Wife want's a tablet. How's the Nook?

[poofyhairguy]

If one needs the extra power and camera/mobile data vs a better screen.

Hold on now- the 2013 Nexus 7 screen is better in every metric. Better PPI, better accuracy, gets much brighter overall.

The Nook HD has the BIGGER screen, not the better one.

 

[alkemyst]

Hold on now- the 2013 Nexus 7 screen is better in every metric. Better PPI, better accuracy, gets much brighter overall.

The Nook HD has the BIGGER screen, not the better one.

HD and Nexus 7 are the same form factor.

I didn't realize they upgraded the Nexus 7 for 2013. It indeed has more PPI than the HD now.

The 1920x1200 resolution is very impressive.

However; it starts at $229 now which is very different than the HD starting at $129 (and available much less, as low as $100).

it is much better now, but also much more expensive.

 

[desura]

If you're just screwing around in a coffee shop, just use a regular little phone. Hell, when I'm home with my desktop PC in reach, I"ll just use my little 4 inch phone for internet usage.

I had a Nook HD+ and I sold it. If it were to ever be like $50, I might consider picking one back up.

 

[Ravynmagi]

The OP's wife is interested in the HD+ because she's concerned the 7 inch screen is too small. So if the 9 inch size is a requirement and cheap is also a requirement, the Nook HD+ still isn't a bad choice. It's certainly better than the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, just because it has Google Play and the Kindle doesn't.

The next best thing in 8.9 inches or more will probably cost twice as much.

 

[lupi]

I got the hd nook as its the only tablet without a camera. Other than not being able to access amazon app store without sideloading a root, I'm very happy with it. It presence of a camera isn't a concern for you, then you could probably get a new kindle at the end of the week pretty cheap too on one of the sales.

 

[Bateluer]

Hold on now- the 2013 Nexus 7 screen is better in every metric. Better PPI, better accuracy, gets much brighter overall.

My local stores have the N7 2013 displayed next to the Nook HDs and the Kindle HDs, and some other 7-8in tablets. The competition to the N7 2013 is almost pitiful when you can see them side by side.

 

[bbhaag]

Don't think you'll find a better 9 inch tablet with a 1080p display at $150 though.

Yes but the display resolution is only one aspect. The OP wanted honest opinions not only about display resolution but also about day to day use interaction with the stock rom and the ability to use Android apps.

I stand by my original statement. The Nook is great but I would have to think twice before I paid $150-180 for one.

 

[Zaap]

I would recommend the Nook HD+. It can be had cheap enough that it's more than worth it. (I have one that's a dedicated xbmc remote/couch surfer/coffee table distraction, as well as another I use as a pdf reader for work.)

If the OP's wife is like a lot of our wives (IE: she's not a nitpicky geek that sits around examining stats with a microscope and spending hours staring at app interfaces -not actually using the app, mind you- just to watch for lag and various other forms of digital navel-lint gazing) and she just wants a full-sized tablet to pick up, web-surf, read, watch media etc. with a decent screen.. then the HD+ will probably be great for her.

The day my wife gives a flying rip about all the minutia that us geeks can fuss endlessly over vs. the above, is the day I fear aliens have taken control of her mind.

1. All Android apps?
There are a few that will show up as "Your device is not compatible" in the Play Store- mainly things that require a camera, GPS or phone hardware that clearly the Nook doesn't have. But as for software you'd generally expect to be able to run, I haven't run across too much that doesn't work.

2. Feature limits: hardware related like lack of cameras. Someone mentioned bluetooth keyboard imitations, but personally, I have no problem using both a Logitech K811, and a Microsoft Wedge BT keyboard with mine. (I'm also running CM 10.2 on both).

IMO, the microSD slot is what puts the Nook firmly above its closest competition. I can understand to some degrees smartphones without an SD slot, but for tablets it just seems silly. Being able to swap in cards full of music/movies, comics, ebooks, etc. for a device that's sole purpose is content consumption is a no-brainer.

3. Stock Android?
As simple as preparing a bootable microSD card (see xda-developers) and replacing the stock ROM with CM10. YMMV, but personally I've nothing but success doing this, and it's made the HD+ feel like a much better tablet.

You can always back up and restore the stock ROM, and you can also test using a hybrid ROM that boots from the SD without touching the stock. I personally feel CM10.1 or CM10.2 are well worthy of replacing stock.

The stock ROM isn't terrible since B&N has allowed the Play Store and third party launchers like Nova. IMO, stock as-is without some level of customizing is unbearable on the HD+, but luckily there's no hacking required to use third party launchers/keyboards, etc.