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29310 of 29641 people found the following review helpful.
Kindle vs. Nook (updated 6/2/2011)
By Ron Cronovich
When I wrote this review last August, there was only one Nook, which is now called “Nook First Edition.” It proceeds to be available, but there are two new Nooks. The Nook Color was introduced last fall – it’s fundamentally a tablet computer, and runs the Android software that is general on some smartphones nowadays. It’s twice as heavy and costs twice as much as a Kindle, but equated to other tablet computers, it is a very good value.
And now (early June 2011), a new e-ink based Nook is coming out. It’s called the “Nook Simple Touch.” It is just now starting to ship, so plainly I don’t have one and can’t tell you anything in regards to it that you can’t learn by reading online reviews. But the reviews are very favorable, so if you’re taking into account a Kindle, you ought to take a look at the new Nook Simple Touch, too.
But the Kindle is nevertheless still a compelling option. It’s a mature product, very well designed and easy to use, performance is very zippy, it’s competitively priced, and no e-ink based reader has a better, more readable display than the Kindle, not even the new Nook Simple Touch. Also, the Kindle universe is rather extensive: the Kindle store is great and has galore thousands of free e-books as well as good deals on most other e-books, and once purchased, you may read your Kindle books on almost any device you own (computer, phone, tablet), not just your Kindle. And there are tons of great cases and other accessaries for the Kindle.
So, while my review compares the Kindle to the older Nook, I’ll leave it here because it has a ton of selective information in regards to the Kindle, a great e-reader that deserves your attention, and because the initial Nook proceeds to be available. That said, I urge you to NOT buy the introductory Nook. It was a respectable e-reader when it came out in 2009, and still had a great deal of value when I wrote when it comes to it in August 2010, but it is distinctly inferior by today’s standards.
———— my basi review ————–
If you’re attempting to choose amidst a Nook and a Kindle, perhaps I may help. My wife and I have owned a Nook (the original one), a Kindle 2, and a Kindle DX. When Amazon declared the Kindle 3 this summer, we pre-ordered two Kindle 3′s: the wi-fi only model in graphite, and the wi-fi + 3G model in white. They arrived in late August and we have used them very regularly since then. For us, Kindle is better than Nook, but Nook is a good device with it is own vantages that I will talk about below. I’ll end this review with a few words regarding the Nook Color.
First, reasons why we prefer the Kindle:
* Speed
In our experience, the Kindle is very zippy equated to the Nook. Page refresh speed (the time it takes a new page to appear after you push the page-turn button) was WAY more quickly on Kindle 2 than on Nook, and it’s rapidly and without delay yet on Kindle 3. Yet, I read a whole book on the Nook and didn’t find the slower page refresh to be annoying – you get used to it, and it’s not a problem.
For me, the more crucial speed divergence worries navigation – moving the cursor around the screen, for example to pick a book from your library, or to jump to a chapter by selecting it in the table of contents. On Kindle, you do this by pushing a 5-way rocker button, and the cursor moves very quickly. On Nook, you do this by activating the color LCD touchscreen (which normally shuts off when not in use, to conserve battery). A “virtual rocker button” appears on the screen, and you touch it to move the cursor. Unfortunately, the Nook cursor moves very sluggishly. This might not be a huge deal to you, but it actually got annoying to me, particularly since my wife’s Kindle was so quick and responsive.
In November 2010, Nook got a software upgrade that increments page refresh speed and makes navigation more responsive. I returned my Nook months ago, so I can not tell you if the Nook’s performance is now equivalent to the Kindle’s, but Nook owners in the remarks division have convinced me that the software update improves the experience of using the Nook. If performance is a huge element in your decision, visit a Best Buy and compare Kindle and Nook side by side.
* Screen contrast
You’ve seen Amazon’s claims that the Kindle 3 e-ink has 50% better contrast than Kindle 2 or other e-ink devices. I have no way of precisely measuring the betterment in contrast, but I may tell you that the Kindle 3 display unquestionably has more contrast than Kindle 2 or Nook. The divergence is noticeable, and important: more screen contrast means less eyestrain when reading in poorly lit rooms.
