Using iPad as e-Reader ala Kindle / Nook?

[pryncess527]

I love my iPad, but I will never see it as a replacement for my Kindle.

The Kindle Fire does not have an e-ink screen, it's more of a tablet like the iPad (but without as many options)

 

[murt22]

My Kindle fire has a similar screen (reflective) as my ipad - so no advantage except for weight. I did have an issue reading in hot weather with my ipad- it shut off due to overheating (it does get warmer anyway - but the outside temp made it overheat). I have a cover over my ipad that tents up and I can put it on my lap without actually holding it when I read. Both Kindle fire and Ipad strain my eyes.

 

[Dizzytime]

Those of you recommending a Kindle Paperwhite.... why that model rather than the Fire HD or HDX?

I don't have the Paperwhite but have the older Kindle Touch, plus have a the Fire HD also and LOVE them both. Glad I have both, use them for different reasons, and would not give up either.

Like my Touch, the Paperwhite is basically a reader-only, and from what I can tell an extremely advanced one. The Paperwhite seems fantastic. many more features than my older Touch, but both are more like reading a real book, with paper pages........ much easier on the eyes than the Fire. The Fire is a book reader also, but more like reading on a computer monitor.. but has the advantages of being more like a computer with web-internet, email, video, music streaming, storage, and lots of other capabilities. Could go on and on, but the prices on all Kindles are very attractive, for sure. That's the way I see it! hope it helps..

 

[JillianMarie]

I haaaaaaaaaate reading books on an ipad. Haaaaaaaaaate it. It's just not designed for it.

I have a kindle paperwhite and I couldn't be happier. It's designed to be an e-reader. That's it. The battery life is amazing, it's easy on your eyes, it doesn't use the funky computer screen/tablet lighting that messes with your sleep patterns. If you want to an actual reader, there isn't anything that compares.

 

[cgncga]

What's been your experience using an iPad as an e-Reader? Do the Kindle and Nook applications work well on that device? And does it get tiresome holding the iPad up for reading? Looking at buying the iPad Air while Target has their deal. Would be replacing a Nook which is closer in size to the iPad Mini but would prefer to upgrade to the larger Air for other capabilities.

TiA!

My 10 year old daughter reads using the Kindle app on her IPAD all the time. However, she has significant vision issues and using the Kindle app (at the largest font size) is the only way to get the print big enough for her to be able to read comfortably. We don't have the Nook available in Canada so I'm not familiar with it's specifics, but I know that she much prefers the Kindle app to either the Kobo app or her actual Kobo because the Kindle app has the largest font size.

Catherine

 

[tinktinktink]

I use my iPad to read on the kindle app and you can change the backlighting. I haven't had any issues.

 

[PlutoPony]

I use my iPad to read on the kindle app and you can change the backlighting. I haven't had any issues.

Do you find a difference reading in low light conditions vs regular light? And what size iPad do you have? Thanks!

 

[luvdisney00]

I use my iPad2 for reading all of the time via the kindle app. I don't think its heavy or hard to hold, I usually put a pillow on my stomach if I'm lying in bed, but I used to do that with a book too. I have an old kindle keyboard which I use to take to the beach though as I don't want my iPad sitting on the beach. My books sync easily through the 2 devices and I just pick up where I left off. My iPad is my "can't live without" device for so many other things though, so if you don't have one, I'd recommend getting one. Im ready to upgrade to the air soon, maybe I'll check out Target as well.

 

[::Snow_White::]

I use my Ipad 2 for e-reading, I do have an older version of a kindle. I think the Ipad app gives you a lot more flexibility in the size, font, and style of the text but my kindle doesn't have that capability. I turn the brightness down on mine pretty low so it's decent on my eyes and I make the text rather big. I also flip it sideways to have two columns of text.

I don't really read outside of my house so that's the only time I use it and it's not heavy but I'm most often sitting or laying on my bed so I'll sit it on my lap or a pillow. Of course it's terrible for outdoor use because the screen reflection so unless you have an ipad that can work like a kindle in that respect and you're outside often I would not really go for it.

 

[abmitch01]

how do you sync the Nook to the iPad?

 

[hsmamato2]

I like my old e-ink kindle (old school) but I love my Ipad mini 2 kindle app more, simply b/c when I take it traveling it's so versatile,it's a computer and a book when I need it for books, I turn the brightness down pretty far,and use a sepia tone background to keep it less bright (unless I'm outside in bright sun,then full brightness so I can see it) I actually love real books more, but it's easier to tote multiple books on my Ipad

 

[JakeAndHooksMom]

I had a 2nd gen ipad and loved it. It recently broke and I bought a iPad air and I love it even more! It's very lightweight and reading via the kindle app is VERY easy. I've never had a problem and I have more than 200 books on there.

 

[wenrob]

I have an iPad Mini retina. I read magazines on my iPad but for reading books for any length of time I prefer my Kindle. My eyes get stressed super easy, even turning the brightness way down. I do keep the Kindle App on it though so that in a pinch I can read my book for short periods of time. My teen DD reads on her iPad Air and doesn't seem to have a problem. I'd say it depends on how sensitive your eyes are.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I've been using my iPad to read with for several years. I have a nook but never use it.

As far as heavy, I use a great product call Lap Log.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I use the go go pillow for my iPad.

 

[PlutoPony]

As far as heavy, I use a great product call Lap Log.

That looks like it would work well - thank you very much for the suggestion!

I go back on forth on what to do. After spending time at the Apple Store (again) the iPad Air seems a little big, the Mini a little small. I love the 11 inch MacBook Air but hate to spend the $$, and it's really not purse portable.

Thanks for all the feedback

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I have been reading on the iPad since it was first released, but thanks to you budget board peeps, I bought the Kindle Paperwhite for $44 last Spring. It is now my favorite device for reading most books. This is particularly true of library books where I can turn off the wifi to get a few more days to finish a past due book.

My iPad is still a better device for reading .pdf files and books saved in that format. And it needs to be charged regularly, unlike the Paperwhite.

When we went to Europe for 2 weeks, I took both the iPad, the Paperwhite and the IPhone. But we left the laptop behind, which significantly lightened our load. -- Suzanne

 

[abmitch01]

if your having trouble deciding between the iPad and the mini, I am surprisingly happy with the mini. It's great for reading, similar size as my nook (except for reading in the sun) and it's fine for internet. I thought it would be too small for the internet but it's not at all. If it was me I'd get a mini for all the things it does and then get a nook or kindle when they go really cheap so you have something that reads in the sun.

 

[PlutoPony]

if your having trouble deciding between the iPad and the mini, I am surprisingly happy with the mini. It's great for reading, similar size as my nook (except for reading in the sun) and it's fine for internet. I thought it would be too small for the internet but it's not at all. If it was me I'd get a mini for all the things it does and then get a nook or kindle when they go really cheap so you have something that reads in the sun.

Thanks - appreciate that.

Talked to an employee at the Apple Store yesterday for a while (there were more employees than customers there lol). He's to the point that he uses the iPad Air for video and is happy with the Mini for everything else.

 

[hsmamato2]

I got the mini 2, and was worried about the size,I really wanted something in between the mini and full size screen(I'm sure that will be out soon lol) so far, I have no complaints about it! I like the ease of enlarging anything I need to, and I can even watch a show on it (when you hold it near, it's a 'big screen') I also HATE glossy screens (ew,finger marks) So I bought and installed a matte screen protector and LOVE it. I put one of those on every single device I own. So that matte look,+ the sepia tone+low brightness= pretty good reading with no issues for me.