Since I’ve had over a month to break in my new Nook Touch (with Glowlight!) I received for my birthday, I thought I’d add my two cents to the ever-going Nook versus Kindle debate. This will be very personal and subjective, so if you’re looking for a technical, feature-by-feature comparison, I would recommend you to the detailed review of the Nook with Glowlight at Dear Author.
Not that I didn’t do a little reading myself in preparation for this post. This article, where the Kindle Touch beats out the new Nook Touch with Glowlight by a smidgeon, is one of my favorites. I agree with most of the potential downsides of the newest Nook. The e-ink to screen contrast isn’t as defined (something I NEVER would’ve noticed until someone pointed it out) and the syncing is nothing near the accuracy of a Kindle. But the reading experience on a Nook Touch is far superior to the Kindle. The weight, shape, size, and feel are all more pleasing and book-like. Instead of the cold, hard, I-am-an-electronic device plastic of my Kindle, the Nook’s rubberized velvety coating simulates the soft cover of your favorite trade paperback. The e-ink to screen contrast, while dimmer, looks less like a computer screen and more like ink on paper. With no headphone jack or speech-to-text function, this is not a multi-use device. But that’s why I love it! It’s dedicated solely to reading. And need the brilliance of the Glowlight even be mentioned? It’s nothing like the severity of a backlit computer, tablet, or smartphone screen, it’s adjustable to countless degrees, and it forever eliminates the bright lamp or annoying clip-on light. At night when I curl up in bed to read a print book, I almost wish I was reading it on my Nook instead, just for that handy Glowlight. Now I am resolved to never read on my phone again. As long-time Nook user Angie once said to me, the fundamental difference arises from the fact that Nooks were designed by and for readers. Now that I’ve become a Nook owner myself, that couldn’t be more true. While I’m glad to have BOTH a Kindle and a Nook now, the ereading experience on my Nook is much more enjoyable, and I’m more inclined to eread and purchase ebooks. Plus I get to support Barnes and Noble in the process. All good things.
Does anyone agree with me? Disagree? Weigh in on the debate in the comments.
It’s really neat to see a review like this. I’ve probably been living under a rock, but I’ve never even picked up a Nook–let alone tried to read anything on one. I’ve been very happy with my Kindle and have never used it for anything other than reading. I might have to look into trying a Nook out! Do you find you read books on both or do you mainly read books on the Nook?
Well I’ve only had the Nook since July but now I avoid reading anything on the Kindle – the reading experience is just that much better. I definitely would recommend trying a Nook – at least holding it – at Barnes and Noble sometime when you have a chance. I couldn’t believe I’d waited so long, and I didn’t even try it at the store. My friend Angie let me hold hers and it was love at first touch!
I might have to try holding one next time I’m in B&N!
I love my Kindle, but the Nook is coming to the UK later this year and I’ve been wondering…
I’m not too bothered by the shape/size/feel of the Kindle (in fact, I like that it’s so light and portable) but this Glowlight sounds so useful! I think a lot of it will depend on the range of books available though.
Do you have a Kindle Touch? I bet yours is lighter and is made out of a different plastic than my ancient Kindle Keyboard. The range of books is not as good though, mostly because of all the Amazon published ebooks. For me it’s not a big deal because I already have Calibre and know how to use it to convert files and strip DRM to read any ebook on any device.
Ah – I didn’t realise the Nook could read non B&N books! I’ll definitely have to check it out in person when it lands.
Yes! Do.
As a Barnes and Noble employee perhaps I am slightly bias, but I’ve found our customers also really like the in-store support. If something goes wrong with the Nook or if you just want someone to show you how to use it to its full capacity all you need to do is visit the Nook desk and you can talk to an actual person.
To be honest, I’ve only fooled around with my mom’s nook a bit but I ADORE my Kindle Fire. To be honest, I wish it had eInk instead of just a regular ‘ole screen, but I put it on sepia tone and dim the brightness while I’m reading so it’s not too bad. Truth be told, I don’t really like ebooks. I’d much rather have a print copy and really only use my kindle for review copies or highly discounted finds or novellas in ebook format only. I do use it a lot for the other apps tho. Games for the kidlets and netflix and all kinds of stuff. But maybe if I had a Nook I’d do more reading on it. I don’t know. But for now I love my Kindle. I’ve talked about getting the basic kindle model with eink but I’m not sold since I still prefer print. I don’t think that’s ever gonna change.
I have an HP tablet for browsing, Netflix, kid apps, etc, so I just need an ereader for reading. I’m glad there’s a sepia option for the Fire, though. I prefer print copies too, though on some occassions I prefer the convenience of my Nook – taking into account its lighter weight, pleasing feel, and the glowlight for night reading. I’ve never brought myself to spend more that 2 or 3.99 at the most for an ebook though. If I have to spend more than that I go with the print copy every time.
I LOVE my Kindle, I can’t imagine not having an e-reader. I was really sad when my old one was dying (the dead pixel line started to appear). I was tempted to get the Nook with Glowlight but B&N doesn’t have international capabilities like Amazon does so I won’t be able to purchase ebooks.
That’s the biggest downside for me. And they just released Kindle Paperwhite that also has the light feature. LOL but my Kindle Touch is only a few months old.
You know, I have a Nook (the first edition) and now I kind of want a kindle but I have to say that one of my main reasons for wanting one is because it is easier to obtain books from NG and Amazon has much better deals than B&N – unless I am seriously missing out on something which could be the case! I also have the first edition without any of the fun bells and whistles (and no backlight) and if I got a Kindle I would totally want the Kindle Fire for all the fancies so really I am still torn and can’t decide if I should stay with B&N (who I adore) or switch to Amazon…then I would have the best of both worlds kinda but it also doesn’t make sense to change! EEP I think I am still confused!! I am happy to hear your thoughts though!
Thanks Alyssa. It really isn’t clear cut at all. Like I said, I’m still glad to have my Kindle, and I will probably use it from time to time. I just won’t get nearly as much of an enjoyable reading experience out of it compared to the Nook, especially since it has no bells and whistles. And now there’s the Kindle Paperwhite, which looks awesome. I wonder how it will compare to the Glowlight?