When I travel, I always worry that I’ll run out of reading material and end up bringing a few books and a handful of magazines. I need to pack light on my next trip and am wondering whether I should buy a Kindle. I have a new iPad (the version that’s a little bigger than the mini but smaller than full size), and I’m wondering whether the iPad would work just as well as an e-reader. What do you all think? Pros and cons?
I use the kindle app on my iPad. All the benefits of both in one device.
I have both. I prefer reading on the kindle because it doesn’t have the bright screen, it’s not as big or heavy as my iPad. When I travel, I usually take both because I use my iPad for surfing the internet, reading emails, watching Netflix, etc. I get distracted when I read on my iPad b/c notifications pop up and then I go down the rabbit hole by opening up my email, etc.
That said, if I could only take one device, I’d take my iPad and use the Kindle app to read my books. If you don’t need the iPad for anything else, then take the Kindle. I will say, I used to read on my iPad all the time but since it does not work on the beach (bright screen), I finally got the Kindle last year and I do prefer it for the reasons mentioned above. Actually I still prefer actual books, but that’s not what you asked. ?
I prefer actual books, too! But I am so tired of lugging around a tote bag of reading material on trips… although a dear friend recently gifted me with a gorgeous handmade tote bag, so maybe this time I’ll carry my reading in that !
I always travel with both iPad and kindle paperwhite. The kindle is especially useful on the plane because it’s so light and small, and for restaurants again because of the small footprint especially if you eat at the bar like I usually do when flying solo. Plus if the drunk guy next to you spills a drink on your kindle, you’ll be a lot less stressed than if it was your iPad (although I think both are water-resistant these days).
If I could only travel with one, I’d choose the iPad. But on the plane and in restaurants I’d probably read via the kindle app on my phone and not the iPad.
I am fine with the Kindle app on my iPad and even can get by with the Kindle app on my iPhone. I have a Kindle, but really don’t like to carry both devices on trips.
We travel a lot, often with weight / space / power limitations. I will use the kindle app on tablet, and even on the phokne when I’m stuck, but my kindle lives in my handbag when I travel. It is the easiest and best way to read 
If you get a Kindle I strongly recommend coughing up for the the closable cover. Good protection, but mostly it makes it read more like a book.
I think Libby will work on an iPad, so you can borrow the library and read on the iPad.
I carry my Kindle everywhere. It is not a versatile as an IPad but much cheaper and lighter. And I always have my iphone or laptop for other things. I can download a book in less than a couple minutes on my Kindle if I have WiFi. I have Libby on my phone, mostly for library borrowed audio books, but can be used for ebooks too. Funny how you can get used to reading on very small screens. I remember when my husband gave me the first Kindle released many years ago for xmas and i swore I would never use it, til I was in a car and DD wanted a new book to read. She found one and downloaded it in the car. I have never looked back. While I sometimes read “real” books most of my reading is done with ebooks.
Although Libby isn’t compatible with Kindles yet, you can download books to your Kindle from most public libraries that have Libby (there are usually a couple of downloading options). That’s been true in the last 3 cities we have lived in.
Biggest con of the iPad for me is that I can’t read it in sunlight. Since I love to cruise, and there’s often a beach involved, I use the Kindle. I can read it just as I would a book.
Sort of related to this… Can you read a kindle, esp paper white, with polarized sunglasses on? I can’t see my IPAD when I’m wearing my glasses. Thanks
Mr. travels with his Kindle and his Surface Pro that has the K-app. He much prefers the Kindle paper-like screen for reading.
With the iPad, you can use Libby, iBooks, etc., along with the Kindle app. You can brighten or dim the screen. If you’re trying to stick to one, I’d strongly suggest going with that.
Unless I’m in direct sunlight or in the water I use my iPad. I love to. But for those two things my waterproof kindle is what I use.
I download books from Libby and read them on my Kindle all the time…not sure what the issue is with Libby and Kindle not being compatible??? Do you mean Kindle doesn’t have Libby on it?
If you already have an iPad but not a Kindle I wouldn’t buy a Kindle just for this occasion. I’d use the occasion to try downloading both books and magazines to your iPad and see how it works for you. I don’t think it would be awful unless you’re only reading exclusively in bright sunlight.
Kindle is an option in libby as long as your preference is set for downloading. If you have an old kindle, it can be an advantage, if you download your books and then turn off wifi, your books stay on past the return date. That doesn’t happen for libby app reading on your connected devices. I use the libby app over multiple devices. A very old basic kindle, a very cheap kindle fire, android phones, PC (that does its own thing but user issues). Once in Amazon for the kindle download, a drop down menu lets it be sent to anywhere you use kindle. The kindle fire just uses libby as is, like any android device. Hence i am a fan of multiple devices. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/amazon-fire-7-tablet-8gb-7th-generation-2017-release-black/5822948.p?skuId=5822948&ref=212&loc=1&extStoreId=291&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1266837&ds_rl=1266837&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp92V-prM4gIVjYbACh0p5w1qEAQYASABEgKgrfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds.
I use my iPad and download books from my library via Overdrive / Libby. I have the kindle app, but I’ve never been able to get it to work properly, also not a fan of amazon knowing everything about me.
I use Kindle on my iPad and dim when I need to. I vote for one device over two as I see the Kindle as redundant.
I find the Kindle (with the book-type cover) easier to hold in a reading position for longer periods of time- it’s not as heavy as a tablet. When I am on planes & see other people reading from tablets, the tablet tends to be on their laps & they look down to read it.