Which is better? Nook or Kindle?

[brandi21]

I have been seeing a lot of unhappy Nook users....Which device is better?  I have been saving to get a Nook, but I don't want to spend that much money on something that may be defective. (Just an honest question)

[FrogAlum]

There are a lot of posters on here just interested in the nook in general BUT you have many more that treat this forum almost like a customer service counter in a store.  How many happy people have you seen at the customer service counter????  It's a place to go and vent, not a place to make happy talk.

It's true of people in general (and we Americans specifically) that they will rush to complain when something is wrong but usually don't show up to talk about how great something is.  Not to mention so many have their nooks now they are too busy reading them to post here...

Yes, I'll admit it, I'm jealous!!!!  Mine isn't here for a couple of weeks yet, class of 2/1.

[four0six]

To be honest, right now, I own both.  Kindle has a generous 30 day full refund, so I figured why not.

Supposedly, B&N is allowing early orders to return by Jan 30th, 2010 for a refund (minus restocking fee)(instead of the 14 days originally stated).

So, I am comparing physically for myself.

As it stands right now, from what I have personally observed:

Kindle:

Pros:

-Speed: Way faster right now (page turning/menus/store etc).

-Bookmarks/Highlights/Notes are better.  The logic of the names, how they are presented and saved, and ease of them.

-Page buttons:  I feel that the buttons are much more easily pressed, allowing less effort to do a page turn.  Should note though, PREV Page is only on the left side....

-Dictionary:  This should be number one I guess.  It works amazingly.  It looks up the word much much faster, and shows it on the same page, so you don't have to leave the reading.

-Packaging:  Mute point, but the Kindle was far less complicated to get up and running.

-Weight:  Kindle is just a bit more light.

-Availability:  You can get one tomorrow if you want to.

-More Accessories right now

-Amazon has far better support

-Ease:  It works better, from buying books etc.  However, Amazon has 3-4 yrs with the product, not a month.  Also, it's less techie, so it is easier to use, navigate, etc.

-Battery life:  It lasts far longer than Nook

-Built:  It is very well built

-Oberon COVERS (www.oberondesign.com)

-Works with Calibre!

Cons:

-Bland:  Mono color, same look all over.

-ZERO Customization.  You can not customize anything.

-Network:  It comes with ATT which is great, but you are unable to connect to home networks.

-Flash:  Has none of the flash of the Nook.  No cover flow or pretty touch screen.

-Keyboard:  Not so much a con, b/c I like it, but it is a bit clunky.

-Upgrades:  Unlike the Nook, you cannot upgrade memory, or change batteries.

Nook:

Pros:

-Looks:  The Nook is simply beautiful, with color touchscreen etc.  The eInk display is the same on the two models.

-Built:  It is built very nice and sturdy

-CUSTOMIZATION:  Unlike Kindle, you can make Nook YOURS!  From the back covers (which are delayed for some reason, and have since been pulled from the store), to Covers, to the device.  You can change your homescreen to your pictures, same as the screen savers!  Also, screen time, brightness, etc can be changed.

-Network:  Along with a 3G network, you can connect to WiFi hotspots, and networks to access the internet.

-Touchscreen:  The fact that it has one number one, but searching books and everything is so much more elegant.  You can look at the covers and scroll.  Great for tech nerds like me.

-Shop:  Shopping for books is a lot better.  You can look at covers when you do it, and search different lists, which seems to work better than the Kindle.

-Oberon COVERS (www.oberondesign.com)

-Works with Calibre!

Cons:

-Speed: Noticeably slower than the Kindle, in all operation.  Especially boot up from OFF (I know the Pro-Nook users will say "YOU SHOULD NEVER TURN OFF").  However, it has an off button, it should work correctly no matter what.  **B&N promises this will be fixed in future OTA (Over The Air) update before end January.**

-Bookmarks/Highlights/Notes:  Only work if you don't completely turn off the Nook, or plug into a computer.  Some have success with computer plug-in, but I haven't yet.**B&N promises this will be fixed in future OTA (Over The Air) update before end January.**

-Page buttons:  I feel that the buttons are a bit clunky compared to Kindle.  They require a bit more effort to push.  However, you can go PREV and NEXT pages on both sides of the device...

