John D. Emerson asked:




Amazon’s brand new Kindle 3 and Apple’s iPad are the hottest electronics devices on the market today. As for eBook eReaders, which is the best? Let’s compare Apple’s iPad vs Kindle 3 from Amazon and declare a winner here.

First we need to figure out what we are doing here. Are we comparing two all-in-one devices? No we are not. We are comparing a device that declares that it is a magical device that can do anything that almost any electronic device can do, vs an ebook reader.

The Apple iPad as an ebook reader leaves some things to be desired…as an ebook reader. On the other hand, as an electronic device, it leaves little to be desired. As soon as someone can think of another use the iPad needs, someone comes out with an application, and voila! Now it can be used for that as well.

But as an ebook reader, the iPad has one fatal flaw. It creates eye-strain because of the back lighting of the device. It is also difficult to read in extremely bright conditions, such as a sunny day outside, because of this back lighting.

The Kindle 3 on the other hand is designed for this purpose and this purpose alone. The Kindle 3 uses E-Ink technology on it’s screen. Sure, this is a dull looking gray-scale display. Sure, you have to use push buttons for the navigation keyboard (push buttons!?), but for a comfortable and convenient ebook reading experience, the Kindle 3 does well.

iPad Basic Features-

The iPad comes with a color touch screen with accelerometer built-in, and with a choice between 1,000′s of applications that basically allow it to do anything a hand-held electronic device can do. It is truly an all-in-one device.

You can check your email, surf the web, sort/edit/look at your pictures, play games, read books, look at maps, watch movies, listen to your music, etc.

Memory- The iPad comes in a variety of memory sizes starting with the 16 GB model and going up to a 64 GB memory model.

Size- 9.7 inch diagonal screen

Weight- 1.5 pounds

Built In Wi Fi- 3G available for extra cost

Price- Starting from $499.00

Kindle 3 Basic Features-

The Kindle 3 allows for reading of ebooks. The E-Ink screen is designed to reduce eye strain when reading for long periods of time.

You can read books, store and listen to music, read various file types, play puzzle games,…and read books.

Memory- The Kindle 3 allows for storage of 3,500 ebooks.

Size- 6 inch diagonal screen

Weight- 8.5 ounces

Built In Wi Fi- 3G available for extra cost.

Price- Starting at $139.00

Conclusion- Are we all getting the point here? It really comes down to what kind of device you want, right? It almost doesn’t make sense to talk about the devices in the same article…almost.

It’s arguable that someone looking for the best ebook reader available would think, “I might as well step it up and get an all-in-one device and buy the iPad”. But I don’t believe it.

I don’t think many people looking for an ebook reader are are going to decide to purchase an iPad. They are going to look for an ebook reader, because they want to enhance their reading experience, not their gaming and video watching and everything else experience. Besides, the price difference is just too large.

So we have just compared the iPad vs Kindle 3, but those who want an ebook reader aren’t going to be persuaded to purchase the iPad by comparing it to the Kindle 3.

Harry