iPad or Kindle: will our wallets decide?
By Paul Miller 
posted January 27th 2010 6:18PM
posted January 27th 2010 6:18PM
 iPad |
 Kindle 2 |
 Kindle DX |
| Upfront cost | $499 / $629 (3G) | $259 | $489 |
| Screen size | 9.7-inch | 6-inch | 9.7-inch |
| Screen resolution | 1024 x 768 | 600 x 800 | 1200 x 824 |
| Pixel density | 132 ppi | 167 ppi | 150 ppi |
| Screen type | Color IPS LCD | 16-level gray E Ink | 16-level gray E Ink |
| Storage | 16GB | 2GB | 4GB |
| Accelerometer | Yes | No | Yes |
| Music | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Movies | Yes | No | No |
| Text-to-speech | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| ePub | Yes | No | No |
| Kindle books | Yes (Kindle app) | Yes | Yes |
| 3G service cost | N/A / $15 / $30 | Free | Free |
| 3G networks | GSM / HSDPA (US) | EV-DO + HSDPA (World) | EV-DO + HSDPA (World) |
| Weight | 1.5 pound | 0.6 pound | 1.2 pound |
| Thickness | 0.53-inches | 0.34-inches | 0.38-inches |
| Battery | 10 hours | 1 week | 1 week |
Update: As Daniel P. pointed out to us, the iPad, like the iPhone 3GS, has VoiceOver screen reading technology. It might not work as slickly in iBooks as Kindle's text-to-speech functionality, but hopefully it still get the job done. We updated the chart accordingly.
Apple doesn't care about your vision. A Color IPS LCD is not suited for long term reading, period.
I would choose Kindle as an e-reader. Period.
Reading sucks!! It's called going to the movies. If I had an ipad i would use it like an iPhone/itouch
@blackactor
It won't make the PC fanboys shut the fuck up though, will it?
Including "Movies" in that chart is pretty damn silly. Plus, there no mention that Amazon's ebooks will apparently be significantly cheaper than Apple's.
The Kindle is the superior reading device.
I'm not sure whether or not I will get the iPad in it's first generation, but if I do, my Kindle 2 will remain my primary reading device for books without color images..
The question raises a false dichotomy, because one could conceivably own both. Two of the same thing can have different form factors, likewise, 2 different things can have the same form factor. This demonstrates the latter. Which means that the Kindle and the iPad aren't really in competition. It's simply a nice coincidence that the iPad can read books like the Kindle. But the Kindle is obviously a better choice if it's primary use is reading things like books or magazines.
There are only two rules for being in business:
1) to have a product for an exiting market
2) to create a market for an existing product
Guess what is Apple strength.
Guess who needs to learn what?
Against all odds of being the most expensive, this company is making billions of dollars in profits. Why?
They talk to your imagination, to your physical senses. They speak the universal language of beauty and simplicity. If I had to work for someone else, I would work for them.
Surf's up, dudes and dudettes, even if you're from another planet.
P.S. I too have lots of ideas in a different vein as mainstream, but I may be wrong.
Why do tech blogs keep doing stupid crap like this. Dumb phrases like "iPhone killer", and comparing two devices even though one is clearly more specialized than the other.
If the Kindle ever supports epub then count me in. As for the iPad, sorry but the more I think about it the less I like it.
Fuck this Apple "iPad".. LOOK AT IT. It's a big, mutated iPod touch is what it is. What a joke, exactly what I DIDN'T expect from Apple. Did they lose all of their creative talent and modern ideals?
@The Missing Link
What did you expect? A small un-mutated iPod touch?
I've been in the market for an e-reader for the last 6 months, but hesitated because of the new crops of e-readers that would be coming out in 2010. I knew 2010 will be the year for e-readers and I probably would be debating which e-reader to get for months to come. In the end, I decided to go with the Kindle DX (global) Edition; just received it yesterday.
