Kindle WiFi Vs Nook WiFi
By Best-eReaders, July 30, 2010
Following in B&N’s footsteps, Amazon is releasing a WiFi-only model. Which one gives more value for your money?
Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where Kindle WiFi Wins
1. Price: the Nook WiFi is worth $149; the Kindle WiFi costs $10 less.
2. Page turn and navigation speeds: The Kindle WiFi is very fast. The Nook WiFi, on the other hand, still suffers from slow page turns and sluggish menu navigation.
3. Battery life: The Kindle WiFi can last up to a month on a single charge with the wireless off; the Nook WiFi has only 10 days of battery life.
4. Memory space: The new Kindle has onboard memory that’s twice as large as the Nook’s. Its 4GB internal memory can store up to 3500 pages; the Nook can carry up to 1500 ebooks at a time only.
5. Better PDF support: On the Kindle WiFi, you can annotate and highlight PDF files and access the built-in dictionary. The device can also open password-protected PDF files.
6. Changeable line spacing: You can adjust the line spacing to match your comfort level. There are three choices available: small, medium, and large.
7. Multiple language support: The Kindle WiFi supports multiple languages. It can display texts in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Latin, Greek, and more.
8. Word document support: The device can display Microsoft Word documents.
9. Accessibility: The Kindle WiFi does not only read out loud ebooks. It’s text-to-speech function is now extended to all menus and text descriptions.
10. Lighter: The new Kindle WiFi weighs 8.5 ounces; the Nook WiFi weighs 11.6 ounces.
11. Thinner: With its super slim girth of 0.34 inches, the device is easier to hold than any other eReader. The Nook WiFi is significantly thicker at 0.50 inches.
Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where Nook WiFi wins
1. ePub support: Open ecosystem enables the device to display both Adobe DRM-protected and non-DRM protected ebooks. Open format also means you’re not tied to a single store for buying ebooks.
2. Expansion slot: The Nook WiFi has a microSD card slot; the Kindle has none.
3. Library ebooks: With the Nook WiFi, you can borrow library ebooks via Overdrive.com.
4. LendMe Feature: The Nook eReader lets you share books with your friends. Through this feature, you can lend publisher-approved books to other people for up to 14 days.
5. Web access: The Nook’s web browser works over WiFi network. The Kindle’s built-in WiFi can be used only for accessing the store and downloading books. [Update: Turns out the Kindle browser enables almost full web browsing. We still think the B&N Nook has a better browsing experience, Based on the Kindle’s older model.
6. Customizable screen saver: You can easily personalize the Nook WiFi by replacing the default screen saver with your own photo.
7. User-accessible battery: The Kindle’s battery is still not user-replaceable.
8. Aesthetic appeal: The Nook WiFi comes with a 3.5” supplementary color touchscreen. It works with the main eInk screen very well in providing breezy navigation. The color panel also displays library and bookstore books by cover.
9. Retail presence: You can try the Nook WiFi at a BestBuy or a Barnes & Noble store before deciding to buy.
10. Chess and Sudoku: The two games are excellent for passing time – when you’re not in the mood for reading.
Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where They Tie
1. Free WiFi access in all AT&T hotspots in the US: Both offers easy and free access to AT&T WiFi network for wireless browsing and shopping of books.
2. Readability: Both device offer 16 level grayscales. Contrast is excellent; texts stand out better against white background, thanks to their black border.
3. Compact size: Both offer 6-inch eInk screen and roughly the same chassis. The Nook WiFi measures 7.7 x 4.9 inches, while the Kindle WiFi measures 7.5 x 4.8 inches.
4. Text resizing: The Nook WiFi offers 5 font size options; the Kindle WiFi, 6 font sizes.
5. Changeable font type: Both support 3 font types. The Kindle WiFi has Caecelia, Condensed, and Sans-serif fonts. The Nook WiFi supports Amasis, Light Classic, and Helvetica Neue.
6. Quick page turn by hard key: Page turn buttons quickly responds to presses.
7. Automatic syncing: The devices automatically synchronize last page reads across multiple devices.
8. Cross-platform transferability: Both the Kindle and the Nook have their own respective eReader apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Mac, and PC.
