What the Differences Between the Nook or Kindle Mean for You

In the first article in this series, we looked fairly closely at the Nook vs. Kindle. Below is a quick recap to compare Nook and Kindle, showing the features they both have, and the differences.

After that, we look at what those differences mean to you as a reader, and why the differences might make one eBook reader a better choice than the other.

So, you have narrowed your decision for an eBook reader to either the Nook or Kindle. They have many of the same features, and the reading quality of the experience is basically identical. This means that the other factors that are different are the reasons you need to consider.

• The Kindle 2 and the Nook both use a form of technology commonly called e-ink to render book pages. E-ink gives a very paper like appearance to the words on both eBook readers. It also allows both eBook readers to be read outside, in direct sunlight.

• Both eBook readers have a 6" diagonal screen, and adjustable fonts. Both readers allow you to change the size of the font on the page. This, like the ability to cart around hundreds of books, is one of the joys of an eBook reader.

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• E-Ink does look very much like the print on a paper page. It looks enough like printed material that the fact you are reading on a slim plastic tablet and turn pages with the press of a button becomes completely transparent as you get involved in your story.

• Resolution on both eBook readers is excellent. Even in enlarged fonts, the words do not seem pixilated. They both display 16 shades of gray, which allows contrast in pictures you upload or illustrations in books.

• They both have internal memory storage, although the newest models of Kindle have doubled their internal capacity.

• Both readers have a dictionary which can be accessed while reading.

• Neither eBook reader comes with a cover when you buy it.

• They both have a 3.5mm jack for headphones, a wall charger, and a USB cable to connect to your computer.

• They now are both selling a WiFi only version for less than their 3G version.

Nook product image and Amazon product image

• Because the earlier Kindle had only 2GB internal storage, it was limited to about 1500 books, give or take a few 100, or a lesser number, depending how many MP3 or audiobook files you add. Unfortunately, audiobook files do take up a lot of space, so those who like to listen to their content may hit a frustrating limit of their space. However, Amazon increased internal storage and has released a WiFi-only edition of their reader, cutting the price to $10 below the B&N WiFi-only reader This means, although you still do not have the ability to use external media, you can store up to 3500 eBooks on the Kindle now. The effects of this change does not negate Nook's external storage capacity, but does increase the potential of the Kindle.

• You can move content off the Kindle and onto your computer, and Amazon also keeps a copy of every book you purchase from them, which you can download to your Kindle again, if you have removed it.

• While the Amazon battery is rated to last for years of recharges, it must be sent to Amazon to have a new one put in.

• While most discussions of the Nook say it has a 3.5" touchscreen, you should be aware the screen is just over an inch wide, not an impression you are always given. This means the virtual keyboard on the Nook is pretty small - not really bigger than a smartphone with a keyboard. The Kindle does not have a touchscreen - but it does have a keyboard.

• The Nook does not have the same international wireless coverage that the Kindle does. The re-priced Nook has a 3G version available for $199, which makes it slightly more expensive than the 3G equipped Kindle 2.

• You can expand the number of books you can carry around on the Nook, or add a number of MP3 files or audiobooks. If you wanted, you could set up multiple micro SD card with themes of books, music and pictures, and change them as you wanted.

On the next page, we look at the points in favor of buying the Nook. On the last page of the article, we see what makes the Kindle 2 the choice you may want.