After a long wait, Apple unveiled their Apple tablet computer - the iPad - on January 27, 2010. Reactions were mixed - is it really the death of e-book readers or is it just a bigger version of the iPod Touch? Opinions will inevitably depend upon your point of view. In some ways, the two gadgets are very different and you can only go so far when trying to make a meaningful comparison.

That being said, here's a comparison..

Amazon Kindle

Apple iPad

E-Ink display

Kindle 3.0 - 6" diagonal
Kindle DX - 9.7" diagonal

No touch screen functionality.

Kindle 3.0 8.5 oz.
Kindle DX 18.9 oz.

Both Kindles approx. 0.32" thick.

Both Kindles have a QWERTY keyboard included along with toggle switch and button control.

Over 750,000 books are available on Amazon's Kindle store.

Books are in Kindle format.

New iBooks store available. Books are in the iPub format.

There will be an app to allow Kindle books to be read on the iPad.

Very basic web browsing is possible.

PDF reader included.

3G connectivity available with no monthly fee. No download charges.

Very versatile device - definitely way more than an e-book reader. Can access iTunes App store, has the Safari browser, media player, e-mail, games.

Comes with bluetooth and Wi-Fi. 3G available in higher models only - with monthly payments required (see pricing below).

Approx. one week with wireless turned on. With wireless turned off two to four weeks depending how much you read.

3G international connectivity.

Kindle 3.0 Wi-Fi          $139
Kindle 3.0 Wi-Fi + 3G  $189

Kindle DX $379

Wi-Fi Only:
16GB $538
32GB $672
64GB $773

Wi-Fi + 3G
16GB $698
32GB $812
64GB $889

3G Data:
250MB per month $15
Unlimited $30