[quote=ProVista;48465089]Thank you for your reasoned comments.

I do intend to use a reader as I would normally use a book - which would involve reading more than just a chapter at a time. So I take the point about the screen not being back-lit on the Kindle, that it is just like reading a sheet of paper. A Kindle will also fit into my handbag fairly easily whereas an Ipad will probably need a bag of its own so I'll probably end up popping a paperback into my bag rather than lug the Ipad around.

I think I have answered my own questions - so I should just stop dithering any buy a Kindle.

I also think I need to spend a bit more time considering exactly what I would use an Ipad for and whether I can justify £500 for it. Also, (mean mummy) I made my 6 year old save up for half the cost of a DS before I put the rest to it, so part of me is saying how can I try to instill good values into my child about saving up and not buying things on the spur of the moment, not being led astray by marketing etc., if I then arrive home clutching an Ipad I blatently don't need.

I am talking myself out of an Ipad now![/QUOTE]

Good Get a Kindle

Joking aside.,
If you have any questions or to help you make your mind up
have a look at the Kindle forum http://www.amazon.co.uk/tag/kindle/forum/

I have the kindle App on both Iphone and iPad ( much nicer on phone and use it all the time) however, I used to love reading and buying books now I'm finding I don't buy books ( why would I when I just download one) and can't get into them as much when I keep getting distracted by facebook and text messages and phone calls.

I also love reading in the bath which I don't do anymore for obvious reasons.

All in all I love my IPad more than anything else I have ever bought but it has come at the cost of my reading enjoyment I'm afraid.

I read a lot of books on my iPad, I don't have problems with eye strain but other people might. I chose the iPad because I want to be able to do lots of different things rather than just one primary function.

The Kindle does seem like a very good choice if all you want to do is read books.

I have both. The wife uses the Kindle and I use the iPad. If you want the very best book reader then you can't beat the e-ink display and the Kindle is a very good price, plus the 3G model doesn't require a subscription plus the iPad can get a bit heavy after long periods. If you want more than a book reader such as movies, Internet, apps etc then you have to go with the iPad.

If it was my wife then she would probably choose the Kindle because she is a big reader. For me I would choose the iPad. It is so much more versatile and is my go to device for most things now when lazing around the house or reading books or playing games when I am travelling.

One thing to bear in mind is there are rumours that the iPad will be updated in the very near future. Some say early March. So it might be worth waiting to see what iPad 2 will look like first.

If all you want is a book reader, then buy a Kindle. That's what it's designed to do and by all accounts it does it very well. iPad is a very different device so to be honest it's not a fair comparison as the iPad is designed to do a lot more. But of course if you're not going to use all of iPad's functionality then why buy one? "Because it's shiny" isn't good enough.

You can use the iPad for book reading, but it's MUCH heavier. You couldn't read a book one handed with an iPad for an extended amount of time, whereas you can with a Kindle. If reading is your main function, then Kindle is it.

The iPad isn't going anywhere - there's a new model out on 25th March, so you could always buy one in a few weeks/months once you work out what you want it for!

I've just bought an iPad (today) and already have a Kindle personally the Kindle is a more relaxing way to read an ebook which I suppose is what it's designed for.

This is such a nice bit of the forum. Lots of genuine advice and no moaning or sarcasm! Thank you.

Its official, I have decided on a Kindle.

I really cannot justify the cost of an Ipad and as much as I might think they look soooooo nice, I don't think I would use it very much. And hubby has a brother who must have the latest gadget, he would spontaneously combust if he thought one of his toys was "uncool" and he was muttering about upgrading to a new Ipad, so the old one might come our way at a very reduced rate. Bargain!

I think you'll be really impressed when you see the Kindle's screen (if you haven't already). It's really strange - it kind of looks like a peel off sticker at first, because of how closely it resembles a printed page!

18 months on ..... I am not impressed with the screen right now as its got lines all over it. Looks like a bar code gone mad. I didn't drop it or mistreat it. I was reading and it was OK. Picked it up an hour or so later and this was what I got when I turned it on.

Amazon not interested as its over one year old, but having googled, it appears this is a really common fault and was known about at the time I bought it. Going back to PC World this afternoon where I bought it from but not holding out much hope. Amazon will sell me another one at a very slightly reduced price, but I don't feel I want to part with more money if the same thing will happen again in another 18 months.

Wish I'd bought the Ipad!

Because they don't have problems. Do you buy many books from Amazon because they have been known to replace Kindles out of warranty so if it was me I'd keep harassing the customer service till I got someone who would send me a new one for free. Did PC World offer you insurance when you bought it? 20 odd quid for unlimited replacements for three years?

Amazon definately not interested - but PC World offered me £130 in the form of an e-credit note! Considering the item is 18 months old and cost £150 or so new, I think thats a very generous offer. It is going to be emailed to me in the next couple of days. So I am a happy bunny once again.

Now then, what to buy next..... lost faith in Kindles, still can't truthfully justify the cost of an Ipad, so am thinking of a Samsung Galaxy.

£130 credit from PC World received today and I am now the proud owner of a 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.

I took out the insurance....... just in case lightening strikes twice!!

I use an Ipad, and really only as an ereader. I need fairly large print, so the bigger screen is the reason. I have an ereader as well, but don't use it.

One thing about the IPAD that you might not hear anywhere, is that it is not much good outside. The screen is very reflective which is extremely distracting outside.

Believe it or not, there is no search facility in the ereader on the Ipad. It is a bit of a pain if the book has no index. The Ipad manual has no index which is almost unbelievable.

^^^ There's Kindle DX with e-Ink 9.7'' screen. As you do not use the iPad for tablet things this big Kindle might have been a better choice for you.

You hear that everywhere - all LCD screens have difficulty's outside especially when it is sunny.

I've learnt something new today - never heard of the Kindle DX before today

although the kindle built in web browser is limited, the kindle keyboard effectively gives you free 3g wireless connectivty (in addiition to wi fi). so you dont have to pay monthly as u would for ipad. just the cost of the device. i think this applies to all kindles up to and including the keyboard. later models limit 3g to amazon book purchases and wikipedia access.

the kindle browser can be slow and a bit crash prone. the solution is to use googe mobile and save your regular web bookmarks as "mobilised" links.

this post is on my kindle keyboard.

for just reading books only kindle battery lasts far longer than ipad.

It was never released in the UK as far as I'm aware. The US version is expensive coming in at $379 + Shipping + VAT so will end up around £350, or £330 on EBay.

It includes free 3G and if you want it almost exclusively for reading, it's a better choice. I wouldn't want to read off LCD for hours. I do work with computer daily 8 hours, but that's different I don't look at it constantly.

I do love my Kindle for reading but don't see the point in the DX version at twice the cost unless they add colour and faster refresh for pinch to zoom then it would be great for PDFs.

If you need to use a bigger font I could see that it would be very handy as you would not need to keep turning the page as often.

Or spend the spare cash on a better pair of specs

Thanks for the comment about the big kindle. I would certainly have bought one of them, but I thought they had been discontinued.

A comment to the OP. In theory the Ipad is absolutely great for books in particular for small children because it can read to them, show coloured pictures and even videos as part of the book. I don't really know what is available though.