Kindle vs. Nook: Specs and Features Compared

[MULTIZ321]

Kindle vs. Nook: Specs and Features Compared - by Wendy Sheehan Donnell/PCMag.com

Reviews and side-by-side comparisons of all six Amazon and Barnes & Noble ebook readers, including the new Nook Color - you can decide which model is right for you.


Richard

 

[Mosca]

Good article, nice and to the point. Should increase the number of satisfied e-readers.

 

[dougp26364]

For my wife, it's been the Nook. She's been very happy with her Nook WiFi and, now we've pre-reserved (they wouldn't take our money) the Nook Color. I'll inherit her original Nook when her new one arrives.

 

[pgnewarkboy]

Tried the Color Nook at a Barnes and Noble. I browsed a few magazines and was pretty impressed. I will wait for the price to go down and that might be the e-reader I buy. I was waiting for Blios but more and more it looks like they were too late to the show and I have doubts about that superior product making it in the market place.

 

[Jaybee]

I'm interested in the readers, but don't know a whole lot about them. Looking at the comparison chart, I think I'd lean toward the Nook, until I get to the battery life.
And I don't think I know the difference between a wi-fi and a wi-fi + 3G. Is that bigger storage, or that you can use it plugged in? Hope that isn't a dumb question... I fear technology is leaving me in the dust. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Passepartout]

I'm interested in the readers, but don't know a whole lot about them. Looking at the comparison chart, I think I'd lean toward the Nook, until I get to the battery life.
And I don't think I know the difference between a wi-fi and a wi-fi + 3G. Is that bigger storage, or that you can use it plugged in? Hope that isn't a dumb question... I fear technology is leaving me in the dust. Any help will be appreciated.

Wi-fi allows you to buy and download books wirelessly- without a computer. 3G means it also can connect via cell phone signals. In either case there is no additional cost after you buy the e-reader.

Battery life can be an issue. I just took my Kindle to the Caribbean on a cruise. It has not been charged for 3 weeks- most of the time with wi-fi turned on (that effects battery life). As far as I can tell it's good for at least another week. When I saw that the Nook Color wouldn't last a day it came off my list.

Jim Ricks

 

[sun&fun]

I have only one small quibble with the comparison of features and that's the number of books available. That's a feature of the ebook store, not the reader. I think Amazon and B&N ebook stores are pretty close in terms currently published books available.

The formats that can be downloaded is a feature and may influence what other books are available from the vendor's site, but both devices can access a huge number of public domain books.

I own 2 Kindles and am a big fan of these devices, but I agree that the nook color looks nifty. May be very good for magazines with color graphics, but the limited battery life of the nook would be a problem for heavy readers. My husband uses an iPad for reading (and a few other things!) and he has to charge it daily.

Why I'll stick with Kindle: Features optimized for dedicated reading; very light weight and easy to hold for long periods; Amazon's amazing Kindle support customer service.

 

[Jaybee]

Thanks, jim, for the clarification. I don't use a cellphone for internet stuff, so the wi-fi would be fine for me. I really appreciate the help... and for the recommendations, too.

 

[LisaH]

I finally broke down and bought a Kindle 3G. Love it! I've got the Kindle cover with light and I read when DH sleeps. The battery life is super long. The websurfing is not very good but I knew that going into it. I would like to get an ipad but will wait when the new version comes out.

 

[KarenLK]

Jim, why do you keep the 3g turned on while just reading?

 

[Passepartout]

Jim, why do you keep the 3g turned on while just reading?

I don't have 3g, just wi-fi, but to your point, I am sometimes a dummy. I had it off for the trip, but was emailing another TUGger/new Kindle owner who was having trouble connecting and forgot to turn it back off. At home I just leave the wi-fi on because I have some subscriptions that come in at various times.

Jim

 

[markbernstein]

I've been following various news reports, and decided to wait a while longer. Qualcomm has been demoing a new screen technology they call Mirasol, which has color and a fast refresh rate, but is very low power and can be read in sunlight. Unconfirmed rumor has it that it will be used soon in a color Kindle.

My hoped-for specs look something like this:

Android 3.0 operating system (not out yet, expected next year)
7 inch color screen
Weight under 1 pound
Wi-fi (3G would be nice, but only if there's no monthly charge)
Ability to run multiple days on a single charge
Price under $250 (don't know if I'll get that one )

An Android-based tablet means I can install apps, including Kindle software for books I buy from Amazon, and another e-reader app (e.g., Kobo) that can read ePub and other formats. Mainly, I'd be using it for reading and web surfing, especially when I travel.

I'm going to the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas in January, and tablets are the main thing I'll be looking at.

 

[Passepartout]

My wish-list would be like a tablet that I could turn off the display and have it be e-ink for battery economy and be able to turn on for graphics. Multiple format compatible. 7-8" display, under a lb. I don't know Android, but have heard it has many apps available.

The lines are already blurring between tablet computers and e-readers. I'd imagine that will continue and the end will be some kind of all-in-one appliance. Add phone and credit card functions and make it fold and fit in a pocket and it's your life.... Jim

 

[mo1950]

In reply to markbernstein's post, I have also been watching Qualcomm. I went to their website and looked at a sample of the Mirasol screen - amazing, will blow anything else out of the water. The website says they are developing this Mirasol screen for a major e-book reader, but will not say who it is. Am hoping it is the Kindle. I actually would like to be able to have color on the Kindle if I could turn the color on and off at whim. The black and white e-ink is supposed to be much easier on the eyes, and I do have eye problems. But would love to look at maps, graphs, etc. in color when reading.

Also, there are a barrage of rumors that Kindle will be coming out with something big in the early part of the new year. A lot of people are hoping it will be a color screen or touch screen. Guess we will have to wait to see if that comes true.

At present, DH and I both have a Kindle2 and are very happy with them. We had a conversation the other day about what technological innovations in our lifetime have been the most important to us. My husband said his Kindle is number one. I have to say my computer is number one, but the Kindle is a very close second.