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NOOK ~VS~ KINDLE

Started 1 year ago by Juliefromwestseattle
Latest reply from bailecyclist

Juliefromwestseattle
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Any thoughts & oppinions about which is better??

Posted 1 year ago #
SarahScoot
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Hi Julie,

I went through this debate for a few months, as I knew I wanted one of the two for my early-December birthday. Here's an article that helped me a lot: http://news.cnet.com/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy
Basically, I concluded that the Kindle itself is technologically better than the Nook. Kindle has better resolution (resulting in sharper image) and faster page-turn rate. The Kindle's battery life is also much better than the Nook's.
Additionally, Amazon provides better customer support than B&N.
What made me keep considering the Nook is its ePub compatibility; ePub is what most library systems (including SPL) use. I still chose the Kindle, as there are so many free titles available anyway in the public domain (Project Gutenberg is one great source). Additionally, there is at least one program out there that can convert ePub format to the Kindle's proprietary format. (But shh... I didn't tell you that.)

In conclusion, I decided on the Kindle, and was "surprised" with one for my birthday. I charged it up that night (nearly four weeks ago) and haven't charged it since; it's down to about 20% battery right now, and I've used the Kindle daily for at least 30 minutes. I know people that love their Nooks, too, but at least two have said they wish they'd gone with the Kindle.

Posted 1 year ago #
johnnyblegs
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I know of a product that's even better. You can read it anywhere, feels like the real thing, you can buy it once and share it with as many friends as you want, and support small local independent sellers as well. It's called....a book. Don't buy those electronic things. :)

Posted 1 year ago #
SarahScoot
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There are many benefits to e-readers, JBL, and owning one doesn't mean I won't ever by a "real" book again. I liken it to my iPhone vs. CDs/LPs. I have all the music I *like* on my iPhone. I buy the actual CDs from artists I *love*, and occasionally even buy the LP if the artwork is especially cool, or its a limited-edition from a favorite band (like my Pavement record store day-exclusive LP).
However, I work full time and am a full-time student, leaving me with little time for pleasure reading. With the Kindle, I can always have multiple books with me, including some for school, without always lugging those physical books around.
However, when my husband gave me my Kindle, he also gave me Amy Sedaris' new book. Someone else gave me David Sedaris' latest; I was thrilled to add both to my "real" bookshelf.
Also, I was thrilled to learn that two books I'll need for my upcoming political science course (Frederick Douglass' autobiography and another public-domain work) are available free for Kindle, whereas the print versions were around $15 each. Score!

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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johnnyblegs..

nothing will ever make me give up books..
but for a reader like me.. they have a definate disadvantage in some situations..
they are really really heavy when you pack 5 or 6 or 10 in your suitcase

juliefromwestseattle

i asked the nook/kindle question and ended up with the nook because of the ease of downloading library books..
which are pretty much all i read these days.

Took it on vacation and loved it...
what can i say.

the only problem was when i got home hubby got into one of the books on the kindle
and in that one middle of the night when i had no books left on the shelf and sleep was still eluding me...
his book was up :(

so we talked about getting a second kindle... mostly for travel

I upped the ante for a kindle color for myself because i do purchase magazines at the checkout counter and if i have them on my kindle i won't do that.

i keep up with the west seattle blog and facebook while on vacation and the connection on the kindle color is really good... big enough to see
and the keyboard is big enough to use...

i often want search capabilities when i am away from home and the processor on the kindle color rocks... easy to use and fast.

the only thing it won't do that i need while traveling and carry my web-book for is download pics from my digital camera:(

it will play mp3s and digital audio books.

oh.. and i can read books at night without annoying my husband with a light.

the backlight on the kindle color puts out so much light that i have to turn it down nearly as far as it will go to keep from straining my eyes at night so it doesn't disturb him at all.

I am a very happy kindle customer...
I won't be trading down from the kindle color to the regular kindle.

i do have one caveat..
if you think you will have use for an android tablet when they drop in price then don't spend the extra dollars for the kindle color.

while it is true someone is going to accomplish the hack that lets you run android apps on the kindle eventually... it doesn't have what i heard as a processing interface on the usb...

it is likely one day be able to hopscotch with whatever is already on the web but you aren't ever be able to download from your digital devices to the knook color because it doesn't have the hardwired capability to do that...

