This is why I discover the iPad higher than a Kindle for comics and graphic novels

As soon as upon a time, on the launch of the unique iPad, Apple determined that one of many issues folks would most wish to do on a pill is learn. That is why the corporate launched the iBooks Retailer, which ultimately turned Apple Books — and landed the corporate in sizzling water, pressured to pay out lots of of hundreds of thousands for conspiring with publishers to undermine Amazon. By no means thoughts that the first-generation iPad weighed a pound and a half, and value $500 at a minimal, which meant that nobody of their proper thoughts would’ve purchased one with studying as the first focus.

In 2025, nonetheless, iPads have turn out to be significantly lighter, and even cheaper. The iPad mini is simply 0.65 kilos, and if you happen to purchase the bottom 11-inch model or a refurb, yow will discover one for $350 or much less. That places them within the realm of plausibility as an e-reader. Certainly if you happen to’re primarily focused on comedian books and graphic novels (Maus, Uzumaki, Watchmen, and so forth.), you need to mechanically be veering in direction of an iPad as an alternative of an Amazon Kindle. This is why.

Why an iPad is best than a Kindle for comics and graphic novels

Higher presentation, extra content material

Amazon just lately launched its first coloration Kindle, the Colorsoft. That is definitely the one to get if most of your studying is illustrated. However as a result of nature of e-ink, the Colorsoft nonetheless would not help the identical coloration gamut as an iPad, and there is significantly much less distinction. Photographs “pop” extra on LCD screens — they will get brighter than any Kindle, and produce darker blacks. Distinction is much more pronounced on OLED iPads, since they will shut off particular person pixels utterly. Merely put, comics and graphic novels not solely come nearer to the unique supply materials on an iPad, they’re arguably superior.

iPads have one other image-quality perk, and that is their refresh fee. E-ink shows use microcapsules to signify every pixel, to allow them to’t replace almost as quick as an LCD or OLED display screen. The most effective e-ink panels can show video, sure — however even on one thing like my Boox Word Air4C, it is such as you’re watching the ghost of YouTube reasonably than the true deal.

In relation to comics and graphic novels, Kindles show a small however nonetheless jarring flash each time you flip a web page, open a menu, or slide from panel to panel. On high of that, you’ll be able to’t count on any easy animation in panel transitions — it is bodily not possible. Each bounce is abrupt.

One of the crucial apparent advantages of an iPad is show dimension. The Colorsoft’s 7-inch display screen is okay, possibly even preferable in some circumstances (extra on that later), but it surely’s nonetheless smaller than the typical comedian e-book. Photographs and textual content are going to be compressed. You will have a neater time studying on the 8.3-inch iPad mini, and a fair higher expertise on an 11- or 13-inch iPad. A 13-inch iPad is superb if you happen to wish to wallow in each final creative element, though I would not spend lots of additional on that format only for the sake of studying.

The best drawback with Kindles is their ecosystem. There are methods of side-loading books onto them, however as a rule, you are anticipated to purchase titles from the Kindle Retailer, or else subscribe to Kindle Limitless. That is going to be a problem if you wish to entry providers like Marvel Limitless or DC Universe Infinite, to not point out titles you have purchased by way of shops like Google Play Books.

Conversely, an iPad can entry any service with a presence on the App Retailer, and has a neater time dealing with books downloaded immediately from the net. iPads (or possibly Android tablets) are the one method to fly if you wish to have entry to the most important doable catalog.

Are there any causes to make use of a Kindle over an iPad?

The raisons d’être of e-ink

There’s one enormous benefit to utilizing a Kindle, and that is battery life. Because of e-ink, Amazon claims that the Colorsoft can last as long as eight weeks on a single cost. Even with extra intense use, it is liable to last as long as a month or extra. You possibly can spend most of a two-week trip studying your comedian assortment and return house with out as soon as worrying about plugging in. An iPad would possibly final per week if you happen to do nothing besides learn for an hour or two each day — however that is an unrealistic use case, and LCD and OLED screens are fixed energy drains, particularly in tandem with the speedy processors Apple makes use of. It is extra possible you may be charging an iPad each different day, until maybe you are prepared to close it down utterly as an alternative of placing it to sleep.

E-ink additionally reduces eye pressure. Personally, I am not too bothered by studying on an iPad for prolonged durations, however e-ink would not shine gentle in your eyes, making studying inherently extra comfy. For some folks, simply the concept of watching an LCD for one more hour or so after work or college goes to be a deal-killer. Others could not need the chance of an iPad maintaining them (or their companions) awake at bedtime. The lights on Kindles are literally frontlights, not backlights, so they will not illuminate as a lot of a room after they’re energetic.

Then there’s the matter of dimension and weight. A Colorsoft is so small and light-weight that you would be able to maintain it for hours with out discomfort, generally one-handed. You would possibly get an analogous expertise with an iPad mini, however an 11- or 13-inch iPad calls for two fingers, if not your lap or a kickstand. These components make it simpler to journey with a Kindle, as nicely. I am unable to match my 11-inch iPad Professional in something smaller than a backpack, and it is a bit awkward to relaxation on an Financial system-class seat tray. Journeys longer than 24 hours imply bringing alongside a suitable wall adapter and USB-C cable.

If portability and luxury trump every thing, then, it might nonetheless be value choosing a Kindle for graphic literature. For the very best constancy and choice, iPads win hands-down, particularly if yow will discover a reduced mannequin nearer to the Colorsoft’s value.