• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Kindle vs. Nook

RobRoy

Not A Mormon
RobRoy
Joined
Nov 15, 2007
Messages
15,117
Location
In the sandbox
About a month ago, I was taking my son out of his car seat, was distracted by a call from my wife, and placed my Kindle on top of the minivan. Upon my wife’s request, I promptly closed the van’s door and did exactly what you think I did: drove off with the Kindle still on top. I never saw that Kindle again.

So now I’m in the market, and I’ve saved up enough to replace it, and the Oberon cover in which it was housed. However, I’ve recently read lots and lots of good things about the Barnes & Noble Nook, especially the color Nook. I wouldn’t mind a color ereader that also provides a little internet access, so I wondered how it stacks up.

I have some Kindle books that I would like to maintain as well, and as I understand it, you can filter everything through Calibre and life goes in nicely.

So any advice on the Nook vs the Kindle?
 
I don't know about Calibre allowing you to use DRMed Kindle files on the Nook, but if you're in the market for a Nook Color I can't recommend it highly enough IF you're also in the market for a low-cost, relatively low-end tablet experience.

If you root it, you can install any Android app (including the Kindle reader app) you want while retaining the Nook Color OS, you can boot to a more standard Android OS (and use the Nook and Kindle apps from the Android Market) from an SD card, or you can replace the Nook Color OS completely (after creating a backup of the original OS of course).

The main drawbacks of the Nook Color (or any tablet) are:
1. Battery life. I have no trouble getting a full day's (non-continuous) use out of it if I start at 100% in the morning, but it definitely has to get back on the charger every night.
2. Outdoor reading isn't great. Direct, bright sunlight is a killer even with the brightness turned all the way up (affecting #1 too). If you're like me and gravitate towards the shade anyway it's not quite so bad, but e-Ink is the way to go if you're reading outside a lot.
3. I can't think of any other big drawbacks, but I feel like lists such as this should have a 3rd entry.

I love my Nook Color tablet (running Android Gingerbread) and I've been pleasantly surprised by the fact that I don't get eyestrain from reading it as I do with regular LCD monitors. Still, once the Nook Simple Touch (e-Ink touchscreen) gets properly rooted (inevitable), I'll be moving over to that for my reading needs. E-Ink is just too great for reading, and now that we're getting into sunny time (even in the Pacific NW) I'm going to want that back. :)
 
I have the nook. I like it because you can borrow books from libraries. In fact, most of the books I read on it are borrowed. The kindle doesn't support this and that was the tipping point for me.

Mine is b&w, wifi, no 3G.
 
Loss Leader said:
I have the nook. I like it because you can borrow books from libraries. In fact, most of the books I read on it are borrowed. The kindle doesn't support this and that was the tipping point for me.
Click to expand...


Though the Kindle doesn't currently support library lending, Amazon has announced that it will later this year.

NEW - Kindle Library Lending
Later in 2011, customers will be able to check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any Kindle or free Kindle reading app.
Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B003FSUDM4/
 
AdMan said:
Though the Kindle doesn't currently support library lending, Amazon has announced that it will later this year.
Click to expand...


Is that the same as supporting the Pub and ePub formats? It sounds like it isn't.
 
Loss Leader said:
Is that the same as supporting the Pub and ePub formats? It sounds like it isn't.
Click to expand...


I think you're right, though it sounds like Amazon is working to ensure that books in a format Kindle can handle will be available.

Amazon is working with OverDrive, the leading provider of digital content solutions for over 11,000 public and educational libraries in the United States, to bring a seamless library borrowing experience to Kindle customers.
Click to expand...

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1552678&highlight


ETA:
More info.
 
Last edited:
Babbylonian said:
I don't know about Calibre allowing you to use DRMed Kindle files on the Nook, but if you're in the market for a Nook Color I can't recommend it highly enough IF you're also in the market for a low-cost, relatively low-end tablet experience.

If you root it, you can install any Android app (including the Kindle reader app) you want while retaining the Nook Color OS, you can boot to a more standard Android OS (and use the Nook and Kindle apps from the Android Market) from an SD card, or you can replace the Nook Color OS completely (after creating a backup of the original OS of course).

