Should you buy an ereader or get an ipad instead?
If you love ebooks, you will have been wondering whether to get the Apple iPad as it has a ebook reader included within, complete with virtual bookshelf where you can see all the books you have downloaded. On the other hand, there are dedicated ebook readers such as the Barnes and Noble Nook and Sony Digital Reader.
Apple has launched the iBooks store, so you could buy books directly from them for your iPad. The iPad also supports the ePub format, which means that all ebooks published in epub format can be read on the iPad. It means you can buy ebooks from other ebookstores, and expand the titles available to you. In addition, Amazon’s free Kindle for iPad app, allows you to read Kindle books on the ipad.
So should you rush out to buy an iPad? Well, the iPad has a few drawbacks as an ereader, compared to the Sony Reader and Kindle. The main drawback is that the iPad does not use eInk technology. EInk technology is especially designed to make a tablet pc screen gentle and soft for the eyes. It produces a texture that looks like paper and reduces glare. With eInk technology you can read an ebook for several hours straight and not get eyestrain. Both the Kindle and the Sony Digital Reader use iInk technology, making them superior choices for those who mainly want an ebook reader. User feedback shows that you can read books on the Nook and Sony Digital Reader in bright sunlight, but it’s very difficult to do so on the iPad because of the glare.
The iPad also has a backlit LED screen. This is great if you are using the iPad in a dark environment, but it strains the eyes if you look at he screen too long.
The real benefit of the iPad is the other software included with it – the internet browser, the office suite and games console. If this you want an all purpose tablet pc, then you should order an iPad. If you just want to an ebook reader, you will be better off with the Nook or Sony Digital Reader.
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