Kindle versus Tablet
January 24th, 2010
I recently got the International Kindle as a gift, even though I had been researching and waiting for the Apple Tablet, maybe to be launched on the 26th. I get asked a lot about the Kindle and why I got one prior to the launch of the tablet, aside from the fact it was a gift. From my perspective in comparing the Kindle to the tablet these are 2 very different propositions, and cannot really be compared:
For the Apple iPad tablet, I assume the following:
- Larger version of the iphone. The interface is tried and trusted and integrates with iTunes and the App store, why not?
- Great interactive screen, scrolling menus, as with the iPhone
- Average to bad battery life
- Access and use of iTunes and the App store etc.
- Main use will not be to replace your laptop but rather extend your Internet access, i.e. lap browsing while watching TV or waiting for the train, reading websites while lying in bed, ever tried to do that on a laptop? and having access to the web outside of the office
- This will no doubt drive the move further toward cloud computing. If you have a mini or a laptop and a desktop you will be familiar with the issues around managing multiple files and emails on different hard drives. Reading emails on your lap on a tablet will be easy. Urrggh more emails less spare time…
- Drive new and better Apps, which will work better on a larger screen
- Bad solution for typing long documents with the on-screen keyboard
- The tablet will find new uses of its own, no doubt with peripherals attached
Enough guessing. Hopefully my fairy godmother will find it in her heart to buy me one.
For the Kindle, I can tell you the following:
- Its a book, albeit an electronic book, bit its a book and a good one at that
- If you carry around books to read while travelling, if your read a lot, if you want to stay on top of global news this is the device for you
- Great screen that is very very similar to paper. Its black and white, note. No colour
- Very and I mean very simple to use. Home, Menu, Forward and Back buttons with a small difficult to use keyboard, not that you really need to use it for much
- No backlight, so your eyes do not tire, and if you are reading a book you will need a backlight, this is no different
- Completely different offerring to a tablet in my mind but an excellent one at that
- Always on, 3G access, no wireless. Note Amazon takes care of the 3G no need for extra telephone cards etc.
- Long battery life, around a week with daily use of around 1-2 hours and daily deliveries of newspapers etc using the 3G connection
- Limited web browser in Beta and not available in Australia
So I would highly recommend the Kindle, I note this is not a paid review.
I have read “SuperFreakonomics” and “What the dog saw” to date. No eye strain, seemed natural, I love it. Not sure I would buy another hard copy book again, unless I had to share it with others.
In conclusion, these are highly different offerrings, assuming the Apple launch is what I think and most others (Looks like the worst kept secret to date, as usual for Apple) it will be on the 26th, Im sure it will be a fantastic device and many millions will be sold.
I would however still highly recommend the Kindle, as a book. Different device, different use.
