I'm an avid reader so ruling out the ipad was an easy decision since it is pretty much as uncomfortable as reading a book on my laptop. Although it can do many things other than display books, the screen will hurt your eyes after a while. The e ink screen is amazing. So, i chose the nook and here are some reasons to consider if you can't decide either.
1) Books: not only do you have a choice from the ones barnes & noble offers, but you also get access to free books from google books and you can pretty much buy books from any other site that sells books in pdf and epub format. (ie. ebooks.com).
2) Public Library Books: This was a huge thing. Public libraries around the country have been using a system called overdrive. My local libraries use it and all I have to do is go to overdrive.com and search for a nearby library. I can check out an ebook that they offer for 3 weeks using my library card and download it to my computer onto adobe digital editions, plug my nook into my computer, and drag and drop the book onto my nook. After the time is up, it simply erases from your device and is automatically returned. I was surprised that my local barnes and noble weren't even aware of this feature.
3) Free desserts and books from Barnes and Noble stores: Take your nook to your local store and when your device connects to the wifi network at the store they offer you free items from the starbucks and exclusive free books that you can only download in the store. Very nice.
4) User replaceable battery: the kindle doesn't have a color touchscreen. The touchscreen tends to drain the battery quicker than the kindle, but if you want, you can buy an extra battery or two and swap them if absolutely necessary. The battery lasts me long enough, but at least you have that option. Also if the battery fails, you don't need to send the device back to amazon to get it replaced.
5) 50 dollar gift card: I used it to buy a case and the remainder to buy books.
There are a few other cool little features like "lend me" that made me choose the nook, but the ones I listed really attracted me to this amazing device. Don't get me wrong, I love the kindle. I think it's great that you can take it all over the world and have access to books and newspapers wherever you go. This device suits me better though. I hope this helps.
Discussion about
Nook, kindle, or ipad? Get the nook. I was torn between the three devices.
My GF is looking at the e-readers as well and the fact that library books can be checked out and put onto the nook just about sealed the deal for her. Personally I like the fact that it us using the more open ePud standard which means we can hopefully get books from other stores to put on here.
I'm a pretty big e-book fan, but I can't say I agree. They're all great devices, but the iPad is much easier to read on than I initially expected, and it's far, far more versatile.
Also, not having any physical buttons means the device is much more flexible and efficient in use (for example, I feel Amazon's Kindle app on the iPad is far better than the OS running its physical Kindle devices).
Also, not having any physical buttons means the device is much more flexible and efficient in use (for example, I feel Amazon's Kindle app on the iPad is far better than the OS running its physical Kindle devices).
I would agree that the iPad is pretty easy to read on but at the same time, it just isn't all there in terms of sharpness. I hate to pull a Paul Miller here but pixel density really matters when I'm reading. I don't care about LCD vs E-ink but I need the stuff that I am reading to look sharper and at this point, the Kindle is in the lead.
If I had to buy one, I'd probably get the iPad though just for all the added functionality.
If I had to buy one, I'd probably get the iPad though just for all the added functionality.
While I agree to an extent, making a blanket statement like that is a bit overreaching, don't you think? As a tech enthusiast myself I can totally fall into your camp and state that the iPad is the overall better device.
That being said you have to take the target audience into consideration. Too often we forget that the rest of the world isn't as techy as we are. They may not care about smart phones and similarly they may just not care about all of the other features an iPad can do.
Besides, an iPad is a fairly heavy and expensive device. You can't really just throw it into a purse (unprotected to say the least) and be on your way like you can with a Kindle or Nook. While we might like to check our blogs or email for the five minutes we have to kill in line or at the coffee shop, someone else just may want to read a chapter in a book and that is all.
That being said you have to take the target audience into consideration. Too often we forget that the rest of the world isn't as techy as we are. They may not care about smart phones and similarly they may just not care about all of the other features an iPad can do.
Besides, an iPad is a fairly heavy and expensive device. You can't really just throw it into a purse (unprotected to say the least) and be on your way like you can with a Kindle or Nook. While we might like to check our blogs or email for the five minutes we have to kill in line or at the coffee shop, someone else just may want to read a chapter in a book and that is all.
I agree with a lot of your points. I got a Nook for my wife and she loves it. I just got an iPad and downloaded the B&N app and the iBooks app. The iPad is a bit heavier and the screen makes it tough to read while standing on the train or outside. I do like the reading experience as long as I'm not in direct sunlight.
Personally, I wanted the versatility of the iPad (my 3 1/2 year old loves it). However, my wife wanted a straight e-reader, and uses her phone for other tasks. We're seeing if we can purchase one copy of a book through B&N on the Nook and see if I can download it on the iPad via her account. That would be a great way to save a few bucks and have the freedom to take your time to read a book.
Personally, I wanted the versatility of the iPad (my 3 1/2 year old loves it). However, my wife wanted a straight e-reader, and uses her phone for other tasks. We're seeing if we can purchase one copy of a book through B&N on the Nook and see if I can download it on the iPad via her account. That would be a great way to save a few bucks and have the freedom to take your time to read a book.
With the whole eye thing I've noticed I can't stare at my macbook for too long or my eyes start to blur. Has never happened on my other laptop or my desktop.
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