An iPad, as well as a Kindle Fire, will have shorter battery life than a
"regular Kindle" -- that nice backlighting comes at a cost -- but may be
very welcome if lighting is less than "good" for reading for any length of
time let alone if you want to read in the dark (at all). I don't recall
trains as having that much really good reading-light; you just don't know
until you're there what the conditions will be. You can dial down the
brightness of the iPad backlighting; that helps the battery last longer.
These days, it's also worth asking if the train will have any
charging-stations for long-haul passengers. (where are you going to/from??)
If you do go with a Kindle (non-Fire) you may want to add a little light (&
batteries for it!) to go with it at least as occasional supplement to
whatever other light there is around. But the Kindle battery will last a
looonnngg time. I'm not sure what the KFire would offer you that's better
than an iPad, but I do see the battery-advantage of a non-Fire-Kindle if
power & recharging would be an iffy prospect.
It'd be pushing it for the iPad to last 3 days if you do more than
reading/audio and maybe a little light email. Video, graphics, surfing,
games, etc. can eat battery life really fast. Presumably you wouldn't be
using the device *all* the time -- you can watch the video-out-the-window a
lot on a train trip -- it becomes nearly hypnotic -- and there will also be
other people to talk to if you want (at least there were when I took
trains!)
You'll need cell-service/data plan unless you want to depend on wi-fi spots
along the way (and their security problems if you're entering passwords,
personal data & so on but probably ok for the occasional email d/l.) You
wouldn't be locked into a contract. Even with wi-fi-only you can d/l web
pages & save for later reading.
The only choices in iPad are how much storage & wifi-only vs cell (& which
carrier). Books & audio (music, podcasts, audiobooks) don't take up a lot of
space but videos use it up fast.
Each device has its advantages & disadvantages. The Kindle (any model) is a
lot cheaper -- but much more limited if you're thinking beyond the one trip.
bj
-----Original Message-----
From: Carol Botteron
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 4:39 PM
To: iPad@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [iPad] Choosing an iPad
I'll be taking a train ride (3 days each way) and want to be able to read
without lugging lots of books. Not sure whether the train will have wifi
but if I'm somewhere that does, I'd like to be able to check my email.
(1) Should I consider any device other than an iPad?
Someone suggested a Kindle Fire.
(2) Which models of iPad can do what I need? I probably don't need the
fanciest. Can they run for 3 days without needing a new charge?
(3) Will I need to purchase a monthly "data service" to read email etc.
away from home?
