NOOK Color or Kindle

[reggiemcp]

Hi

Need some advice - I have some gift cards burning a hole in my pocket and have been debating treating myself to a e-reader. Never thought I would give up a old fashioned book, but like the idea of always having something to read.

Did a little research and know the the Nook Color is $250 and Kindle offers several different models. So do any of my DIS friends have one and want to offer their opinions. Is it easy to find all the books, mags and papers you want? What is the main difference between Nook and Kindle?

I would like to purchase one before I head off camping in two weeks. Of course, this being the budget board would also love to know of any deals that might be out there.

Thanks for the help.

 

[RitaE]

Your options there are two completely different machines. The nook color is an lcd tablet which is back lit - great for nightime reading but not outside and also reduced batter life. If you want to read magazines, watch movies, play music and games, check your email ... and read books then it is your best bet. They are selling refurbs on ebay right now (bn warranty) for $189.

The Kindle is an eInk reader. Its equivalent in the barnes and noble universe is the Nook Simple Touch reader. I prefer the Kindle but they are incredibly similar. If you want to read books which are primarily text (not magazines) ... especially books outside .... buy one of these.

 

[AmandaRG]

I have the Nook Color and LOVE it! When I made my choice it was partially based on the ability to borrow books from others and at that time, Amazon did not have some of the availability. I have no idea what they have now.

B&N has several books available for free on their site. I read one of them that DH had loaded for me, and it was cute. Not something that I would have probably picked, but it was an easy read and I enjoyed it.

I haven't had trouble reading outside or at night. I love that there are different screens for me to choose from that make it easy on my eyes.

Good luck! I love not having to store and dust my books anymore!

 

[crisi]

I'd go to somewhere like Best Buy where you can see them side by side. I also have a simple Kindle (I believe a color Kindle is out now). I love it - because I like the smaller form factor, the lighter weight, and the near endless battery life that you get with the eInk.

My sister has a Nook color - which will run Android games on it. Her kids get a lot of use out of the games and the color is wonderful for kids books.

 

[Pigeon]

They both have pros and cons, but I recently decided on a Nook.

For now, if you get a Kindle, you will pretty much have to get your books from Amazon, as the Kindle reads a proprietary format or pdfs. The open standard for ebooks is EPUB, which can be read by the Nook. If you are a public library user and your system is getting into ebooks, see what they use. My public library system's books are 99% EPUB.

 

[sydneysmom]

my DH and I both have a Nook Color and LOVE them. We downloaded movies to the Nook, which is fantastic when you're on a plane. The only thing that truly stinks about the Nook is trying to read it outside. When we went to buy it, the salesperson at B & N told me, "oh, it's very easy to read outside, blah blah". Well, it's not at all. At the brightest setting, it's difficult at best, to read. So that was a disappointment.... I really wanted it for reading by the pool in the summer.

If you're not going to spend alot of time outside, I'd get the Nook Color because it can do pretty much everything an Ipad can do for much less money. If you have wireless internet at home, you can get online. (or anyplace that has WiFi) If you're buying it for the sole purpose of reading, just get the regular Nook. ( the Nook library is much larger than Amazon's for the Kindle) You really have to look at HOW you're going to use yours.

I'll tell you, once you own it, you wonder what you did without it.

 

[cats mom]

I'd go to somewhere like Best Buy where you can see them side by side. I also have a simple Kindle (I believe a color Kindle is out now). I love it - because I like the smaller form factor, the lighter weight, and the near endless battery life that you get with the eInk.

My sister has a Nook color - which will run Android games on it. Her kids get a lot of use out of the games and the color is wonderful for kids books.

I agree that comparing them in person would be a great idea. There really isn't just one best choice. It depends on what's important to you.

While there are lots of rumors about a Kindle Color, I'm pretty sure Amazon's official statement is that while they do have plans to create one eventually, it's "still a long way out." (as per Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos at a shareholder meeting, May 2011)

I went with a 3G Kindle with offers and I love it, but I know it's not the best choice for everyone.

 

[cindycastle30]

Another vote for the nook color here. I have the original nook and the color and love them both. I do read my nook color outside all the time and have no problem. Being able to check out books from the library is great. I also buy B&N gift cards and put them on my account so that when I buy a book it is "free". I'm keeping my original nook just for the 3g for those times when I'm not near wifi and need something to read. I also never thought I would give up real books, but a year later I am a total convert.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'd go to somewhere like Best Buy where you can see them side by side. I also have a simple Kindle (I believe a color Kindle is out now).

No color Kindles are available.

Note that you soon will be able to read library books on a Kindle.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/technology/21amazon.html

 

[musicmama]

Let me start by saying that DH has an iPad with both the Nook and Kindle apps, but he uses the Nook app more. DD has a Nook "classic" that she uses just for reading and is very happy with it. Of course, she's also got an iPod for music, so she didn't want a multi-capable device. I have a Nook Color, and wanted it for the ability to watch movies and listen to music as well as read books. It also came in real handy during a work trip to be able to read and edit work documents (Word and Powerpoint). I do read outside - adjust the colors and fonts and it's no problem - and I love reading at night with it. I have rediscovered library reading, too, and it's nice because the borrowed books automatically expire! (no late fees) Barnes & Noble has a free book every Friday - not every one has been to my taste but it's a nice perk - and I've discovered some new authors that way.

