Monday, June 20, 2011

KINDLE KRAZ .... KINDLE VS. NOOK VS. IPAD...

I thought it was time for a fun topic on this very rainy and GLOOMY Monday in Chicago. Over the past few days I have been reading several blog posts on bloggers preference to which e-readers they ended up buying.

By far I am NO expert on this subject, but I do own two of the the three that I have mentioned.  I love techno toys and I hope to own the third at some point. It's not a priority it's just my insane obsession for books and trinkets.

My first device was a Kindle and for reading pages upon pages it truly is soothing on the eyes. To me it is the closest to reading a live book. There is no glare and the screen mimics the printed page almost perfectly. You can adjust it to whatever type size is most comfortable for you .... which is great for people who don't wish to wear reading glasses.

The Kindle also saves your page and the battery life is pretty long. The best aspect of this device is that Amazon is connected to it so the choices for books are endless. AND you get download your favorite classics for FREE.... yes FREE. I am an avid classic English literature lover so for me this is like a pound of Godiva chocolate for FREE. Dickens, The Bronte Sisters, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, and Shakespeare, just to name a few. There are literally hundreds to choose from and within a few seconds they appear magically on your Kindle.

Now I know this works similarly on Nook and Ipad, but for some reason it seems easier on Kindle.

Speaking of Ipad.... I finally got one for my birthday and I do LOVE it... I am still leaning all the amazing things this device is capable of....  I ADORE anything from Apple. My laptop is a Macbook pro and I have an Ipod and soon as I can upgrade my phone, yes, the IPhone will be my next new toy.

Now, as much as I love my Ipad, the screen mimics that of a computer so it does tire the eyes out eventually. BUT, this amazing device does SO much more than any reader, it's almost like a computer.... just ask Alex J. Cavanaugh... he is the one who convinced me I had to have one! He is the TRUE expert on this subject, and if you drop by his blog and go to his archives, you can read it post on the Ipad II. My most favorite part about this device is that I can go anywhere with ease and be able to write, edit, blog, etc. SO much more convenient and LIGHTER than carrying a round the good old laptop.

As for the NOOK... this device I am least familiar with. But it looks intriguing especially now that there is a color version. For anyone who owns one, I would LOVE your views on this device.

What  e-reader do you own? I would like to know which one and why you are so addicted to it.

PLEASE drop by tomorrow, I have a VERY important post. I am continuing to post on health every Tuesday, since the response was amazing last week on first health feature. You will not want to miss this... I was SHOCKED and FURIOUS when I first found out about this.

Until tomorrow, have a terrific day.

23 comments:

mooderino said...

I've only just got a kindle, but I specifically wanted a reader that was easy on the eyes, i spend enough time on the computer already and I don't think I could handle more. So far pretty good, just have to hack it so I can change the screen saver to use my own images. That Emily Dickinson was no oil painting.

mood
@mooderino
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Unknown said...

You had me at "techno toys", Michael. :-)

I've had an original nook for a couple of years now and love it. It works just like a Kindle, but you purchase from B&N instead of Amazon.

I bought my wife a nook color for Christmas, and she loves it. It's actually a tablet device (runs off of the Android system), so the battery life and function are more akin to an iPad than a standard eReader. B&N recently brought apps to the nook color, and there are lots of games, etc. you can download and play on it now. However, it's worth pointing out that it has nowhere near the # and variety of offerings of an iPad at this point. It's also a lot cheaper at $250. If I were going to categorize it, I'd say it is more eReader than tablet computer, while I consider the iPad to be more tablet computer than eReader, if that makes sense.

I'm slowly becoming an Apple only consumer, I'll confess. It started with an iPod, then an iPhone, now and an iMac, and probably soon an iPad. I do understand the quibbles many have with Apple, but I also know that their products just work well.

My wife mentioned the other day that the iPhone is the single most useful gadget she has ever owned and that she couldn't do without it. I almost fell over because she is most certainly not a tech person and rarely confesses love for anything gadget related.

EJ

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're an official cool tech geek now! The iPad rocks. So much in one little device it's almost scary. The amount of apps on mine IS scary. (And music, movies, games...) Reading on it hasn't bothered me at all - if I'm tired, I bump up the font size.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm glad to hear good things about the Kindle, as I just ordered one yesterday! I can't wait until it comes. :D

Linda Gray said...

