I'm looking for a gift for my wife for Mother's Day.
She's wanted a Kindle or Nook for a while, and I almost bought her one for Christmas, but she wanted a really nice ski jacket instead, so I bought her that instead.
Now it's time for either the Kindle or Nook.
Just trying to get an idea of the pros/cons of each, and I know there's always a shit-ton of additional (valuable) information whenever I consult the hive, so I'd be remiss in not asking.
Additional information:
- She already has an iPad, so the extra "horsepower" of the Kindle would not seem to be as much of an issue (IOW, the fact that the Nook is more of a "dedicated eBook reader and can't do much else" isn't much of a con in its direction)
- Price range is "hopefully not more than a couple hundred."
Originally Posted By shooter_tx:
I'm looking for a gift for my wife for Mother's Day.
She's wanted a Kindle or Nook for a while, and I almost bought her one for Christmas, but she wanted a really nice ski jacket instead, so I bought her that instead.
Now it's time for either the Kindle or Nook.
Just trying to get an idea of the pros/cons of each, and I know there's always a shit-ton of additional (valuable) information whenever I consult the hive, so I'd be remiss in not asking.
Additional information:
- She already has an iPad, so the extra "horsepower" of the Kindle would not seem to be as much of an issue (IOW, the fact that the Nook is more of a "dedicated eBook reader and can't do much else" isn't much of a con in its direction)
- Price range is "hopefully not more than a couple hundred."
Are you talking about the eink versions, or the models with color lcd's?
I'm guessing the eink version since she could download the kindle/nook apps on the ipad.
I'd lean towards the nook since epub is used by more online booksellers (some libraries have ebook lending programs that are compatible with the nook) and the nook has user expandable memory.
B&N also seem to be launching a new eink nook with additional backlighting for dimly lit areas (and possible better outdoor use). You might want to consider that.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-simple-touch-with-glowlight-barnes-noble/1108046469?ean=9781400501717
Wow! That looks like what I would like. I don't like the regular Kindle because it's not backlit and the page turn buttons dominate the sides of the reader. (I keep turning the page just trying to hold it or set the thing down) That looks perfect!
I have the nook simple touch without the light. It still has the side buttons but they are not easily pushed, you have to press with purpose. To that end I still usually either swipe or touch the edge of the screen to change pages. And if you shop right you can usually find it in the 70 dollar range. I LOVE my nook.
I have the Kindle keyboard 3G.
It's a great eReader that can download books just about anywhere. I added the case with the built-in light and love that, too.
The combination is hard to beat.
I do accidentally hit the page turn buttons from time to time, but have learned to hold it differently in order to avoid doing it.
Originally Posted By Angry-American:
I have the nook simple touch without the light. It still has the side buttons but they are not easily pushed, you have to press with purpose. To that end I still usually either swipe or touch the edge of the screen to change pages. And if you shop right you can usually find it in the 70 dollar range. I LOVE my nook.
Is that with shipping? Where are you finding them for that?
I too was going back and forth over kindle vs nook. My friend's argument for the kindle was that the kindle store isn't going anywhere. B &N could suffer the same fate as borders.
Originally Posted By Sixgunn:
Originally Posted By Angry-American:
I have the nook simple touch without the light. It still has the side buttons but they are not easily pushed, you have to press with purpose. To that end I still usually either swipe or touch the edge of the screen to change pages. And if you shop right you can usually find it in the 70 dollar range. I LOVE my nook.
Is that with shipping? Where are you finding them for that?
I too was going back and forth over kindle vs nook. My friend's argument for the kindle was that the kindle store isn't going anywhere. B &N could suffer the same fate as borders.
They have sales on the Nook, I bought mine last winter for 69 bucks plus shipping which wasn't much. I am not really concerned about B&N going down, if they do I still have the books I purchased plus it still supports epub which most books other than amazon use anyway, so I could still buy books from 3rd party sellers and still read em on the Nook.
I got the cheapo kindle ($79) with ads. The ads haven't been a pain, and its great for reading! If you just want to read, it's great.
We ended up getting the NOOK Simple Touch today at lunch. $99, but $89 after getting the 10% off for using our Barnes & Noble card.
Here's the thing...
She wanted the NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight. That's also the one I wanted her to get. But it's pre-order only at the moment, and doesn't actually release until May 7th or 8th.
But what they're letting NOOK Simple Touch owners do is just pay the $40 difference to upgrade to the NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight.
So she has the NOOK Simple Touch today and will start getting used to it, and getting content purchased/loaded on it, and then she'll take it on her week-long Taiwan trip, which is book-ended by two 13-hour flights, and also includes a 12-hour train ride somewhere on the island.
