Kindle vs Nook - Added a poll

[Maridw]

My DH is thinking about getting me one of these for Christmas. Which one is better?

I looked at the Kindle and kind of like the midrange one for $189 - Kindle 3G + WiFi. Don't really need the more expensive Kindle DX. Anyone that has Kindle 3G + Wifi ($189) is it really that much different than the $139 - Kindle WiFi and what is the benefit of the 3G?

Thanks in advance.

UPDATE: I added a poll to try and help me out a bit.

 

[LoraJ]

With the 3G you don't need to hook up to wifi to downlaod books. You can be sitting in an airport, the park or wherever and download a book.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

with Kindle vs Nook we chose nook. We live near a barnes and noble and I take advantage of the freebie chocolates, drinks etc they offer on the shopping page alot.
I also like how you can borrow library books on the nook.
But the thing we liked was while sitting in barnes and noble you can read any book for free

The 3G vs Wifi that is to how you plan whether to get it. 3G is good if you want a book spur of the moment. If you can buy books ahead and anticipate then just wifi is ok

 

[Glynis]

I'm in the same situation. How do I find out if my library has the "right" books for the Nook? I am a voracious reader, without a lot of money, and my library card is my "best friend". I'd like an e-reader for the convenience when I travel (a lot), but would like to be able to check out books. Does that make sense?

What about the selection of books from B&N? I know that Amazon has a lot of free books for the Kindle. Is it the same at B&N?

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Nook has ALOT of free books Ive bought like 60-70 books and I think I've spent maybe $5.00 total?
The library availabilty is based on your library OR on people lending you books hell any of my books id gladly lend to any Disser! We have quite a few!

But yeah lots of free books and then weekly free books that usually cost money etc

 

[Sparx]

I have a nook. I love it. I really like that there is a brick and mortar building I can take it to if I have any questions. I have the 149 model, which is perfectly suitable for what I use it for. I do most of the shopping on my computer because its easier to navigate for me. Whenever I turn my nook on, anything I've purchased will immediately download on to it. I have wifi in my home so I saw no real reason to get the more expensive 3G model.

I love the color touch screen. I like the web browser and the games (sudoku and chess) and I like the little free bonuses that show up on the shop page.

I've got 30+ books on my nook and MANY were free or very cheap. If you like classics, they're all there and all for less than a dollar most of the time.

I really don't think there is a good or bad ereader, its just what you want and like.

 

[Tinkh]

I have a Nook. I do not think you can go wrong with either. My husband chose the Nook for me as a present and I am very glad he did. Love that I can go to the libraries here. Adore the fact that I can go to B&N and read any book for free to see if I like it. When I could not figure out an update, I went right in the store and they did the update for me. There are constantly free books. I got two James Pattersons this morning for free and a bunch of others. There are always deals going on to. Hope you enjoy whichever one you decide on!

 

[RitaE]

I'm in the same situation. How do I find out if my library has the "right" books for the Nook? I am a voracious reader, without a lot of money, and my library card is my "best friend". I'd like an e-reader for the convenience when I travel (a lot), but would like to be able to check out books. Does that make sense?

http://www.overdrive.com/#

Go to this page and put in your zip code and it will return a list of nearby libraries with audiobook/ebook services. If there aren't any libraries that you belong to, there are a few libraries that will let you buy a membership. FLP is a popular one because it is only $15 a year.

http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/6B9146C5-C729-40F4-8C0F-B4F0FE705D62/10/354/en/Default.htm

You don't need an eReader to test eBooks though. Download Adobe Digital editions to your computer and then you can check-out and download books to your computer.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Need some help from all of you ebook savy Disers. I am very new to this concept and confused. Can you explain the library loan. Question: Once you get set up, do you borrow a book on line and then return it online to the library? I noticed on the Philly library site most of the books say PC or Mac. Are those books only for your computer? Does downloading the adobe software cause any problems with your PC? (making it slow, bringing in viruses, etc?) Do you folks suggest trying a few books on the PC first before investing in an ereader or is it so different that you really dont get the feel for it?
Thanks. Grammy (coming into the 21st century)

