undefined | Better HN

0 pointslostlogin12y ago0 comments

Not for all. 1) Reading for me involves access to a browser and typing on a kindle is deeply unpleasant.

2) Reading in the dark requires a light and the attachments for the kindle have all seemed a kludge to me. That said, the iPad is imperfect here are the screen doesn't dim enough.

0 comments

OrsenPike12y ago

I think a better way to phrase it would be "Kindles are clearly a superior device for reading [novels and similar material] than iPads."

An iPad obviously is better for things like glossy magazines, graphic heavy books/PDFs, etc. However as a replacement to my "books" then the Kindle wins over the iPad.

Also the Kindle Paperwhite (and Kobo Glo, etc) are pretty great for low light reading. I agree the old lights were a bit annoying although the Amazon leather lighted case has always been pretty decent to be fair.

meepmorp12y ago

> Kindles are clearly a superior device for reading [novels and similar material] than iPads.

For you perhaps; I prefer reading on an iPad. It doesn't bother my eyes, and it doesn't make it difficult to sleep. Maybe the fact that I don't typically read outside makes some difference here.

mitchty12y ago

Probably, I tried the other weekend to read a kindle book on my ipad outside.

Yeah not happening with sunlight at all. Not sure how the kindle works out there, but the glossy ipad might as well have been a mirror.

skeletonjelly12y ago

Still, the difference is staggeringly: staring at a lightbulb vs a surface.

1 more reply

chrisbolt12y ago

"Reading in the dark requires a light and the attachments for the kindle have all seemed a kludge to me."

Kindle Paperwhite has an LED backlit screen with an e-ink display that sounds like exactly what you want.

stevenwei12y ago

The Paperwhite really is a fantastic reading device: the e-ink works perfectly under sunlight and the backlight works perfectly in the dark. The only thing I don't like about it is the touchscreen interface can be rather clunky/slow to use.

Also, I can't help but feel that e-ink and LCD displays are going to converge in the not-too-distant future, and at that point there won't be much reason to buy a Kindle over an iPad anymore.

durzagott12y ago

Actually, it's an LED frontlit screen, not backlit. While this may seem like a small distinction, it is much easier on the eyes (I'm told).

otisfunkmeyer12y ago

If you jailbreak, there's f.lux which greatly helps and there's another tweak which makes the lowest brightness even lower. It's a great combo and changed the game for night-reading on the iPad for me.

lostloginOP12y ago

Thank you - I'll investigate. I've only ever got funny looks when I say 'how far can you dim it' to people with devices I might want to use in the dark.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse