I'm not usually one to quickly jump on a technology bandwagon, but I've started to become interested in an iPad. I wanted to get the forum's thoughts on the pros and cons of the device. If anyone actually owns one and wants to give an opinion, it'd be appreciated, of course.
As a bit of background, I've been considering the Kindle for some time, but am worried that the iPad (and knock-off devices) will render it obsolete. Further, I do see some serious benefits to being able to use the device for other forms of media (movies, potentially TV via SlingBox, print media, etc.)
I've got one. It's pointless. It really is just a large iPod Touch.
Kindle has only one purpose: e-reading. That's it, nothing else. iPad is like a huge media center.
That being said, iPad is a horrible, horrible device for reading because you'll want to gauge your eyes out after 2 hours of intensive reading. Here is a good test, open a pdf book and try to read it on your laptop for 2 hours. Chances are, your eyes will bleed, or you'll get a headache. Here is a good quote, "I think when people compare the iPad to the Kindle they forget (or just haven’t experienced) how nice it is to read eInk for several hours instead of looking at a backlit display."
E-Ink was developed for a reason: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Ink
Here's a great article from yesterday on this very subject:
http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/11/who-needs-catch-22-when-you-have-fligh…
[quote=Edmundo Braverman]Here's a great article from yesterday on this very subject:
http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/11/who-needs-catch-22-when-you-have-fligh…]
+1. great find braverman...im a voracious reader too and about to jump countries again. i hate to leave my books behind but its just not practical this time, so im in the market for some new technology and this was helpful in a framing-the-right-options kind of way...
I wonder about the E-Ink versus the iPad screen. If only because I spend so much time on a screen at work, that I can't imagine reading a book on an iPad would kill my eyes. Maybe I'm dead wrong.
I guess I don't care for how it really doesn't replace my personal computer. I feel like I should be able to run things like iTunes and instant messenger and the internet at the same time without issue. I'm not looking for a device to work on. Further, the fact remains that you need a desktop / laptop to sync the thing up to. Seems sort of like Apple is trying to scam people into thinking this fits into its own world (when it should be made to function like a way sleeker and more portable netbook).
Full disclosure: I was a Kindle early adopter.
I had a Kindle since the beginning because I'm a huge reader (1.5-2 books per week). Plus, with my move to France, transporting my library just wasn't practical. Here it is a couple years later, and I still use my Kindle all the time.
I'm not a huge Apple fan, mostly because I'm more of an open source kinda guy and I don't like a company dictating what software and apps I'm able to use. That said, there's no doubt that it's pretty phenomenal technology and it will probably revolutionize the magazine industry. The jury is still out on books for me though.
I have to give Apple credit with the way they set up their bookstore and basically broke Amazon's stranglehold on the eBook market. Competition always makes things better.
"I had a Kindle since the beginning because I'm a huge reader (1.5-2 books per week)."
Ah... Edmundo you disappoint. In my doctoral program I sometimes read 15-20 books per week, especially during comp and diss time. Pick it up.
Unless you mean rotund reader. :)
Hey King,
Check this out:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/German-tablet-PC-sets-out-to-apf-89097313…
You could be the first on your block...
LOL, the "WePad?" Say that out loud, it's hysterical. I almost can't believe such a device is real due to it's name alone.
I think I'll go test one out and see from there. Though, a kindle might be the best bet for now.
haha. you could really say the same about the ipad too tho, right? i mean the first time i heard the name i was like what fkg genius came up w/ that? my initial reaction was ipad=inkpad=redinkpad=maxipad, but clearly the apple brand is strong enough to reframe things (kind of like "can you hear me now" going from something nobody thot twice about to being a verizon total recall).
i thot itab=itablet would have been much better...must have been taken.
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