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There’s nothing quite like curling up in bed with a paperback and a good cup of coffee. However, digital reading is slowly stepping up its game. While I use an iPad for my coursework at university, I now prefer my Kindle for reading.
1Fewer Distractions
The iPad is now closer than ever to becoming a complete replacement for the MacBook. Ultimately, this means that you can use a lot of the applications you’d use on your MacBook on your iPad as well. Since I can’t carry my MacBook with me everywhere, I have work and all my university-related apps like Goodnotes and Google Classroom on my iPad as well. I also have entertainment apps like Netflix installed on my iPad for times when I need a break from solving hundreds of calculus questions.
However, because I receive time-sensitive notifications from these apps, I can’t disable receiving push notifications from them. When I’m reading, the last thing I want is to receive a notification that an assignment of mine has been graded or that a professor of mine left feedback on an assignment. Instead, I prefer being fully immersed in my book and stopping only when I choose, rather than being interrupted by a notification.
Although I couldcreate a custom Focus mode on my iPadfor reading, the presence of all those apps makes it hard to fully immerse myself in a book. So, even when I’m in the midst of reading a really interesting book, I keep anxiously swiping up and opening those apps and checking if there’s something that needs my attention.
Meanwhile, it’s a completely different story on an eReader, like the Kindle. No notifications, no apps, no phone calls—just me and my book.
I currently use the 5th-Generation iPad Air for university, which Apple claims can deliver up to ten hours of wireless web surfing or video playback. On the other hand, the Kindle Paperwhite offers up to ten weeks of battery life.
For readers like me who might pick up a book, set it aside for a few days, and return to it later, the Kindle is ideal. Unlike the iPad, which can drain battery power even when in sleep mode, the Kindle lasts much longer between charges, ensuring that your reading is always ready to pick up right where you left off.
Its extended battery life means you rarely need to recharge, unlike the iPad, which, despite its commendable battery life, can simply not compete with the Kindle’s 10-week battery life. So, regardless of which Kindle model you decide to purchase, battery life shouldn’t be a concern.
3A Kindle is Much Kinder on My Eyes
When you start reading a good book and get hooked, hours can pass in what feels like minutes—time quite literally flies. If you read for hours on end, the Kindle is a much better option than an iPad. The Kindle’s e-ink display is gentle on the eyes and features a built-in front light for comfortable night reading.
Some models, like the 11th-Generation Kindle Paperwhite, also offer a Warm Light option. While the iPad’s glossy display is great, reading on it in direct sunlight is almost impossible. On the other hand, you’ll have no trouble reading on a Kindle under bright sunshine.
4A Kindle is Water-Resistant
Before I begin reading a book, I need to be in a comfortable and cozy environment. My perfect reading atmosphere includes a soft blanket, a free schedule, and a good cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I don’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping drinks and technology together.
For example, I once accidentally dropped my iPhone into a steaming cup of coffee while reading. So, reading on a water-resistant device is a major plus point for me. While iPhones have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, no iPad currently has an IP rating.
On the other hand, the Kindle Oasis (9th-Generation and above) and the Kindle Paperwhite (10th-Generation and above) have an IPX8 rating. According to theIngress Protection scale, this means that the Kindle eReader can withstand being submerged in up to two meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes.
There is adifference between waterproof and water-resistant. While no iPad is water-resistant or waterproof, no Kindle model is completely waterproof either, despiteAmazon’s claims. However, the IPX8 rating provides significant protection against accidental water damage.
So, for those who enjoy reading with a drink in hand or by the beach, a Kindle Paperwhite is far superior to an iPad (and even a physical book)!
5It Almost Replicates the Feeling of Reading a Physical Book
I’ve always been a physical book person. You’ll catch me at every book fair possible! However, being addicted to books comes at a cost. Not only are books expensive nowadays, but finding a place to store them is another challenge.
While I was initially really hesitant about getting a Kindle to read, I noticed that it can replicate the feeling of a physical book. The Kindle’s e-ink display mimics the appearance of ink on paper, providing a more book-like reading experience compared to a backlit screen.
Its lightweight and portable design makes it easy to hold, unlike my iPad, which is nearly twice as heavy. While the iPad doesn’t feel particularly heavy when I use it for studying, it becomes cumbersome for extended reading sessions due to its weight. It took me a while to adjust to the Kindle, but once I did, it became hard to go back to reading physical books.
Ultimately, it comes down to what suits your preferences. If you’d like to purchase a device to read only, you won’t find a better device than a Kindle. However, if you’d like to do more than just read occasionally, investing in an iPad would be a much better decision.
If you have both, you can sync your Kindle reading progress with the Kindle app on your iPad. This way, you can switch seamlessly between devices. Additionally, you cansend eBooks and documents from your iPhone or iPad to your Kindleto further enhance your reading experience and expand your digital library.
