Kindle vs. Nook

[T@B]

I was recently given a Best Buy Gift Card as a thank you for something I did at work.  I have been thinking about what to do with it and I am looking at buying an eReader for one of my sons this Christmas.  I won't be buying the color version because, frankly, it is out of my budget. 

I would like for him to be able to manipulate the text and make the spaces larger between the lines.  Does either of the readers (Kindle or Nook) do that or is it just making the font bigger?  I tried looking them up on the internet and I can't really find that answer.

Also, any pros or cons that you would like to share would also be greatly appreciated.

[Cap'n Ken]

I'd give you the same advice I gave my folks - think about what you want in a "reader" (which is to say, do you just want to read books, or do you have a need/desire to do other things with is), then look at what each product and each model offers.

Personally, I can't imagine an entry-level version of a device being my choice when an extra $100 or so gets you a lot more functionality. But if it's really just a book-reading device you're after, the cheaper ones may make sense.

I wouldn't want to end up with a less-than-ideal device for your needs because it's what's affordable to you. You could always wait - either to build up some more funds or let the functionality get cheaper over time.

My folks were stuck between wanting a reader and needing more tablet-type functionality. Luckily the Kindle Fire was right in their sweet spot.

Also, I'd hitch my wagon to the Amazon ecosystem a lot more comfortably than I would to the B&N one.

[Fawkes]

I've had a Kindle Fire now for a few weeks and have become a fanatic fan of the device... it has flaws, but for the price you can't beat what it does. And it does have the Amazon cloud feeding it...

I think the leading changes when you change the fonts (Ken, is that right?)

[Cap'n Ken]

I've had a Kindle Fire now for a few weeks and have become a fanatic fan of the device... it has flaws, but for the price you can't beat what it does. And it does have the Amazon cloud feeding it...

I think the leading changes when you change the fonts (Ken, is that right?)

I don't know about font changes and whatnot. My hands-on experience with the Fire has largely been trying to get one set up for old people.

[Andreas]

I got a nook touch, and love it.

My main reasons:

I prefer e-ink to backlit screens because it's more like reading paper and doesn't cause me as much eye strain.  This isn't a problem for everyone.

The nook supports epub out of the box, the kindle doesn't.  I don't know whether there are kindle hacks/roots that enable this.

[T@B]

I'd give you the same advice I gave my folks - think about what you want in a "reader" (which is to say, do you just want to read books, or do you have a need/desire to do other things with is), then look at what each product and each model offers.

Personally, I can't imagine an entry-level version of a device being my choice when an extra $100 or so gets you a lot more functionality. But if it's really just a book-reading device you're after, the cheaper ones may make sense.

I wouldn't want to end up with a less-than-ideal device for your needs because it's what's affordable to you. You could always wait - either to build up some more funds or let the functionality get cheaper over time.

My folks were stuck between wanting a reader and needing more tablet-type functionality. Luckily the Kindle Fire was right in their sweet spot.

Also, I'd hitch my wagon to the Amazon ecosystem a lot more comfortably than I would to the B&N one.

I don't want the tablet functionality - I just need it to be a reader. 

Good point about Amazon ecosystem.

A friend just emailed me - you can make the line spacing bigger on a Kindle.

Just saw your post Andreas - what is epub?

[Andreas]

I'd give you the same advice I gave my folks - think about what you want in a "reader" (which is to say, do you just want to read books, or do you have a need/desire to do other things with is), then look at what each product and each model offers.

Personally, I can't imagine an entry-level version of a device being my choice when an extra $100 or so gets you a lot more functionality. But if it's really just a book-reading device you're after, the cheaper ones may make sense.

I wouldn't want to end up with a less-than-ideal device for your needs because it's what's affordable to you. You could always wait - either to build up some more funds or let the functionality get cheaper over time.

My folks were stuck between wanting a reader and needing more tablet-type functionality. Luckily the Kindle Fire was right in their sweet spot.

Also, I'd hitch my wagon to the Amazon ecosystem a lot more comfortably than I would to the B&N one.

I don't want the tablet functionality - I just need it to be a reader. 

Good point about Amazon ecosystem.

A friend just emailed me - you can make the line spacing bigger on a Kindle.

Just saw your post Andreas - what is epub?

Epub is a free and open e-book format that isn't DRM-laden.

The nook also allows you to change margin widths, text size, line spacing, and fonts.

[bbmc]

You can get a free converter to convert .epub to .mobi(kindle's format). I use calibre.

[Fawkes]

You can get a free converter to convert .epub to .mobi(kindle's format). I use calibre.

I thought I'd read somewhere that was pretty easy.. haven't tried it myself yet.

[insan0]

My mom got a Nook for Christmas last year.  I set it up and figured it out to show her how to use it.  I liked it a lot.  Besides getting stuff thru the B&N store, I had no problem getting free and paid books from the google store too.  I know there are a lot more apps for it now and more openness for using android apps on it but I haven't really used any of that on it yet. 

The color is beautiful for magazines too.

[T@B]

My mom got a Nook for Christmas last year.  I set it up and figured it out to show her how to use it.  I liked it a lot.  Besides getting stuff thru the B&N store, I had no problem getting free and paid books from the google store too.  I know there are a lot more apps for it now and more openness for using android apps on it but I haven't really used any of that on it yet. 

The color is beautiful for magazines too.

I am going to take my son with me to see them and a friend has said once he gets a look at the color version, it will be all over.....

[insan0]

My mom got a Nook for Christmas last year.  I set it up and figured it out to show her how to use it.  I liked it a lot.  Besides getting stuff thru the B&N store, I had no problem getting free and paid books from the google store too.  I know there are a lot more apps for it now and more openness for using android apps on it but I haven't really used any of that on it yet. 

The color is beautiful for magazines too.

I am going to take my son with me to see them and a friend has said once he gets a look at the color version, it will be all over.....

Yep.  Especially if they see comic books on them.  I hear a lot of comic writers interviewed on Geektime and they all talk about the possibilities eReaders give them that they don't get in print, and they love the way the colors just glow.