By the time she gets back (on the 7th or 8th), the NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight will have released, and we can upgrade her to that for only $40 if she liked the Nook but wants the GlowLight.
Or she can keep what she's got.
Or... we found out today that the NOOK has a two-week trial period. If she doesn't like her NOOK at all, we can just get our money back, and put that toward a Kindle.
From this thread...
Basic Nook vs Kindle
In true ARFCOM fashion, I have both the NT and the KT. (UPDATE 4/27/12: There us a NT w/ glowlight sitting on my porch waiting for me to get home from this week's trip. )
The Nook Touch "NT" felt more natural in my hand, but was a real PITA to place checked-out library books on it. You have to use adobe digital editions on a PC to get the drm-containing file onto your nook.
The KT claims to "disappear in your hands." After a few minutes, yes. However, when I hold it, sometimes my finger accidentally bumps the screen and turns the page. (Update 4/27/12: I picked up my KT after not using it for about a month tonight. The bezel is NOT wide enough. I felt like I had to cradle it in my hand, and not move my hand at all for fear of accidentally turning the page.)
NT: wider bezel, so I never have a "Negligent discharge swipe".
The Kindle Touch "KT" looks to have a lower contrast screen, but just barely. The NT just looks "crisper."
KT: you can play a few word games on it. There are also "apps" available for the KT. No games on the NT.
NT: The B&N cases seem like an afterthought. Almost like the NT wants to fall out of them. (UPDATE 4/27/2012: I have the "Speck" cover from target for my new refurbished NT. It feels just as streamlined as the KT covers. All other NT covers are a POS IMHO)
Nook Touch SPECK cover FTW!
KT: The amazon cases are a neat concept, but the leather on them is cheap and plastic-y. And, they are expensive for what you get.
KT: crappy home screen (ALL TEXT). The NT looks really nice, with the "recommendations, what you are currently reading, a place to click to take you right back to the last thing you were reading, etc.
NT: No ads.
KT: Ads, but they are not annoying and you really never notice them.
NT: Physical buttons to turn pages, or you can swipe to turn. I like the physical buttons, but yes, you do have to give them a little bit of oomph downward on them to turn the page. I dont mind it, and use them to turn pages 98% of the time.
KT: swipe only. Was nice at first, but then it seemed like sometimes it needed a little extra push when I swiped. (Sometimes, my swipe would register. Next page turn? I swear I used the same amount of swipe force, but it wouldn't take. Sometimes I'd swipe near the top of the screen, and it wold bring up the menu bar. Annoyed me.
NT pages turn faster. Sorry, I didnt use a stopwatch, but it feels noticeable, like your eyes have to wait for the next page to come up when reading on the KT.
KT: has audio, but I have never used it. I had planned on slapping my pimsleur MP3s on it, but never bothered since they are on my phone.
KT: Has browser you can use when you are on wifi. Tried to use it once. Was a PITA.
NT: HAD an experimental, "hidden" browser. A recent firmware update got rid of it. Haven't bothered to verify.
NT: Micro SD slot. VERY nice once you gather a HUGE collection of books and PDFs.
KT: all internal memory.
If you are tied to Amazon, I'd entertain getting the BASIC kindle. If there is a B&N somewhere near where she lives, I'd get the Nook (You can read for free in the store for 1 hour. And no, not "free" like a powerwasher...)
In December 2011, I decided to KEEP the KT. I sold the refurbished NT to my roommate for what I bought it for. After using the KT for a few months exclusively, I regretted selling the refurbished NT. After using the KT to read about 5 books, it really started to piss me off. I'd swipe to turn the page, and sometimes it would go, sometimes it wouldn't. To remedy this, I bought ANOTHER refurbed NT. The KT now sits beside my wifes seat on the couch. She plays some word game on it. I have now purchased a new NT with glowlight. So, I have 3 e readers.
It depends on what she wants to do.
I've personally taken a STRONG dislike to the non-touch screen versions of both brands. trying to type in a book name - or wifi password - when there's only a couple of buttons to use ... is a pain in the ass. I've had to help customers out (yes my store sells both) and it was a pain in the fucking ass to use that non-touch-screen thing. (and that's not even getting into the issue that some customers didn't understand that yes you have to have accounts & billing information in order to download books/apps - even if it's a free one!)
so my own recommendation is... let her play with one at the store. see what feels best. what's easiest for her to use and has the options she likes.
does she want just books and news, or does she also want to check email, fb, web surf etc?
Screw both of them and go Kindle Fire. I own the basic Kindle and still love it.
