Kindle or I Pad?

[Joyce]

Which would you choose without price being a factor.

 

[Clemson Fan]

Without price as a factor it's clearly the iPad. I would wait though because the iPad 3 will be coming out in 3-4 weeks.

 

[hypnotiq]

Thats a fairly open question. What do you intend to do with it?

 

[SueDonJ]

IMO the best thing about any of the e-readers is that you don't have to stuff a whole pile of books into your suitcase when you travel. The best thing about the Kindle compared to the others is that it has a non-glare screen that makes it very easy to read that virtual pile of books while sitting on the beach. I don't think I'll ever give up my basic Kindle for that reason, but it does mean that I still have to travel with a laptop to get internet access and to manage my photos.

 

[ace2000]

That's like saying... with price not being a factor, what would you rather have a Ford Escort vs. a Cadillac.

Other than the free book loan, and maybe smaller size, I can think of nothing the Kindle Fire would be better at.

However, because price is the important factor to me, I'd purchase the Kindle Fire.

 

[ace2000]

IMO the best thing about any of the e-readers is that you don't have to stuff a whole pile of books into your suitcase when you travel. The best thing about the Kindle compared to the others is that it has a non-glare screen that makes it very easy to read that virtual pile of books while sitting on the beach. I don't think I'll ever give up my basic Kindle for that reason, but it does mean that I still have to travel with a laptop to get internet access and to manage my photos.

You're not referring to the Kindle Fire here, are you? I believe you're talking about the other Kindle varieties. It would be interesting to see if the OP really meant the Kindle Fire.

 

[persia]

Personally I use an iPad as a tablet and a Kindle Touch as an eBook reader. The colour screen on the iPad is hard to read in direct sunlight. Kindle fire has the same sunlight issues as the iPad, is too small for web browsing and lacks a camera.

 

[SueDonJ]

You're not referring to the Kindle Fire here, are you? I believe you're talking about the other Kindle varieties. It would be interesting to see if the OP really meant the Kindle Fire.

No, not the Fire. Mine is the second-generation basic Kindle, I think, with the keyboard at the bottom and WiFi for d/l-ing purchased books, but no other internet or other fancy stuff - just a reader. My laptop travels with me for everything else.

 

[lprstn]

Ipad. You can download app for both kindle and nook. With ipad you have it all and more.

 

[Joyce]

I mean the Kindle fire.

 

[Passepartout]

If price is no factor, iPad.

 

[malonem68]

Depends on what are are looking for. The Ipad and Kindle fire are two completely different things.

If you are looking for a tablet, go with the Ipad.
If you are looking for an Ereader, go with the Kindle.

If you are just going to read books then the Ipad is overkill. If you plan on syching with Itunes and watching movies on it, the the kindle fire isn't designed for that.

So I think the real question would be is what do you intend to use either one for?

 

[Elan]

If you're limiting your decision strictly to those two choices, and you're comfortable with the 10" form factor, then iPad. Otherwise, if you're open to other options there are likely better choices available.

As hypnotiq mentioned, it would help to know intended usage (browsing web, emailing, GPS, eReading, games, movies, etc) and preferred form factor. Bigger (iPad 10") is typically better for use at home, while smaller (Fire 7") is typically better for travel.

 

[ace2000]

Depends on what are are looking for. The Ipad and Kindle fire are two completely different things.

If you are looking for a tablet, go with the Ipad.
If you are looking for an Ereader, go with the Kindle.

If you are just going to read books then the Ipad is overkill. If you plan on syching with Itunes and watching movies on it, the the kindle fire isn't designed for that.

So I think the real question would be is what do you intend to use either one for?

Actually, IMO they are very similar. If I wanted an Ereader, between the Ipad and the Kindle Fire, I'd choose the Ipad, just for the bigger screen and the pdf apps that are available.

 

[Passepartout]

Joyce, you really are comparing apples (!?) with oranges. One is a full-fledged computer with all that implies, and the other is a content (book, movie, music) providing appliance.

That the two's capabilities overlap some is coincidental.

Jim

 

[rrlongwell]

Actually, IMO they are very similar. If I wanted an Ereader, between the Ipad and the Kindle Fire, I'd choose the Ipad, just for the bigger screen and the pdf apps that are available.

I would chose the Nook. We have the Kindle and the Nook. Wife won the Kindle in a work contest. Still bought the Nook.

 

[ace2000]

Joyce, you really are comparing apples (!?) with oranges. One is a full-fledged computer with all that implies, and the other is a content (book, movie, music) providing appliance.

