As a reading enthusiast, I have debated buying an e-reader, but have delayed the process due to my love of overflowing bookcases. However, I recently saw an advertisement by Kindle calling out the iPad for its poor outdoor lighting. This led to an investigation into which device operates better under certain environmental conditions. Granted, the Kindle is strictly an e-reader while the iPad is a multimedia device, but for my research I was primarily interested in the results each provided in various reading environments.
Kindle uses e-ink, which show shades of gray and is made up of real ink that is manipulated using tiny electrical charges within the display. The use of this technology allows a reader to go outside and not have any glare issues when looking at the screen, and also allows the reader to not feel an overwhelming amount of eye-strain. Conversely, the iPad uses LEDs to emit light and as a result can produce really vivid colors and are generally very bright, but also creates a mirror like image when used outdoors, making it impossible for the reader to see the text.
When using the iPad and Kindle indoors, one experiences some of the same issues with the iPad, but the screen is not totally un-readable. In night time situations, however, this changes. Because the Kindle relies on external illumination, the screen is dimly lit and one would either need to have the lights on or use a book light. While this is not as inconvenient as the complete ability to read the iPad outdoors, it does present some challenges to the night reader who is sharing space.
The iPad does provide much better back-lighting, which can eliminate the use of room lights or a book light, but it is similar to a computer monitor and the screen can almost become too bright and be too harsh on the eyes. The iPad does offer a text setting that allows a switch to white writing on a black background that lessens the brightness of the screen, but the eye strain problem is still prevalent.
Other factors that may weigh in on ones decision are price, size and memory. The Kindle 3 runs from $139-$189, while the iPad ranges from $499-$829. The iPad is also larger, heavier, and can provide more memory, ranging from 16GB to 64 GB. This device, however, is designed to be used as a multi-media device and is priced and weighted accordingly.
Personally, I will be investing in a Kindle. With trips to the gym, beach, and long car-rides ahead, I believe the benefits of being able to read during the day outweigh those of reading in the dark at night. And besides, I already have my iPod nano, home computer and flat screen television for my multi-media usage.
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