(i hope the geek gods forgive me if i somehow got that wrong..
not being fluent in geek...
someone is sure to correct me
and i would be really really happy to be wrong on this one)

Posted 1 year ago #
clark5080
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The Color Nook is also capable of running android apps and is more versatile than the kindle

Posted 1 year ago #
SarahScoot
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But I've also heard the two touch-screens on the Nook don't interact well with each other...

Posted 1 year ago #
Gina
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Amazon/kindle refuses to allow any compatibility between library book downloads and their product. Corporate Amazon.com decision.

Posted 1 year ago #
Ken
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http://www.ebook-converter.com/19-convert-adobe-digital-editions-ebook-to-pdf.htm

I now have a kindle 3 so I will soon be able to let you guys know how to workaround all the built in limitations of the kindle. Even I can't fix the browser though.

I don't buy books that I can't remove the DRM from.

I also have a sony reader and it looks like I might have to get a Nook just to learn how to hack them all.

Posted 1 year ago #
Ken
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SarahScoot;
“I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”
-- Frederick Douglass, Autobiography

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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sarahscoot
i am having no problem

Posted 1 year ago #
desertdweller
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I got the Nook instead of the Kindle because the Seattle Public Library supports an e-book format that is Nook-compatible. Since I'm an avid library user, this pushed me over the edge into Nook territory. And I have to say, I love it!

Posted 1 year ago #
SarahScoot
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I really don't think you can go wrong with either one, honestly. They definitely both have benefits and drawbacks, and both have loyal followings. :)
Just don't listen to the people who tell you to get an iPad instead - that's a whole different animal! Oy.

Posted 1 year ago #
DRG
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I bought a Nook back in July and have been extremely happy with it. I looked at both the Nook and Kindle, but the Kindle not being compatible with the Seattle Public Library was the dealbreaker.

I use my Nook almost exclusively for library books. Love being able to check out books without leaving home, and no worries about fines for overdue books. If I want a particular book enough to purchase it, I usually opt to buy the "real" version.

Posted 1 year ago #
kmweiner
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I get around all this by listening with my ears. I download free books to my mp3 player from many sources (mostly the library) and can do many other things while "reading." I walk, clean house, garden and even ride the bus. Try it, you might like it.:-)

Posted 1 year ago #
AlkiRagdoll
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Sorry to divert, but i spent much time considering all the technology, and did the Ipad. I am SOO happy i did, as with many things, you dont know what you dont knw until you work with the actual gadget. My ipad is only wifi as i dont want an ATT contract. Color is essential. If price is the issue, something you shoukd think about is the cost of the reading material. I buy many used books, which you cant really do on the Kindle or Nook... So i still buy books, as i find i have to touch the book.... So with the Ipad i can read a few books i am willinh to download, but also do tons of other things, such as read the blog and make comments. My house visitors over the holidays both had Kindles and are now convinced that my Ipad is superior, and they are not sure they can wait for the new edition. It initial layout (versus the cost of books), then do Kindle as the resale is better when you decide to go Ipad.
Just my 2cents.

Posted 1 year ago #
brew
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iPad is too expensive, especially since the iPad2's will be released in the next couple of months.

The color nook is great for the price. You can "root" it and run most android apps. This makes it much more than just a "reader".

Posted 1 year ago #
clark5080
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And at 1/2 the price a great deal at $249

Posted 1 year ago #
luckymom30
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I received a Kindle for Christmas and I love it except for the feature of having to enlarge the text on each and every page/website. I get into my Facebook and Comcast accounts no problem and it is alot lighter than the Nook. Nice to have while waiting for my daughter at appts.

Posted 1 year ago #
tom kelley
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Brew,
What does, "root it", mean? Thanks.

Posted 1 year ago #
MargL
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lol - 'rooting' means running a program or commands on the device that allows a user to have access to the operating system of the device, in this case Android. The companies that sell these devices (readers/phones) like to limit functionality so they can release upgrades that you have to pay for. As a super or 'root' user you're able to install and run software yourself that you wouldn't normally be able to run.
However, doing this can also result in 'bricking' the device, which is pretty accurately descriptive.

