Presenting a feature-for-feature Kindle vs iPad review, which gadget will likely prevail? No doubt about it, the Apple iPad, with its recent much talked about launch, is the "in" thing at present. True-blue Apple patrons can scarcely wait to get their hands on one as the WiFi versions are expected to ship in late March, and the 3G models are arriving in April. When that time comes, we will expect to see long lines in front of every Apple store as what transpired with the sale of the iPhone.

But how does the entry of the iPad affect the current crop of ereaders such as the Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader? The ereader is fast becoming a mainstream consumer device, with the Kindle getting the lion's share of the market. Seeing the promise of such a device however, many such ebook readers have also cropped up, with most of them having practically the same features as that of the Kindle. Now with the introduction of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably function as an ebook reader, the gadget demand may perhaps swing to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a major dent on the ebook reader industry? Let's take a look at the significant factors.

Let's start with the cons of the Apple device. 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 plenty 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 talk that buying iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to cost you around $12.99 and $14.99. These rates can be slightly pricey for those who have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon's ebooks continue to retail at $9.99 apiece.

Nonetheless, acquiring an iPad has its own share of advantages, being a device able to perform a lot of functions. You can use this big iPhone clone, sans the "phone", to stream high-def movies, catch your favorite TV shows, do online browsing, and have fun with games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. Sticking with Apple standards, the resolution and color is amazing, and it comes with your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal storage. With such storage capability, the Library can hold a lot 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 display. Depending on your memory and connectivity preferences, prices start out at $499 and end at $829. It does run special apps created specifically for the iPad, and you'll have access to many of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.

On the other hand, the Amazon Kindle is a device intended for the user's most relaxing and convenient reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD screen of the iPad, the Kindle, like the current batch of ebook readers, utilizes e-ink display, which many say, is unarguably best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle's battery can last up to two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the ideal traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at $259, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs $489.

So which gadget gets our nod in this Kindle vs iPad comparison? Definitely for the gadget geek, the iPad will go 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 hardcore Apple user. But for the booklover just looking to read in the most conjucive "environment" and don?t require all of the other fancy features, the Kindle is still your best option on the market today.