My main reason for going with the Kindle DX is because of its size, E-ink technology and the 3G Wireless (No Charge). I'm an IT Engineer who reads many, many certification books, PDF White Papers and the Kindle DX just fits the bill; perfect (PDF support could be a bit better, however). I look at LCD; LED screens all day long a part of my job. When I'm in my studying mode, which is often, reading my certification books on E-ink technology (now) is pure pleasure; even on the hardcover books. I just can't see doing any e-reading on the iPad or any other device that have back-lighting.
My take on Apple's new iPad is...it is awesome and a nice piece of technology. The price is in-line and it is a tremendous value for what you're getting. I was a Blackberry fan since they first came out and had every version (part of the perks of being in IT) and often told myself... "I would never buy an iPhone". In Sept 08' I found myself ditching my new 8830 World Edition BB for the 2 Gen iPhone...never looked back. It is probably my best piece technology and I have all the latest and greatest toys. (Don’t get me started)
The point is this, some people, if not many, will pay for the iPad because of it functionality, value and probably to have the latest and greatest. For some people who are strictly looking for an E-reader (Like me) and have done their research know the E-ink technology is the king technology for e-readers. It is much easier on the eyes, not to mention on the battery life. So in my opinion, to compare the iPad and Kindle (DX) is unfair, but understandable. Most people who are in the market for a Netbook or an E-reader will most likely and should include the iPad. I think the iPad will be more of a threat to netbooks (and small inexpensive laptops), than to the Kindle DX or the new Sony Daily Edition E-reader.
In short, huge fan of the new iPad, my iPhone is my best friend (will be trading it in for the 3GS; upgrade offer is coming up), but I will not be trading my new Kindle DX for the iPad; as much as the tech-side of me wants to.
@holderj22 Yes, strictly speaking, the iPad cannot compare to e-ink devices. I have the Sony Daily Edition and love it! Just think, you can read in the sunlight!... which seems to be a point that is lost on the media blitz.
iTouch XL - thats what i call it. Confused product that isnt an ultimate tablet , isnt a phone , isnt a laptop and isnt an e-reader... It's an iTouch XL that tries to do a little bit of everything - without any flexibility.
a couple revisions and it would be MUCH better.
NEEDS:
Multitasking
2x USB inputs
HDMI out (480p output ?? and they are touting iWORK etc for prezo's ?)
updated OS ( for more flexibility + software - imagine adobe photoshop/illustrator specific software etc )
5 megapixel camera ( pretty standard on most phones now.. )
Tablets definitely have purpose ( design / architecture / meetings / Visual graphics etc etc) - its just going to take time for them to really get refined /advanced enough to shine...
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wtf @ comments playing up.
_________________
@D1RTYSLOTH
So you have a camera on your phone and your laptop why must it be on the iPad as well? Must you really take more self portraits :-)
HDMI? Why did best all of a sudden stop selling DVD and bluray players?
USB for what exactly? Printing? camera? Import the damn photos with iPhoto and sync. That way if you lose your iPad, you'll still have your photos. Doens't the dock connector end in USB anyway?
@fijaicairo
Camera on ipad - Video chat? / why not??
HDMI output - what are you talking about ? for presentations and for hooking the ipad up to a projector - why show low-res presentations / output of artwork etc etc..
USB -so you dont have to run shitty adapters and can easily have usb devices connect / transfer data / use other peripherals. oh thats right all camera's now use blutooth :P
They should add eye doctor expenses on the chart.
@vaggelisz
Says the guy posting a comment at 1 am most likely on a non e-ink device.
@vaggelisz
Yeah,the sad part is that it will cost us and our tax dollars in the long run. When Apple loving fan boys realize they cannot see anymore.
@fijaicairo
Nope, its just the guy with approximately 7 hours of difference in time zone.
Greetings from the city of Chania, island of Crete, Greece.
The Kindle 2 and Kindle DX run on AT&T's 3g network, not EV-DO.
