Kindle vs. Nook - the basics please (cause I'm still confused)

[Minnie's Pal]

While there are a ton of threads out there about this - I find it all very confusing. Anyone able to recommend a webpage with the basic comparsions of these two?

And let's take it to a vote...which one did you buy?

 

[Marionnette]

Its hard to find good head to head comparisons when both companies keep coming out with new generations and new software upgrades. I found this one from early august which is when the k3 was first introduced. http://ireaderreview.com/2010/08/03/kindle-3-vs-nook/
I believe that nook has come out with a full color version now? This would certainly give them the edge for children's books and magazines downloads if this is true.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

Its hard to find good head to head comparisons when both companies keep coming out with new generations and new software upgrades. I found this one from early august which is when the k3 was first introduced. http://ireaderreview.com/2010/08/03/kindle-3-vs-nook/
I believe that nook has come out with a full color version now? This would certainly give them the edge for children's books and magazines downloads if this is true.

Yes..this is what I'm looking for.

 

[MELSMICE]

I have asked for the Nook color for Christmas. It is $249.

My DH went to look at it & it this color version does not come with the 3G option. I believe it has a backlight though, which is something I was very interested in as I read at night while in bed.

 

[RachaelA]

I have asked for the Nook color for Christmas. It is $249.

My DH went to look at it & it this color version does not come with the 3G option. I believe it has a backlight though, which is something I was very interested in as I read at night while in bed.

I think the issue with the backlight though is that you can't read it outside in the sun because there will be glare. I know they say it has reduced glare, but a lot of people have been having issues reading on the iPad because of the backlight. If you don't plan on reading it in the bright sun I'm sure it'd be fine.

I have the original nook (with 3g and wi-fi) and love it. I like that the screen looks like a book due to the ink technology. I don't think I'd ever want a full color one. But its personal preference of course.

 

[soonerfan2008]

I prefer the non backlit screen. I just got my Nook last week, and I love it. Was seriously hesitant to get it because I am a true bibliophile, but it is awesome. I have 50 books on it! And, I've already checked out library books on it--that, for me, was the deciding feature.

 

[Carlyzmom]

I have a Kindle - because that's what DH bought me. But, I LOVE it!!!

 

[MELSMICE]

I think the issue with the backlight though is that you can't read it outside in the sun because there will be glare. I know they say it has reduced glare, but a lot of people have been having issues reading on the iPad because of the backlight. If you don't plan on reading it in the bright sun I'm sure it'd be fine.

I have the original nook (with 3g and wi-fi) and love it. I like that the screen looks like a book due to the ink technology. I don't think I'd ever want a full color one. But its personal preference of course.

Can you turn the backlight off?

 

[RachaelA]

Can you turn the backlight off?

I quickly looked at the B&N website earlier and didn't see anything saying that you could. But I didn't research it any farther. Sorry

 

[kaytieeldr]

Consumer Reports rates the Kindle Wi-fi higher than the Nook Wi-fi, and the Kindle Wi-fi+3G higher than the Nook Wi-fi+3G. I don't have the issue with me, it's at work, but it's the December issue. I think their big point was the backlighting, how the Kindle not being backlit makes it easier to read.

 

[tinkercat]

I haven't seen the Consumer Reports article, so I don't know if they are talking about the Nook color, but I can state with 100% accuracy that my (non-color) Nook is NOT backlit. It has the e-ink display, just like a Kindle does.

I LOVE my Nook! Biggest selling points for me were as follows:

1. E-pub capability - I can check e-books out of the library. Kindle does not have this option.

2. In-store customer support if I ever have a problem, plus in-store perks when I bring my Nook there. (The week I bought, they had a free 3pk of Godiva chocolates for Nook owners. - Yum!)

3. Easy to replace battery - If/when my battery stops holding a charge, I can go to my local B&N and buy a new one to install myself (or have them help me with in the store). With a Kindle, you have to SEND it to have a new battery replaced and its much more costly.

4. I get automatic software upgrades on my Nook to keep it up to date, and I've been told that this is not the case with Kindle.

And although this is more of a personal preference, I like the feel of the touch screen at the bottom as opposed to a keyboard. I'm sure I'd love a Kindle too if I would have gone that route, but I have no regrets about my Nook at all!

 

[JaymeC]

4. I get automatic software upgrades on my Nook to keep it up to date, and I've been told that this is not the case with Kindle.

Please don't put out information without checking up on it first. The Kindle can get updates just like the nook does, and does regularly.

OP: Deep breaths! From what I've seen every one who has an e-reader has been happy with their own decision, though it is amusing seeing what camp everyone falls into I own a kindle, so I'm all for kindles of course

There are many comparisons out there, but I think the best thing to start with is just to list down what YOU want. Do you want library lending? Because that wasn't important to me. Do you want to read at the park? That was vital to me (I spend far too much time at playgrounds!) so I needed something not back lit. Do you want to read in bed? If so would you prefer a book light or something backlit? There's so many questions to consider!

 

[Minnie's Pal]

Please don't put out information without checking up on it first. The Kindle can get updates just like the nook does, and does regularly.

OP: Deep breaths! From what I've seen every one who has an e-reader has been happy with their own decision, though it is amusing seeing what camp everyone falls into I own a kindle, so I'm all for kindles of course

There are many comparisons out there, but I think the best thing to start with is just to list down what YOU want. Do you want library lending? Because that wasn't important to me. Do you want to read at the park? That was vital to me (I spend far too much time at playgrounds!) so I needed something not back lit. Do you want to read in bed? If so would you prefer a book light or something backlit? There's so many questions to consider!

My library does not offer ebooks so I guess that's really not an issue for me.

Wouldn't mind the option of sharing books with a friend but, from what I've read, that's very limited with the Nook.

