Kindle vs. Ipod Touch - Web Browsing
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 2,009
Kindle vs. Ipod Touch - Web Browsing
I have been looking at a picking up a gizmo for traveling with. I read a lot so like the concept of the dedicated e-reader plus the $139 price point for the new kindle is pretty darn nice. It also had a lot bigger screen than the Touch.
I also want something I can check my AOL e-mail with while traveling. From what I have read the earlier version of the kindle browser on the V2 isn't that great, but it is functional.
Unfortunately there just are not much in the way of reviews available yet for the V3 Kindle so not much out there about the browser yet.
Which way would you go ipod Touch or Kindle 3. ipad and netbook are not options I am considering.
I also want something I can check my AOL e-mail with while traveling. From what I have read the earlier version of the kindle browser on the V2 isn't that great, but it is functional.
Unfortunately there just are not much in the way of reviews available yet for the V3 Kindle so not much out there about the browser yet.
Which way would you go ipod Touch or Kindle 3. ipad and netbook are not options I am considering.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
+1. I really see the Kindle as a dedicated e-reader only. Yes, there is a web browser but it is extremely basic and the screen refresh rate is not well suited to web browsing.
As an e-reader it is perfect IMHO, but I would certainly consider a separate device for e-mail, casual browsing, etc. The iPod touch does a good job of this.
As an e-reader it is perfect IMHO, but I would certainly consider a separate device for e-mail, casual browsing, etc. The iPod touch does a good job of this.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 211
I have an ipod Touch and a Kindle.
The Kindle is great, as long as you just want a dedicated e-reader. Web surfing is possible, but not practical. The battery life on the Kindle is a real plus. For trips of less than 1 week, there's no need to charge it at all.
The ipod Touch, on the other hand, is much more versatile. If you want to do anything other than read, the Touch is a good option. Negatives for me: small screen and relatively short battery life.
The Kindle is great, as long as you just want a dedicated e-reader. Web surfing is possible, but not practical. The battery life on the Kindle is a real plus. For trips of less than 1 week, there's no need to charge it at all.
The ipod Touch, on the other hand, is much more versatile. If you want to do anything other than read, the Touch is a good option. Negatives for me: small screen and relatively short battery life.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 2,009
Replies like yours are why I specifically excluded those. My prefered method of travel is a backpack. Minimum stuff/weight. Both the ipad and netbook are bigger and heavier than I want to add. With open wifi now far more common, even in hostel I just want the convienence of avoiding net cafes and being able to read a few books.
Just for reference an inch thick paperback is 6.5 oz, the kindle is 8.5 oz and uses a mini USB charger, same as my phone. The ipod touch is 4.5 oz but requires a different charger. ipad is about 1.5 lbs and netbooks start at around 2 lbs.
Just for reference an inch thick paperback is 6.5 oz, the kindle is 8.5 oz and uses a mini USB charger, same as my phone. The ipod touch is 4.5 oz but requires a different charger. ipad is about 1.5 lbs and netbooks start at around 2 lbs.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 2,009
Thanks for the info about the web browser. I wonder if it will be improved with the new kindle. I plan to hold off on buying until I see some of the reviews about that.
+1. I really see the Kindle as a dedicated e-reader only. Yes, there is a web browser but it is extremely basic and the screen refresh rate is not well suited to web browsing.
As an e-reader it is perfect IMHO, but I would certainly consider a separate device for e-mail, casual browsing, etc. The iPod touch does a good job of this.
As an e-reader it is perfect IMHO, but I would certainly consider a separate device for e-mail, casual browsing, etc. The iPod touch does a good job of this.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
Replies like yours are why I specifically excluded those. My prefered method of travel is a backpack. Minimum stuff/weight. Both the ipad and netbook are bigger and heavier than I want to add. With open wifi now far more common, even in hostel I just want the convienence of avoiding net cafes and being able to read a few books.
Just for reference an inch thick paperback is 6.5 oz, the kindle is 8.5 oz and uses a mini USB charger, same as my phone. The ipod touch is 4.5 oz but requires a different charger. ipad is about 1.5 lbs and netbooks start at around 2 lbs.
Just for reference an inch thick paperback is 6.5 oz, the kindle is 8.5 oz and uses a mini USB charger, same as my phone. The ipod touch is 4.5 oz but requires a different charger. ipad is about 1.5 lbs and netbooks start at around 2 lbs.
If you want one device to read and surf/check email, the iPad (or possibly one of the forthcoming Android tablets) is your best bet by a long shot.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 2,009
Fine, but the form factors are all more or less the same. If you have room in your backpack for a Kindle, then an iPad or netbook will also fit. If your backpack is that cramped, you're taking too much underwear.
If you want one device to read and surf/check email, the iPad (or possibly one of the forthcoming Android tablets) is your best bet by a long shot.
If you want one device to read and surf/check email, the iPad (or possibly one of the forthcoming Android tablets) is your best bet by a long shot.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: AGR,CO,PC,AA
Posts: 411
Look at the old Nokia N810. Used ones are going pretty cheap on ebay. It has a 4.3 inch screen so a good bit bigger than an ipod touch. It doesn't have all the fart apps, but the web browser is very good and it has email, calendar, and media players.
It is pretty much a dead device as far as development, but they are cheap right now and until the tech companies get their acts together and put out an Android tablet the N810 is a good stop gap solution.
It is pretty much a dead device as far as development, but they are cheap right now and until the tech companies get their acts together and put out an Android tablet the N810 is a good stop gap solution.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
As far as weight, I've done a fair bit of backcountry backpacking and I agree with the adage that every extra ounce is an ounce of misery...but really for travel backpacking I don't think an extra pound makes much difference. To each his own.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
Programs: A3 *G, BA Silver
Posts: 2,706
Do you read when you travel? If you do, one kindle is lighter than a book.
If you want tunes and/or video and email on your travels, get an iPod touch.
One light charger will supply both devices.
If you want tunes and/or video and email on your travels, get an iPod touch.
One light charger will supply both devices.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Grazie Gold Lounge
Programs: UA-2MM; GalacticXpress-Irridium
Posts: 10,332
Look at the old Nokia N810. Used ones are going pretty cheap on ebay. It has a 4.3 inch screen so a good bit bigger than an ipod touch. It doesn't have all the fart apps, but the web browser is very good and it has email, calendar, and media players.
It is pretty much a dead device as far as development, but they are cheap right now and until the tech companies get their acts together and put out an Android tablet the N810 is a good stop gap solution.
It is pretty much a dead device as far as development, but they are cheap right now and until the tech companies get their acts together and put out an Android tablet the N810 is a good stop gap solution.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
I have an iPhone which is the same size as the iTouch. I use it for Amazon books and for occassional web. It is really not great for accessing the web--screen is much much too small. It works for me in a pinch.
I use a Sony reader which is smaller than the Kindle. I really like it a lot. Mine doesn't have web access though. It is different than reading on the iPhone--a bit easier on the eyes, but it's not back lit so you can't read in the dark as you can with the iPhone.
I use a Sony reader which is smaller than the Kindle. I really like it a lot. Mine doesn't have web access though. It is different than reading on the iPhone--a bit easier on the eyes, but it's not back lit so you can't read in the dark as you can with the iPhone.