Kindle vs iPad: Which Tablet is Right for You?

Kindle and iPad are two excellent tablets that offer unparalleled reading and experience for its users. Both devices have their own strengths and drawbacks that make it highly difficult to point out which excels over the other. Let’s leave it to the discretion of the reader. In a relentless effort to offer maximum value, both devices are equipped with top of the line features and new impressive additions to attract readers. Undoubtedly, both are great innovative pieces of technology and are two true wonders that leave the users gasping for breath.

A Quick Tour

Features

Functionalities: Kindle uses a break through e-ink technology to display its contents. It offers glare- free viewing that makes even outdoor reading possible. However, this gives it an edge as its competitor’s screen becomes dark and the text cannot be easily read in day light. E-ink technology produces a crisp, clear text in easily readable format. iPad has a IPS display with a 9.7 inch color screen and aesthetically designed layout which gives it an advantage over most Kindle e-readers are black and white and do not have such rich color settings. Except for the new Kindle Fire, which comes with a color screen. The brightness, font size, etc can easily adjusted in both the devices. Both devices have powerful built in dictionary and in some of the Kindle version like DX, wiki screen pops out giving all information regarding a particular word or character. Both device provides note taking and search feature.
Does Color Matter for You?
Navigation: Easily possible in iPad through its touch Screen, pages can be scrolled up and down and across by dragging the screen or tapping with finger. Only the Kindle Touch and Fire have a touch screen navigator. Other versions (3G, 1, 2, etc) use sliders and 4 way button for navigation. The two sliders given on each side of the Kindle allows scrolling of pages up and down.
Memory: iPad has a huge storage capacity- comes in 16, 32, 64 GB memory space that can store thousands of book at a time while Kindle has limited memory and a maximum of 3000 books can be stored at a time.
Connectivity:- Both have 3G and Wifi connectivity, highly useful for downloading books and other content even while travelling.

Learn More about the New “Fire” Here:

Versions

iPad 1 and 2 are the two versions available.

Amazon has the 1, 2, DX, 3G, Touch , Fire versions available for Kindle.

Price

The price of iPads ranges between $499 to $850 depending on the memory space and connectivity.

Kindle is much more affordable in priced. All of its versions comes between the range of $ 79 to $199.

Formats

Both use their own native formats; iPad uses universal e-pub format whereas Kindle has AZW format. Nevertheless any other format like PDF, Jpeg, HTML, Plain Text, PNG, BMP etc can be easily converted to readable format in both the devices.
Kindle uses whispernet technology that allows sending and receiving of content easily. It allows contents to whisper sync and can be opened in any other device at the very same place where it was left opened.

Which one is the right one for you? Find out more by reading this article

E-Books on iPad vs Kindle

Books on iPad are downloaded from Apple iBookstore and books on Kindle can be downloaded from the Amazon Kindle store. Both the stores have huge stock of books ranging from Fiction, nonfiction , Science, Business, Comics, children books and also offer wide varieties of magazines and newspapers. There are over 20,000 e- books available for download on to an iPad whereas Kindle has over a huge 700,000 books available. Apple iBookstore stocks books of well known publishing houses like Macmillan, HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster and Hachette, however Kindle displays self published books along with books from major publishers. Amazon prices books competitively at $9.99. Most best selling and newly launched books are available at this price. iPad e-books are priced between $10 to $14 and are a little more expensive than at Amazon. Books for both can be located at numerous other websites and can be downloaded by paying a onetime fee as opposed to paying each time while buying a book on Apple store or Amazon. Books for iPad can only be read through an iPad or iPhone, on the contrary Kindle books can also be downloaded and read on smart phones and a computer using an app.

Reviews

Both the devices have their own set of fan followers. Some of the reviews are listed below:

Kindle solely serves the purpose of reading, for hardcore readers it is the best option. Given the price range, it is highly affordable. On the other hand, iPad is a multipurpose, versatile device, has varied functions other than just reading and is best suited for occasional readers who wants more out of a tablet. Users cannot only read books, download and watch movies, play games, and access internet, but also
use the iPad as a device that encompasses all capabilities of a netbook or a PC.
Given the attractive color settings in iPad, e-books, magazines and newspapers are pleasurable to read in iPad, however not suited for prolonged reading. Strains eyes easily. Kindle has crisp and clearly formatted text. Suited for extensive reading. It is also readable in direct light while iPad is not suitable for outdoors reading.
Kindle is affordable whereas iPad is a little more expensive.
Kindle is lighter weight, thinner, more compact and more portable.
Books are cheaper on Kindle store compared to Apple Store.
With the full backing of AT&T, the 3G and Wifi connectivity in the iPad is much more powerful. Also, it currently is the only one to have blue tooth capabilities.
Compared to iPad’s 10 hours battery life, Kindles tend to have better battery life. Some of which is said to last over a month.
More applications are available on iPad whereas Kindle has fewer options. This may change with the new release of Fire to the marketplace. But, only time will tell and will require a developer army to catch up to Apple.