That the two's capabilities overlap some is coincidental.

Jim

We can quibble over the differences, but they are both in the tablet category and are both based on the same technology - with memory, processor, and storage. However, the iPad is a higher end device with higher horsepower and thus has more capability.

If you want something to compete with the Ipad horsepower than look at Android type devices. However, again you'll pay a premium for that.

You'd have to define what you mean by "full fledged computer" for your statement to make sense.

 

[ace2000]

I would chose the Nook. We have the Kindle and the Nook. Wife won the Kindle in a work contest. Still bought the Nook.

This has got to be confusing for the newbies.

Again, there are a lot of Nook type devices. Are you referring to the Nook tablet or the Nook readers?

 

[Elan]

Joyce, you really are comparing apples (!?) with oranges. One is a full-fledged computer with all that implies, and the other is a content (book, movie, music) providing appliance.

That the two's capabilities overlap some is coincidental.

Jim

Why do you say this? They are much more similar than they are different. Other than the Fire not having GPS, they are almost functionally equivalent and it's not coincidental. Obviously, the iPad has better performing hardware (as one would expect for the additional $250+), but in terms of features/functionality (surf,email,books,movies,games), there's not much difference.

 

["Roger"]

Price no object??: An IPad and a NookTouch.

 

[rrlongwell]

This has got to be confusing for the newbies.

Again, there are a lot of Nook type devices. Are you referring to the Nook tablet or the Nook readers?

Nook Tablet

 

[ace2000]

Nook Tablet

Interesting... what do you like about the Nook Tablet vs. the Fire?

 

[vckempson]

Why do you say this? They are much more similar than they are different. Other than the Fire not having GPS, they are almost functionally equivalent, and it's not coincidental. Obviously, the iPad has better performing hardware (as one would expect for the additional $250+), but in terms of features/functionality (surf,email,books,movies,games), there's not much difference.

+1 for me. There are, however a few key differences.

1. Ipad has 3g (or 4g maybe) connectivity. Kindle Fire only has wi-fi. That's good or bad depending on how you look at it. Ipad requires a monthly cost for connectivity. For me, my smartphone is a hotspot with unlimited usage which my Kindle Fire taps into.

2. Ipad has a camera for video chat which the kindle doesn't.

3. I believe the Ipad doesn't support flash... the Kindle Fire does.

#1 above is likley the biggest consideration for most. Someone mentioned that the Kindle Fire isn't well suited for movies. I disagree. It's just as simple as the apple products, if not more so, to buy/rent and watch movies. If you have an amazon prime account, add in the availability of a good selection of free movies and books. For me, the combination of cost, both initial and ongoing, along with the benefits and the Kindle Fire was my choice. In truth, though, I don't think you'd be unhappy with either, uness #1 or 2 above impacts you.

 

[rrlongwell]

Interesting... what do you like about the Nook Tablet vs. the Fire?

We have the Kindle, was looking at the Kindle Fire, it is a significantly better piece of equipment over the Kindle. Was going to buy one for my grandaughter (very very young), I was going to go with a 2nd Nook because I thought it was a tad more useful and more durable than the Kindle Fire. My grandaughter is under two years old. I was sold on it but got outvoted by the wife. We got the V-Teck (more age appropriate). Besides, the insurance policy I bought with the NOOK covers giving it to an infant to use as a toy - if it breaks, they replace it.

 

[Elan]

+1 for me. There are, however a few key differences.

1. Ipad has 3g (or 4g maybe) connectivity. Kindle Fire only has wi-fi. That's good or bad depending on how you look at it. Ipad requires a monthly cost for connectivity. For me, my smartphone is a hotspot with unlimited usage which my Kindle Fire taps into.

2. Ipad has a camera for video chat which the kindle doesn't.

3. I believe the Ipad doesn't support flash... the Kindle Fire does.

#1 above is likley the biggest consideration for most. Someone mentioned that the Kindle Fire isn't well suited for movies. I disagree. It's just as simple as the apple products, if not more so, to buy/rent and watch movies. If you have an amazon prime account, add in the availability of a good selection of free movies and books. For me, the combination of cost, both initial and ongoing, along with the benefits and the Kindle Fire was my choice. In truth, though, I don't think you'd be unhappy with either, uness #1 or 2 above impacts you.

There are wi-fi only iPad2s. And wi-fi + 3g versions for ATT & Verizon. They are considerably more expensive than the wi-fi only versions.

And you're correct, I forgot to mention the Kindle Fire's lack of camera.