The iPad is a bit big and expensive just for an e-reader. Being designed exactly for it, the Kindle does better. Personally, I think a touch-screen Kindle, removing the keyboard (how often do you type and read?) would be the best. The Kindle only understands the Amazon format and PDF for books.
The iPad will read your files and synch to your computer, and do a ton of other things a Kindle can't. You can also get non-Apple e-reader software from the iTunes Store if you don't want to use Apple. The iPad's dock connector has USB in it, so you can buy an adapter to plug in an SD card.
One warning: With a book you know you can keep it forever, no matter what, nobody's taking it from you. Amazon has shown it can and will revoke your purchases if desired, and there's nothing you can do about it. You will of course get your money back, but the idea that they can and will remotely wipe a book from my system is disturbing. This may be true for any protected-format e-books.
I absolutely agree about the size issue. The biggest problem I have with the iPad is that it is too darned big for me to put in my pocket. I love the big, beautiful screen, but as an ebook reader it is really a bit much. Granted, it does a lot more than just read books, but I really like my little cheap reader that's a little smaller and much thinner than a paperback.
One warning: With a book you know you can keep it forever, no matter what, nobody's taking it from you. Amazon has shown it can and will revoke your purchases if desired, and there's nothing you can do about it. You will of course get your money back, but the idea that they can and will remotely wipe a book from my system is disturbing. This may be true for any protected-format e-books.
Yup. Don't like that "feature" at all. File formats need to be standardized, but I'll never accept a file format that has DRM built into it. One thing I like a lot about my cheap aluratek ereader is that it will read anything. File format should be a consumer choice, not something crammed down your throat for the benefit of publishers or the reader manufacturer.