-Dictionary:  fails in comparison to Kindle.  It hardly works for me, and when it does, it takes you to a whole new seperate page.

-Packaging:  Mute point, but they made it harder than it had to be to get unpacked (it requires directions to unpack).

-Availability:  You'll be on a wait list.

-B&N support:  This has been far from stellar since release date.  If you have issues, expect to be on the phone with Digital Support for 45 minutes plus.

-Battery life:  They promised 10 days, it lasts 2 maybe 3.

All in all, I got the Nook first.  If they fix what they promise to, it could very well be stellar and be the Kindle Killer.  As it stands now, it has a few issues.

I'm pulling for my Nook, because I think it has a LOT to offer.  January 30th will be the last day for me to decide!

I hope this honest review helps.

[sub_rosa]

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FrogAlum wrote:

There are a lot of posters on here just interested in the nook in general BUT you have many more that treat this forum almost like a customer service counter in a store.  How many happy people have you seen at the customer service counter????  It's a place to go and vent, not a place to make happy talk.

It's true of people in general (and we Americans specifically) that they will rush to complain when something is wrong but usually don't show up to talk about how great something is.  Not to mention so many have their nooks now they are too busy reading them to post here...

Yes, I'll admit it, I'm jealous!!!!  Mine isn't here for a couple of weeks yet, class of 2/1.

---

Try going to your local B&N and ask them about the Nook!  See if they can help you.  I went and asked about a cover for my Nook and the guy acted like I insulted his mother.

After having my Nook for 3 weeks, I can tell you that I enjoy reading with it.  The battery doesn't last nearly as long as they claimed.  There are so many books on Amazon that aren't available as eBooks on the B&N site.  These are the two gripes that I have.

Another question is this - a year from now, which will be better?  Because right now, with the amount of time that Amazon has had the Kindle out and tested and tweaked - it's probably the superior product.  I don't know - I've never used a Kindle.  But you would expect that the Kindle, given its head-start on the Nook, would be a better, more refined product.

But in the long run, which is going to be the better product?  I don't know.  But I would appreciate more information from B&N via this site or via the Nook itself (downloading updates) regarding availability of books and battery life and other issues that have been discussed on these boards.  Right now, I feel like we're left in the dark - or at least the shadow of their marketing campaign.

[Josh_W]

@ sub-rosa:  We are aware of the battery issues and this will hopefully be addressed in a system update.

We are constantly working on adding titles and increasing the size of our eBook selection. 

[pidgeon92]

I own both. Right now, for a trouble free reading experience, I think the Kindle is a better choice. For reading, both screens are equally nice, but the nook has some bugs to work out in its software.

[violetangel]

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Josh_W wrote:

We are constantly working on adding titles and increasing the size of our eBook selection. 

---

I can definitely say this is true!  Last week I searched for a book in eBook format and didn't find it but found a companion book to it - same title plus some words.  The next day I decided to go back and download the sample of the companion book, so I put in the title of the original book expecting to get the companion as it was less than 24 hours later.  What a nice surprise when I saw that BOTH the original book AND the companion book were there.  In less than a day, the original went from not being available in eBook format to being available in eBook format!  AMAZING!  

[Alley415]

To the pro/con list, I would add to the Kindle:

Global capabilities in many countries as well as ability to download Amazon ebooks from anywhere.

Text to speech on supported ebooks (although automated in sound like a GPS)

Basic Web Browser using AT&T with no additional charge

Arrives already registered

Word and text support

For the nook, I would add:

Lending (although limited to some books to lend one time to one person)

To be available in the future: In store offers

To be available in the future: Ability to read any book in store (limit of 1 hour)

ePub support

[eDigest]

My wife has a Kindle and I have a nook so I can directly compare.  I went with nook because I have a large collection of eReader.com titles already that I read on a Palm device.  I also used the Kindle occasionally so I am quite familiar with it.