In well-lit rooms, the Nook and Kindle 2 have sufficient contrast to grant for comfortable reading. But I ofttimes read in low-light conditions, like in bed at night, or in a poorly lit room. In these situations, reading on Nook or Kindle 2 was a bit uncomfortable and often gave me a mild headache. When I got the Kindle 3, the extra contrast was without delay noticeable, and made it more comfortable to read beneath less-than-ideal lighting conditions. (If you go with a Nook, just make sure you have a good reading lamp nearby.)
* Battery life
The Nook’s color LCD touch screen drains it is battery speedily – I could never get more than 5 days out of a charge. The Kindle 2 had longer battery life than the Nook, and Kindle 3 has even longer life: in the 3 months since we received our Kindle 3′s, we distinctively get 3 weeks of battery life among charges. (We keep wireless off with regards to half the time to save battery power.)
* Weight
Nook weighs when it comes to 3 ounces more than the new Kindle, and you may in truth feel the difference. Without a case, Nook is still light sufficient to hold in one hand for long reading sessions without fatigue. But in a case, Nook is a heavy sucker. The new Kindle 3 is so light, even in a case, we find it comfortable keeping in one hand for long reading sessions.
Reasons a lot of humans might prefer the Nook:
* In-store experience
If you need aid with your nook, you may take it to any barnes and noble and get a real humane to help. You may take your nook into the coffee shop division of your local B&N store and read any book for free for up to one hour per day. When you take your nook to B&N, numerous in-store special deals and the occasional free book pop up on your screen.
* User-replaceable battery
Rechargeable batteries ultimately lose their capacity to hold a charge. Nook’s battery is user-replaceable and comparatively inexpensive. To replace Kindle’s battery, Amazon wants you to ship your Kindle to Amazon, and they will ship you back a DIFFERENT Kindle than the one you sent (it’s the same model, for example if you send a white Kindle 3, you get a white Kindle 3 back, but you get a “refurbished” one, NOT the precise one you sent them). I don’t like this at all.
However, various persons have posted remarks here that have eased my concerns. Someone looked up stats on the Kindle’s battery and did numerous simple calculations to show that it ought to last for 3 or more years. Before that happens, I will surely have upgraded to a newer Kindle model by then. Also, someone found a good deal of companies that trade Kindle batteries at reasonable cost and have how-to videos that demonstrate how we may replace the battery ourselves. Doing this would void the Kindle’s warranty, but the battery will probably not fail until long after the warranty expires.
[update June 2011: The batteries in the Nook Color and Nook Simple Touch are not replaceable, but the battery in the original Nook is.]
* ePub
Nook uses the ePub format, a widely employed open format. Amazon uses a proprietary ebook format. Many libraries will “lend” ebooks in the ePub format, which works with nook but not kindle. However, a free and reputable program called Calibre allows you to translate ebooks from one format to another – it supports a lot of formats, including ePub and Kindle. The only catch is that it doesn’t work with copy-protected ebooks, so you can’t, for example, buy a Kindle book (which is copy protected) and translate it to ePub so you may read it on a Nook.
* Nook’s color LCD touchscreen
The original Nook has a little color LCD screen on the bottom for navigation. This could be a pro or con, depending on your preferences. It makes the Nook hipper and less drab than Kindle. Some persons receive pleasure from using the color LCD to view their library or navigate. I did, at first. But after two weeks of use, and comparings with my wife’s Kindle, I found the committed buttons of the Kindle posing no difficulty and far rapidly and without delay to use than the Nook’s color touchscreen. I also found the bright light from the color screen distracting when I was attempting to read a book or newspaper (though when not in use, it shuts off after a minute or so to conserve battery).