 

[DawnCt1]

I like my Kindle. There are a lot of free books on Amazon as well.
This is a good link.http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/amazon-kindle-dx-u/4540-3508_7-33643953-4.html

More recently an article in the Hartford Courant gave the edge to Kindle. I couldn't find the most recent which described Nook's color touch screen as distracting. DH wants to get one as well so we were thinking of getting the second E reader as a Nook, but now he may just get a Kindle too.

Kindle Burns Through Other E-Readers
July 06, 2010|By Editors, Consumer Reports, The Hartford Courant
Amazon's Kindle e-readers are still the best choice for most consumers, despite improved performance from rival Barnes & Noble's Nook e-reader and the arrival of Apple's iPad tablet computer, which offers e-reader capability.

In Consumer Reports' comprehensive tests, the Amazon Kindle, $260, and its super-sized sibling, the Kindle DX, $490, had crisper, more readable type than any other e-reader in CR's ratings better than the Apple iPad. The Kindles were also fastest at refreshing pages. Page turns took about 1 second, compared with as long as 1.5 seconds on others, a noticeable difference. Considering its lighter weight and smaller size, the lower-priced Kindle would be better than the DX for most users, unless you need the extra real estate for, saying, reading e-textbooks.

Sluggish page turns were a big drawback on the Barnes & Noble Nook, $260, until a software update right before CR completed its tests. The Nook is now among the faster models at turning pages, though it's still a tad slower than the Kindle. Also, the Nook's type wasn't as crisp as the Kindle's, and it weighs more, even though its screen is the same 6-inch size. And where the Kindle's controls are simple and fairly easy to master, navigating to content on the Nook requires using a second LCD screen with nonintuitive touch controls.

http://articles.courant.com/2010-07...ts-e-readers-0707_1_e-book-reader-kindle-ipad

 

[RitaE]

do you borrow a book on line and then return it online to the library?

The Adobe software allows for 2 options. You will check a book out for a certain number of days - 7, 14, or 21. Libraries can customize those choices so different libraries will have different time length options there. When that period is up your book will expire and you won't be able to read it anymore.

If you finish your book before it expires you can return it early through the software so the next person on the waiting list can check it out.

Since you can't keep your book past your expiration date, there are never any late fees or anything like that.

I noticed on the Philly library site most of the books say PC or Mac. Are those books only for your computer?

You can read the books on your computer or side load them to a number of different reading devices. Sony and nook are the most common, but there are a number of other devices also.

Does downloading the adobe software cause any problems with your PC? (making it slow, bringing in viruses, etc?)

Well I suppose there is a chance of viruses etc with any software, especially one that require internet access. But in this case it is extremely unlikely.

Do you folks suggest trying a few books on the PC first before investing in an ereader or is it so different that you really dont get the feel for it?

Trying a few books on your computer first is an excellent way to get a feel for book availability and getting a feel for how the wait list and check-out process works but it doesn't really replicate the experience of reading on a device such as a Kindle or a nook.

If you just want to try some books you might also consider installing Adobe Digital Editions or one of the computer software applications from one of the major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Kobo Books etc and downloading some of their free books. Most of those companies have excellent Customer Service departments that will be happy to help you get what you need set up on your computer to get started if you run into trouble.

 

[golfgal]

with Kindle vs Nook we chose nook. We live near a barnes and noble and I take advantage of the freebie chocolates, drinks etc they offer on the shopping page alot.
I also like how you can borrow library books on the nook.
But the thing we liked was while sitting in barnes and noble you can read any book for free

The 3G vs Wifi that is to how you plan whether to get it. 3G is good if you want a book spur of the moment. If you can buy books ahead and anticipate then just wifi is ok

I agree with the features for the Nook-especially if you live near a BN. I am asking for one for Christmas too. I have both the NOOK and Kindle apps on my Droid X but haven't used them yet. I have a couple books waiting until I finish the 'real' books I am reading now.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a nook and while I love it, I understand this particular e-reader isn't for everyone.

