AP compares Kindle and iPad advantages

The AP today compares E-book advantages on the Kindle and the iPad.

They advise that, if choosing between a Kindle or an iPad for reading e-books, buyers keep in mind some advantages of both products.

' Kindle:
  . Lower price. ($259)

  . Light weight. (10.2 ounces. The iPad is 1.5 pounds.)

  . Can wirelessly download books any time, anywhere from Amazon's Kindle Store without a monthly fee.
    The $499, entry-level iPad goes online only in Wi-Fi hot spots.

  .   Wireless connectivity anywhere requires an iPad that is $629 and up, plus a monthly service fee.

  . Gray-scale "e-ink" screen that can be read in direct sunlight.

  . Battery lasts up to a week with wireless connection on, or two weeks with it off.

iPad:
  . LCD color touch screen is 9.7 inches diagonally, compared with 6 inches on the Kindle.  That can give a more complete Web-surfing experience.

  . It also functions as an iPod and video player.
    [ But doesn't support Flash video -- No Hulu, no ESPN videos]

  . It can download music and videos from Apple's iTunes Store and games and applications from its App Store — including e-reading apps from Apple and other companies, such as Amazon. '

In other words, it depends on whether you want it to mainly read books, even in direct sunlight, and want to be able to download a book to your reader wherever you are, or whether you also (or mainly) want a device that allows you to surf the web in color and download reading when you are around a WiFi network (for about twice the $-amount -- you'll need to buy an adapter kit to transfer files).

 The e-ink screen is monochrome and slower but works really well for reading books but while its web browser is free it is also slow. The iPad will dazzle with color and variety but will cost considerably more and it may be harder to read books on the large LCD screen for long periods of time.  For some it'd be no problem.

---

See the ongoing Guide to finding Free or Low-Cost Kindle books and Sources
Also, a page of links that confine searches to mid-range priced e-books.