A study has recently taken place to compare the speed and satisfaction of reading on different devices, which included the iPad, Kindle, PC, and a printed book.

The study?s results were taken from a total of 24 users, reading a short story on each device.The 24 users selected were all avid readers and were selected as an example as a target demographic for these devices.All of the users were of at least a high school literacy level.

Speed results:

As expected, the printed book was the fastest beating out both tablets.The iPad measured at 6.2% lower reading speed than the book, and the Kindle measured at 10.7% slower.A very small difference in speed, not one to form a purchasing decision on but a difference nonetheless.The only real significant speed difference was between the book and the Kindle.

Satisfaction Results:

The users were asked to rate satisfaction on a 1-7 scale, 7 being the best,1 being the worst.The iPad, Kindle and printed book each averaged out similarly around 5.6-5.8, but the PC averaged out on the significantly lower score of 3.6.

Users also gave their comments on each device,to name a few:

The printed book was more relaxing than the electronic devices, The PC was uncomfortable because it reminded the user of the workplace, and they disliked the iPad?s weight claiming that it was too heavy.

While not as well received as the printed book, both e-readers were taken to as very useable devices, but clearly from this study of a target demographic, the iPad was seen as the better reading device, and the iphone 4?s new retina display is surely a technology that will be adopted by the new generations of the iPad.