Kindle is a more mature product and most of the observations presented so far are valid, but I think the differences in "look and feel" are small.

There are two things in nook's favor that I would add to the above.

1.  The nook is built on Android OS and, in theory, it is possible for new/additional applications to be offered by B&N, third-partys, or both.  I don't know if B&N has plans to exploit this -- they would be foolish to completely ignore it -- but there are some third-party efforts to develop apps.

2.  Kindle will probably not allow other book formats any time in the foreseeable future.  While there is a valid complaint about the number of books (and periodicals) available from B&N, there are several other booksellers that fill in some of the gaps.  (eReader.com, Fictionwise.com, among others.)  With Android, there is no reason that any other book format cannot be made available, should B&N choose.

[illmunkeys]

I don't think anyone's added these yet (Edit:  Just notice eDigest beat me to it)...

Nook:

Pro:  Ability to purchase books from ADE compatible booksellers.  Libraries access!

Con:  B&Ns DRM doesn't quite work with ADE yet, although both Adobe and B&N state they're working on it.

Kindle:

Pro:  Amazon's library is much more robust and cheaper currently.

Con:  You're stuck purchasing from Amazon for almost all books unless you can find a bookseller that sells books without DRM or you use a 3rd party application to strip DRM.  The latter is slightly illegal.

[Alley415]

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illmunkeys wrote:

Con:  You're stuck purchasing from Amazon for almost all books unless you can find a bookseller that sells books without DRM or you use a 3rd party application to strip DRM.  The latter is slightly illegal.

---

I disagree with this one.  With the exception of B&N, Sony and some libraries, I know of no source that can't be converted for use on the Kindle.  In addition, most outside sources like ereader, Gutenberg, fictionwise, etc.  Many can be accessed and downloaded to the Kindle via Whispernet/AT&T. Then again, Amazon is known for having the largest ebook selection and continues to grow and those can't be accessed by the nook.  There have been numerous rumors of an upcoming update for Kindle with ePub support as well.  While that is speculative, if it does happen, that would give Kindle a broader range over nook.

[Alley415]

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eDigest wrote:

1.  The nook is built on Android OS and, in theory, it is possible for new/additional applications to be offered by B&N, third-partys, or both.  I don't know if B&N has plans to exploit this -- they would be foolish to completely ignore it -- but there are some third-party efforts to develop apps.

---

The problem with this is the speed and battery issues.  Applications would be a huge boost to the nook but with them comes increased use of the LCD screen which would further drain battery life as well as slow down the nook further.  It is just my personal opinion, but I think the more people want apps, the more they should invest in a netbook. 

[mrod411]

Josh,

Thank you for posting re: battery. Acknowledgment is a good part of the process 

[sub_rosa]

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Josh_W wrote:

@ sub-rosa:  We are aware of the battery issues and this will hopefully be addressed in a system update.

We are constantly working on adding titles and increasing the size of our eBook selection. 

---

Thanks for the update!  Looking forward to bigger and better things.  When you say the battery issue will "hopefully" be addressed in a system update - does that mean it is actively being worked on, or just something that's on the radar for down the road?

[eDigest]

Alley415: "The problem with this is the speed and battery issues."

I've heard complaints about the battery, but mine has not given me any problems.  The first charge had a short life, but it has been fine ever since.  I took my nook overseas for two weeks and only charged it once.  I had it on airplane mode the whole time (which some have said is not good).  Now, I have airplane mode off and wifi off and I'm getting a solid week on a charge with 2-4 hours a day reading. 

Honestly, I don't see a lot of speed difference between the Kindle and nook.  I have figured out how to time the "swipe" just right (half a sentence before the end of page) and when I use the buttons it is no different than a Kindle.

One other thing I would like to ammend from my earlier answer.  A previous reviewer mentioned the Kindle being more intuitive and easier to use.  I always thought the "home" and "menu" buttons were not well thought out by the Kindle engineers.  I really like the paddle -- much better than nook's touch-screen approach for highlighting text -- but I have gotten quite handy with the touch-screen and can't really complain about it.