* expandable capacity
Nook comes with 2GB of internal memory. If you need more capacity, you may insert a microSD card to add up to 16GB more memory. Kindle comes with 4GB of internal memory – twice as much as Nook – but there’s no way to exaggerate that. Kindle doesn’t receive memory cards of any type. If you primarily use your device to read ebooks and newspapers, this shouldn’t be an issue. I have over 100 books on my Kindle, and I’ve employed only a tiny fraction of the memory. Once Kindle’s memory fills up, just delete books you don’t need prompt access to; you may always restore them later, in seconds, for free.
A few other notes:
Kindle and Nook have other features, such as an MP3 player and a web browser, but I caution you to have low expected values for these features. The MP3 player on the Kindle is like the first-generation iPod shuffle – you can’t see what song is playing, and you can’t navigate to other songs on your device. I don’t like the browser on either device; e-ink is just not a good technology for surfing the web; it’s slower and clunkier than LCD screen technology, so even the browser on an Android phone or iPod touch is more pleasurable to use. However, some commenters have more favorable views of either device’s browser, and you might, too.
* ebook lending
If you have a Nook or a Kindle, you may “lend” an ebook you purchased to somebody else with the same device for up to two weeks. The Nook has always had this feature. The Kindle just got this feature as of December 2010. Most but not all purchased ebooks are lendable, due to publisher restrictions.
* PDF aid
Kindle and Nook both handle PDF files, but in dissimilar ways. When you put a PDF file on your nook, nook converts it into an ebook-like file, then you may adjust the font size, and the text and pagination will adjust just like with any ebook. But you cannot see the initial PDF file in the native format in which it was created. Kindle 3 and Kindle DX have native help for PDF files. You may see PDF files just as they would appear on your computer. You may also convert PDF files to an ebook-like format, and then Kindle handles them just the way the Nook handles them – text and pagination adjust when you change the font size. Unfortunately, a lot of symbols, equations, and graphics get lost or mangled in the translation – even when watching PDF files in their native format on the Kindle. Moreover, the little screen size of the Kindle 3 and the Nook is not great for PDF files, most of which are designed for a larger page size. You may zoom and pan, but this is cumbersome and tiresome. Thanks to commenters who suggested looking at PDF files in landscape mode on the Kindle (I don’t know if you may do this on Nook); this way, you may see the entire top half of the page without panning, and then scroll down to the bottom half. This works a little better.
SUMMARY:
Nook and Kindle each offer their own advantages. We like the nook’s user-replaceable battery, compatibility with ePub format, and in-store experience. But we strongly prefer Kindle 3 because it is performance is zippier, it is higher-contrast screen is having little impact to read, and it’s littler and lighter so it is more portable and more comfortable to hold in one hand for long reading sessions.
* Nook Color
Everything I wrote regarding the Nook in this review applies to the primary Nook (which proceeds to be available), not the new Nook Color. To me, the Nook Color is in a dissimilar product category than the Kindle or primary Nook. Nook Color has an LCD screen, like an iPad or most computer monitors. That’s a huge disfavor for humans like me, who get headaches from reading a computer screen for long periods of time. Amazon’s Kindle product page has an informative division on e-ink vs. LCD displays.
But a great deal of humans don’t have difficulties reading from computer screens, and the Nook Color is getting glowing reviews in the press and by owners. For the money, it offers a lot of functionality such as a good web browser and the capacity to play games and watch movies. But keep in mind: it costs a lot more than the Kindle, it weighs closely twice as much, it doesn’t come in a 3G version, and (unlike the firstborn Nook) the Nook Color doesn’t have a user replaceable battery.
1811 of 1841 people found the following review helpful.
