I'm a reader usually have 4-5 books going at a time. With adult kids having moved away for jobs now traveling by air regularly. My travel backpack usually has at least 2 books, usually hardback versions, along with all the other travel stuff. Thinking of getting either a Kindle or an Apple iPad. My laptop is an Apple. Suggestions regarding Kindle vs. iPad welcome on pros and cons.

You can run the Kindle App on an iPad, my dad does that and it's easy to use, in addition with an iPad you'd have all the features that an iPad offers for app access, email, text, etc.

I use a Samsung tablet for my Kindle program. An actual Kindle's screen is better for reading, but the tablet is more capable for other uses as well - internet browsing, games, e-mail etc.

I am an Android user, so Apple is not a good choice for me. I prefer Android to Apple anyway.

One thing that is nice is that you can have your Kindle program linked to computers anywhere. I can read on my phone, my work desktop, etc.

The Kindle Paperwhite readers are supposed to excel for e-book reading. Apparently as close to reading a real paper book as one can get.

I use the Kindle app on my iPad. An iPad can be used for so many other things, as well.

I like my Kindle, I have a really old [1st gen maybe, with the physical keyboard] and my wife has a newer paperwhite 11th gen. Just wish there was a way to convert all of my physical books to Kindle without having to buy them all again.

Display quality is the key to extended reading without eye strain. Black text on white background has been the selling feature for Kindles, but Apple has always excelled in display technology. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to do a hands-on comparison before laying down the $$$. Apple will be significantly more expensive, but will also have a far greater set of capabilities than your off-the-shelf Kindle. If you are already solidly in the Apple-verse, there is no contest, but if you are primarily Android you might have a different perspective.

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
I like my Kindle, I have a really old [1st gen maybe, with the physical keyboard] and my wife has a newer paperwhite 11th gen. Just wish there was a way to convert all of my physical books to Kindle without having to buy them all again.

There are other ways, but it would mean endless hours with a scanner, or big bucks to a commercial scanning service. There is also Pirate Bay, the morality of downloading e-books that you have already paid for in paper (and don't plan to ever sell), would be something to think about.

Just started using a kindle paper white. It’s phenomenal. Will pay for itself in the first month.

Do you have a iPhone/Android smartphone?

There's a Kindle app for smartphones, which is what I use now. Set to the right font size and put on "continuous scroll", and it works just as well or better than a larger dedicated tablet for reading on the go, plus you don't have to buy or carry around a separate device.

I haven't even touched my separate Kindle tablet in many years.

If you like to read in the sun. Beach, cruise, or on your deck, Kindle paper white. Apple suck in the sun!
Amazon unlimited is pretty sweet too. Finish a really good book in a series? Push of a button and on to the next!

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Originally posted by TBH:
If you like to read in the sun. Beach, cruise, or on your deck, Kindle paper white. Apple suck in the sun!

They all suck in the sun, except for Kindle Paperwhite.

Conversely: A Kindle Paperwhite display needs light (sunlight, reading lamp, etc.), does it not?

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:

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Originally posted by TBH:
If you like to read in the sun. Beach, cruise, or on your deck, Kindle paper white. Apple suck in the sun!

They all suck in the sun, except for Kindle Paperwhite.

Conversely: A Kindle Paperwhite display needs light (sunlight, reading lamp, etc.), does it not?

No, you can read a Paperwhite in complete darkness. You do need to dim it. In darkness I have mine set to 8 out of 24 on its brightness scale.

I prefer Kindle over my iPad, iPhone or MacBook.

My old Kindle quit on me a few months ago, after well over 10 years of use. My wife likes her Kindle Fire, so I got one of those. Much cheaper than a regular Kindle, and you can use it for basic internet stuff, like news, weather, email, etc. Battery life ins't as good as a regular Kindle, but I can live with it.

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Originally posted by Ironbutt:
My old Kindle quit on me a few months ago, after well over 10 years of use. My wife likes her Kindle Fire, so I got one of those. Much cheaper than a regular Kindle, and you can use it for basic internet stuff, like news, weather, email, etc. Battery life ins't as good as a regular Kindle, but I can live with it.

That's what I've been using. I really like my Kindle Paperwhite but if I wake up and want to read, I sometimes will check the weather or SF or Amazon Prime/Netfilx. And also true, battery life on the Paperwhite is month+ compared to a couple days w/ the Fire.

I do cheat w/ the two of them, though, w/ regards to library reading. I've got a couple books I've loaned from the library that are still unfinished (but expired)on my Paperwhite because I've left the internet connection off while getting newer books onto my Fire. I still have yet to start on Eaters of the Dead(1976) but it's still there waiting for me.
And no, doing that does not keep the next person in line from getting their book.

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Originally posted by dsiets:

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:

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Originally posted by TBH:
If you like to read in the sun. Beach, cruise, or on your deck, Kindle paper white. Apple suck in the sun!

They all suck in the sun, except for Kindle Paperwhite.

Conversely: A Kindle Paperwhite display needs light (sunlight, reading lamp, etc.), does it not?

No, you can read a Paperwhite in complete darkness. You do need to dim it. In darkness I have mine set to 8 out of 24 on its brightness scale.

dsiets is correct. A Kindle Paperwhie has a variable intensity “backlight”, which is actually a fiber optic “front light”. Necessary because the Paperwhite’s e-ink display is opaque. The Paperwhite’s battery lasts a LONG time between charges, even while the screen light is on. Recent models also allow you to adjust the hue, I believe.

I would suggest comparing both side to side in a store. You will prefer one over the other. I found it much easier to read on the IPAD.

I have/had a NOOK, Kindle, and both apps on my iPhone and iPad. The Kindle is easily the best of breed for electronic books, it isn't even close. Almost everyone eventually complains of reading off a computer screen if you do it long enough. The Kindle Paperwhite or whatever they call their tech is nearly identical to reading off of paper.

Ipads and Iphones suck for books because the screen is nearly illegible in some lighting, particularly direct sunlight. The Paperwhite on the other hand is like reading off of paper which could care less that it in direct sun.

The other advantage is battery life. The Kindle battery if you are reading in natural light with the background lighting off (normal) lasts for a long time. I would say weeks if not more. Even with the backlight and reading in the dark the battery is still very long lived.

Other than screen size and the ability to do other other applications, the Kindle is waaaaay better as a book. It isn't even close. If you want to play solitaire as well then the iPad wins. If you just want a book, don't waste your time, just get the Kindle in whatever version you like.

Don't forget to check out your public library and figure out how to get library books as well.

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Originally posted by pedropcola:
The Kindle Paperwhite or whatever they call their tech is nearly identical to reading off of paper.
<snip>

“Paperwhite” is a model name, not a technology. The Kindle Paperwhite screen technology is e-ink. While the reading light is off the screen requires zero energy to retain its current image.

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Originally posted by pedropcola:
Don't forget to check out your public library and figure out how to get library books as well.

Yes.

I could argue that my kidle Paperwhite is the best reader and my Kindle Fire is a half notch down for reading but good for internet.

Pedropcola's best point is the library borrowing system of books for free. If you can't support buying books, your local library will have many for free, just for the taking.
I get most of my mother's books from the library for free. Since her kindle is in my name, I digitally check out a book and it queues it for download for all my kindle devices in my name.

The only downside is that I get many suggestions for Amish Romance novels in my name.

Yep. I don’t know or care what Kindle calls their technology. Paperwhite, e-ink, ball sac juice, whatever, it’s the best. It is as close to reading off paper which is the highest standard as you can get. It is what you want if reading is your priority.

Public libraries are an easy and free source of quality reading material. Figure out their system, download their app, read for free.