I do think that the menu system on the nook is at least as intuitive and easier than the "home" or "menu" setup on the Kindle.

I think there is nothing really gross on either one so once you spend some time on either one, you get used to it and will have a certain comfort level.

[TheLewisFour]

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Alley415 wrote:

I disagree with this one.  With the exception of B&N, Sony and some libraries, I know of no source that can't be converted for use on the Kindle.  In addition, most outside sources like ereader, Gutenberg, fictionwise, etc.  Many can be accessed and downloaded to the Kindle via Whispernet/AT&T. Then again, Amazon is known for having the largest ebook selection and continues to grow and those can't be accessed by the nook.  There have been numerous rumors of an upcoming update for Kindle with ePub support as well.  While that is speculative, if it does happen, that would give Kindle a broader range over nook.

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The problem, Alley, is that the exceptions are all of the popular sources for mainstream books. Google Books, Gutenberg, etc are largely collections of the same or similar public domain books that are decades upon decades old. There are some great reads in there, sure - but people buying $259 devices are probably doing so to get access to lots of books, especially newer ones for reasons of price, availability and convienance.

When you use your nook, you can shop from the device with B&N. Or go with KoboBooks, Sony, or other stores selling mainstream titles in ePub DRM format. You cannot do so with Kindle. Are there many titles you couldn't get from Amazon that are elsewhere - no, but there are SOME. Also, there are titles you can get CHEAPER from some of these stores. And the library support means you can read some of those books for FREE.

More importantly, you are not locked into the nook. Once Adobe works out the DRM issues with Barnes and Noble's implementation, books will be readable on Sony eReaders, for example. Already you can buy from the Sony store and load onto your nook. There are other eReaders coming out this year that support Barnes and Noble's store and DRM, so you can stay a loyal B&N customer and not own a nook.

Take a look at the New York Times Best Seller list for this upcoming weekend:

http://www.thelewisfour.com/2010/01/new-york-times-fiction-hardcover-best.html

You'll be surprised who was cheaper (at the time I published that review - prices can and do change regularly). It wasn't Amazon.

[illmunkeys]

@Alley415:

Every online bookseller has some sort of DRM for purchased books.  Which means you can't convert the documents without 3rd party support to strip the DRM.  Which is illegal, as said.  So you don't disagree with me, you just don't think its a problem. I can buy from multiple booksellers, and use them without conversion on the Nook.  No conversion = less chance of formatting errors.  Calibre is great, don't get me wrong, but the act of converting documents does cause some formatting issues.  Oh, and someone has already released an application to install on the Nook to automatically download books from Gutenberg and a home Calibre server.  It rocks.  Hopefully, B&Ns isn't stupid enough to lock out application developers from the Nook.

And that's very speculative.  Amazon has not released any statements to the effect.  That's bloggers saying if Amazon doesn't go to a non-proprietary format they are going to be quickly booted out of the market.

[Alley415]

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TheLewisFour wrote:

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Alley415 wrote:

I disagree with this one.  With the exception of B&N, Sony and some libraries, I know of no source that can't be converted for use on the Kindle.  In addition, most outside sources like ereader, Gutenberg, fictionwise, etc.  Many can be accessed and downloaded to the Kindle via Whispernet/AT&T. Then again, Amazon is known for having the largest ebook selection and continues to grow and those can't be accessed by the nook.  There have been numerous rumors of an upcoming update for Kindle with ePub support as well.  While that is speculative, if it does happen, that would give Kindle a broader range over nook.

---

The problem, Alley, is that the exceptions are all of the popular sources for mainstream books. Google Books, Gutenberg, etc are largely collections of the same or similar public domain books that are decades upon decades old. There are some great reads in there, sure - but people buying $259 devices are probably doing so to get access to lots of books, especially newer ones for reasons of price, availability and convienance.

When you use your nook, you can shop from the device with B&N. Or go with KoboBooks, Sony, or other stores selling mainstream titles in ePub DRM format. You cannot do so with Kindle. Are there many titles you couldn't get from Amazon that are elsewhere - no, but there are SOME. Also, there are titles you can get CHEAPER from some of these stores. And the library support means you can read some of those books for FREE.

