3 Ways the Kindle Kicks the iPad’s Ass

Photo c/o Engadget

Before anything else, let me say that I have both the Kindle and the iPad, and as my friend Carlo would say,  I love them more than my future children.

To most people, the iPad or Kindle decision is a no-brainer. (I mean, geez, just look at the picture above). For the most part, the app-laden iPad is the snazzier and understandably more popular gadget, making the “What?? Just reading??? No pretty colors???” Kindle seem like a poor, ugly and slightly retarded stepsibling.

BUT… if you’re a book-lover, I have to say the Kindle is King.  Here’s why:

1. No backlighting = No eye strain.

If you’re the type of person who takes forever to finish a book, then by all means, forget the Kindle and read on your iPad. But if, like me, you’re a dorky speed-reading bookworm who can devour two or more books in one night, then do your eyes a favor and grab a Kindle.  

2.  You can read the Kindle in sunlight.

That’s right, vampires, night owls and and computer nerds who never see the light of day…

We who bask in the sun’s rays (by force or choice) find the Kindle’s humble gray e-ink display to be much kinder (i.e. not IMPOSSIBLE to see in broad daylight).

In fairness to the iPad, you can minimize glare and eyestrain by dimming your screen brightness and investing in anti-glare shields … but it’s just really not the same.

3. You can lie down, hold a Kindle up and read with just one hand.

Honestly — why anyone would want to read in an upright position is a mystery to me. Reading is meant to be a lazy, leisurely affair. This is why the Kindle rocks.

Unless you’re Superman or the Hulk, lying down and holding an iPad up with one hand for an extended length of time will have your arm muscles screaming in agony. (Ok fine … that could be just me).

The 6-inch Kindle 2 is thinner and weighs less  (0.34 inches in width and o.6 lbs, compared to the iPad’s 0.53 inches and 1.5 lbs [1.6 for wifi+3G] ) so even a weakling like me can hold it up for hours without breaking a sweat.

Also, the Kindle’s Previous and Next page buttons are positioned on the same side (the left) so that you can go forward or backward just using the thumb of above-mentioned holding-up hand.

On the iPad, whether you’re reading with iBooks, Stanza or Kindle for iPad - the use of two hands (left to hold, and right to tap or swoooosh!) is a must, unless you’re some sort of magician. 

Aaand that’s about it! Amazon recently lowered the price of the Kindle from $259 to $189 (yeah, thanks for that, Amazon — we who bought it at the higher price really appreciate it) — so if you’re thinking of getting one —  now’s the time!  Happy reading!