Nook vs iPad

A few years ago, if you mentioned to someone that in the future you would be reading a book not made of paper, but off a computer screen like device that was held in your hand, they would have either laughed at you or looked on incredulously. Today of course the scenario is a reality. Ebooks are here to stay and ebook readers are the best option for a book lover who wants thousands of books at the touch of his fingertip. There are many options for the customer, from the Kobo, the Sony Reader, to the Kindle, Nook, and now the iPad. In this article, we help you decide which one to opt for, if you have whittled down your options to the Barnes and Noble Nook and the Apple iPad. This article helps you decide how you can choose the better device for your needs in a Nook vs iPad showdown.

Compare the Nook vs iPad

The Barnes & Noble Nook and the Apple iPad are both devices that have captured the imagination of the average bibliophile. But which one do you opt for? The features table given below should help you weigh the pros and cons of both devices and help you decide the answer of the question, should I buy an iPad or a Nook.

Apple iPad vs Barnes & Noble Nook
Specifications	iPad	Nook
Weight	24 ounces	12.1 ounces
Screen Size	9.7 inches	6 inches
Display Specs	Color LCD	Color touchscreen LCD, one touch control and navigation, E ink Vizplex electronic paper
Connectivity	Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi + 3G	Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi + 3G
Storage	16 GB to 64 GB	2 GB internal storage with expandable microSD slot
Multimedia	Audio and video	Audio and images
Battery Life	10 to 15 Hours	On full charge, reading possible for ten days
Screen Resolution	1024 x 768 pixels	600 x 800 pixels
Supports	EPUB, PDF	EPUB, PDB, PDF
Price	USD 499 - USD 829	USD 199 for the 3G version and USD 149 for the Wi-Fi only model

Now that we have taken a look at the comparison table, let us discuss these differences in detail. Firstly it is important to keep in mind that the Apple iPad is not just an ebook reader. It is a tablet computer that comes with an application that allows you to read ebooks. It is important to keep this distinction in mind when you are looking at the Nook compared to iPad, especially if you are disheartened by the iPad cost. Also since it is a tablet gadget, the battery life of the iPad is much lesser than the Nook. If you compare the display of the Nook with that of the iPad, the latter very clearly gives you the option of a much bigger and more vibrant display. The problem arises if you are planning on using the iPad for reading for long periods as it may cause you to strain your eyes. If you are looking for a device that will only help you read your ebook collection on the move, than the Nook maybe a better option but with the iPad you get the added advantage of watching movies, viewing photographs, browsing the Internet. Of course with its latest update, the Nook also allows you access to a built in browser but it is nowhere as advanced as the iPad's capabilities. When it comes to storage space, the Apple iPad wins hands down with capacities ranging between 16GB - 64 GB. The Nook on the other hand has a 2GB storage space that is expandable.

The choice of whether you want to opt for Nook or iPad depends on what you want from the device at hand. If you want something that can be used as a substitute for a laptop, is application heavy, has great multimedia, and an additional ebook reader software, then opt for the iPad. But alternatively, if you are in the market for the best ebook reader, which is not only easy to hold and carry around but supports most open book formats, then the Nook is your best bet. Of course you may want to look at other options, especially the Amazon Kindle and figure out that in battle that compares the Nook, the Kindle, and the iPad, which device comes out tops. Hopefully, this review will help you determine which device you should opt for - a tablet that is also an ebook reader or an ebook reader that allows you the comfort of reading anywhere without straining yourself or dying out on you.