I can’t imagine doing something like that with what looks on a strictly physical dimension: an over sized iPod. However a few of my friends have gotten e-Readers (One of which will be doing a similar review over at Milady Geek) and they all seem to enjoy them. So, while I’m not rushing out to purchase one: I figured that I would look into the issue and see what I could come up with.
As a quick disclaimer – I am not even considering Sony’s e-reader because of a personal bias towards Sony products. The only company I have had more negative experiences with then Sony is AT&T…which I unfortunately have to use for home internet access and access on the Kindle or Nook…but that’s that. More on personal biases later...
The market seems to be largely composed of either the Nook or Kindle. First thing of course that stands out is pricing: both are fairly comparable (Homepage listings - Nook w/ 3G+Wi-Fi is $199, Kindle $189). Right off the bat I score the Nook with a point for having the option of a slightly less expensive version (W/ just Wi Fi is $149) for those of us who are perpetually broke, also for the fact that I can actually go into a Barnes & Noble store and hold one and try it out before purchase. However, this point is almost immediately offset for the same reason.
While I had a positive hand-on experience at Barnes & Noble yesterday looking at one, I’m sure it’s a branch-to-branch thing. Some outlets will be having one on display in pristine conditions while others are covered in mysterious sticky substances best left un-guessed at. Also, while you can purchase one with just Wi-Fi, I think it significantly degrades the usefulness of the gadget. The whole point of this is to be able to download and read books on the go, and if I am looking for something new to read I don’t want to have to hunt down an AT&T hot spot. I can easily envision the frustration of running around an airport trying to find one while a Borders or some other newsstand/book vendor is aggravatingly close by.
Since price is about the same, I looked at the warranty coverage, and considering I’m clumsy as shit: a good warranty could be a selling point. Both have decent one-year coverage and optional two-year coverage which will cover your klutzy antics at least once. No great difference in either plan.
So with that: we are back to square one. Kindle is slightly cheaper then the high-end Nook but in the end you are still forking over $200+ for the luxury of having one of those pads Captain Kirk would sign all the time in Star Trek.
So aside from price and availability of products, I take a gander at basic functionality. Battery life is 14 days on the Kindle without wireless active, with the Nook only lasting 10. This I initially dismissed considering that I am rarely hiking through the mountains for weeks on end or anywhere where some form of outlet isn’t available for recharge. However, the whole point of these things is that they are supposed to be supremely portable, so I have to score the Kindle a point for the prolonged battery life (Kindle 1 – Nook 0).
I liked how the controls on the Nook worked, and haven’t heard any complaints about the Kindle either, but since I haven’t had hands-on time with the Kindle I can’t award or detract points for this. However, one of the best written reviews I’ve seen during my research at Evil Genius Chronicles did a side-by-side comparison of the two. Apparently the Nook is slower at loading up a book (they clocked it at 15-30 seconds vs. the Kindle took under a second). Also, the Nook has a function to change font type and size, but it takes a while to load. So Kindle gets a point for being a little quicker on the ball. However, the Nook does have the option for a back-light and is supposedly easier on the eyes, and while slow the ability to change fonts is pretty cool. I don’t know about anyone else, but I can only read Arial for so long before my eyes start to glaze over. So (Kindle 2 – Nook 1)
As far as memory is concerned, both apparently have the same 2GB internal, but the Nook has a micro SD slot. I have more then a few of those cards lying around, so the ability to load books on them for extra space is pretty awesome. Also, I have a large collection of pdf files for D&D, Dark Heresy, and other paper-and-pencil RPG’s, and while both can read pdf files, the ability to just keep a separate card for all my gaming books is pretty awesome. So while it may take a bit to load – being able to carry all of my nerdage around on a little card is pretty sweet. (Kindle 2 – Nook 2)
Both have some web-browsing and social networking tools. I’m jazzed about none of them and don’t really care what kind of peripherals you can pick up for them. I’m just looking for a more portable alternative to my library. It should be said that no review I read said anything positive about the web-browsing function. However with the possibility of more third-party apps that the Nook’s compatibility with the new Android would provide, if you are looking to put apps or extra gadgets on there the Nook would do you better. However, if you want to have a bunch of apps and check Twitter every twenty minutes or hop on to water your gay plants in Farmville: Just save up for a damn iPad. However since as I previously stated I don’t really care about apps or web browsing, I cannot in good conscious give the Nook a point on this.
You can also share your recent purchases with friends if you have a Nook. However, while I love loaning out books to people, I only have 14 days or so using the Nook. It’s still better then NOT being able to share books…but I really don’t like how I don’t have a right to do with my purchases as I please. Perhaps if they did an ‘up to three’ sharing thing I might get all excited for it…but no. So I award Nook no points (or deduct any), I just thought this was also worth mentioning.
So in conclusion – They are pretty much tied. I think it all comes down to personal preference or what you or your friends already have. I have also noticed a lot has to do with reviews. Because there are a lot out there that are pretty aggressively one-sided. It was hard to find any opinion that didn’t feel at least just a little bias one way or another.
My own personal opinion – stepping out of the illusions of neutrality and shedding off the uncharacteristic trait of impartiality…What do I personally think? I am kind of in favor of the Nook. Part of it is my long-time devotion to Barnes & Noble. I have always LOVED there stores. I used to sometimes go down to one I lived near in Silverdale when I wanted a quiet day away. I would park my ass in the Literature section and re-read some Steinbeck and let the rainy day pass. I have always found their sales people to be friendly and knowledgeable, and have never had a complaint when I’ve had to return something (even once when I lost the receipt).
Unbiased advertising at its finest:
Plus “Nook” is more fun to say then “Kindle”. Kindle makes me think of the little-folk from Willow. Nook is just fun. Nook. Nook. Nook. Nook. He he he…it is almost as fun to say as Scuba. Scuba. Scuba. He he he…So if I end up buying one: I’m probably going to get a Nook unless I see further damning evidence from either camp of fanatic fans.
Some of the articles I reviewed in making this assesment:
Evil Genius Chronicles "Kindle Vs. Nook, My experience"
Macintouch Kindle Review
Brandonlive Kindle Review
The Dreaming Cafe Kindle Review
Business Week's Review
Gizmodo "Barnes & Noble Nook Review"
Gizmodo "8 Reasons you can finally love ebook readers thanks to Nook"
CNET Kindle Review
CRN review
Engadget Kindle 2 Review
Crunch Gear "10 Reasons to buy a kindle 2 and 10 reasons not to"
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