Nook Color vs. Kindle Fire
By Jonathan Goodman
E-readers are now a growing fad. Millions of people have them and even more are considering getting them. If you are considering buying a Nook Color or a Kindle Fire, two of the many e-reader options, then I hope this article is your main deciding force.
Barnes and Noble, apparently dedicated to not suffer the same fate as Borders, have released an e-reader called the Nook Color. The Nook Color has a crisper look than its predecessor because there is less of a gap between the LCDs and the glass. You'll have plenty of reading material for this crisp screen because the Nook Color has a better magazine selection than the Kindle Fire. It also has twice as many app stories as the Kindle Fire. Parents can also record themselves reading so their children can listen to their voices when they're not around, thanks to a built-in microphone. Another benefit of having this e-reader is the Barnes and Noble benefits. However, you can't legally rent or purchase videos on the Nook Color. Another unfortunate thing about it is that it only works with a certain power adapter that you can only purchase at Barnes and Noble. |
The Kindle Fire is quite appealing as well. Free two day shipping from Amazon and free videos and books from the Kindle Owners' Lending library for the first month are just a few of the multitude of exclusive benefits that only Kindle owners have access to. *Note: It costs $79 if you wish to continue your Kindle Owners' Lending Library membership.* Unlike the Nook Color, you can download some of Amazon's digital video library on it. It also has a simple user interface, so you don't have to be a techie to use it.
There are some negative aspects of the Kindle Fire as well. There are no hardware controls (real buttons or knobs) for the volume. You can only download 5GB of video. It isn't the most easily graspable device; Amazon skimped on the ergonomics a bit. Speaking of skimping on ergonomics, the power button is located awkwardly on the bottom of the device and is easily pressed accidently. Nook Color or Kindle Fire? Both are great e-readers, but both have their faults. So if your quest for the ultimate e-reader comes down to these fine choices, I hope this article helps you make your final decision. |