Tuesday 7 June 2011

Kindle DX VS iPad 2

I have recently been requested to compare a Kindle to an iPad. Assuming the asker wanted to know the updated version of the 'competition', I have decided to compare the two - Kindle DX to a 16GB iPad 2 (I chose 16 GB because it's the cheapest iPad 2 there is). I'm going to try to keep this post as short as possible and still deliver what I think is a MUST. I am not writing this to tell you which is the best because truthfully, I think both are best at what they do, for who they'd be most useful to.

Kindle DX













Most if not everyone knows Kindle as an electronic book. Its display offers a realistic view of the insides of books that you'd feel as if you're reading a real book, only thinner and lighter. I'll get straight to the point and give you some important benefits and limitations that the Kindle has.

Benefits

You can read under direct sunlight with no glare. Reading it under the sunlight does not affect the display.

Free 3G wireless - meaning you can download anytime, anywhere, without having to look for Wi-Fi hotspots.

Its built-in PDF reader allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. This includes a zoom capability as well.

Its auto-rotating screen auto-rotates the display from portrait to landscape and vice versa as you turn the device. This is useful when you're viewing maps, tables, and web pages.

With its text-to-speech feature, Kindle DX can read magazines, blogs, newspapers, books and such like out loud to you, unless the book's right holder made the feature unavailable.

Limitations

No password protect. May be a problem for people who would put business documents etc. and are clumsy.

Too big to handle with one hand. Unless you have giant hands, you may find it annoying.

Keyboard position is poor. Too tiny that typing mistakes are unavoidable.

Lack of folders. Searching for files, books etc. can be frustrating as the organising of files are poor.

No page numbers. It'd be hard to track where you left off, unless of course if you have an impressive memory.  

iPad 2

  












The iPad2. Thinner, lighter and faster than the iPad. However, not all have been improved, although some features have been added. Like before, I'll just get straight to the benefits and limitations of the iPad 2.

Benefits


Face Time. The front and back camera allows video recording.

Free engraving if bought from the Apple online store. But do read on. This is a cause of a problem.

Full screen zoom magnification is offered.

Similar to Kindle, it won't get hot or overheat, letting you browse comfortably.

Similar to Kindle, you can use it in any position - unlike a laptop where you'd have to find a seat.

Limitations


If you order your iPad 2 with free engraving from the online store, you will not be able to return it.

Very fragile.

Videos are not clear.

Lack of expandability.

There may be unexpected, hidden charges.

Conclusion


I think everyone would agree that both the devices have their own pros and cons. I would recommend you to consider your options before using your money to buy any of these two. The last thing you'd want is to buy something and end up being frustrated. Whatever you choose is up to you. Happy browsing!

2 comments:

  1. I just got the Kindle DX last week, and I would like to say that password protect is indeed available as an option, and page numbers are not needed as the Kindle automatically saves your reading location. In addition, instead of page numbers, you have location numbers, which don't change even if you change the font size and margins, so I guess arguably a superior way of keeping track of position compard to page numbers.

    Moreover, the iPad 2 does not come with hidden charges that you are unaware of beforehand. Meanwhile, if you perhaps accidentally sent a file to your kindle.com email instead of free.kindle.com email, and failed to set a limit on the maximum amount you would like to pay, Amazon will convert your file to a Kindle format and send it to your Kindle for a fee.

    As for the different benefits, the Kindle DX has a much longer battery life in my experience than the iPad 2. The iPad 2 also allows you to run a multitude of other apps than iBooks, whereas the Kindle, while being able to run simple apps such as Blackjack, lacks much flexibility in this regard. The iPad 2 also offers color, but the Kindle DX offers higher resolution (I think). The Kindle also syncs your reading progress, and with the Kindle app available on different platforms, you can pick up reading where you left off on another device. The cheapest iPad 2 does not come with 3G and so the Kindle DX has the advantage in accessing the web anywhere; however, when the iPad 2 can connect to a wifi network, it loads pages faster than the Kindle DX. Moreover, Safari on the iPad 2 can display complicated webpages, while the rudimentary Kindle browser is more suited for simple, text-based websites.

    Of course, the cheapest iPad 2 also costs $120 more than the Kindle DX. There is no clear winner here; they both have their advantages. I would say that if you want a device dedicated to reading, the Kindle DX is the way to go; if you desire a mini-tablet sort of device, the iPad 2 is for you.

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  2. if this was facebook and i could like ur comment, i sooo would! :)

    thxx for ur comment :)

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