For a little over eighteen months I’ve wanted an iPad. Yet I couldn’t really justify it since I had both a laptop and iPhone. There were just too many other things that took priority.
Yet as I’ve seen more and more books being released in digital format for much less than their printed couterparts, it was getting harder not to cave and just get one. With the iPad I’d have it all – full color video, interactive digital books, email, web surfing and more. It took everything in me to not beg for one for Christmas – yet I held off because my iPad fund was still too little to afford it.
Along the way I looked at the Kindle and thought about it, but decided that even if I got a Kindle I would still wonder about that iPad, so I waited patiently and saved as much as I could. I mean seriously it would be worth the wait – the iPad was everything in one place…
Then my husband Troy was given a work iPad to try out for the weekend. Being the great guy he is, he brought it home, played with it for a few hours and then told me to use it to my heart’s content. I was breathless with anticipation – I just knew after a weekend I wouldn’t be able to live without it and than I would be able to justify the purchase.
I sat there for an hour, setting up my email, surfing the web and reading my favorite blogs until a terrible thing happened. I was so dizzy. At first I thought I’d caught the stomach flu, but about 30 minutes after walking away from the iPad I was just fine. I tried it again the next day and this time it only took about 10 minutes before the world felt like it was spinning uncontrollably underneath me.
Thinking I was half crazy I googled, “dizzy after using iPad” and found I was not alone in my dizziness. Wow. How disappointing that I had spent 24 months of my life wanting something that really didn’t work for me – what a waste of energy!
I began to wonder if I would ever be able to use any digital reader. I took a field trip to the local electronics store and tried them all – kindle fire, nook, kindle touch, kindle keyboard, Samsung, etc.
Every single full color tablet brought back the dizziness… so I finally took my little iPad fund and purchased this -
I seriously had contemplated buying it before – but held off because even though I loved the idea of a Kindle, I thought it would be frustrating to have it when I really wanted an iPad.
A few days into this and I LOVE my Kindle. I was able to splurge on it and still have enough left over in my iPad fund to take my husband to dinner.
I only wish I had figured out this iPad thing sooner… With all those digital editions of my favorite books available, I am sure I will be much more well read and creatively inspired by the end of 2012. 
Debbie
Wow! That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! I love my iPad! I have an iMac, iPhone, and iPad. I have no problems whatsoever with my iPad even though I have a tendency towards motion sickness and vertigo. I’d be devastated if I couldn’t use it. I have a Kindle too and it isn’t even close to being the same thing. In fact, I never use it. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. So sorry, Kayla.
Sharon [ksharonk]
Can you believe that I had a Kindle and handed it over to my Dad when I bought an iPad?
I didn’t realize that iPads could make you dizzy … I can’t read a book in the car, but I can read on my iPad! Isn’t that so strange? I’m so glad you are enjoying your Kindle … 
Cheryl M
I hope you still had money leftover after dinner for some books!
Roberta
Wow! I’m glad you posted about this. I’ve been wishing for an ipad and/or iphone for a while I would definitely want to take them for a test drive beforehand. I note on the referenced conversation that there are those who have a similar problem with the iphone, I still definitely want one but will take advantage of the return period through my carrier if it causes problems. Thanks~
Barb
I had a kindle for 3 years and on Christmas dropped it – the screen split in half and it would no longer show all the print on the screen. I was devastated. I read on average 3-4 books a month. I thought I’d look into the fire. But I really didn’t want to spend that much. I tried surviving by reading my books on my laptop with Kindle for PC. But it’s realy rather clumsy to read off of a laptop! SO I finally “bit the bullet” and bought the Kindle touch. I absolutely LOVE IT! It’s better than my first kindle. Lighter weight and has an awesome cover I bought for it with a light that runs off the kindle. I figured I didn’t watch movies on my laptop so why would I watch them on the FIre? I check emails on my laptop and save valuable info to files there so I determined I really didn’t need a Fire but I definitely need a Kindle … glad I made that decision .. in the long haul it was the best outcome.
Jayne
I’m sorry to hear that. I have an iPad but I haven’t experienced the same issues that you have. I love my iPad and find it very fun and helpful.
Interesting though, my adult kids, who do a lot of reading, have both an iPad and a Kindle. They say that the Kindle is so much easier to read on. Their opinion has made me consider getting a Kindle also – if I read more. One of my kids say that they read more because they have the Kindle.
Good thing that you were able to find out before making the purchase. Good luck with your Kindle!
Karen Walker
Lucky you discovered your problem before you bought an iPad! Who knew? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I have both a Kindle (older one) and an iPad (newer one), and love them both. I definitely don’t use the Kindle as much anymore, but I prefer it for reading outside and on the plane, so I’m not planning on getting rid of it.
Carlalee
Last spring hubby got an iPad 2. I always get the cool toys, MBP, Photoshop and Lightroom but he rarely gets the fun toys. After seeing and using his iPad, I’d really like to have one but after the new camera (for me) I just can’t justify it. Hubby got me a Kindle 3G last summer and it’s perfect for the most part. I find I can read on it, have a ton of books and best thing, get undisturbed reading time. When I try to read on the laptop or iPad, I’m always tempted to check email or surf around. Not that my Kindle can’t do this but it’s just not the fun experience it is on the other two. So for me, my Kindle is an almost perfect book replacement.
Michelle VO
I love my Kindle which I purchased at Christmas for myself. I think it is very easy on the eyes and when I was at the beach with very bright sunlight, I had no problems where my friend with a tablet couldn’t read hers because of the glare. I have wanted to buy an iPad too but agree with you about justifying it. I also had a chance to use an iPad for awhile and the bottomline for me was not being able to scrapbook on it like I can on my laptop. So, for now, I have my beloved iPhone, my Kindle and my laptop with Lightroom, of course. Thanks for sharing, Kayla. It was really interesting to hear about your experience.
Jen
*disclaimer, I’m a total Mac gal. No the snobby kind, LOL, just love my Apple products* My iPad is used for kid’s games and movies, LOL. I couldn’t read with the backlighting (figured out after 2 books and countless headaches). So… I bought a Kindle Keyboard a couple of months ago and LOVE.LOVE. it, too. The fire is worse than the iPad for reading, IMO, but the e-ink stuff is perfect. I can still pick up my iPad for color stuff, but rarely do. Great choice!
Gina Comer
I LOVE my kindle touch! I too struggled with the decision between the different formats but in the end wanted a reader that is easy on the eyes. I am at a computer all day and use my laptop at night – I don’t really “need” to watch movies on every format of electronics.
One thing I really love is how easy it is to hold or prop up. I have carpel tunnel and arthritis and have had trouble holding books for extended periods. The kindle is great! I am reading so much more lately – it may pay for itself in books soon. Love the daily deal!
Many blessings,
Gina