9. One-handed use. Page turn buttons on both sides of the screen allows one-handed reading.
10. Simple to use: The devices work out of the box – no installation required.
Closing Thought
The Kindle WiFi ties up with the Nook WiFi on a lot of features, but also exceeds the Nook WiFi in a lot of things. And by undercutting the price of the Nook WiFi by $10, there’s no argument that the Kindle WiFi gives more value for your money. And, that said, we haven’t even mentioned yet the competitive prices and wide range of choices you’ll find at the Kindle Store.
Kindle WiFi works automatically with AT&T WiFi Hotspots. If a coffee shop or a mall has an AT&T WiFi HotSpot your Kindle WiFi will automatically recognize it and work -
Enjoy free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content – no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.
“5. Web access: The Noo’s web browser works over WiFi network. The Kindle’s built-in WiFi can be used only for accessing the store and downloading books.”
According to Amazon, Kindle WiFi has web access through the WiFi.
“New WebKit-Based Browser Kindle’s new web browser is based on WebKit to provide a better web browsing… Experimental web browsing is free to use over Wi-Fi.”
Thanks Isaac.
We’ve updated the article. We stll think the Nook offers better browsing experience than the Kindle.
If I want to use these travelling outside the US, which one operates most fully ?
If there’s a win here, it’s extremely close. By my count, it’s 11 to 10 for the Kindle 3, or an even tie and the Kindle 3 is $10 cheaper. The only thing I’d add in the Nook’s favor is that, as it runs on Android and B&N has been shown in the past, it will be more future proof as new capabilities are continually added. About 5 of the Kindle’s capabilities can (and most likely will) be added in firmware releases along with other enhanced capabilities. I know you can’t check them off now, but then again you can’t buy the Kindle 3 now, either.
It seems to me that where the Nook beats the Kindle are in areas that do not have to do with reading a book. I know the Nook has browsing abilities and so on but if I am going to purchase an ereader I am primarily concerned with it’s abilities to function as an ereader not as an all-in-one gadget. I guess what I am trying to say is that what is important to me are it’s ereading abilities and I think the Kindle has the Nook beat there. If I want a device to go online and browse the internet with I’ll just bring my laptop or use my iphone.
Though Kindle 3 and Kindle Wifi ripped off Nooks design, it still is not a very good device, even for the lower price. The sheer fact that they are already on Kindle 3 should be evidence enough; the device won’t last long. With Nook’s Android O.S., Nook will be good for a long time, unless something major happens with the hardware, something I doubt will happen for a while. As far as reading experience and abilities, I have yet to be impressed by Kindle, as the Nook has already at least met them in virtually every regard, with potential for improvement, again thanks to the Android. I’d rather spend the whole $10 dollars and get good customer service, and quite frankly a better device. Ebook prices are set by the publishers, not the companies selling them, but BN has a MUCH larger store. Nook Wifi can access any AT&T wifi hotspot as well, no password, sign in, or payment/subscription. Over all, still not impressed by Amazon’s Kindle.
Nook’s ability to accept external (non-Barnes and Noble)content tips the scales to nook for me. I can look for the cheapest ePub version on inkmesh.com , buy it and transfer it to the nook in My Documents.
Epub and Overdrive vs. Amazon store; that is the real comparison here. I have a nook wifi and my friend just bought a kindle wifi, as far as the screen and usability goes, they are pretty much neck and neck. The amazon store might be just a bit cheaper, but when you can check books out for free through your library, price becomes moot.
It seems to me that the nook has a lot more than the kindle, included supporting open formats and giving access to library books. I’ve tried out both, and the Nook isn’t appreciably slower than the Kindle. I also like the extra storage capacity (up to 16GB at least) that the nook provides, and the replaceable battery. Finally, the fact that I can manage nook files on my linux computers is a huge benefit.
The readers really are so close I have to call it a tie. For most, there will be one feature that sets them apart. For me, it was the ability to check out library books.
2 big advantages of the Kindle over the Nook not usually covered. 1) While the Kindle 3 may not support ePub it does support doc files and some docx files. Leaving the office with some documents to review simply e-mail them to your Kindle no wasted paper or time. 2) With the Kindle simply e-mail files your Kindle account verses having to hook the Nook up to your computer and manually upload documents.
There’s a mistake in the text, when you say “Both device offer 6 level grayscales” you should say “Both device offer 16 level grayscales”.
Thanks for the heads up. We’ve modified the review.