Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bloopity Bloop]

I am debating whether to buy a Kindle 3 or an iPad 2. I understand they are not direct competitors but I'd still like your input.

I hadn't planned on getting either until recently, when I decided I should start reading more--you know, to better myself. Cut some TV out. So, the Kindle, right? $134 off Amazon... but then, the official case (I have a weird thing about only buying official products) is $60. Add in customs taxes and I'm probably looking at a ~$210 (?) price tag--for just an e-reader.

For ~$400 more, I could just get an iPad 2 (32gb) which can do soooo much more (but I know is not at all a good e-reader). I don't have a laptop, so it might be useful. Plus, my girlfriend could mess around with it.

Also, I was reading a few articles online where analysts and insiders talked about how the iPad 2 isn't that great of an upgrade and the iPad 3 is where Apple will really step it up. Do you think these rumors hold any water?

Would it be a bit redundant to buy BOTH devices? What are your perspectives on the matter?

Oh, and before anyone mentions the added costs of owning a Kindle *coughbookscough*, I wouldn't have any (hardy har har )

[Adam Carolla]

Well, the iPad is obviously a great all around media consumption device. If you bought one you'd probably find about a hundred different uses that you weren't even aware you wanted until you had it.

BUT, it's heavier than a Kindle, apparently making it uncomfortable for reading in long sessions (plus the screen may be hard on your eyes.)

I have a Kindle. I've read countless books on it. It's lightweight, the screen is fantastic, and the battery lasts weeks at a time.

SOOOO....I'd say it depends on how much you read. If you read a LOT, as in a couple hours a day, you probably want a Kindle. If you're a sporadic reader, you'll probably find a zillion uses for the iPad beyond reading.

[sadguy]

forget reading.... i'd download audio books. and listen to it while doing other things... cooking, cleaning, working out.

[nstick13]

I'm in agreement with Mr. Corolla.

If you want a reader, get the Kindle. You said you want to start reading more; it's unlikely you will with the iPad. Too much other stuff to do. If you want a new TOY, get the iPad.

[jonpurdy]

I read on my iPad. I've bought a few books through Kindle and use the Kindle app on my iPad, iPhone, and work PC (when I don't bring the iPad). I love how it syncs everything up.

The iPad works fairly well as an e-book reader. The battery lasts a long time if you're just reading. It's been quite comfortable on my eyes, though the Kindle would probably be better.

I'd say skip the Kindle case and just buy the Kindle itself. If you were planning on buying an iPad for other stuff anyway, just get the iPad.

Regarding the amazingness of the iPad 3, analysts were referring to a retina display version (in the 250-300 dpi range, similar to the iPhone 4). Making such high resolution displays is still difficult and expensive so it might not even make it until iPad 4 or later.

[Scott in Incheon]

The new kindles can go as low a s $114 and you can get great covers from Hong Kong through ebay for about $10.

Kindle is a great pure reader. I have 100 books on my kindle and about 2500 (downloaded) on my computer. Use it every day.

I might get a knock off ipad in the future...as I really just want to read old marvel comic books. You can get Chinese ones for around $200

[nstick13]

One more thought--don't make buying decisions on what "analysts" think will be in the next version of some Apple product. 99% of the analysts are wrong. I read a lot of Mac blogs/sites, and they're rampant with nonsense.

[shostahoosier]

Depending on how long you're willing to wait, you might be able to get both.

....rumor is that the next Kindle will be a tablet or that Amazon is making an Android tablet.

I love my Kindle. I bought the 3G version and have gotten way more than the extra $50 out of it as you can use the 3G worldwide (for the most part).

The iPad is nice for media consumption, you might consider buying a first generation one since they're a bit cheaper, or you could get a Nook Color (about $250), root it, and install Honeycomb - then you'd have access to media, a Kindle app, and a Nook app - as well as all of the Android apps, for a little more than half the price of an iPad 2. Of course since the Nook Color is meant to be a reader, there might be limited functionality compared to something like a Motorola Xoom - but for $250, I hear the Nook Color is a pretty solid tablet.

I bought a case for my Kindle for about $12 on Interpark. Its not fancy or leather, but it protects my Kindle. There were more available, I just didnt want anything fancy.

Regarding the new $114 Kindle, I called Amazon about this (a Korean friend was curious) and they told me that they arent sending the "Kindle with Special Offers" to foreign countries right now. Of course you could get around that I guess by having a friend ship it to Korea.

Personally I think the Kindle is a great reading device and it's less of an investment than an iPad.

[shostahoosier]

I would also advise against getting a cheap chinese knockoff.

The only thing they're good for is LOOKING like the product you want. That's fine for clothes or maybe even furniture, but hardly great for electronics.

I made the mistake of buying a cheap iPhone knockoff. It looks like the real thing, but it didnt have real internet, an accelerometer, capacitive touch, or great sound or video quality.

Unlike the real iPhone, it did make phone calls though.

Seriously, just save your money and buy the real thing...or at least buy a Korean knockoff....I mean Samsung.

[riley]

I have an older sony ereader and am currently using an ipad 2. I mostly read on my ipad. I read a lot on it. I loved my sony reader but this is just better.

The screen is bigger on my ipad. With the ibooks app, I can put any book that is in epub format or pdf on my ipad. I've heard that the kindle is much less "flexible" on what files it'll read. My sony reader would read the same files but they wouldn't always be read as well, especially pdf files.

Not to mention, it's a great media consumption device. I get news magazines on it, newspapers, and rff readers. I've been very happy with it.

I loved my ebook reader but it's been retired.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I had an original iPad. It was cool, but I have 2 laptops, and my husband has a netbook, so used it mainly for reading. I ended up getting rid of it and buying a Kindle, which I use every day. If you don't have a laptop, I would say get the iPad, but, if it's going to mainly be for reading, I'd say the Kindle is better.

Also, the program calibre converts online book formats to Kindle format.

[daunting]

I have the latest generation Kindle. I'd recommend purchasing the Kindle with 3G coverage instead of the most basic model. Coverage in Korea is amazing, and using your Kindle for the web is convenient: http://client0.cellmaps.com/tabs.html
Also, if you're anything like me (a klutz), please don't use your Kindle without a cover. If you travel with it frequently, you'll want to make sure it has some protection against the elements and the other objects sitting in your bag.

[Bloopity Bloop]

Thanks for all the help! Lots of points were brought up that I hadn't considered.

I've decided to go with an Ipad (wi-fi 64gb). It came down to me not knowing how much I'd actually read and not having a laptop. Also, I'd like to start making music a la the Gorillaz' "The Fall"

Thanks again!

[sadguy]

[derbot]

If you don't have a laptop I would make that a priority.

I am not an apple fan so I won't advise you on that but I will say I have a kindle and it is great. The screen is amazing. There's no back light though and the covers are pricey too.

If all you want is something to read with then go for it. If you want something more than that then go for a tablet. But if I was in you situation I would definitely save another $100 or so and buy a laptop.

Also correct me if I'm wrong everyone else, but is Flash still not usable on the iPad. There are other options in tablets. Check them out.

EDIT: A tablet is not a laptop.