On September 6, 2010, One News Page reported the answers of 1000 people who participated in their iPad vs Kindle survey. When it comes to ebook readers, the Kindle is the better choice. According to One News Page, the survey results show that "users admitted the iPad was 'more compelling' than the Kindle because of the iPad’s multi-functionality, if it came to a straight head-to-head choice between e-readers, almost two thirds preferred Amazon’s Kindle to Apple’s iPad."
One News Page Kindle vs iPad Survey
One News Page did not release a lot of information about the survey, but it included participants in the United States and the United Kingdom. 16% of people who participated said they own both an iPad and a Kindle. When it comes to vacation reading, slightly more people pack Kindles than paperback books. 53% of participants said that they would rather have an ereader at the beach than a paperback book.
It appears the survey just questioned people about Kindles and iPads; no other ebook readers or tablets are mentioned. The survey focused just on the ereader side of the devices. The survey also showed that the One News Page participants saw the Amazon Kindle as having an edge on who would emerge to be the ultimate winner in the Amazon vs. Apple battle. 2% more people saw the Kindle winning the ereader war over Apple.
Should Kindles be Compared to iPads?
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told Fortune's JP Mangalindan that he doesn't consider iPads to be in the same device group as Kindles. "I think there are going to be a bunch of tablet-like devices. It's really a different product category. The Kindle is for readers." Keeping the device focused on readers has been the Amazon focus throughout the history of the ereader. It has basic web access and can be used for tweeting about books, but it is a device for people who love to read.
Steve Jobs rejected the premise of the Kindle when it first came out. In January 2008, Jobs famously told the New York Times that the Kindle was built on misguided reasoning. “It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore,” Jobs told John Markoff. “The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore.”
Since the devices are intentionally different, it is a bit unfair to compare them, but anyone who is deciding between buying a Kindle3 or an iPad should consider price, usage, and screen size. The Kindle DX has an equivalent screen size to the iPad. One News Page did not indicate which Kindles were used by the people who took the survey, but when it comes to ebook reading, a dedicated device seems to be the better bet.
Sources:
"Kindle Trumps iPad in One News Page Survey" by David Murphy was published on September 6, 2010 by One News Page.
"Jeff Bezos's Mission: Compelling Small Publishers to Think Big" by P Mangalindan was published on June 29, 2010 by Fortune.
"The Passion of Steve Jobs" by John Markoff was published on January 15, 2008 by The New York Times.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
