides and top and 1" on the bottom) The thing that turned me off the kindle more than anything else was the keyboard - I have no use for it. Sony claims to have a capacity of around 1200 books which is more than enough for me not to want to suddenly remotely connect to somewhere and download more. The only practical use I would have for it would be subscribing to a newspaper and having it automatically download every day. I can live with the idea of occasionally connecting my eBook to a computer via USB to charge or update it. I know this will make me seem backward, but I also didn't want all the bells and whistles that are starting to make an appearance on eReaders such as MP3 players, internet browsers and games - I like "single use" devices. I want it to be good for reading eBooks not an all singing entertainment system.

Getting back on topic, what are the big (functional) differences between the Kindle and the iPad? I don't think anyone has mentioned the screen, the iPad uses LCD like a normal pc/notebook etc, the Kindle uses eInk, which doesn't light up and is much easier to read in direct sunlight, though you can't read it in the dark. It refreshes much more slowly than LCD so you won't be watching any movies on it but it does give impressive battery life (weeks vs hours). The iPad weighs around 3 times that of the Kindle (and the Kindle weighs over half as much again as my smaller Sony) which is another factor if you're planning to be holding it reading for a long time.

I would normally suggest "try before you buy" but I don't know where you can try out a Kindle - do you know anyone who has one and is willing to give you a demo?

HTH

SP

Loobeylou

I would normally suggest "try before you buy" but I don't know where you can try out a Kindle - do you know anyone who has one and is willing to give you a demo?
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Unfortunately not ...