The main drawbacks of the Nook Color (or any tablet) are:
1. Battery life. I have no trouble getting a full day's (non-continuous) use out of it if I start at 100% in the morning, but it definitely has to get back on the charger every night.
2. Outdoor reading isn't great. Direct, bright sunlight is a killer even with the brightness turned all the way up (affecting #1 too). If you're like me and gravitate towards the shade anyway it's not quite so bad, but e-Ink is the way to go if you're reading outside a lot.
3. I can't think of any other big drawbacks, but I feel like lists such as this should have a 3rd entry.

I love my Nook Color tablet (running Android Gingerbread) and I've been pleasantly surprised by the fact that I don't get eyestrain from reading it as I do with regular LCD monitors. Still, once the Nook Simple Touch (e-Ink touchscreen) gets properly rooted (inevitable), I'll be moving over to that for my reading needs. E-Ink is just too great for reading, and now that we're getting into sunny time (even in the Pacific NW) I'm going to want that back. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the imput. I was considering whether or not to upgrade my B&W Nook to a color. Based on your review, I probably won't, because the advantage of an ereader for me is the power issue. I already have an android phone with the Nook ap, so upgrading my actual Nook seems supurfluous for me.

Oh, and BTW, I love my B&W Nook.
 
Babbylonian said:
If you root it, you can install any Android app (including the Kindle reader app) you want while retaining the Nook Color OS, you can boot to a more standard Android OS (and use the Nook and Kindle apps from the Android Market) from an SD card, or you can replace the Nook Color OS completely (after creating a backup of the original OS of course).
Click to expand...

This all sounds very impressive and important, but I honestly only have the barest sense of what this means. No offense at all here, and if I were to get a Nook, I'd come straight to you to help me get it all sorted.

However, since power is also an issue for me, and I do like to read outside in the sunlight, as well as the Calibre concerns that you brought up, I'm going to go ahead and stay with the Kindle. The Nook looks quite lovely, and I think it's a wonderful addition to the market, as well as being a decent intro tablet.
 
RobRoy said:
This all sounds very impressive and important, but I honestly only have the barest sense of what this means. No offense at all here, and if I were to get a Nook, I'd come straight to you to help me get it all sorted.
Click to expand...
It's a great thing if you have use for all the features that a decently powered and unlocked Android tablet can provide (Netflix is great on it!), but...
However, since power is also an issue for me, and I do like to read outside in the sunlight, as well as the Calibre concerns that you brought up, I'm going to go ahead and stay with the Kindle. The Nook looks quite lovely, and I think it's a wonderful addition to the market, as well as being a decent intro tablet.
Click to expand...
I think that's the right call. If you were starting from scratch I'd suggest the Nook Simple Touch (I hate that name) but since you've already developed a library for Kindle and don't sound like you're into the idea of modding a device, sticking with the Kindle makes the most sense.
 
Babbylonian said:
I think that's the right call. If you were starting from scratch I'd suggest the Nook Simple Touch (I hate that name) but since you've already developed a library for Kindle and don't sound like you're into the idea of modding a device, sticking with the Kindle makes the most sense.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I certainly appreciate the responses though. They helped a great deal!
 
Last edited:
AdMan said:
FWIW, with the right plugins Calibre does allow you to de-DMR books you've already purchased, in order to export Kindle books to the Nook, for example.

(As long as you don't distribute those books to others, this has been declared legal by the courts in the US as "fair use;" other countries' laws may be different: http://arstechnica.com/software/news/2010/07/court-breaking-drm-for-a-fair-use-is-legal.ars)
Click to expand...

That's what I thought. It might still have given me pause on the decision, but the other elements tip me over (back?) to the Kindle. I put in my order for my replacement and for my Oberon cover just before lunch.
 
I have a Kindel, and right now I don't think I am getting the full use out of it. I am a very checklist drive type of person, so if anyone can point me to a good resource to learn things like sharing books and the like, I'd sincerely appreciate it.
 
I put my money where my recommendation was and bought one of the new Nooks yesterday. It's a beautiful thing. The infrared e-Ink touchscreen works very well and after using the Nook Color it's nice to have hardware buttons (you can switch them between next and previous page depending on how you hold it) again. The size, though, is definitely the best part. I was able to put it in the back pocket of my shorts, and not my shorts with the pockets scaled up to the size of my buttocks! ;)

In terms of software, I liked the interface quite a bit. The various screens (where of course one spends little time anyway) are laid out just like the Nook Color; they worked well there and they work well here. Setup took no time at all at the ole Starbucks and I was up and reading in about 5 minutes.

