Nook Vs Kindle: The Battle Of Ebook Readers

There have been Nook vs Kindle comparisons in the past year, but since so much has changed with both devices, it's time for another round, this time comparing the latest versions of the two popular 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. A couple of firmware upgrades have given it a much improved performance. On the other hand, Amazon has also unveiled a smaller, lighter, and generally, better Kindle. So which ereader takes the cake?

Size and Design

Amazon has down sized its ebook reading gadget by 21% and slashed off a few ounces, revealing a more compact, more portable reader. Its dimensions of 7.5 inches by 4.8 inches by 0.335 inch make for a device that's noticeably smaller than the Nook which measures 7.7 inches by 4.9 inches by 0.5 inch. The K3 is lighter too, tipping the scales at just 8.7 ounces, while the Barnes & Noble ereader weighs 12.1 ounces.

Display

The Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook both utilize e-ink, the technology that renders ebooks just like a physical book. They even have similarly sized 6-inch diagonal screens. 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.

User Interface

When it comes to navigation, the Amazon device keeps it simple and easy, while the Nook goes for a hi-tech interface. You can navigate within the K3 by pushing buttons and using the 5-way controller, and searches and annotations are made using a physical keyboard. With the Barnes & Noble ereader, you get a color touch screen right below the e-ink screen which allows you to choose books, find pages, and search through the Nook Bookstore.

Battery Life

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.

Storage

With 2G of internal memory, the Kindle can already carry up to 3,500 books and documents. The Nook can store a lot less books in its internal memory - about 1,500 in all - but it does have a microSD slot for additional storage.

Kindle vs Nook: Which Ereader 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 after all is said and done, I'd give this one to the Amazon Kindle. 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.

That said though, it still comes down to a matter of choice. Is the Nook's dual-screen an interesting feature for you? Or would you rather have the lighter Kindle for marathon reading sessions? It's decision time.

What are your thoughts on this Nook vs Kindle review? Visit us to access other reviews and comparisons and find out which one is the best portable ebook reader (in our opinion anyway).