How to Compare the Kindle DX & the iPad

by Warren Davies
The iPad and Kindle DX have slightly different target markets.

The iPad and Kindle DX have slightly different target markets.

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The Kindle DX is a hand-held electronic book reader by Amazon. The iPad is a tablet computer by Apple, offering a wide range of applications and uses. Because of their slightly different purposes, the Kindle DX and iPad are not head-to-head competitors, and will appeal to people with slightly different needs. The Kindle DX is purely for book readers, while the iPad is for people who want more functionality and applications.

Size and Weight

In terms of dimensions, the two devices are comparable. The Kindle DX measures 10.4 inches high, 7.2 inches wide, by 0.38 inches deep. The iPad measures 9.56 inches high and 7.47 inches wide, by 0.5 inches deep. Although both devices are fairly light, the iPad is the heaviest of the two at 1.5 pounds, compared to 18.9 ounces for the Kindle DX. The display size on both devices is the same at 9.7 inches.

Software

The iPad is run by OS X Mobile, also called iPhone OS -- the same operating system that runs on the popular iPhone range. The Kindle DX runs on the Linux-based Kindle OS. Both devices include a web browser and support PDF browsing. However, the iPad far surpasses the Kindle DX in terms of applications -- it can play movies and audio, and over 140,000 apps are available through the iTunes store.

Hardware

The iPad has far greater connectivity, with Wi-Fi, 3G, and Bluetooth, compared to only 3G on the DX. In terms of battery life, the Kindle DX offers a full week of always-on reading time with networking switched on, and two weeks with networking off. The iPad's lithium-ion battery gives 10 hours of multimedia playback. Both devices feature an accelerometer allowing the screen to rotate with the device, though the iPad's screen is full-color, while the DX's eink display is in black and white only.

Usage

The iPad offers a wide range of applications and is therefore far more versatile than the DX -- it supports Flash-enabled web browsing, document editing, games, and multimedia. Furthermore, a Kindle book reader is available, so the 400,000+ books in the Kindle store can be read on the iPad. However, the DX's lack of applications is also its selling point -- it is for the reader who wants to get into a book without distraction, and its fewer features mean far greater battery life for readers who are constantly moving.

About the Author

Warren Davies has been writing since 2007, focusing on bespoke projects for online clients such as PsyT and The Institute of Coaching. This has been alongside work in research, web design and blogging. A Linux user and gamer, warren trains in martial arts as a hobby. He has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in psychology, and further qualifications in statistics and business studies.

Photo Credits

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