More importantly, you are not locked into the nook. Once Adobe works out the DRM issues with Barnes and Noble's implementation, books will be readable on Sony eReaders, for example. Already you can buy from the Sony store and load onto your nook. There are other eReaders coming out this year that support Barnes and Noble's store and DRM, so you can stay a loyal B&N customer and not own a nook.

Take a look at the New York Times Best Seller list for this upcoming weekend:

http://www.thelewisfour.com/2010/01/new-york-times-fiction-hardcover-best.html

You'll be surprised who was cheaper (at the time I published that review - prices can and do change regularly). It wasn't Amazon.

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The difference is that Amazon often has the lowest price.  Under the Dome, I Alex Cross and Lost Symbol were all sold for $7.20 at one point at Amazon.  Notice that B&N is matching prices with Amazon, not the other way around.  NYT is a perfect example of this. As for ePub support, as I have stated, this is rumored to be on the next Kindle update.  Keep in mind the rumors about Adobe were true in the last update.  This is not a hardware limitation, it is s software update that is needed.  I wouldn't buy a nook simply for that anymore than I would buy a Kindle solely for Word or text support.  Amazon having just released the Global version of the DX, is now focusing on its future updates and Kindle 3.

[sabst79]

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TheLewisFour wrote:

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Alley415 wrote:

I disagree with this one.  With the exception of B&N, Sony and some libraries, I know of no source that can't be converted for use on the Kindle.  In addition, most outside sources like ereader, Gutenberg, fictionwise, etc.  Many can be accessed and downloaded to the Kindle via Whispernet/AT&T. Then again, Amazon is known for having the largest ebook selection and continues to grow and those can't be accessed by the nook.  There have been numerous rumors of an upcoming update for Kindle with ePub support as well.  While that is speculative, if it does happen, that would give Kindle a broader range over nook.

---

The problem, Alley, is that the exceptions are all of the popular sources for mainstream books. Google Books, Gutenberg, etc are largely collections of the same or similar public domain books that are decades upon decades old. There are some great reads in there, sure - but people buying $259 devices are probably doing so to get access to lots of books, especially newer ones for reasons of price, availability and convienance.

When you use your nook, you can shop from the device with B&N. Or go with KoboBooks, Sony, or other stores selling mainstream titles in ePub DRM format. You cannot do so with Kindle. Are there many titles you couldn't get from Amazon that are elsewhere - no, but there are SOME. Also, there are titles you can get CHEAPER from some of these stores. And the library support means you can read some of those books for FREE.

More importantly, you are not locked into the nook. Once Adobe works out the DRM issues with Barnes and Noble's implementation, books will be readable on Sony eReaders, for example. Already you can buy from the Sony store and load onto your nook. There are other eReaders coming out this year that support Barnes and Noble's store and DRM, so you can stay a loyal B&N customer and not own a nook.

Take a look at the New York Times Best Seller list for this upcoming weekend:

http://www.thelewisfour.com/2010/01/new-york-times-fiction-hardcover-best.html

You'll be surprised who was cheaper (at the time I published that review - prices can and do change regularly). It wasn't Amazon.

---

Can you really download books from the Sony store to the Nook?  I was under the impression that Sony uses it's own DRM that's not compatible w/ the Kindle or the Nook, so basically you're in the same boat w/ the Nook as you are w/ the Kindle, you're limited to the B&N store and the sites mentioned above.  Does the Nook have the library feature?  Even if it does, availability is limited and they treat the licenses just like paper copies, i.e  if they have 5 licenses, they'll only lend the book to 5 people at a time, and the 6th person has to wait for one of the 5 to be returned.

[illmunkeys]

@sabst78:

Yes.  Sony sells ADE DRMed books.  Libraries use ADE DRMed books. The Nook supports ADE DRMed books.

And yes, like physical books, a library can loan only so many.  But them's the breaks for those who want books free.