I don't believe you can compare the Kindle to the iPad because they're not in the same category of electronics. To me, comparing the two is similar to comparing a sony phone with a camera to a sony camera. Clearly the device that solely functions as one task - eBook reader - ) will be better than the one that does multiple task.
As for all Apple devices, they're solely entertainment devices.
HOW BOUT NONE
that said entourage is a better iPad and a better kindle and the ideal happy medium between both.
Isn't the iPad after the high end netbook market? Comparing it to a Kindle is ridiculous. The iPad does NOT had eInk.
@Tohe That can't be true, can it? I don't own a netbook but I would imagine high-end netbooks can multitask.
I've owned every Kindle, and use the Kindle 3 for reading. I didn't like the Kindle DX, it was too big and heavy and didn't do enough extra to justify it. The Kindle 2 is just the right size. The things I like the most about the Kindle are the lack of eyestrain reading, and it's small and light enough to put in a coat pocket or the small bag I carry. I also love the fact that the battery lasts me about two weeks when I keep the wireless off. The iPad doesn't improve on any of this. The #1 thing I hate about my iPhone? It's the fact that the battery doesn't last a day and sometimes for no reason doesn't even last 5 hours. I wouldn't consider an iPad unless it had a good two days of battery life.
I don't know what to think of the iPad.
It wants to be a computer... but it isn't.
It wants to be an ereader... but it isn't.
When you buy this device, you'll be stripped of all the possibilities you have when using a computer.
Sure, they have a lot of apps! But can it manage files? Don't think so.
Can I edit my videos on it? Don't think so.
I'm not sure Apple was aiming for with this device but to me it seems like it's a device only my mother would like to use during the day.
Everything I've read here is on point. As an Apple supporter, I had high hopes for this device, and was quite disappointed by the release. But one thing on this forum is really irking me. The battery life issue...
Who the hell in this day and age is not trained to plug their gadgets in every night? I've never had a gadget that I needed to have running while I get my forty winks. So for the people boasting their kindle battery life, please explain what it is you do that makes you incapable of plugging in your e reader for a few hours a night.
Seattle, I'm listening...
@bjbroderick The iPad may be versatile, but it does everything worse. We know it's worse than a laptop if you need to do actual work. It's also worse than a Sony Reader or Kindle because of eye strain, size/weight issues, battery life, and because you cannot read it in sunlight. It's worse than a iPod/PMP because it's not "pocketable." It's worse than a phone (duh). So, if the iPad can't replace a laptop, PMP, or phone, then why not get an e-ink Reader (which is a better device for reading books)? Not all consumers will think like this, but it's certainly the way I would...
You are right, this device has potential. But it's not there. Obviously people will buy it just because its Apple. I'm always very critical of Apple because they seem behind the curve from a tehnical standpoint. I mean, they still haven't really embraced blu-ray and just recently got MMS! (snicker). What they lack on technical the side they make up with marketing, which has a tendency to trump everything else.
@bjbroderick Hmm weird.. I think my response was meant for someone else.... sorry!!!
Almost sounds like Engadget are trying to sell the product to me.
If someone had been touting a LCD e-book reader at CES, Engedget would have slated it. Apple does it? Time to convince the readers that its a brilliant idea.
The only think that I like of reading in the iPad is the animation when you turn the page. That's all.
Whoa, IMO even Kindle was kinda too big for an e-reader, now an even bigger and heavier iPad.
Something smaller than iPod but bigger than iPhone (about size of a pocket-size friction) would be perfect size for an e-reader.
@Pork
the kindle, too big to read on? Hold the thing with one hand and read it. Something smaller than an iPhone would be useless for reading on, that's eyestrain all over the place.
The iPad wins on versatility, since it can do more. I don't know what an e-reader buyer will look at though, versatility or how easy it is to read on it (I have no intentions of buying an e-reader, ever).