There are differences between the two and the best advice I can give is play with both of them and see which one you prefer.

 

[golfgal]

http://www.overdrive.com/#

Go to this page and put in your zip code and it will return a list of nearby libraries with audiobook/ebook services. If there aren't any libraries that you belong to, there are a few libraries that will let you buy a membership. FLP is a popular one because it is only $15 a year.

http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/6B9146C5-C729-40F4-8C0F-B4F0FE705D62/10/354/en/Default.htm

You don't need an eReader to test eBooks though. Download Adobe Digital editions to your computer and then you can check-out and download books to your computer.

Just an FYI, this list isn't complete. I typed in our zip code and our library doesn't show up but I know they have ebooks-it says so on their web page even.

 

[Glynis]

I typed in my zip, and lo and behold, our library is there! That clinches it! The Nook is for me!!!

 

[Molliday]

Amazon is involved in some sort of controversy (lawsuit?) with some huge publishers. You can't get Jodi Picoult books as new releases for instance, on a Kindle, because Amazon and Simon and Schuster are involved in a dispute.

The Nook also has books that are 'lendable'. You can lend a book one time, to one person, for 14 days - and someone else can do the same for you.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Hey nook users maybe we should start a lend me thread where we list our books and can lend them to each other as that feature is available to save people money?

 

[RitaE]

Amazon is involved in some sort of controversy (lawsuit?) with some huge publishers. You can't get Jodi Picoult books as new releases for instance, on a Kindle, because Amazon and Simon and Schuster are involved in a dispute.

The Nook also has books that are 'lendable'. You can lend a book one time, to one person, for 14 days - and someone else can do the same for you.

Your facts are kind of jumbled there. Amazon was in a dispute with two of the largest Publishers - Peguin and Macmillan. It was settled months ago and neither was the reason the Picoult book was withheld. That was because Simon and Schuster wanted to withhold the newest release from eBooks for 5 or 6 months in order to force hard copy sales. Ms. Picoult herself protested that decision and they did finally release House Rules on Kindle and other devices earlier than planned.

Currently all the retailers get the books from the large Publishing Houses at the same time and for the Agency 5 (Macmillan, Simon ad Sch, Penguin, Hatchette, and Harper Collins) and at the same price.

Random House has chosen not to participate in Agency pricing and their books can be discounted by the retailers. Their books are also not available on iBooks.

 

[Molliday]

Your facts are kind of jumbled there. Amazon was in a dispute with two of the largest Publishers - Peguin and Macmillan. It was settled months ago and neither was the reason the Picoult book was withheld. That was because Simon and Schuster wanted to withhold the newest release from eBooks for 5 or 6 months in order to force hard copy sales. Ms. Picoult herself protested that decision and they did finally release House Rules on Kindle and other devices earlier than planned.

Currently all the retailers get the books from the large Publishing Houses at the same time and for the Agency 5 (Macmillan, Simon ad Sch, Penguin, Hatchette, and Harper Collins) and at the same price.

Random House has chosen not to participate in Agency pricing and their books can be discounted by the retailers. Their books are also not available on iBooks.

You're right... I see what you're saying. Jodi Picoult's website needs to be updated however. She still has a large box on her homepage saying that you still can't get House Rules.

I didn't realize that the dispute had been resolved. When I was doing my own research, I stumbled across the issue over and over again, but that was around June, or so.

 

[Molliday]

Hey nook users maybe we should start a lend me thread where we list our books and can lend them to each other as that feature is available to save people money?

Are you on their FB page? Someone posts a link to a LendMe group every once in awhile.