No doubt about it, the Kindle and the iPad are two very different devices; the former is a dedicated ebook reader while the latter is a tablet PC which can also serve as an ereader. Both started the trend in their respective markets and they continue to dominate these markets to this day.
But considering that the iPad was once touted as the device that could bring the ereader industry (dominated by the Kindle) to its knees, it is still interesting to note how a Kindle vs iPad comparison would pan out. Of course, we would be comparing features that pertain to the respective device's usability as an ebook reader.
Size and Design
The size of the device is very important when evaluating ereaders. After all, you would be looking for something which you can hold in your hand for hours if needed without being hampered by its bulk and without feeling its weight. In this regard, the Kindle 3 fits this requirement perfectly. Weighing only 8.7 ounces, it's a lightweight compared to the 24-oz iPad. The Kindle is 7.5" in length, 4.8" in width and 0.335" in height, while the iPad measures 9.56" x 7.47" x 0.5". With these dimensions, it's pretty obvious that the Kindle is the more compact and portable device.
Display and Readability
Who wouldn't be attracted to the iPad's glossy 9.7-inch LED backlit IPS display? In contrast, the Kindle's 6-inch grayscale e-ink screen would really look rather dull. But then again, e-ink technology goes perfectly with ebook reading - no glare, no eyestrain - so a real book lover may yet say no to the glitz of the iPad and go with the "drab" Kindle, as far as reading books go.
Graphics
As more magazine and newspaper subscriptions are being routed to ebook readers, the device's ability to render graphics and illustrations has become a factor for some. This is where the iPad shines over the Kindle. Its full color multi touch LCD gives life to color magazines, children's books, newspapers, and other document with such content in a way that the Kindle can't.
Battery Life
With the user's capability to do so many things on the iPad - web browsing, video playbacks, email, playing interactive games, Facebook, Twitter, etc. - and on a full color screen at that, one can't expect it to last for more than a day. With a Kindle on the other hand, you can go on "space shuttle missions" (as Wired magazine puts it), and still have battery life left to spare on your device.
Price
No Kindle vs iPad comparison would be complete without a mention of their respective costs. The difference in the functionalities of the two devices is perhaps proportional to the difference in their prices. The Wi-Fi only model of the Amazon Kindle is priced at $139, while the Wi-Fi + 3G version costs $50 more at $189. These prices are a far cry from the iPad's starting prices for 16GB models - $499 for Wi-Fi only and $629 for Wi-Fi and 3G. You'd have to dig deeper into your pocket for iPads with 32GB and 64GB memory.
Kindle vs iPad - Which Ereader Do We Pick?
While we'd like to say that the Kindle wins because it is the dedicated ereader, or the iPad wins because it is more than just an ereader, things aren't as clear cut as this.
If you'd like to have a gadget that can simply give you hours of reading pleasure and won't break your bank, then the Kindle is your best bet. On the other hand, if you are more of a multi-tasker and like the all-in-one functionality that the iPad offers, then by all means, bite the Apple. The bottom line is, the consumer opts for the device that best fits his needs and budget.
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