There are many different eBook readers available on the market these days, but three stand out from the pack: the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook and the Apple iPad. Each has their own pluses and minuses and all are fabulous devices, but its easy to get overwhelmed with all of the features. If you’re in the market for an eBook reader and are looking at the Kindle, Nook or iPad, check out my handy guide below which will help you make your decision.
The Amazon Kindle
There are two varieties of the Kindle – the Wi-Fi only version, and the Wi-Fi + 3G. The Wi-Fi only version is priced at $139, while the Wi-Fi + 3G version is priced at $189. Amazon touts their new 3rd generation devices as their best yet.
The Kindle sports a 6-inch E Ink screen, which if you are not familiar with, is much easier on the eyes than your traditional laptop or desktop screen. Looking at one, it looks amazingly like a matte piece of paper, and there is no glare or reflections. It’s exceptionally light and sized closer than ever to a mass market paperback book, so it doesn’t feel like you are holding a clunky device.
The downside of the Kindle is its refresh rate, which Amazon says they have improved. It’s still not quite as fast as flipping a page in a traditional book, and this is because of the E Ink screen. But, in terms of the Kindle, it’s their best reading experience yet.
The Kindle also features the Webkit browser, which is sufficient if you just want to look something up online while you’re reading, but it’s definitely not for heavy or regular internet use. Still, it’s interesting to see the Web in full-on grayscale.
The latest version also supports PDF files, which is a major bonus, but it does not yet support EPUB files (boo!). There’s also a feature that allows you to share your books.
Who Should Buy It:
Those who just want a nice reading experience, and who aren’t concerned about all the bells and whistles. As of publication, the Kindle Store has just over 900,000 titles to choose from, so you’ll have a fairly good selection of books to choose from. If you’re an Amazon Associate and earn gift certificates for your commission, this might also sway your choice because you can apply them to your purchase. The same goes for SwagBucks users who might cash in their points for Amazon gift cards.
The Barnes & Noble Nook
There are actually two varieties of the Nook to choose from, the Nook ($149) and NookColor ($249). The standard Nook features a 6-inch E Ink screen and is most similar to the Kindle. If all you want to do is read, this is a great device.
The NookColor features a 7-inch, full-color touchscreen LCD screen, and offers enhanced books, magazines, newspapers, & interactive kids books, and can be used as a media player as well.
Both the Nook and NookColor include the unique LendMe feature, which allows you to share eBooks with your friends, something that the Kindle lacks. B&N also has a Lifetime Library, which allows you to store your favorite books for download anytime, anywhere, with any device that you have the Nook app installed on.
With over 2 million titles to choose from, you’ve got a great selection of books to read.
Who Should Buy It:
If you want lots of choice in terms of titles, the Nook has it. B&N has more than twice the number of titles available as the Kindle. If you want an upgraded reading experience, with color instead of grayscale, a nice internet browsing experience, and lots of features, get the NookColor.
The Apple iPad
The Apple iPad is not a dedicated eBook reader. Rather, it is a computer device with eBook reader functionalities and capabilities. The iPad features a 9.1-inch full-color touchscreen LCD, and because of it’s larger screen size you can turn the screen horizontally and have 2 pages of an eBook open at a time, just like a real book. Just like the NookColor though, the downside is that it is LCD, so you might not be able to read on it comfortably for as long as you could on a device with an E Ink screen.
The iTunes store offers you both eBooks and audiobooks that you can download to your iPad (as well as your iPhone and iPod). The 2nd generation model that was recently released starts at 16GB of storage and $499, with prices and storage capacity going up from there.
Who Should Buy It:
Casual readers or those who want a tablet computer first that can also serve as an eBook reader. Apple fanboys and iTunes addicts will also like this.
My thoughts:
If you’re a serious reader and don’t care about frills, go for the Kindle or the Nook. If you want something with all the bells and whistles, the NookColor is your best value and the iPad is the best all-in-one device. If I were to be in the market to buy an eBook reader now, my choice would be the NookColor, which you can also reportedly hack and turn into an Android tablet computer.
Readers – what eBook reader do you have? Do you like it? What made you choose it over the others? Do you have any additional tips and advice for our readers? Please share in the comments!
The Kindle has a feature that you can loan books.
Another vote for the Nook–as of now, Libraries can checkout ebooks for Nooks and the Sony eReader but not the Kindle. We have had to turn away a large number of people that wanted ebooks but had Kindles and Amazon won’t allow us to check out itmes for it.
I went for the Kindle and iPad combo, the Kindle is just a wonderful reading experience, especially in bright light and the iPad does everything else, both are so light that there is absolutely no problem carrying both around at the same time.
I have the Bookeen Cybook Orizon. I wanted something that:
- didn’t have backlighting
- enabled making notes
- was just and eBook reader and nothing more
The notes have been implemented rather poorly, I’m sad to say. Though I have high hopes they’ll fix that in a future upgrade. :-)
I would buy this one again.
