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Kindle or iPad? Which one is right for you?

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Are Kindle's and iPad's only for reading?

No, would be the answer.

Early Kindles were designed for reading eBooks with limited apps & internet connectivity. However, there are several types of devices that allow you to do a lot more things. The new Kindle Fire allows you to do pretty much everything that the iPad does. The biggest difference is the physical size of the two devices as well as screen color.

There are a number of different electronic devices that are available to read eBooks, play games, surf the internet or collect email, but I am going to only talk about the two that I believe are the most popular. Within these two types of devices you will find many different models that offer different capabilities. My focus is primarily on the Kindle Fire and the iPad 2. Other models are further down this page that you can check out.

Contents at a Glance

There are many electronic devices

To suit everyone's needs

These electronic devices are equipped with 3G, Wifi and various Gigabyte sizes. You may not know what all the terminology means and be left in a state of confusion as to what your needs might be. If this is the case, then follow along down the page as I explain some of the technical terms that you need to know in order to make the best purchase choice for your individual wants.

I have been using handheld devices for years. I started out with the Palm Pilot and have graduated right up to the iPad 2. I love the way I am able to stay connected to the outside world when I travel, plus I like the ability to read or play games as a means of passing the time. It doesn't quite replace my laptop computer, but it's getting close.

Choose the Kindle that will best suit your needs or maybe the iPad will work best for you.

Which one to choose?

Kindle or iPad?

iPad 2 and Kindle Fire side by sideKindle...?

The Kindle offers different options with various versions available. They vary in size, amount of memory, and internet capabilities. The decision to purchase a particular version would be dependent upon what you want to do with it. Do you want to only read with your Kindle or do you want more options? Kindle has a new model out called the Kindle Fire which has a color screen and functionality similar to iPads.

Amazon Compares Kindle Fire and iPad 2



iPad...?

The iPad 2 offers everything that a Kindle offers. The iPad is slightly larger than most Kindles. This can be an important feature if you like to view things bigger on screen. There is a free app available for the iPad called Kindle that allows you to register your iPad to the Kindle/Amazon site and download the Kindle books directly onto the iPad. The iPad versions offer the same reading capabilities as the Kindle as well as having thousands of applications that you can load onto the iPad.

Images captured courtesy Amazon. The images are to show an approximation of relative size differences & not to scale.

“Decision Time!
Will it be a Kindle or an iPad?”

Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Amazon Price: $199.00 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

iPad 2

Apple iPad 2 MC773LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + AT&T 3G, Black) 2nd Generation

Apple iPad 2 MC773LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + AT&T 3G, Black) 2nd Generation

Amazon Price: $516.99 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Explaining some of the technical terms

To help you understand what some of the terms mean

SOME TECHNICAL MUMBO JUMBO EXPLAINED


Sometimes some of the technical specifications of these electronic devices can seem overwhelming and intimidating if you don't know what they mean. The following is a few of the technical terms explained. I hope they will give you a better idea of what you need to know when deciding on what device you want to purchase.
  • What does 3G mean?

    High speed broad band data transfer via the cellular telephone system. This means that you are able to download and upload information from the internet at a very high speed. Some of you may remember the not so long ago dial-up connections that seemed fast at the time but compared to now is like watching grass grow when waiting for something to upload or download.
  • What does Wifi mean?

    Wifi means a wireless connection to connect your device to the internet. Wifi is available almost everywhere you go these days. And, most places you go, you can access the internet free. You may have to get a password to have access, but that is freely given out. Look for Wifi in Starbuck's locations, hotels, restaurants, or even your home wireless router.
  • What does GB mean?

    Gigabyte is one billion bites of information. Ok, so big deal. What does it mean? It means that the more GB you have on your device, the more "stuff" you can load onto it and the more things you can do. For example, you can download movies or videos, music or photos. Books that can be read on these devices are usually only text with very few images. Because text takes up very little space, you are therefore able to download thousands of books. A book with approximately 300 to 500 pages would take up about 1 megabyte of space. It takes 1000 megabytes to make up one gigabyte. Get the idea?
  • What is a Sim card?

    A sim card is a very small chip that has a serial number embedded in it. The device "talks" to this chip and tells the device to connect to a cellular tower and start transmitting data to your device. Most modern cell phones have this technology. So your device is now a cell phone?? Well yes, if you want it to be. You can get apps such as Skype that allows you to make phone calls.
  • What is a memory card?