A hesistant buyer rejoices on his choice
By Mr Goodwrench
I researched the buy of a Kindle for a long time. I couldn’t determine whether or not it was worth buying a devoted e-reader. Boy am I glad I made this purchase. The downside to Amazon’s online retail of Kindle 3 is that the clients don’t get to see it in person. It is much better in person. This may sound stupid, but when I got my new Kindle, I thought there was a stuck-on overlay on the screen containing a diagram of the unit’s buttons, etc. I in truth tried to peel it off. Doh! The e-ink on this unit is THAT good. I didn’t realize that I was staring at the actual display. I likewise didn’t realize that no power is required until the display changes. (thus the outstanding battery life) I do a lot of reading, but was facing the prospect of reading less or buying big type books because of my variable and deteriorating eyesight. The new Kindle has been a godsend. Now, I may determine the size of type I need depending on my level of fatigue among other things. The weight and ergonomics are very good. For someone, like me, with neuropathy in his hands, it is exceedingly easy to manage and pleasurable to own. To me, it is requiring little effort to read than print books. The ease of navigation is outstanding as is the speed. The battery life, so far, has been extraordinary. It without apparent effort connected to our home Wi-Fi, which by design does not broadcast an SSID. It downloads books so fast that I almost thought they were not wholly received. I did not buy the 3G version because of the price divergence and the fact that there is no coverage where I live. If you are not perpetually traveling, I don’t see the need to spend the extra bucks, but that is a matter of personal choice. For those who have no Wi-Fi at home, do not forget that you may always download the material to your computer and transfer it by way of USB. Just today I was observing an consultation with Tony Blair on TV. He was talking regarding his new book, which sounded interesting. I picked up the Kindle and downloaded a free sample before the consultation was over. I have only read the preface so far, but will in all likelihood buy the book. Now THAT is a great way to buy a book! I haven’t used online browsing extensive yet, but find it reasonable for what the device is. This is mainly a book reader, not a laptop or notebook. They are outstanding for what they do, but can’t match the e-ink display, or the light weight. For those of you worrying with regards to the wait for the new Kindle, let me end with, “It is worth the wait” This new Kindle is all regarding the quality of experience. There are some format selections for electronic reading. If you want the best experience, go with the Kindle.
2544 of 2593 humans found the following review helpful.
I Wanted a Dedicated E-Reader, and That’s What I Got
By Matthew E. Coenen
I’m a first-time Kindle owner, so I have not one thing to “compare” the latest Kindle to. I don’t own a Nook. I don’t own an iPad (and, in any case, that’s comparing apples to oranges). I don’t have a Sony e-reader. ‘
This will be a short, simple review.
I received my Kindle with regards to a week ago and haven’t been capable to put it down.
Things I like when it comes to my Kindle?
1. The e-ink display is amazing.
2. Using the 5-way controller is simple and effective.
3. Page turn speeds are rapidly and without delay than I thought they would be.
4. It’s lightweight, even with the attached cover (I have an Amazon cover with a built-in light)
5. Page-turning buttons are quiet and well-placed.
6. Recharge time is fast.
7. I may order a book and commence reading it in less than 60 seconds. Nice!
8. Portability… I may take 3,000 books with me when I travel for work and not require further and added suitcases or baggage fees.
Things I’m not too keen on?
1. Buttons are too close together and are laid out oddly.
2. Lack of person number buttons is frustrating.
3. Power button on the bottom? Not a bad thing. Just an odd thing. (Same for the headphone input). I normally rest the “bottom” of a book on my lap when I read.
Things I hope change in the future?
1. How books are organized… When I put a book in a collection (which is genuinely a “tag”), it still appears in the main list. It’s not genuinely “moved”, it’s plainly associated.
2. The look of the main screen. I’d like “folders” or some other way to display “collections”.
3. Ability to manufacture personal “screen savers.”
4. E-book pricing, though Amazon has little control over this. Still, most titles are the same price as or less than their hardback/paperback counterparts. (And I’m not opposed to paying more for comfortableness and portability).
Things that don’t bother me in regards to other reviews?
1. The browser is experimental. Amazon has formulated a committed e-reader, and it’s meant to be employed to read. Period. Not browse the web. If you want to browse the web, get a computer — not an e-reader.
2. The Kindle is not an mP3 player, either. Yes, it’s nice to have galore classical music playing in the background while I read, but I don’t need to see the title of the song, album art, etc. (And you may skip from track to track on the Kindle using shortcut keys).
3. Lack of a “color” or “touch” screen.
In summary, for $139, I’m rather thrilled with my buy and have arleady read multiple books on it. In fact, I think I’ve read more in the past week than I’ve read in the past month.
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