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russspeakeasy

(6,539 posts)
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 09:46 AM Jan 2012

I am trying to decide between a Kindle and a Nook.

I will be using it to download books from the library and of course, purchasing some other books.
I read outside most of the time, so I'm a little concerned about the glare.
If you have any ideas which device would serve my purpose the best, I would welcome your advice.
Is there much difference between the $79 Kindle and the $99 Nook?
Thanks in advance.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I am trying to decide between a Kindle and a Nook. (Original Post) russspeakeasy Jan 2012 OP
The $99 Nook has an 'e-ink' display that's very easy to read in sunlight. Richardo Jan 2012 #1
All the Kindle's ohheckyeah Jan 2012 #2
Check with your library. Staph Jan 2012 #3
I would echo that advice - we live in a major metropolitan area TBF Jan 2012 #4
The main selling point I had for Nook over Kindle Melissa G Jan 2012 #5
I advise AGAINST the Kindle LearnedHand Jan 2012 #6
Interesting... mvccd1000 Jan 2012 #9
maybe i was just really unlucky LearnedHand Jan 2012 #17
If you're getting the basic device, get a Kindle. TheWraith Jan 2012 #7
My wife loves her Kindle. ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #8
Thanks for all the excellent advice. I ordered the basic kindle today russspeakeasy Jan 2012 #10
There are lots of free ohheckyeah Jan 2012 #11
Thanks, I really appreciate the info. russspeakeasy Jan 2012 #12
You're welcome ohheckyeah Jan 2012 #13
I have the basic Kindle & LOVE it. Lex Jan 2012 #16
Here are some links for you (I also have the Kindle, and the Nook) The Straight Story Jan 2012 #18
compromise and get a kook. Warren Stupidity Jan 2012 #14
Both are available as apps for the iPhone/iPad, but Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2012 #15

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
2. All the Kindle's
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 12:23 PM
Jan 2012

except for the Kindle Fire I think use e-ink. I have the Kindle Keyboard which I love. My nephew has a Nook but said he wished he had the Kindle Keyboard. I use the keyboard a lot when I'm shopping in the Kindle store and when I'm making categories for my books.

I have never seen or used the $79 Kindle or any Nook so I can only speak to the Kindle I have. I love it and I think Amazon makes things really simple. Barnes and Noble may make things simple for ordering as well but I just don't know.

The Kindle gives you a Kindle email address that you can mail documents to your Kindle which I like as well.

I think the services offered by the two companies are almost as important as which e-reader you get. Amazon let's you upload a gift card and then deducts the cost of any book from it automatically if you want. There is a page that archives all of your books so if you delete a book you can re-download it for free from your archives. I don't know what B&N offers....maybe someone else can speak to that.

Staph

(6,346 posts)
3. Check with your library.
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 12:27 PM
Jan 2012

Mine only added Kindle-accessible books in the last 4 or 5 months, and many books are still only available in epub format.


TBF

(34,315 posts)
4. I would echo that advice - we live in a major metropolitan area
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 01:40 PM
Jan 2012

and the Kindle-accessible books are pretty limited. No idea about Nook.

I have to say I love my Kindle keyboard - and there are many classics that are free and much fiction that can be bought for under $5 ... that may be true for Nook as well.

Edited to add - also service from Amazon for Kindle is surprisingly good. There's a toll free number and they help you immediately if your book freezes.

Melissa G

(10,170 posts)
5. The main selling point I had for Nook over Kindle
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 01:44 PM
Jan 2012

was that Nook can read pdfs for books from the library. Kindle reads kindle books. Libraries have more pdfs or e pubs or whatever kindle does not read. That was what swung me.

Also my personal info in the amazon cloud was not appealing. Nook does not do that.

That said, I have been reading a lot on my note book as well. I have been to lazy to upload to my Nook.

LearnedHand

(4,050 posts)
6. I advise AGAINST the Kindle
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 02:33 PM
Jan 2012

I read A LOT -- more than 100 books per year -- and I burned through THREE Kindle devices in fewer than two years. I mean, they physically died. On the first two, the page turner buttons broke. I purchased a next-gen Kindle, and in about 6 months, the battery burned the device up. I demanded my money back from Amazon and ended up purchasing a Samsung Galaxy tablet.

NOTE: I still use the Kindle app on my tablet -- I like Amazon's book-buying experience WAY better than B&N's -- but I'll NEVER buy an Amazon-built device again.

mvccd1000

(1,534 posts)
9. Interesting...
Wed Jan 18, 2012, 12:00 AM
Jan 2012

I also average about a hundred books a year, and the only problem I've had with a kindle was forgetting it in my back pocket and sitting in the car. ("Craaaack&quot

I called Amazon and told them that through my own fault, I had broken my kindle by sitting on it. They had a new kindle in the mail to me that day - for free! - along with a link to print out a label to return the broken one for free.

I haven't had any other issues with kindle, but I sure can't fault Amazon's customer service after that.

LearnedHand

(4,050 posts)
17. maybe i was just really unlucky
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 10:29 PM
Jan 2012

but after purchasing two separate Kindles and four total returns, I decided maybe Amazon had never designed the Kindle for people who read six or eight books per month. and it was ALWAYS an ordeal to deal with their overseas staff.

TheWraith

(24,331 posts)
7. If you're getting the basic device, get a Kindle.
Tue Jan 17, 2012, 04:56 PM
Jan 2012

The Kindle format and service is vastly more widespread, better supported, and with more titles.

russspeakeasy

(6,539 posts)
10. Thanks for all the excellent advice. I ordered the basic kindle today
Wed Jan 18, 2012, 11:41 PM
Jan 2012

and they said I should receive it in 4 business days. I will let everyone know how I like it.
My local library has not coverted to eBooks yet, but they claim they will have it up and running in one more month.
I want it primarily for just a reader.
Now I'm looking for some good "free, or low cost" eBooks.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
11. There are lots of free
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 12:16 AM
Jan 2012

books at Amazon. Type in "free kindle books" and choose books for the "search" option instead of the Kindle store. Tons of books and I've found new authors by getting free books.

Also - you can download samples of many books which consist of a couple of chapters to see how you like the book before you buy it.

I hope you got a cover for the Kindle so it doesn't get scratched. If you didn't and are looking for one try the mCover (if they have it to fit the original Kindle). It's pretty good and a lot cheaper than the Amazon cover.

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
13. You're welcome
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 02:37 PM
Jan 2012

Here are a couple of new authors I found:

L.J. Sellers - mysteries:

The Suicide Effect 99¢

Passions of the Dead 99¢

Thrilled to Death 99¢

Rebecca Forster - Legal thrillers:

Hostile Witness - free (#1 in the series)

Silent Witness - $2.99 (#2 in the series)

Privileged Witness - $2.99 (#3 in the series)

Lex

(34,108 posts)
16. I have the basic Kindle & LOVE it.
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 08:45 PM
Jan 2012

So very easy on my eyes. Even easier on my eyes than regular type on a regular book page--not kidding! And you can adjust the font size up too, if you prefer.





Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)
15. Both are available as apps for the iPhone/iPad, but
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 07:39 PM
Jan 2012

I ended up choosing Kindle because it had a particular book that I needed for a discussion group.

However, I use the iBook app a lot more than I use the Kindle.

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