Do you need to have another eReader if you have an Apple iPad?

A look at the iPad as a serious eReader from eReader Review HQ

As substantially as the Apple iPad has fueled our gadget-loving spirit, we need to establish if the iPad is really a worthy eReader. After all, given its well-known versatility would it be advisable to buy an another eReader if you already happen to have an iPad? Above all is it practical? We can, as you know, judge practicality in far more ways than just its value. eReader users are folks who are either book lovers or need to study a lot of material just to keep them up-to-date for some reason.

An eReader is like a printed book, in that it is taken all over the place. They're our companions in dental offices, airplanes, to bed and while on vacation. So from the perspective of an avid book lover is it practical to carry an iPad with you everywhere you go? The tiniest Kindle is now 7.5 by 4.8 by 0.3  inches and weighs an amazing 8.5 ounces. The Apple iPad on the other hand is 9.56 by 7.47 by 0.5 inches and weighs 1.5 to 1.6 pounds. In our opinion, using the iPad as an eReader would ultimately depend on your reading habits: if you simply read a handful of pages before you go to sleep an iPad will do the trick but if you're a voracious reader then utilizing a device that you can operate single handedly for an lengthy period of time would be most suitable.

One more feature we must consider is its readability. Does staring at the screen for hours hurt your eyes and is it "readable" in different lighting circumstances. The Kindle 3 may not have a colored screen capability, however it appears to strain the eyes of the reader much less than the Apple iPad, thus allowing the individual to use the Kindle for a longer time. When tested for readability under several lighting situations, the e-Ink technology has revealed itself to be of greater quality for almost all reading activities in natural light. The iPad on the other hand performs better when artificial light is employed in the evenings.

The real kicker though might be the price.  The iPad starts at about $500 while the new Kindle 3 is a measly $140.  We can hear you say that an iPad is able to do a lot more, play videos, surf etc. and you would be correct and for the leisure reader an apple iPad can meet all your needs as long as you don't read in direct sunlight. However, from the point of view of an devoted reader we'd recommend a proper eReader with eInk technology.

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