Amazon is supposed to have a new Kindle coming out this year. Until that happens, I think Barnes & Noble has the best e-Ink reader on the market. Amazon still has the price advantage with its ad-supported Kindle, but B&N has the best hardware.

I'm looking forward to stressing the battery (which is purported to the best in an e-reader) over the next couple weeks!
 
Babbylonian said:
Amazon is supposed to have a new Kindle coming out this year. Until that happens, I think Barnes & Noble has the best e-Ink reader on the market. Amazon still has the price advantage with its ad-supported Kindle, but B&N has the best hardware.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine and I have been following the "new Kindle" buzz. Our belief is that Amazon will release a tablet, rather than a new Kindle, which will be meant to compete against the iPad and similar devices. But that conclusion was reached a week or two ago, which in tech-time is like year old information.
 
Babbylonian said:
I put my money where my recommendation was and bought one of the new Nooks yesterday. It's a beautiful thing. The infrared e-Ink touchscreen works very well and after using the Nook Color it's nice to have hardware buttons (you can switch them between next and previous page depending on how you hold it) again. The size, though, is definitely the best part. I was able to put it in the back pocket of my shorts, and not my shorts with the pockets scaled up to the size of my buttocks! ;)

In terms of software, I liked the interface quite a bit. The various screens (where of course one spends little time anyway) are laid out just like the Nook Color; they worked well there and they work well here. Setup took no time at all at the ole Starbucks and I was up and reading in about 5 minutes.

Amazon is supposed to have a new Kindle coming out this year. Until that happens, I think Barnes & Noble has the best e-Ink reader on the market. Amazon still has the price advantage with its ad-supported Kindle, but B&N has the best hardware.

I'm looking forward to stressing the battery (which is purported to the best in an e-reader) over the next couple weeks!
Click to expand...

Doesn't that seem kind of....a dangerous place to keep some fragile electronics?
 
I don't have a Nook, but my experience with Kindle has been great. I have the Kindle 3, an Android phone with the App, and a PC with the App. I recently botched the SD card in the Android and "lost" all the books on it. No worries, just pop in a new card, start the Kindle App, and all my books are still there waiting for me at Amazon, for any of my devices. I'll never move boxes of books again!
 
An American gent I met yesterday at Heathrow showed me his colour Nook. (I was reading on a kindle at the time and we did the I'll show you mine...thing)
It was a new colour one and seemed more like a mini tablet pc than just a book reader.
We don't have Barnes & Noble in the UK and I don't think the Nook is sold here, which is a shame. It seems a very useful gadget.
 
RobRoy said:
A friend of mine and I have been following the "new Kindle" buzz. Our belief is that Amazon will release a tablet, rather than a new Kindle, which will be meant to compete against the iPad and similar devices. But that conclusion was reached a week or two ago, which in tech-time is like year old information.
Click to expand...
I've heard that too. It would certainly be great for B&N if they go that way as the new Nook would be in the e-Ink tech driver's seat for a while.
Nursefoxfire said:
Doesn't that seem kind of....a dangerous place to keep some fragile electronics?
Click to expand...
Very. In fact, I cracked my first Kindle that way (in a pair of pants with the aforementioned big back pockets). Still, it's convenient and thanks to its smaller size (and the fact that e-book readers aren't generally that fragile), the new Nook is far less likely to take a bad bend like my old Kindle - just sitting straight down on it is actually not that dangerous. Also, since I've already wrecked one reader that way, I'm obviously not nearly as likely to sit down before taking it out of the pocket. ;)
Soapy Sam said:
An American gent I met yesterday at Heathrow showed me his colour Nook. (I was reading on a kindle at the time and we did the I'll show you mine...thing)
It was a new colour one and seemed more like a mini tablet pc than just a book reader.
Click to expand...
Apart from reading in the dark, the tablet functionality is the only reason to get a Nook Color over one of the e-Ink devices. Now that B&N has an app store, you don't even have to modify it to get at quite a few games and apps (the ones B&N want to offer/sell anyway; obviously, they don't offer the Kindle app). Apparently, my nephews really like playing Angry Birds on my mom's Nook.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom