If you are like me, you love reading Physics textbooks. You probably have a few books from Griffiths already on your bookshelf and would like to read some more. However, it is time to move to a new city to start your higher education and your books are weighing you down. The flight allows only 20kgs of luggage and your books contribute half of it! What should you do? Perhaps buying an iPad or a Kindle could solve your problems?
What do you want to do with your new device?
Reading books
I have always found the kindle’s display very soothing. You can read it in direct sunlight and in the dark. There are some models that are even waterproof, so you can take them with you when you go to your bathtub. However, let's be realistic. We, physicists, have many equations to look at and solve. Most books do not rewrite the equations they are referring to. They just give you the equation number and you should turn back to the page and look at the equation again. In a kindle, this is a big pain. The page-turning is sooo slow that you could spend a lot of time just going back and forth searching for that one equation you needed. On an Ipad, it's pretty simple. There is a thumbnail view on the built-in app that lets you fly to the required page. You could set a bookmark on the current page so that you can come back easily. You could also open a note-taking app on a split-screen that lets you write and add to your notes. Alternatively, if you are using a pdf, you could just write on the Pdf.
However, let's not completely trash the Kindle. I have used the kindle during my study. But mainly as an add on device. While solving problems, I like to look for the answers and usually have the solutions manual open on the kindle beside me. The Kindle works best when you do not want to change pages quickly.
Taking notes
I love taking notes and solving equations on pen and paper. An iPad provides you with the option of using an apple pencil. With this, you can take notes in the class and keep them all backed up and ready to go when you travel to another city for a conference or future studies.
Other productivity stuff
You can do much more with an iPad. Type out your assignments in LateX and then use email to send in the assignments! You could watch a video or download more resources when you are stuck on a problem. All these things are difficult or simply impossible to do on the Kindle.
Searching for a paper or a book
The iPad has a functioning internet browser that can be used to buy and download ebooks and pdfs directly to it. On the kindle, you would need a computer or a phone to do this. You have to first download the book on another device and then send it to the Kindle via USB or through email. This is just an annoying
Free time
The beautiful displays of the iPad Air and the iPad Pro could amp up your Chill and Netflix nights. Don't even get me started on gaming. However, if you do not need to do all these things and you just read a novel during your free time, a Kindle could meet your needs better.
Final verdict
I think the iPad wins hands down. I would recommend any of the iPads. However, the iPad Pro and the iPad Air’s Apple Pencil is better since it charges magnetically. You could get the kindle, but seriously, don't buy it simply to read Physics textbooks.