Putting together a side-by-side Kindle vs iPad review, which device will likely win hands down? No doubt about it, the Apple iPad, with its recent much talked about launch, is the “in” thing at present. Hardcore Apple consumers can barely wait to get their hands on one as the WiFi versions are expected to ship in late March, while the 3G models are arriving in April. When that time comes, we will no doubt see long lines in front of every Apple store just like what transpired with the sale of the iPhone.

But what of the ebook readers like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader?  The ereader is fast becoming a common consumer device, with the Kindle getting the lion’s share of the market. Seeing the promise of such a device however, a lot of similar ebook readers have also cropped up, with most of them sporting practically the same attributes as that of the Kindle. Now with the introduction of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably perform as an ebook reader, the gadget need may perhaps swing  to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a major setback to the ebook reader industry? Let’s weigh the significant factors.

First off, the negatives. The iPad will only be associated with Apple’s own ebook store. While getting an iPad is a smart move for those who are still thinking of buying an ebook reading gadget, if you already own a lot of digital books, you won’t be able to access these in the iPad. Actual ebook prices are still to be confirmed, but there’s word that buying iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to cost you around 12.99 dollars and 14.99 dollars. This can be slightly pricey for those who have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon’s ebooks continue to retail at 9.99 dollars apiece.

Nonetheless, purchasing an iPad has its own share of advantages, as it’s a device able to serve a lot of functions. You can use this big iPhone clone, sans the “phone”, to view high-def movies, watch your favorite TV shows, browse the web, and play games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. True to Apple standards, the resolution and color is amazing, and it comes with your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal memory. With such storage capability, the Library will hold tons of books, which are cleverly displayed on a “book shelf” design. With one simple tap, you may pick out your ebook, and read it on the high-resolution, LED back-lit screen. Depending on your storage and connection preferences, prices start out at 499 dollars and end at 829 dollars. It does run special apps developed specifically for the iPad, and you’ll have access to most of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.

On the other hand, the Kindle is a device designed for the user’s most relaxing and convenient reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD monitor of the iPad, the Kindle, like the present batch of ebook readers, is equipped with e-ink display, which many say, is still best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle’s battery can last as long as two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the right traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at 259 dollars, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs 489 dollars.

So which gadget gets our thumbs up in this Kindle vs iPad matchup? Certainly for the gadget geek, the iPad will fit perfectly alongside his MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and its smaller counterpart in looks, the iPhone. Jobs and his staff have created yet another brilliant product for the dedicated Apple user. But for the bookworm just looking to read in the most conjucive “environment” and don’t require all of the other fancy features, the Kindle ebook reader remains to be the best choice on the market today.