Be careful when comparing available books between Kindle and Nook. The Nook lists many free, older, public domain works as part of their available catalog. It’s easy to find multiple copies of these books as well. For instance, the Nook includes 35 English language versions of Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” ranging in price from $13.99 to free. My experience is that both Nook and Kindle are well represented with current titles from major and independent publishers.
One last thought on the iPad. Not only can this device read ebooks from the iBooks store, but it can also read Kindle and Nook ebooks via official apps from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
It should be pointed out that, ultimately, the iPad has the biggest selection of books of the three. Not only do you have access to everything in the iBooks store, and the ability to load PDF and ePub files obtained elsewhere, but the Kindle and B&N eReader apps also give you access to any eBooks that you buy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If selection of books is your primary concern, the iPad is the winner, hands down.
I vote for the Sony Reader. I’ve owned a PRS 505 (older model) for years and it’s still working great after being hauled in a bag for a while. I can load epub’s galore in it from blogs, newspapers, etc…The book selection is fine and with independent third party sites now selling ePub files, I can purchase more books at a better price than with Kindle (which doesn’t view ePub) or Nook. I refuse to buy an iPad because of Apple consistently bad business practice of wanting users to pay a premium for their product, including eBooks. I wrote a post on their recent attempt to hijack Sony over a reader app that Sony Developed for the iPad:
http://scottcheatham.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/apples-attempt-to-hijack-ebooks/
When my Sony Reader quits, I’ll likely but another one. They don’t get as much love but they are much better build readers.
Kindle can also lend books. It couldn’t at first, but Amazon quickly followed Barnes & Noble with that capability. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200549320
The iPad is significantly heavier than the nook or Kindle. The LCD screen is difficult to read outside, but the eInk screens are awesome in direct sunlight.
My wife has a Kindle and loves it. I have an iPad, and also love it, but most of my reading is at night, in the dark.
I have a Kindle, but if I were buying now, I would get a Nook. Nooks are compatible with the types of eBooks that libraries lend. Kindles are not.
I have a Kindle for real reading. Any time I’m going to sit down and actually read for a while I always go with my Kindle. Great selection and e-ink display is wonderful. Also, I ONLY use it for reading books, no web browsing, or even short form reading (news articles, etc.)
I also have an iPad loaded with the Kindle app. I use the iPad mostly for things other than reading (web surfing, games, etc.). When I want to read a couple of pages I’ll pop open the Kindle iPad app.
And I have an iPhone with the Kindle app for really short reading (waiting in line).
Oh, and I occasionally use the PC/Mac Kindle app too but rarely. I really just prefer Amazon’s book selection but I think the Nook/Nook color are great too.
I wonder why the Kobo doesn’t get the love. It’s wireless, has a readable screen, supports epub and very reasonably priced. I’ve been reading ebooks lately on an iPad loaner from work and I love it for not just the ebooks but the great color and multitasking features but the $ premium is too high for me personally. When it returns to work I will be back to the Kobo.
I wonder why the Kobo doesn’t get the love. It’s wireless, has a readable screen, supports epub and very reasonably priced. I’ve been reading ebooks lately on an iPad loaner from work and I love it for not just the ebooks but the great color and multitasking features but the $ premium is too high for me personally. When it returns to work I will be back to the Kobo.
I have and love my Kindle 3g wifi but that said, I’m new in this arena and strictly use it for reading and wanted something lightweight and easy on the eyes. I sit in front of a pc all day, that’s the last thing I wanted afterwards. Now I also have a few games, and now sometimes go online with it too. I don’t know about the other devices but I’m a huge fan of the Kindle Android app which lets me keep reading on my phone if I don’t have my Kindle; the two sync back and forth so I’m always up to date.
I bought a Nook Color, for half the price of an iPad I have all the functionality (I rooted it) that fits in my pockets… oh yeah, I can read books too ;)
My big concern abut an eBook reader is the content standards. If I buy a paper book, it will still be usable in 15 years, unless I lose it or drop it in a puddle. I worry that an eBook I buy might become unusable if standards and technologies change. I have music and movies on a variety of media (casettes, VHS, etc) that I can’t use anymore, and I am serious enough about books that I can’t stomach the possibility my books might become inaccessible. When I have a guarantee that my books won’t go he way of VHS, I will start buying eBooks.
David Kaiser, PhD
Time Management Coach for Authentic Leaders
http://www.DarkMatterConsulting.com
Add me to the Nook fans – I got a nook color for $250, rooted it and now have a very nice android tablet that reads all the nook materials, runs the Kindle app for kindle-only titles, and plays a mean game of angry birds :-)
I don’t have an e-reader, yet if I were to purchase one I’d probably go with a Nook because I know I could take it into my local B&N store if I needed a tutorial or help. We don’t have a local Apple store. I did see a Kindle disply at our local Staples so perhaps Amazon is now partnering with Staples to provide real-person assistance, something only B&N had above the rest.
