I'm a voracious reader of all sorts of media. I currently hold 4 monthly magazine subscriptions, picking up another 2-3 on newsstands each month. I subscribe to 137 blogs in my RSS reader, with 273 new posts waiting for me since last night. On top of that, I find time to stalk the bookstore aisles, picking up one or two new non-fiction books each month. I'm drowning in words, and it's time to pick up an e-reader. I decided on the Nook Color, and here's why.
I've been flying a lot this summer. I think it's because I'm having a quarter-life crisis and it's making me want to see different places and eat every cuisine imaginable. But each time I fly, as I'm waddling through the airport a little later than I'd planned, I always stop to buy a book. My lack of foresight and absolute refusal to be bored on a plane make me buy those marked-up hardcovers that they stick you with at the terminal newsstand. After three different flights, with two more staring me down, I decided it's time for an e-reader.
The choices are vast; and as somebody who has difficulty deciding where to eat dinner, I was stumped. But after a bit of research, I've decided on one. Here's how I got there:
Staying Connected
The big problem with my numerous airport debacles was the fact that I was super-limited in what books I could buy. I have a running list of "books to read" stashed in my brain (and in my iPhone's Notes app), and none of them were available at the newsstand next to my gate. I want to be connected, able to download any of thousands of books anywhere there's a wi-fi connection. If an e-reader was missing at least wi-fi compatibility, it was out.
Eliminated: Sony Reader Pocket Edition, Sony Reader Touch Edition, Sony Reader Daily Edition,
Size Matters
I'm turning to an e-reader as a replacement for my daily habit of carrying around a lightweight paperback book in my purse. Th last thing I need is something bulky that won't fit in my purse and makes me want to leave it at home. If it was much bigger than my copy of Freakonomics, it was out.
Eliminated: iPad, Kindle DX, Samsung Galaxy Tab
Erasing E-Ink
As much as I'd like immunity from glare when I'm reading in the sun, I'm in love with magazines far too much to invest in an e-ink reader. Their non-lit black and white screens, even if they're compatible with my monthly subscriptions, will do glossies and their full-page editorials no justice compared to LCD screens. It stung, but I knew I'd have to cross any grayscale e-ink readers off my list.
Eliminated: Kindle 3, Nook Simple Touch E-Reader, Kobo eReader
What's left? Barnes & Noble's Nook Color. I'll get the connectivity I need, a reasonably compact package that'll slide in my purse, and full-color displays for all my magazine and blog subscriptions.
In addition, I'll get some features I didn't ask for, like access to some of the Android Marketplace (for apps like Evernote and Angry Birds), a multi-compatible e-mail client and full web browsing.
It's a great decision for me, and maybe for you too. But there's a wonderful world of e-readers out there. If you've got one (or have already decided like me), leave a comment and tell us all what sold you. You might be helping another indecisive soul make her choice.
(Images: Flickr member iampeas licensed for use under Creative Commons, Flickr member Librarian by Day licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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That is the way any purchase should be decieded. I love my nook color, especially because I do not have a smart phone. I only have a netbook as a computer which I now almost never use because I can access most everything on my nook color.
I'm always glad to see when people actually put thought into a purchase such as this. Kudos for your process of elimination
I bought Kindle 3 for the 3G connection so I could buy books and download them nearly anywhere. But now I'm pissed at Amazon for marking up all books by 2 dollar because I don't live in USA. They also refuse to sell me some books, for the same reason. But I love the month long battery life and the large hacking community that has allowed me to customize the interface to my liking.
I want to plug Smashwords.com they sell me the books I want from their selection and don't care where I live.
I have a nook color that I installed a stock android mod on. Got the nook for 200 on sale through an ebay deal. Totally worth it. As much as i tried to love the interface, I just can't see myself using it as an ebook reader. I would probably opt for a new standard nook or a Kobo touch edition.
I like the process that Taryn used. I read books on my iPhone when I need to travel light. I already had it and decided to save the money I would have spent on a dedicated e-reader. However, if I were in the market for an e-reader, Taryn's post would have sent me to the Nook.
I've had both and for reading books prefer my kindle. Super long battery life, good size and no sales tax (for now anyway...) on my purchases.
Magazines wasn't a factor to me as I wasn't really jazzed about the available selection at the time but now I see dwell, elle, shape etc are now available. The first nook I bought I mistakenly thought it was color but turns out only the bottom section was color. I felt a bit deceived. So when they came out with the actual real color version in full screen, I was already turned off to nook, not anxious to buy yet another reader.
Personally, I don't like the nook colour. It's the e-ink technology that makes it easy to read for hours without any eye strain and any excessive drain on the battery. I use my iPad to read any magazines that I have (via Zinio app) or for cookbooks but everything else I read on my kindle. I have and love a Sony eReader PRS505 BUT the lack of internet connectivity/3G means that it's terribly inconvenient to buy a book while travelling, which is the reason I wanted an eReader in the first place.
On my kindle, I can buy a book on the go and enjoy reading it. Although I do have some reservations about the DRM and inability to natively read other book formats, unlike the Sony eReader, and there was that whole 1984 scandal but I still vastly prefer my kindle--and it's the eReader that I use daily.
I am an avid reader (about a book a day, more or less). I even budget about $250/month in book purchases. I've had a Kindle for 3 or 4 years now, and I love it, periodically. I use it heavily for a while, and then go back to the library for a while. I love that I can check out ebooks at my local public library, and that I can reserve books online to pick up at the library desk.
I don't read a lot of magazines, though I do read 60+ blogs on my kindle with Kindlefeeder. I find magazines to not have much substance, as I prefer actually reading text. I always feel ripped off when I buy a magazine.
If I do want to read a magazine, I use my iPad.
The e-ink is unbeatable, IMHO, for reading in all kinds of light, and being able to go a month without charging it is another plus.
See, when I bought mine, I *had* to have e-ink. Oh so easy on the eyes.
I'm fine with magazines on a laptop, though,
I know! E-Ink is so great for reading, but I really want the functionality of mobile digital magazines.
That leaves two options: Go with Nook Color and go without gorgeous e-ink, or get a Nook Color for mags AND a Kindle for novels. Since I'm not Bill Gates, I think I'm happy with option 1.
This article made me take a proper look at the Nook too. Whats not to like about an ereader that can also be a full android tablet for nearly half the price of other tablets of its size! I ended up buying one and love it :)
I spent almost a year making the decision between the Nook and the Kindle. I wanted the e-reader primarily for reading books while either outside or in other high glare areas (I'm in Florida) and for travel. So I needed e-ink, compact, lightweight, long battery life and wireless. I even waited to see the new Kindle offerings in October before making my decision. After reading and comparing countless reviews, which basically said there wasn't a bad choice ... I eventually chose the Nook Simple Touch for two reasons. 1. The new Kindle touch has a weird grid thing on the front that looked like a sand/grunge trap (while the Nook Simple Touch was smooth allover). and 2. There is a Barnes and Noble store not to far away, so I can go there and "preview" (ie: read or browse), for up to an hour a day. I haven't done it yet, but it seems to mimic the "social" aspect of browsing I used to do for paperbacks. Not terribly scientific ... but that's it! Oh, and I've had the Nook Simple Touch for about two months and Love it!