Kindle 2 or Nook?

[schuttziejr]

I am stuck in the decision at the moment whether to buy a kindle 2 or a nook? Can anyone please help me on this decision? I am finding both readers extremely nice to buy, but I haven't yet decided! Thanks so much

[vrc84]

Have you had a chance to play with both devices? If not, you might find user interface of one preferable to the other.

Otherwise, if you still can't decide, try "shopping" for books. You might find that the books you want are more readily available or cheaper through one store or the other (though you don't have to buy all your books at Amazon & BN, it's easiest to do so IMO).

[schuttziejr]

I haven't had the chance to hold either of the devices :/ But I am really leaning towards the K2. It really just seems like it would be better for traveling over a Nook (small touch screen, probably easy for me to break) Thanks for the advice, tho What is IMO? (Sorry if that sounds like a dumb question, I am new to this!) and what is the difference between K2i and K2? What is a K2i??

[vrc84]

If you haven't tried out each device, I'd recommend that you do so. The Kindle 2 is on display at most Target stores right now, although it runs a display loop that you can't actually control.  The Nook is on display at B&N. I really feel that they are different devices to use, although in the end they do the same thing.

If you got a new Kindle, you'd be getting a Kindle 2 International/Global (K2i). This runs on the AT&T 3G network and works in many different countries. This is opposed to the early Kindle 2 US, which was designed to work in the US and run on the Sprint network. Aside from the 3G network and I think some coding issues, a K2i and K2US are the same.

IMO / IMHO = In My (Humble) Opinion

[schuttziejr]

If you haven't tried out each device, I'd recommend that you do so. The Kindle 2 is on display at most Target stores right now, although it runs a display loop that you can't actually control.  The Nook is on display at B&N. I really feel that they are different devices to use, although in the end they do the same thing.

If you got a new Kindle, you'd be getting a Kindle 2 International/Global (K2i). This runs on the AT&T 3G network and works in many different countries. This is opposed to the early Kindle 2 US, which was designed to work in the US and run on the Sprint network. Aside from the 3G network and I think some coding issues, a K2i and K2US are the same.

IMO / IMHO = In My (Humble) Opinion

You have no idea how helpful you are! Thanks so much! I am just excited to try them both out!

[cbb77]

I just went thru this myself and as mentioned, you really need to play with both.  Barnes & Noble and Best Buy carry the Nook.  Target carries the Kindle but you can't interact with it; not yet anyway.  I would try to see if you can find someone who owns a Kindle to demo.  You definitely need to test out the navigation, searching and highlighting features.  For me, this is where the Kindle won.  Nook definitely has some nice features, but in the end the Kindle was best for my situation.  You will need to determine what's most important to you and check the features against each other.  Ask questions here; definitely helped my decision as well.

[pidgeon92]

Have you considered an iPad? The best of both worlds, and can do lots of other things, besides. Only issue is the lack of an eink screen.

[Scheherazade]

A lot of the Nook features are more gimmicks than useful, so be sure to look really hard at anything that seems to be a game changing feature.  Things like the lending books (lend a book once for 14 days if the publisher allows it and only to another Nook user which you cannot use until they're done with it), and to be quite frank the entire touch screen thing are both pretty gimmicky and just thrown in to try to be different and flashy in my opinion.

[nogdog~6op6ou]

Besides the fact that I'm a happy Kindle 2 owner for well over a year now and that I have zero experience with the Nook, perhaps my primary reason for recommending the Kindle is Amazon's proven track record of customer satisfaction from the Kindle Customer Service group, both in terms of issues with Kindles and with Amazon e-books. I'm not saying that B&N may not give equal satisfaction, but I know that it would be asking an awful lot for anyone to do better than Amazon has done to date.

The other great reason to get a Kindle is, of course, this wonderful forum full of many very helpful and knowledgeable people who will make your Kindle experience fun and rewarding.

[Scheherazade]

Amazon does have that really keen 30-day return policy as well while Barnes and Noble may or may not still charge a 10% restocking fee on the Nook.  You'd have to look that up to be sure, I'm seeing conflicting reports of the fee still being there or it no longer being there so long as you return it within 14 days.  Of course there's finally no reason not to get a little hands-on time with both now that Target carries the Kindle.  Also take a look at both of the bookstores to see how the prices stack up and what the book selection looks like in terms of what you want to read most.

[Gayle]

I have both a K2 and a Nook.  I like both and use both--but I find that if given a choice when reading, I pick up the Kindle first.  The Kindle is easier to manipulate and to archive and delete books from the device.  To remove books from the Nook, I must connect it to the computer.  The Nook is slightly heavier, so when reading in bed, I prefer the Kindle.  Page turning is slightly faster on the Kindle also (at least it is on mine).  However, the Nook does allow me to check out books from my local library which is one of the reasons I bought one.  Sometimes, the formatting of these books makes it difficult to read (not the fault of the Nook but the fault of the book's format).  In my experience, Amazon has the better customer service, and the Kindleboards forum is awesome.  On a side note, several of my friends looked at both, then they bought the Kindle.

Look them both over and judge for yourself.  Both are good readers.

Gayle

[jasonrw]

When I was first in the market for an ebook reader it was between the Kindle 1 and some Sony model. I made a list of a bunch of books I knew I would want to purchase and figured out 1) is it available in either store and 2) what is the cost? I found that more of the books I was interested in reading were available for the Kindle, and they were also quite a bit cheaper.