    A memory card is a small card that is used to store data. If your device doesn't have a lot of built in storage capacity, you can buy extra memory to store your books, movies, music, etc.

See other Kindle Models

Choose the one that would best suit your needs

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WARNING!!

Addictions can be formed quickly and without warning using Kindles or iPads!

What do you mean it's time to go to bed????

It's only 2 am.

Just give me a few more minutes - I'm almost to the end of solving this game!!

Other iPad models to choose from

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What do people use the Kindle or iPad for?

See what other people are using their Kindles and iPads for

Take the poll and find out what the most popular uses of the Kindle or iPad are. The results may surprise you.

Loading poll. Please Wait...

My recommendations on accessories

Which ones do you need or want?

Some accessories are a must, some are just nice to have.

  • 1Protective covers and cases are a must!

    From experience, I can say that my screens have gotten scratched without a protective cover and case. Fingers have oils on them and can leave all kinds of prints on the screen and using a stylus directly on the screen has the potential to mark. You can get just the cases or packages that include a screen cover and protective case for either the Kindle or the iPad.

    Purchasing covers and cases are well worth the money to have your device protected.
  • 2Chargers - 12 volt charger

    If you are like me, I love to travel with my iPad. You might be on a long journey by car, for example and by having a car charger you will never run out of power. You can plug it in & keep your device running for hours. It doesn't take much battery power to charge the device so you won't run the battery down. I couldn't live without mine.
  • 3Stylus

    A stylus helps to preserve the screen because you are not transferring the natural oils from your hands and fingers onto the screen. The natural oils from the hands just seem to get on the screen no matter how carefully you wash your hands. Using a stylus also allows you to tap on small things on the screen. Sometimes the fingers are just too big. I especially like to use a stylus when playing my various games. :)
  • 4Keyboard

    Ah, an external keyboard. I really like this when I have a lot of typing I want to do. The small built in keyboard on these devices is usually ok for most things but sometimes I need a larger keyboard for the larger projects. I really like the external keyboard.
  • 5Sim card

    This is a tiny little card that goes inside your device that makes it possible to receive 3G service (cellular service). This to me is very important because I have been in places where I do not have access to Wifi. The sim card connects to any nearby cell towers, thus giving you signal to access the internet. Any place where there is a cell tower, you will be able to connect to the internet with your Kindle or iPad.
  • 6Headset

    A headset is great for when I want to listen to my music, listen to audio programs or when I use Skype to talk to my family and friends.

Note to Self

Don't forget to check the time. It may be later than you think!

Did you remember to plug in your device?

Have you updated your apps?

More Kindles, iPads and Related Items

There are plenty!

Important!

Still Trying to Decide ~ Kindle or iPad?

Differences:
Early Kindles are readers with limited games.
Except for Kindle Fire, all Kindles have a black and white screen.
iPads display only in color.
Size of display. iPad is almost 3 inches larger than Kindle Fire.
Kindle Fire does not have 3G.

Similarities:
Read from both devices.
Play games on both devices.
Both have models with WiFi and or 3G capabilities to access the internet.
Both have hundreds of apps.
Both have many convenient accessories.

Are you a Kindle Fan or an iPad Fan?

Based on the above information, which device would you choose?

Take another look at the Kindle and the iPad to decide which one would be best for you. Choose from the selection of Kindles or iPad and start enjoying this new world of reading and games, etc.

  • partybuzz Apr 2, 2012 @ 3:50 pm | delete
    I LOVE my Kindle Fire!!
  • ItayasDesigns Feb 24, 2012 @ 2:33 pm | delete
    I am perfectly happy with my Nook and regular books. :) Great article!
  • MarilynImanse Feb 26, 2012 @ 10:37 am | delete
    Thank you! I am really getting into the idea of reading on the iPad. I can adjust the size of the text so I am not straining to read what is on the screen. However, I still like a "real" book.
  • mamabush Feb 21, 2012 @ 12:08 am | delete
    I just want to have ebooks readily available...I don't really want/need other options. This is a great comparison review. Thanks for the info! I think the Kindle is for me...I've been asking hubby to get me one, but he hasn't taken the hint yet. :)
  • MarilynImanse Feb 26, 2012 @ 10:35 am | delete
    Thanks for the visit and comments. I am new to the iPad and just discovered that there is an app the allows the iPad to buy and download all types of ebooks, including Kindle books. I am stoked!
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MarilynImanse

I have a fascination with electronic devices, computers and new technology. I strive to keep up with the latest technologies when it comes to handheld... more »

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