Kindle or Nook

[dahirsh]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'll ask again- which would you choose and why?

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

The only thing I know about the Nook is what I've read in reviews, etc.

I bought a Kindle in February and I don't think it's possible for me to be any happier with it than I am. It's probably the best money I've spent in a very long time.

The reason I went with the Kindle was for two reasons:
1. It's not backlit (I'm under the impression that the Nook is, although that may just be the Nook Color. Do they still make a B&W one? IDK.)
2. I'm already an Amazon fan


My new motto is "Have Kindle, will travel"

 

[Tinijocaro]

Arthritis in hands, so I chose the lightweight kindle. I'm sure there are many other reasons to choose one over the other, but that was a huge factor for me.

It does what I would expect a book to do-allows me to read. That's all I really want it to do (although it does have other features)

 

[Pakey]

I have a kindle because my company pays for it (the device and all of the books) for business travel.

I'm sure I would have been just as happy with a nook.

 

[my3sonsagn]

Kindle owners (like myself) love our Kindles, and all the Nook owners I've spoken to love their Nooks, so I don't think there is a *wrong* choice - it's all about preference.

I got mine as a gift, but if I had bought it myself I still would have chosen Kindle. I've been impressed by Amazon's customer service since I started shopping there a looooong time ago (which I like to "reward" by shopping there more - my only B&N CS experience was in-store and less than stellar though I've heard their Nook support is good), and I prefer a physical keyboard to a touchscreen. Kindle will also be joining Overdrive this year, so Kindle owners will soon be able to borrow library books like Nook/Kobo/Sony owners can.

 

[Sparx]

If you live remotely near a Barnes and Noble, go check out the New Nook before you buy anything! I'm an Original Nook owner and as soon as I picked up the New Nook, I knew I was going to buy it. Its lighter and smaller than the smallest and lightest kindle. It doesn't have any weird buttons or a random LED pad like the orginal nook, it has a crisper, more clear display with minimized flashing on page turns. The display is a touch pad. Its amazing and kindle is going to have to come up with something for it to compete with!

 

[Chaitali]

I love my nook (the black and white one is e-ink and not back-lit) but as others have said, I don't think there really is a wrong choice. Everyone I know with a nook loves it and everyone I know with a kindle loves it too. A new nook is coming out or may be already out? I'm not sure but it supposedly has longer battery life, a new e-ink display, and a full touch screen.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/barnes-and-noble-announces-new-nook/

 

[drag n' fly]

Love my Nook color!!

 

[Christine]

I have a Kindle that I got as a gift so I didn't get a choice. I don't think you can go wrong with either, although, with my "aging" eyes and using a computer all day, I would not buy the backlit version of the Nook.

What you might do is go on Amazon's Kindle Store and then look at Barnes & Noble's Nook area on line and see which site you like better. I spend a lot of time on Amazon getting my books and I prefer it. Also, we heavily use the Amazon Trade-In Service for my hard cover books and my son's video games. I get Amazon gift cards for trade-in and these fund my Kindle purchases. I'm not sure if B&N does this.

 

[IDoDis]

The Nook Color of course because you can turn it into a tablet and use it just like you would an iPad with all of the same features. Can't do that with a Kindle.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Love my Kindle!

I agonized over which to get too. Similar to buying a camera, I think you need to get them both in your hands. Our local Best Buy had both on dislplay so I was able to get a good feel for them.

 

[Nancy]

Love my Nook color!!

The Nook Color of course because you can turn it into a tablet and use it just like you would an iPad with all of the same features. Can't do that with a Kindle.

I just got my Nook Color last weekend and I love it. I researched both and decided the Nook was the way to go.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

If you live remotely near a Barnes and Noble, go check out the New Nook before you buy anything! I'm an Original Nook owner and as soon as I picked up the New Nook, I knew I was going to buy it. Its lighter and smaller than the smallest and lightest kindle. It doesn't have any weird buttons or a random LED pad like the orginal nook, it has a crisper, more clear display with minimized flashing on page turns. The display is a touch pad. Its amazing and kindle is going to have to come up with something for it to compete with!

Good thing I bought my Kindle before they came up with whatever it is they have to come up with... LOL. I abhor touch screens and think they're of the devil. I would not buy either brand with a touch screen!

I think some retailers sell both the Kindle and the Nook... Target and Best Buy, maybe? I'm not certain about that. But if you want to be able to actually hold them both before deciding, that might be beneficial.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I have a K2 which I love and my daughter loves her new K3.

I really didn't like the original Nook and ended up giving it away. I didn't want a backlit LCD screen so the Nook Color was absolutely not going to happen but the new Nook Touch looks interesting.

I prefer the Kindle store setup compared to the Nook store setup, I find it more intuitive and easier to navigate.

If I were you I would check out the two ebook stores like a PP said and I would also go to a store like Best Buy that carries them both and compare the Kindle with the new Nook. I believe Walmart has started carrying the Kindle so you may be able to compare them there as well.

 

[Sandy321]

e ink in the Kindle is great -

I only wanted the device to read books - so the Kindle was it - I did debate, research and almost went with the Nook... I found kindleboards.com (there they do have a Nook forum as well)

I'm happy with my choice but agree with others that you cant go wrong either way - just be informed on why and what you are getting!

I think the Amazon customer service is superior - but you may never need it -

we almost went with Nooks because of the library feature - but I researched it, and most books cant be checked out, and those that can there is a long waiting list - and now the Kindle is going to be library lending with overdrive I believe.

I think you should also know about Calibre (free program to manage your ebooks) so you can take advantage of all the books out there! (Calibre has a metadata program so you can convert the book to what your ebook will read)

 

[luvmy3]

I just recently got a Kindle and I love it. My dd has a nook (original) and I prefer the Kindle to it mostly because its much lighter. The new nook (touch screen) is supposed to be lighter, but I don't like touch screens so I'd still pick the Kindle over it. I had a Sony because of being able to borrow from the library, and got dd the nook because of that feature too. I was going to get myself a nook, but you will be able to do that on the Kindle sometime this year and that made the decision easy fo rme.
I would do what the pp suggested and go to a b&m store that carries each one and compare the two. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either one.

 

[Pirate Me]

I chose my Nook because of the ability to borrow e-books from the library and for aesthetic reasons; really love the touch screen and simple design. I am happy with my choice and use it often.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't know if cost is a big consideration for you, or if you are interested in the Special Offers Kindle at all, but wanted to let you know that Best Buy will have a promo starting tomorrow- buy SO Kindle and get a $15 Best Buy giftcard (according to slickdeals).

 

[Kycha]

I have the B&W Nook. I like to read in bed and since the screen is not backlit I need to use a book light so I don't disturb DH while he sleeps. They came out with the Nook Color(backlit) about a month after I bought my Nook. If I had known, I would have waited and bought the Nook Color. Because I find a book light very annoying and the backlit screen doesn't bother me or cause eyestrain like it does other people.

So, I would say, if you want to read outdoors or in sufficiently lit rooms, go for the B&W Nook or Kindle. But if you have a spouse and like to read in bed, I would look at the Nook Color.

 

[Mermaid02]

Just got my kindle last week and I love it! As someone else said, I love Amazon and am already all set up there. Also I got the kindle that has ads on the screen when it's "sleeping" so it was only $114. The ads don't bother me in the least and it was an easy way to save $25. I just ordererd a "skin" for it from Amazon to personalize it and it's great!

The suggestions to go somewhere that has them both and look at them in person is a great idea.