If you are also looking for a device that can function as an Android tablet, the Nook Color is your best choice. The NC can be "rooted", just like Android phones, and can run additional flavors of the Android operating system. Takes a bit of patience to either create an SD card or set up the internals.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

They both have pros and cons, but I recently decided on a Nook.

For now, if you get a Kindle, you will pretty much have to get your books from Amazon, as the Kindle reads a proprietary format or pdfs. The open standard for ebooks is EPUB, which can be read by the Nook. If you are a public library user and your system is getting into ebooks, see what they use. My public library system's books are 99% EPUB.

Technically the Kindle actually reads more formats than the Nook does, it just doesn't read ePub. I don't know how useful the other formats are but they do have a longer list of compatible formats

If you do go for the Kindle you should know they will have library capability by the end of the year (September or October seems to be the rumored time frame).

The Nook wasn't available whe I bought my Kindle but I have stuck with the Kindle since then because of their Customer Service. Amazon's Kindle CS can't be beat IMO.

 

[aprilgail2]

I love the Nook Color-- I had a Kindle but ended up upgrading to the nook color and getting rid of the Kindle.

 

[Beth D]

I have a nook (regular) as well and love it. Checking out books free from the library was the major factor for me. I read voraciously, and go through 5-10 books on vacation, so purchasing them for me would put me in the poorhouse!

It was so nice on vacation to just pull out the nook, no carrying 2 or 3 books in my carryon, plus more in the suitcase.

It also worked quite well in the sun, no problems at all!

I also get every single one of the free book fridays' that B & N offers and download them. You never know when you'll need a book.

 

[luvmy3]

You can't really compare the two since the Nook Color is more than an e-reader, and the Kindle is just an e-reader. You need to decide what you want out of your device. I have a Kindle, but thats because I wanted something for reading books. If I was to get a nook Color, I'd probably not even use it for reading, I'd use it for its tablet capabilities.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I love my nook color, My Aunt just bought my sisters each a kindle and they wished they were nooks.

 

[puffkin]

I have a Kindle Wifi and am very happy with it. The battery life is endless and there are tons of free books and very cheap books through Amazon. Kindle is supposed to get library lending sometime this fall (right now they have person to person lending available), so I wouldn't let that sway a decision one way or another.

I personally wanted a dedicated ereader. I tend to get distracted very easily with my iPhone that I wanted a device just for reading books. So for me it was the right choice.

If you do decide to go with the Kindle, budget wise the Kindle special offer is a great deal and very affordable. I think 3G is a waste of money for just an ereader because there are very few places that I don't have access to Wifi.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I've had a Kindle Wifi/3G for 2 years now. It has been the best gift that dh has given me EVER!

For me it is all about the reading experience so a Nook wouldn't work for me due to the backlit screen. The eInk technology is first rate and really has no glare and works outstanding in bright sunlight.

As for Wifi/3G. There is no way that I would ever NOT get the 3G unless I was purchasing for a child (where I wouldn't want them to download on the go). For $50 extra you receive LIFETIME 3G access. Yes free wireless is available in many places but once you get out of a major metropolitan area you may not have as many chances.

My stepMIL received a Kindle for Christmas and the person who purchased it didn't realize there were different versions. MIL had no issues downloading books at home for the first few weeks but then was rudely surprised as they traveled south for the winter that her Kindle "stopped working!!"

Amazon was wonderful and took back her Wifi Kindle and she upgraded to the Wifi/3g version and is MUCH happier!

I love being able to download books on the go, the only place I'm going to have to think ahead and download more books is while we are in the Dream next month!

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I'm another Nook Color fan. I haven't had any problem reading books indoors or out on it. I love reading getting my magazine subscriptions on my Nook and my son has some fun children's books. I also love that you can take your Nook to a B&N store and read any book for free for up to one hour.

 

[rusty4]

Love my Nook Color. My Father has the Kindle and has a harder time finding free books. There are thousands for the Nook. Just type in 0.00 in the search feature while shopping on the Nook and they will come up. I also have a blog that I check almost daily for updates on free and special price deals. I have over 90 books right now and have only paid for maybe 15 of those.

When reading outside I use the nighttime screen and it works great for me. But you can play around for the setting that is best for you.

The battery life does not bother me. I keep the charger next to the bed and charge at night when sleeping whenever needed. Only once have I had a problem where I had forgotten to charge it.

The only downside is it is much heavier than the Kindle. I also think that once you are used to either the Kindle or the nook it would be hard to change.

The Kindle has buttons. May need reading glasses for them because they are small. My Father has a very hard time with the buttons. His fingers are too large and he cannot read the buttons. Though I bet my Dad would have problems with the touch screen of the Nook as well. I agree with the suggestion of going to Best Buy where they have both and compare what works best for you.

 

[crisi]

You can't really compare the two since the Nook Color is more than an e-reader, and the Kindle is just an e-reader. You need to decide what you want out of your device. I have a Kindle, but thats because I wanted something for reading books. If I was to get a nook Color, I'd probably not even use it for reading, I'd use it for its tablet capabilities.

At which point you need to start asking yourself if you really want a tablet - like an iPad. My husband's eReader is his iPad. Mine is a Kindle - two devices that couldn't be more different. He is quite happy with his - but I would never use an iPad as an eReader.