There is a third choice, the Sony e-reader. It has the E Ink screen and the pages turn quickly. I haven’t had any trouble finding books at their e-store and you can down load books from most public libraries.
I went with a Nook Color over a Kindle because the Nook allows you to read books that you got from other sources … like Google books or my local library (through Overdrive). I am not limited to books that I purchase from Barnes & Noble.
I went with a Nook Color over a Kindle because the Nook allows you to read books that you got from other sources … like Google books or my local library (through Overdrive). I am not limited to books that I purchase from Barnes & Noble.
My vote is for iPad and Nook Color. The inverting of black for white with the eink screens on page turns is just too disconcerting for me. Plus the contrast of dark grey on light grey is worse than a physical book and the resolution just annoys me.
Because I spend most of my adding time indoors both the Nook Color and iPad are perfect for me. Especially when I can also read magazines and watch video on them.
My vote is for iPad and Nook Color. The inverting of black for white with the eink screens on page turns is just too disconcerting for me. Plus the contrast of dark grey on light grey is worse than a physical book and the resolution just annoys me.
Because I spend most of my adding time indoors both the Nook Color and iPad are perfect for me. Especially when I can also read magazines and watch video on them.
I use a Nook color. In addition to reading, I can load all of the documents I need at meetings during the day and refer to them as I go. Very helpful in terms of cutting back on paper and keeping reference material nearby.
Thank you, for such a clear and comprehensive post. Since I’ve been reading you, I feel I have begun to understand more about this topic. Please keep writing. I hope people are listening to you and reading you.
I tried the sony ereader prs700. It was fine for regular text styled books, but forget anything like computer books in pdf that are image heavy. Also forget image scanned PDFs.
I now use a viewsonic gtab and the ezpdf reader from the android market. Wifi only, but 100 bucks cheaper than the iPad. Plus it has external USB port (support for 3g/4g dongles) and external micro SD. You can get them for about 280 on sale or refurb
Best part is no iTunes handcuffing me so I can plug it wherever I want and put whatever I want on it. And did I mention Flash?
Personally I love the Ipad, it really helps with my writing and being able to take it on the go. But the kindle is a great book platform which I also use since I publish E-books. Great read nonetheless. keep up the great work here guys!
Thanks for sharing this friend. i was plan to buy ipad but after i read this, i change my decision and want to buy nookcolor.
[...] Kindle, Nook or iPad? How to Choose the Right eBook Reader for You (lifehack.org) [...]
After doing a fair amount of research last summer, I went with the Nook wi-fi. I liked the ability to expand the storage, the fact that I could borrow books from the library, and (at the time) Project Gutenburg had epub as a download format. The e-ink technology is great and I can read my Nook in any light that I can read an analog book in (unlike the Nook Color and iPad). I’d say any of the e-ink devices are good for serious readers.
Bookeen Cybook Orizon, thank you very much. It’s nice and gets the job done while looking pretty as well.
I have a nook (not color) and I absolutely love it, the only annoying thing is that if you let it completely die you have to wait till it completely recharges before it will turn on. Other than this I have never had a problem.
I have Nook color and I did get Nook Black and White for my wife. If kindle was not so outdated versus Nook, I might go with it as like the Amazon brand. Nook color is great to read at night with no lights or on a flight. It does not get my eyes tired as I work with laptop all day anyway. However Black and White is really cute and very small, so it is great for travel also.
Personally, I own and love my NOOK SimpleTouch. I love the fact that, inside or outside, I get a wonderful reading experience. Also, the social connection to recommend book via Facebook are wonderful. Another wonderful feature is the ability to read the titles in the store for free (up to an hour a day) without actually picking up the book. Considerably more sanitary, in my opinion. The downside for me, coming from a 1st Edition NOOK, is the lack of a browser and the lack of music player. When you come across a word that you need the definition for, you need a smartphone or a dictionary because there is no way to look it up on the SimpleTouch. Although my friend has the Kindle, I still prefer the NOOK. My concern with Kindle… because of the Amazon Prime service they offer, they might lock it down, even more than B&N does with the NOOK, in order to promote users to subscribe to Prime. The Kindle shows advertisements as the screensaver compared to customizable wallpaper/screensavers that the NOOK allows. All-in-all, I really enjoy my NOOK and prefer it over the Kindle. As for the iPad, I believe it is extremely overpriced just because it is an Apple and it is way to locked down for my tastes. If Apple thinks something is going to be competition to them, they won’t allow it on their devices. They are getting better, but they are still too greedy for my taste.
When you from AMAZON had purchased kindle books, however they only could be read on kindle devices. Generally speaking, other e-readers such as Nook, Kobo, Sony, etc. do not support. Otherwise, everything is possible, There doesn't haven't a useful way to read kindle books on other e-readers.The following tutorial is perfect. You may have to learn it. http://www.epubor.com/read-kindle-books-on-ipad.html