There have been Nook vs Kindle comparisons before but since much has changed with both devices after more than a year, it's time for another round. The odds then were clearly not in favor of the newcomer on the block - the Nook - but with its much improved features, can it now be seriously considered a "Kindle killer"?
There hasn't been a lack of Nook vs Kindle comparisons since the Barnes & Noble device was unveiled,
but with upgrades recently made in both devices, it's time to revisit the battle ground, with this round evaluating the latest releases of the top two ebook readers.
It can't be denied that in previous match-ups, especially with those that used the initial edition of the Nook, the comparison was clearly lopsided, in favor of course, with the Amazon Kindle. When the Barnes & Noble Nook first came out, reviews weren't too kind, citing the device as "buggy" among other things.
More than a year after its first release however, we now see a better B & N device. It now sports a twice-upgraded firmware, addressing the original issues of performance. But then again, the past year has also seen the launch of a more compact, lighter, and well, better Kindle from Amazon. The question now is, which is the better ereader?
Design and Size
Amazon has down sized its ebook reading gadget by 21% and slashed off a few ounces, revealing a more compact, more portable reader. While the Kindle's 7.5 inches by 4.8 inches by 0.335 inch don't differ all that much from the Nook's 7.7 inches by 4.9 inches by 0.5 inch, when you put these dimensions together with the weight difference - 8.7 ounces for the former and 121 ounces for the latter - the Amazon ereader gets the edge.
Display Type and Interface
E-ink technology, which reads like real paper, is deemed to be the best type of display for dedicated ebook readers, and both the Kindle and Nook use this technology. The two even have the same e-ink display size - 6-inch diagonal. Despite these similarities though, Amazon has some edge here as it has used the latest e-ink Pearl technology in the K3, which is said to provide 50% better contrast.
For navigation, the Kindle goes "old school" while the Nook shows its got the more advanced technology. Navigating through the Amazon device requires the user to deal with push buttons, a physical keyboard, and a 5-way controller. The Barnes & Noble ereader employs more advanced technology as it offers touch technology via its small color LCD.
Battery and Storage
When it comes to battery performance, the Kindle takes this round. The K3 battery is said to last a whopping 30 days with the wireless turned off. The best Nook can do is a third of that time or 10 days. One thing the B & N gadget has in its favor though, is that it has a replaceable battery whereas a Kindle needing a new battery must be sent back to Amazon.
The Kindle has a larger internal memory and can store up to 3,500 books. The B & N device can only store up to 1,500 books in its internal memory but then again, it has a microSD slot for added memory if needed.
Kindle vs Nook: Which Ebook Reader Wins?
While what we've discussed in this Nook vs Kindle review are only the basic features that these devices offer, the improvements made are already apparent. What's not as easy is to choose which ereader wins in this head-to-head match up.
But if we've got to pick one, I'd say the Amazon Kindle still gets it. I'd still give props to the Nook for coming very close in this one and if only it could have offered better battery performance, a more compact design, and global wireless coverage, then the scales could have tipped in its favor.
But still, it's all your choice. Do you think the Nook's e-ink and color touch screen combination work well with you? Or would you rather have the lighter Kindle for marathon reading sessions? It's all up to you.
