Difference Between Kindle and Nook

Those who are in the market for a quality e-reader often wonder what the difference is between Amazon’s popular e-reader, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble’s Nook. Each of them is sold by a different vendor, but the differences between the two e-readers go much deeper than that.

Responsiveness

While their display screens and capabilities are very similar, those who have tested the Kindle’s responsiveness, as compared to the Nook’s, have found that the Kindle is much easier to use. The screen on the Nook moves much slower than the screen of the Kindle, which can be maddening for those who read quickly. Readers who are in middle of a sentence when they wish to turn a page may end up incredibly frustrated.

Nook attempts to remedy these concerns by adding an additional touch screen option, but this has also been met with mixed reviews. The Nook’s touch screen option has a slow response time and has been met with derision from users.

Available Content

The Nook tries to trump the Kindle when it comes to available content, but the Kindle’s numbers can be misleading. The Nook is supposed to have over one million newspapers and books available to the user, while the Kindle only has roughly 360,000. However, the Nook inflates their numbers by counting an extra 500,000 e-books that Amazon already has available and does not include in their overall count.

E-readers who are in search of the best prices typically choose the Kindle, as their prices clock in far below those of the Nook, by a whopping 15 percent. The Kindle can also use Sprint and AT&T’s wireless systems in order to connect the user to wireless internet. The Nook user is limited by their location. They can receive free wi-fi service at Barnes & Noble stores, but cannot connect to hot spots where a login is needed.

Features

Nook does include an additional feature for the lending of books that Kindle users are unable to access. The LendMe feature gives users the chance to lend a book for up to two weeks. However, there are several drawbacks that must be noted. The lender is not able to read the book while it is on loan, books can only be lent if the publisher has enabled the feature and only one third of the Barnes and Noble best seller list is available.

There are major differences between the Kindle and Nook’s ability to be used across a multitude of platforms. Kindle users are forced to rely upon the Amazon file format, so there is zero comparability for users who make their purchases from a wide range of different bookstores.

Amazon has tried to remedy this issue by providing an app for their users that allows them to read books that were purchased on their Apple and/or Mac products. The Nook gives users the chance to download their books in a PDF format and read them this way, while the Kindle uses Microsoft Word and the Nook does not.

Readability and Performance

Reliability and performance comparisons also tend to favor the Kindle. Experts have found that while the Nook’s easily removable battery, slimmer shape and memory card slot provide an advantage in hardware, the Kindle is still the superior machine in terms of speed, weight and efficiency. The Kindle is also considerably simpler for new users to figure out.

The Kindle also possesses a battery life that is far superior to that of the Nook. If the wireless has been turned off, then the Kindle can last up to thirty days without ever needing a recharge. Meanwhile, even if the wireless has not been turned on, the Nook’s battery will last a maximum of ten days without being charged.

For consumers who are trying to keep the costs of their e-reader low, the Kindle is available for as little as $79, while Nook prices start at a $99 minimum. These prices are dependent on bonus features, added technology and storage capabilities.

Each of these e-readers possesses a different operational system. While Amazon’s Kindle is run through a Linux operating system, the Nook is powered by Android. There is no memory card slot on the Kindle or a port for memory expansion, two areas where the Nook is considered to be superior to the Kindle.

Ultimately, the e-reader that the consumer chooses will depend on their own personal choices. Users who are in search of an e-reader that will provide them with a display that minimizes glare (for those who like to read outdoors), is constructed with a quality physical design, grants them more choices for adding personal touches and a greater access for additional storage, the Nook is the best choice.

On the other hand, an avid e-reader who is in the market for a product with a colorful display, a library of books that are easy to purchase and/or rent and provides a bevy of helpful features straight from the Amazon ecosystem, then the Kindle will be the e-reader of choice. Users who wish to purchase an e-reader with fast response times and increased web browsing capabilities also typically opt for the Kindle.

Before purchasing an e-reader, it is important to know all of the similarities before coming to a decision. However, it is more crucial to be aware of the differences during the selection process, as these will help you to make the best possible choice. Consider the differences between the Nook and Kindle carefully when it is time for you to decide.

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