Nook Color vs Kindle
With the recent release of the Nook Color, it is important to carry out a detailed Nook Color vs Kindle comparison to see which is the best eReader amongst the two. It has long been assumed that the Kindle from Amazon is the best eBook reader around, and everyone else, including the Nook by Barnes & Noble, was simply playing catch up. But this has all changed with the release of the Nook Color in November 2010.
B&N have done something revolutionary here (as far the eReader market is concerned), and they have started the process of transformation of the Nook into a full-fledged tablet PC. Industry observers have claimed that 2011 is going to be the year of the tablet, and the Nook Color has now got first mover advantage into this particular segment. Moreover, they have adopted the astoundingly growing Android platform as a base for their new and improved product.
Nook Color vs Kindle 3
For the sake of convenience, we will carry out this comparison with the Kindle 3, since it is the latest offering in the Kindle series. The biggest difference between the two, as the name suggests, is the presence of a capacitative full-color touchscreen on the Nook Color now. This has opened up a whole new set of activities that can be carried out on the it like watching videos, movies and reading full colored children's books and graphic novels. On the other hand, the Kindle 3 is still available with its black and white E-Ink display that is great for reading eBooks, but ultimately falls short when compared with the brilliant new Nook Color.
The Nook Color also lets you download and use apps now, and more and more app developers will soon start surfacing. The device already comes pre-installed with some useful apps and games, and plenty more are on the way. The full colored screen also gives you the ability to surf the web now, but the only limitation is that it only has Wi-Fi connectivity, and not 3G.
This simple difference indicates that the Nook Color has left the Amazon Kindle far behind now. The limited usage of the Kindle means that it can only be used as a standalone eBook reader now, and nothing else. The Nook Color, on the other hand, is a full-fledged tablet computer. Albeit, a very limited tablet compared to other players in the market, especially the Apple iPad.
As far as pricing is concerned, the Kindle 3 sells for $139 (Wi-Fi only) and $189 (Wi-Fi + 3G). The Nook Color sells for $249, and in our opinion it is definitely worth the extra price. When you compare this price with other tablet prices like the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab, you will be pleasantly surprised. Now you may say that the Kindle 3 comes equipped with 3G connectivity, but this can only be used for downloading and buying eBooks from the Amazon store when you are on the move. With so many advantages that the Nook Color enjoys over the Kindle 3, there is only one clear winner in this 3 debate.
| Factor | Nook Color | Kindle 3 |
| Screen Size | 7 inches (diagonal) | 6 inches (diagonal) |
| Screen Resolution | 1024x600 pixels, 169 ppi | 800x600 pixels, 167 ppi |
| Storage Space | 8GB, Can add 32GB microSD card | 4GB, No microSD card slot |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Wi-Fi off) | 1 month (Wi-Fi + 3G off), 3 weeks (Wi-Fi on), 1 week (3G on) |
| Weight | 15.8 ounces | 8.5 ounces (Wi-Fi only), 8.7 ounces (Wi-Fi + 3G) |
| Dimensions | 8.1" x 5.0" x 0.48" | 7.5" x 4.8" x 0.335" |
| Operating System | Android 2.1 (Eclair) | Kindle |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
After analyzing these specs, it is easy to see why the Nook Color is a far better device. It does have certain deficiencies, but as far as utility and features are concerned, it is way ahead of the Kindle. Thus, we have to crown it as the winner.