When You Decide Which is Right for You, Where Do You Buy?

Buying from the Apple’s retail store
Most people like to go into the store and see the product before they make a purchase. If you are one of these, then the best way for you to buy an iPad is to find the store closest to you from Apple’s Store Locator. Apple has 284 Retail Stores worldwide. You will be able to see your iPad before you buy it, decide on any upgrades right there and then and of course you will have a good excuse to walk around and check out some of the other incredible products Apple have in their retail stores. There are specialists to answer your queries and help you to get to know the products. However, you might have to wait in long queues if you want to buy the product on the same day of the launch. Apple has also expanded the retail reach of its tablet to stores run by its cellular network partners like AT&T and Verizon, as well as general-interest department stores like Walmart and Target.

Buying from the Apple’s online store

If you want to avoid the hassle of visiting the physical store for purchasing your ipad, Apple’s online store would just be the right option for you. You can just browse to the iPad section on the right side of the website and choose the one you would like to purchase. You can pick from the 16GB, iPad 32GB and iPad 64GB. You also have the option of getting all of these models with 3G added. You just need to shell out an extra $130 to each model’s price which makes it very reasonable. You can also add signature gift wrap and free engraving, while buying from the Apple’s online store. Since Apple’s products are of good quality, you can be rest assured that the iPad bought online would have the same quality and consistency that you will find anywhere else. You can also pick up any accessories you might want – Keyboard Dock, Case, Dock, USB Power Adapter, the AppleCare Protection Plan and more from Apple’s online store.

Buying an iPad from Third Party websites

Even though you have the option of buying the iPad online from Apple.com, sometime the prices of third party websites are comparatively lower than the official website prices. That’s why it is a wise idea to check websites like Amazon.com which sells the same, brand new iPads that Apple.com provides, but at better prices. It can be the other way also; Apple could have slightly better prices compared to Amazon. So it is worth the effort of comparing the prices in different places before you buy an iPad. The best way is to check the price on Amazon.com and compare it to Apple’s price. Sometimes, Amazon gives you a bonus when you buy from them, but for a slightly higher price. If the bonus is too good to resist, it is the best way to buy iPad. Amazon is a much larger store compared to Apple’s online store and hence you have various options in various accessories like third party covers in different colors etc, which Apple’s online store might not have. You can also club you iPad order with anything else you want to buy from Amazon and include it in your order, which would be a good deal.

Buying a Kindle from Amazon
Amazon.com is the best place to buy a Kindle. Not only because they are the manufacturers of Kindle, but also because of their excellent policies. They don’t levy any tax on the purchase. You also get free shipping and a 30 day return policy, which is quiet good. If you register for Amazon Prime shipping, you get the Kindle shipped free in two days or less or overnight with an additional charge of $3.99. Amazon also has excellent technical staff, who are more than willing to help you with any technical glitches.

Buying a Kindle from Retail Stores
Kindles are also available at retail stores like Target and Staples. However, they don’t stock the most recently launched Kindles and it might take some time before they start appearing on the retail shelves. Hence, if you itching to touch the latest Kindle, the only option is to buy from Amazon. The Kindles may not be available on all the stores and you might have to go hunting for the store where the stock is available.

It is best to buy iPads and Kindles from an online store than going to a retail store. Many a times, the latest versions may not be available in the retail store or if available may not be in stock. It is a waste of your time and energy. Instead, enjoy your weekend with your girl friend, while your favorite iPad or Kindle comes knocking at your doorstep in a cozy package. All you need to do is to unwrap and savor it.

E-Readers are Here to Stay

Take a look at the chart to my right, provided by Retrevo, that shows how potential costumers responded to a survey on buying a tablet this season. However, when it comes down to it, both these are two superb e-readers/tablets having their own set of features and technological nuances. Book worms can opt for a Kindle and those looking for little more than just a reading experience can go for an iPad 2.

Kindle or iPad: E-Reader vs Tablet