Apple iPad: The Kindle Killer

With the release yesterday of the Apple iPad tablet computing device, it has arise a lot of commentary about the future of the tablet PC, netbook, and eBook readers. The 9.7″ inch display coupled along with a body that is only 0.5″ inches make it something to definitely take a look at. It may not, in fact it won’t, replace a laptop computer or conventional tablet PC if you want more power and flexibility. However, it does pose a serious threat to any eBook readers on the market today, in particular, the Amazon Kindle.

The Apple iPad offers eBook capabilities by allowing users to purchase eBooks off the iTunes Store and read them right on that 9.7″ screen. A 16GB iPad without AT&T wireless connectivity, but with Wi-Fi, will cost $499 and $629 for the same model with AT&T connectivity along with Wi-Fi.

Credit: Engadget

In comparison, the Amazon Kindle DX, which also has a 9.7″ screen (but not a color screen), costs a whopping $489, only $10 cheaper than the iPad. Now you could argue that it comes with 3G connectivity, but it doesn’t allow you to listen to music, play movies, run applications, and surf the Web in color. The iPad has effectively taken over the eBook market and has made the Amazon Kindle obsolete by a mile.

Credit: Apple.com

Because of the higher feature set (iPod, color, apps, etc.) for only $10 more, there’s no longer a reason to buy an Amazon Kindle, even if all you will use it for is reading books. The Apple iPad is simply a better device overall and it will have seamless integration with Apple iTunes and the Apple iTunes Store, as all of their other products are well-known for.

While the Apple iPad makes a fantastic eBook reader, it does not replace a conventional laptop or an iPod-only device. If you only use your current iPod to listen to music and occasionally surf the Web, the iPad isn’t for you because you cannot throw it in your pocket and take it with you without putting it in a bag or purse. It won’t replace a conventional laptop because it doesn’t run a full desktop operating system and it lacks the essentials, like a disc drive and large hard drive capacity.

In short, the Apple iPad is a great device, but only if you want an eBook reader and/or a fantastic mobile media device to watch movies, surf the Web, and listen to your music in style, as long as you have a way to carry it around.

Author: Alex Gasparski

Editor-In-Chief of TechReviewSource.com

Tagged as: apple, apple ipad, ipad