And yes, I read in bed all the time. (That's my main reading time.) So does that rule one out?

Wondering what effect B & N's selling out will have on Nook.

Internet cap...can I check my email with either of these (3G ver.) if I needed to? (That would definitely be a nice feature.)

Cost of books definitely holds weigh in my decision too.

 

[tinkercat]

My library does not offer ebooks so I guess that's really not an issue for me.

Wouldn't mind the option of sharing books with a friend but, from what I've read, that's very limited with the Nook.

And yes, I read in bed all the time. (That's my main reading time.) So does that rule one out?

Wondering what effect B & N's selling out will have on Nook.

Internet cap...can I check my email with either of these (3G ver.) if I needed to? (That would definitely be a nice feature.)

Cost of books definitely holds weigh in my decision too.

Reading in bed doesn't necessarily rule one out, but you would need a reading light for either the Nook or Kindle to do so because neither is backlit. For me, not being backlit is a good thing because staring at a backlit screen for too long gives me eye strain. This isn't an issue for everyone, but worth mentioning I think. The Nook Color is backlit, but it costs more.

I don't know about Kindle but I know I've checked my email and been on a few websites on my Nook just using Wifi. It took me awhile to figure out how to navigate on the Nook's web browser thing, but now its pretty easy for me to do.

From what I've seen, the books are pretty similarly priced. If there is a difference, it hasn't been much (at least not for the books I've bought).

I'm not sure what you mean about the selling out. The Nook is totally available on the B&N website and should be available in stores as well. I'd highly recommend going in and checking one out in person if you have a store nearby. I'd do the same for the Kindle at a different store too. I think holding them in my hands really helped my decision.

I haven't used the LendMe feature on my Nook, but I know its a 2 week lend time. Don't know much more though.

Whatever way you go, I'm willing to bet you'll LOVE having an e-reader!

 

[JaymeC]

My library does not offer ebooks so I guess that's really not an issue for me.

Wouldn't mind the option of sharing books with a friend but, from what I've read, that's very limited with the Nook.

And yes, I read in bed all the time. (That's my main reading time.) So does that rule one out?

Wondering what effect B & N's selling out will have on Nook.

Internet cap...can I check my email with either of these (3G ver.) if I needed to? (That would definitely be a nice feature.)

Cost of books definitely holds weigh in my decision too.

Yes, sharing is limited with a nook. Just so you know, you can have up to 6 people/kindles on one account and share all the books between them (for the most part). You would have to trust those people with cc info/charges though.

If you don't mind using a booklight you can use a non-backlit screen. I have a huglite which I adore

I don't know what effect B&N selling out or going bankrupt would have... which is honestly one of the reasons I went with a kindle. I don't think anyone really totally knows. You would of course have access to the books on your current nook I'm sure, but there'd be no new software or hardware upgrades... and I don't know that you'd ever be able to read them on different readers.

Internet on the kindle is unlimited. I used mine to check my email a LOT when we were moving since I didn't have a cell phone yet (we were moving back from Japan). There's no cap, but the browser is a bit clunky. But easy enough to use to check email.

 

[RachaelA]

The Philadelphia Public Library lets any non-resident join for $15/year and they have a huge amount of ebooks. You can send in your membership form and be a member within a couple weeks and then start checking out ebooks.

I got the nook because of how easy it is to check out library books on it. I've haven't even bought any books yet because I keep checking out ebooks from libraries.

 

[poohfriend]

oops

 

[poohfriend]

after I read the link a PP has comparing the nook and kindle...I thought Oh no, I could have ordered a new KINDLE with just wifi at amazon for just $20 more than the nook (with 3g) I just ordered and it would be here TOMORROW.

But, My nook (which I purchased online yesterday afternoon) has already shipped! And I'm excited about owning a Nook.

I had really narrowed it down between SONY and NOOK. Checking out library books was key to me. Our library doesn't have an extenive amount yet...but I can only read one book at a time! Maybe if I run out of books, I'll check out the PHILy one mentioned.

I did do a cost comparisson between books I might choose to read at Amazon vs. Barnes and Noble...and found that they were the same or one might be $1 cheaper at one store and another $1 cheaper at the other store. Lots of books out there that are cheap. And the newest releases run in the 10-14 range.

I just felt like overall I would try to read books I could get for free online. Kindle just can't do that for me. (And they don't want to. They could have easily added that feature to the Kindle and chose not to. They want to put you in a place where you have to buy from them.)

Not really worried about the Nook and B&N going out of business. I think the fact that the Nook can read epub documents makes it not a big deal. And besides I'm sure if B&N did go under that someone would quickly write a program to get me to buy their books. Just like a pharmacy goes out you see a sign at another store inviting customers...I can see it now "Welcome NOOK readers."

So after my OH NO moment, I'm pleased with my decision to buy a NOOK. It also helps that I checked out and downloaded an ebook from my library last night. (And read it on my computer for free!)

Oh and I really wanted the ink screen. backlit just won't work for me or I would have put my money into the ipad.

 

[Marionnette]

A question for nook owners (since Im a kindle gal). The kindle has the ability to bookmark across devices and you can pick up wherever you left off in a book regardless of what device your reading. For instance, I can begin reading on my kindle, and pick up the same book on my ipod touch later. The software will open the book where I left off on the kindle. I can even open kindle for pc on my computer and sync to wherever I left off on the last device. Can nook do this with similar apps?

 

[Minnie's Pal]

The Philadelphia Public Library lets any non-resident join for $15/year and they have a huge amount of ebooks. You can send in your membership form and be a member within a couple weeks and then start checking out ebooks.

I got the nook because of how easy it is to check out library books on it. I've haven't even bought any books yet because I keep checking out ebooks from libraries.

Is there a waiting list for popular books or are all ebooks available all the time?