Posted 1 year ago #
Ken
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It is also an "arms race" between hackers and manufacturers. If you wish to "root" your nook, be careful to read all of the google sites with instructions. Some of the older sites have procedures that worked in the past but now the B&N admins have made the original procedure into a guaranteed brick path. Both the original and the current rooting procedures are not for the faint of heart. The underlying OS is linux/unix so if you have no experience with any flavor of unix, tread carefully and be aware of the consequences.

Posted 1 year ago #
tom kelley
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Thank you.

Posted 1 year ago #
brew
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Actually, the Nook Color is virtually impossible to "Brick". You can just re-flash it back to factory defaults. However, rooting it can void the warranty. Ken is referring to the regular Nook, not the Nook Color.

It all depends on what your wants, needs, and desires are. I bought mine specifically to root and run android apps, along as using it as an e-reader. So far, it has exceeded my expectations. For more info, I recommend you thoroughly read all you can at the nook devs site - http://nookdevs.com/Portal:NookColor

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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brew..

i sincerely hope you are right...
hubby will wait for the next software release from Barnes and noble
but it is my bright shiny nook color that he is going to root to run android apps...

he speaks unix so I am not too concerned...
for a while i think he even dreamed in it...

but i like my nook color that much
it really would sadden me to fall back to my original nook :(

Posted 1 year ago #
365Stairs
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"Take a look...it's in a book...Reeeeaaaddding Raaaaiiinboooowwww"
This thread was quite informative for a decidedly tech-less person...wanted to get wife a e-reader for xmas, but passed due to all the back & forth...and overall price. Plus, there is probably an app embedded that eliminates the reader from turning to the last page and reading it...I do that all the time...It drives others crazy...
2011 - the year to get connected wire-lessed...

Posted 1 year ago #
Hoyt
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One thing to keep in mind ... though they're doing much better financially then they were just a few months ago, B&N isn't a completely stable company. I hope it doesn't happen, but it's possible they could go away at some point in the future.

Posted 1 year ago #
MargL
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At least B&N is doing better than Borders!
I got a Color Nook for Christmas and I gotta say I've been loving the being able to read a book _or_ browse the web while I'm waiting at the tire store, or a mall, or the airport - where there's free wi-fi. I don't have a smart phone, yet. All I'm missing is Angry Birds (no, I'm not going to root it for that :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
redblack
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a year and change later, and i have to stand up for my kindle. as i've stated elsewhere, if i have a good story to read, i'd rather be off the grid. and if i don't have a good story to read, i don't need a wi-fi connection to download something new.

if i wanted to do both, i'd buy a tablet.

i just saw 365stairs' comment: kindle will let you cheat.

Posted 1 year ago #
librarian
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JoB Am I right that you have used both the Nook and the Kindle? If so, which would you buy if you needed to replace yours? AS you know I am a "real" book person, but am thinking an ebook would be convenient for traveling. I have been leaning toward the Nook because of being able to use the library. Thanks

Posted 1 year ago #
Jiggers
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I like to open a real book like a real newspaper, it just doen't have that same feel to it when you have your coffee in the morning or afternoon. Unfortunately, times are changing too fast.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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Hoyt...
if Barnes and Noble goes belly up you can bet hubby will be rooting the Nook :)
right now i am mostly reading library books anyway.

librarian...
all i can say is that hubby won a free kindle and we gave it away. he is happy with his standard nook. i love the color. But the biggest reason i love the color nook is that I share a bed and it allows me to read at night without a reading light.

and it's nice to have the option for magazines...
and WSB on a decent sized screen where there is wifi

jiggers...
i too love a real book.. except when i travel. books are heavy and one book won't last me past the flight :(

Posted 1 year ago #
bailecyclist
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My wife is using a Kindle. I have a Nook. They both are good readers, nothing more. I would be happy with either one. As a longtime B & N customer, I chose Nook. I also love real books - the e-readers are great for travel, for anytime you are going to be waiting or lounging away from home. But at home, there's nothing like a real book with pages you can turn, pages you can easily thumb back to, maps that are legible, etc.

Posted 1 year ago #