I don't own ANY e-readers yet, Michael. I've toyed with the idea of getting a Kindle, and I think maybe you've just convinced me. I, too, love all things Apple, and did just get an iPhone recently. Have to admit, I'm besotted with the darling little thing!

Shari said...

I've been back and forth between the Kindle and iPad. Thanks for your thoughts on both!

Heather said...

My better half wants an ereader now too so I'm trying to figure out this debate as well! I'm leaning toward the Nook because of all the good things I've heard about it, but my mind is still open.

Margo Benson said...

I am so backward when it comes to anything techie...however I have a Kindle and really like it. Yes, it is easy on the eye and all those freebies are V exciting! Buying from Amazon's 'Whispernet' is scarily easy but I have to say how much I enjoy it.

Steena Holmes said...

I only have the kindle on my iphone and computer. I would love to actually hold one in my hands. That being said, I fully plan to use my first cheque from my earnings off of The Master to buy an ipad!

Golden Eagle said...

I've never used an e-reader; they seem to be catching quite a lot of steam, though! And I have to say, being able to quickly download and read books must have its benefits.

N. R. Williams said...

I don't have an e-reader yet. I know, I'm an e-writer with no e-reader. My daughter has the kindle. I want both the kindle and iPad. Someday.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

N. R. Williams said...

Me again. Because you mentioned the health post I went down and read it. I gained weight do to having children and a reaction to birth control. Then came the car accident and after walking on a hip that was pushed into my pelvis for 20 years I was no longer able to walk at all. Two hip surgeries later and joining weight watchers, I was able to lose 31 pounds last year. So, here's to good health.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Unknown said...

I have a Kindle, and iPhone and an iPad, and I'll admit I'm addicted. Kindle and iPhone in particular... I haven't quite gotten used to my iPad yet....

Unknown said...

Here you go :)I am waiting for my kindle and I am so excited! My Son works on the Geek squad for best buy and he knows his stuff. For just reading Kindle is the best. Nook has color but it is hard on the eyes and for reading who needs color? The Ipad is the best choice for those that need more of a media center. My husband has one and loves it, but for reading there is nothing that beats a kindle as far as safe for the eyes, good access to a huge book selection and yes free books!
So when my daughter gets bac from the states she is bringing my kindle home to me. It cost a fortune to send. I am so looking forward to downloading all my friends books.

PK HREZO said...

I'm a Kindle girl for the very reason you mentioned... easy on the eyes. It's just like reading a book, and altho I love all the features of the Nook, it's heavy and the screen is just not the same.
The Ipad is awesome, but same reason I didn't want it for reading. Mind you, I won't turn one down as a present. I think tablets are the wave of the future and laptops will slowly become obsolete. The Nook is a lot like a scaled down tablet.

Erin Kane Spock said...

I use a Kindle app on my Droid.
I do not want an Ipad, but I have not made up my mind between the Kindle and the Nook.
BTW, I nominated you for an award. :)

Nicki Elson said...

Shocked and Furious! Oh boy, I'll be back. Cannot help you out on the reading devices as I have none. I saw a poster at Barnes & Noble for some new Nook Touch that's only $139. That's the first to intrigue me...cuz I'm really cheap. ;)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've tried reading books on my IPhone, but the font is too tiny. I don't know how the people in Japan do it.
And Alex certainly is an expert on IPads.

Abby Minard said...

I don't have any, but would encourage people to get a Nook, because it was the only one you could check out library books on. But now that the Kindle will be featuring that capability, I don't know which one would be better. I like the idea of the no-glare thing. Great topic, Michael!

VR Barkowski said...

I have a Kindle, I don't love it. I'm just not an e-reader fan. I prefer books. If you're a book thumber like I am, e-readers don't offer the same experience as a book. That said, the Kindle has proven a great travel accessory.

I still haven't splurged on an iPad yet, but it's next on my list. I love my iMac, my Macbook Pro, my iphone. Guess I'm an Apple junkie.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE my nook. I rarely buy a book nowadays unless I can download it as an e-book. I also download a lot of books from my local library. And my nook fits inside my purse. Goes with me everywhere. Love. It.

ali cross said...

I've had a first gen iPad for a year now, and I *just* got a Kindle! So excited! I love them both for the same reasons you said. My iPad is really like a netbook, but even smarter and more useful (in my opinion)!

Anonymous said...

I love both the Kindle and the Nook. The Nook of course is more flexible, but they're both easy-on-the-eyes reading.
Ann Best, Memoir Author