Nook or Kindle?

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TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
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I was thinking about getting one for my wife for mothers day. She is an avid book reader and think it would be perfect for her.

My question is can I import any text from the web into them or do I have to buy directly from either amazon or B&N? If that's the case I'd probably lean towards the nook as she gets lots of B&N gift cards and they hav free 3g and wifi on it. Plus she can read any book if she is in an actual B&N store.

Opinions?
 
Bateluer

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
The iPad gets knocked out the running for its extreme cost, Apple douchebaggery, and screen for me.

I looked at a Nook at the Best Buy today, which was running the new 1.3 firmware. While I couldn't accurately gauge the weight of it because the BB security attachment, it did open the books fairly quickly and refresh relatively quick. I definitely like the fact that it has upgradeable storage and more friendly features and hacking ability than the Kindle. The UI doesn't seem very intuitive though I didn't read any manuals or docs while at BB, but I was able to figure it out and navigate around fairly easily.

My vote goes for the Nook, and I may pick one up in the next few weeks. :)
 
destrekor

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
corkyg said:
Side by side comparison here . . .

http://ideas.thenest.com/buying-guides/gadget-face-off/Blogs/Kindle-vs-Nook.aspx

Kindle has more legs. Nook is more open. It's an interesting tussle. I am inclined to favor B*N's Nook basically because it is more open to user choices. I will also closely consider the new Apple iPad.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't, but if you are specifically discussing what you will be looking at for personal purchase, then I guess your habits are your business.

But staring at an actual regular contrast LCD screen reading books for multiple hours on end... ugh my eyes hate reading regular webpages that long.

If one is looking at an eReader, I'd say the actual screen type is quite important.

Personally, I have put off tablets and eReaders because I don't want a single function device.
The iPad, for what it is, I'll give it the credit it deserves - a functional, nice tablet. But as a multimedia device only, it just kills me. I want more functionality if I am losing a critical component for functionality - a keyboard. And carrying a keyboard around is a laughable joke.

But that is my critique, based on what I want out of something for which I'm going to spend a fair amount of money.

Here's to hoping the Notion Ink Adam is anywhere close to what is promised. I can't deduce whether the dual-tech display uses actual eInk, or just uses a special style of high-contrast that makes text easier to read. Wonder if it's as friendly to the eyes in terms of strain.
But having the ability to use a full color screen as a regular tablet display (Android tablet to boot), and then switch the display to eReader-style with the impressive battery life that offers, do want!. :)
Like I said, here's to hoping.

Tegra2 is a great SoC choice. Hopefully once that part shipment issue can be handled, Notion Ink can get that Adam out to the public. If it's around the cost for the iPad, it might be a purchase I make without hesitation (after critics weigh in, and I get hands on time).
 
S

Slick5150

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2001
8,760
3
81
If e-book reading is your #1 priority, absolutely throw the iPad out of the discussion. I've tried it out, and it's not nearly as pleasant an experience as either the Kindle or Nook.

That said, the Nook's new web browsing features are kind of interesting. Both a really solid devices though, I don't think there's a "wrong" answer to this
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Slick5150 said:
If e-book reading is your #1 priority, absolutely throw the iPad out of the discussion. I've tried it out, and it's not nearly as pleasant an experience as either the Kindle or Nook.

That said, the Nook's new web browsing features are kind of interesting. Both a really solid devices though, I don't think there's a "wrong" answer to this
Click to expand...

Any LCD screen should not even be considered for ebook reading.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
I've seen a few cheapy book readers with black and white, non backlit LCDs - how do these compare to e-ink? I mean, the old Palm Pilots from the early 90s used this and were fairly ok on my eyes
 
TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
I think I'm going to go with the Nook. I'll pick it up from BBY and if my wife doesn't like it then it'll go back. I think it's easier to do that then deal with amazon and sending it back in the mail.

One last thing.....say I was able to "find" a book online can I import it into the device or do all books have to be purchased through B&N?
 
S

Slick5150

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2001
8,760
3
81
TangoJuliet said:
I think I'm going to go with the Nook. I'll pick it up from BBY and if my wife doesn't like it then it'll go back. I think it's easier to do that then deal with amazon and sending it back in the mail.

One last thing.....say I was able to "find" a book online can I import it into the device or do all books have to be purchased through B&N?
Click to expand...

I'm fairly sure you can load PDFs just fine on the nook.
 
preslove

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
The Kindle. Amazon's book selection so exceeds that of the Nook and Apple that neither really has any chance of catching up. If your wife wants a good selection of new books, get the kindle.
 
TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Stupid question. Can you download a book on amazon via a PC and then load it onto a Nook or do they use a special format/file extension?
 
Bateluer

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
preslove said:
The Kindle. Amazon's book selection so exceeds that of the Nook and Apple that neither really has any chance of catching up. If your wife wants a good selection of new books, get the kindle.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that B&N and Amazon have pretty close to the same selection of printed books, not sure about the electronic versions, the more relevant versions in this case.

TangoJuliet said:
Stupid question. Can you download a book on amazon via a PC and then load it onto a Nook or do they use a special format/file extension?
Click to expand...

The Nook cannot read Amazon's amz format. I believe there is a method to convert it to epub though, which the Nook can read.
 
preslove

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
TangoJuliet said:
Stupid question. Can you download a book on amazon via a PC and then load it onto a Nook or do they use a special format/file extension?
Click to expand...

Looking it up, it seems that you have to convert the files twice. I have no idea if this conversion is 100%, or if it will add errors.

Going with anything other than kindle will leave you with a seriously lacking selection.

Bateluer said:
I'm pretty sure that B&N and Amazon have pretty close to the same selection of printed books, not sure about the electronic versions, the more relevant versions in this case.
Click to expand...

B&N is nowhere close to Amazon in their electronic catalogs. I've looked up a bunch of titles available for kindle on B&N and not found nook versions. Amazon's head start is pretty insurmountable.
 
TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think she predominantly reads new releases so I'm going to guess that both B&N and amazon should have those.
 
DivideBYZero

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
freedomsbeat212 said:
I've seen a few cheapy book readers with black and white, non backlit LCDs - how do these compare to e-ink? I mean, the old Palm Pilots from the early 90s used this and were fairly ok on my eyes
Click to expand...
I think the problem with the old style LCD passive displays is they are often dark grey on light grey. Contrast wins with text and e-ink delivers.
 
tdawg

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
2,215
6
81
Doesn't the Nook support the ePub format? If so, this means that you can "check out" ebooks from the local library for use on the Nook. Pretty sure the Kindle doesn't support ePub at all.
 
TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
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I thought I had updated the thread last week....guess not.

I went ahead and got the Nook from best buy. If my wife doesn't like it then I'll just return it.
 
Lumathix

Lumathix

Golden Member
Mar 16, 2004
1,686
0
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KLin said:
Definitely Ipad.

/thread
Click to expand...

Did you even read the thread? Have you researched the differences between reading a book on an eInk display versus an LCD device with a backlight? Have you tried to read a book on an LCD?

I doubt it.
 
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