I'm not sure how the Nook stacks up with the Kindle as far as book prices go

[PhillipA82]

Kindle FTW

[GhiiZhar]

A lot of the Nook features are more gimmicks than useful, so be sure to look really hard at anything that seems to be a game changing feature.  Things like the lending books (lend a book once for 14 days if the publisher allows it and only to another Nook user which you cannot use until they're done with it), and to be quite frank the entire touch screen thing are both pretty gimmicky and just thrown in to try to be different and flashy in my opinion.

I share this opinion....

[TLM]

I debated between the Nook and K2 for about 2 months.  I finally decided between the 2 by listing what was different and picking the attributes I felt I would use the most.    I finally decided on a K2i and LOVE it.  Very happy with my choice. 

True Story:  While at the Doctor's office this week I was reading the K2, the NP asked, "Is that a Kindle?".  Yes.  "We got one for our Mom for Christmas.  Well, actually we got her a nook.  She didn't like it and returned it and got a Kindle instead.  She LOVES it."

[The Hooded Claw]

As I understood an article in the Wall Street Journal just now, it implied that in the BN digital rights management system, you have to enter the original credit card number every time you want to transfer a digital copy to a new device. Can someone confirm this?  I'd think it was a Nook deal killer if true.

Who will know their current credit card numbers in a few years?

[momto2boys2]

"If you got a new Kindle, you'd be getting a Kindle 2 International/Global (K2i). This runs on the AT&T 3G network and works in many different countries. This is opposed to the early Kindle 2 US, which was designed to work in the US and run on the Sprint network. Aside from the 3G network and I think some coding issues, a K2i and K2US are the same."

I'm glad I read this, but I am more confused now.  I was ready to buy a kindle over the nook because of the internet connection.  How often will I need that?  
AT&T does not work at all in my house or within about a 2 mile radius.  Sprint (my cell phone service) and verizon work just fine.  If I can't get AT&T service will I be able to buy books???

[Cardinal]

Momto2boys2, if you buy the K2i you can buy books with your computer and download them to it, and then side load onto the Kindle.  Side loading is very easy to do.

[r0b0d0c]

"If you got a new Kindle, you'd be getting a Kindle 2 International/Global (K2i). This runs on the AT&T 3G network and works in many different countries. This is opposed to the early Kindle 2 US, which was designed to work in the US and run on the Sprint network. Aside from the 3G network and I think some coding issues, a K2i and K2US are the same."

I'm glad I read this, but I am more confused now.  I was ready to buy a kindle over the nook because of the internet connection.  How often will I need that?  
AT&T does not work at all in my house or within about a 2 mile radius.  Sprint (my cell phone service) and verizon work just fine.  If I can't get AT&T service will I be able to buy books???

I bought my Kindle 2 just before Amazon switched from using Sprint (K2 US) to AT&T (K2 International, their current version since last fall), and was glad that I bought when I did, because in my area AT&T has terrible coverage also. You may certainly download books via computer and then transfer to K2 via USB, but if AT&T is a deal-breaker for you (as it would be for me), then finding a used or reconditioned "K2 US" might work better for you.

The Nook also uses AT&T. However, it can also connect via wifi, which the Kindle cannot, so this may factor in to your decision between the two, if you have wifi set up in your home.

[happyblob]

"If you got a new Kindle, you'd be getting a Kindle 2 International/Global (K2i). This runs on the AT&T 3G network and works in many different countries. This is opposed to the early Kindle 2 US, which was designed to work in the US and run on the Sprint network. Aside from the 3G network and I think some coding issues, a K2i and K2US are the same."

I'm glad I read this, but I am more confused now.  I was ready to buy a kindle over the nook because of the internet connection.  How often will I need that?  
AT&T does not work at all in my house or within about a 2 mile radius.  Sprint (my cell phone service) and verizon work just fine.  If I can't get AT&T service will I be able to buy books???

I wouldn't go backwards. If you think you're going to get AT&T buy a K2 and use your computer to download and transfer books to your K2 just like Robodoc said.

[ProfCrash]

I used the USB cord to download books while travelling overseas. It took no time whatsoever and was very easy to do. So if AT&T is not available in your area, the USB option is really easy to use. I have a K1 (Kindle 1 or Classic Kindle)

[pidgeon92]

As I understood an article in the Wall Street Journal just now, it implied that in the BN digital rights management system, you have to enter the original credit card number every time you want to transfer a digital copy to a new device. Can someone confirm this? 

The current credit card number on the B&N account is all that is necessary to download any book in your library and have it open on the nook. I have changed the credit card on my account three times, no problems with any books downloading or opening.

[schuttziejr]

Thank you to everyone who helped me in my decision! Definitely going with the K2 on this one I watched some youtube videos and the Nook seems to be really slow in software and reaction time :/ Hopefully I can find a used one for cheap enough, I only have $125 right now, planning on saving some more lol Anyone know any good places to get used kindles cheap?

[nogdog~6op6ou]

Looks like Amazon is selling refurbished K2's for $220 now when available. It's not a huge savings, but if you can go for that, then you would also get Amazon's warranty/return coverage, whereas with a used unit it may only be "as is".

[pidgeon92]

Also, keep an eye on our Buy, Sell, Trade, and Barter forum.... Our members have successfully sold quite a few Kindles there.