I think the iPad is a good first step, I would never buy it, but perhaps 2nd or 3rd gen products might offer enough more for it to be a great media gadget. I don't get e-readers though, and I don't see how they are a viable long term product. I think they might work as features on other products though.
iPad's 1ghz processor cannot adequately handle video chats. Check the sys reqs for initiating video chats in Leopard. Now imagine trying that in a mini-OS environment. Hence, no camera. Coulda used a USB port for a CLEAR WiMax antenna tho.
my prediction was true in only 2 weeks...
Sorry if you are a kindle lover, the fact is 95% of people will not buy two items for $400 if they can have one that does both very well for the same $400. Kindle is too much cost for too little function.
Kindles are well on their way to being relegated to the bottom of the drawer, free with boxtops, found one at goodwill kind of tech. Give me one free and I might buy some books to read on it at home.
@possum5 You can keep your iPad and huddle under the office lights while I go read my awesome sci-fi book on my Sony Daily Edition Reader next the pool sipping a margarita. I live in SoCal so doing this in the middle of winter would not be an issue...
@erasure25
lol, I would never buy one of these pieces of crap!
I'm interested in the kindle reader but the costs are way out of line with the tech.
@ Paul Miller
You can update this chart as much as you want....you can stop reading past 'Screen type' . The choice is a no-brainer once you get that far in the comparison.
I wonder if Apple is going to block apps like Stanza and Kindle now that they "duplicate functionality" as well.
Not sure why the media refuses to acknowledge the fact that backlit screens do not work outside. Ever tried to use a laptop outside? Where this thing called the sun shines? It sucks!!! Not to be totally juvenile, but any reader will PWN the iPad when it comes to reading. Unless you live in a cave with no electricity or internal lights or do not have access to any money to buy a decent clip-on/portable light, any Reader will best the iPad as a reading device.
Kindle killer or any e-book killer the IPad is not. At least not in it's current revision. People buy e-book readers for one reason and that is to read e-books and simulate as close as possible a book reading experience. For anyone that reads a lot, LCD's just don't work. Eye strain is all that needs to be said. Sit down for 4 or 5 hours and read a e-book on your computer and you'll understand. I personally understand why people want color, animations, video, etc. in an e-book reader, but LCD's are not the answer. Now this year we should see great advances in e-book reader technology. Just check out Qualcomm's http://www.mirasoldisplays.com/ereader/ or Pixel Qi's http://www.pixelqi.com/products and you'll understand where e-book readers are headed. And when this comes to fruition there will be no hesitation in deciding whether to get an e-reader or an IPad to read e-books. Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and the rest will easily survive, that is unless IPad version 2 utilizes this tech too. Then watch out Kindle.....
Well...the day iPad was released I went and bought a Kindle. I really wanted an iPad, but after seeing the hands on coverage and spec reveals I decided that I don't need another computing device to fill some (imaginary) gap that exists between my MacBook Pro and smartphone. All I need is something to replace my physical book collection.
You're assuming that Amazon will allow the Kindle app to run on an iPad. I'm not sure why they would do that. If the roles were reversed there is no way in hell Apple would let iTunes run on a new Amazon device that competed with the iPod.
I don't think the smaller screen on the K2 should be in the grey. I carry my Kindle daily and the smaller size is a plus, not a minus. If I had a DX it would strictly be for home reading.
It's pretty clear that when it comes to reading, e-ink hails any other display. As for the iPad, Apple is counting on the consumer doing some "light reading" just like anyone browsing engadget is doing on their laptop right now. The eBook market for the iPhone OS is surprisingly high and the experience will be exponentially better on an iPad.
Serious readers will stick with the kindles, but lots of geeks will lay down a few bucks for some casual reading on the same device they do everything else on.
The iPad's arrival could not come at a better time. The Kindle has done a great job of wowing readers, but in the time since it hit the market, Amazon has found themselves in a feud with many notable businesses, namely MacMillan Books and has also alienated other members of the publishing community at large.
If Apple can not only turn out a superior product, but also play nice at the same time, Amazon could be finding themselves in a RIM-style situation.