Friday, May 18, 2012

Nook Tablet vs. Kindle Fire: FIGHT!

I've been asked by numerous people,  which eReader tablet is really better?  Ereader tablets are becoming very popular, especially because they are cheaper versions of the ever popular iPad and Android tablets.  Here is my comparison and my overall opinion of which tablet eReader is really the best to purchase.  *Please note: this is my opinion not that of any company.*

How this works: I'll give a category, and then what each tablet does in that category.  Then, I will tell you based on the differences which is better for that category.  At the end, I will tell you which tablet I would purchase.  All information was found from either Amazon or Barnes&Noble's websites to ensure accuracy.

Photo from B&N.com
1. Size and Weight
Nook Tablet: 14.1 ounces total weight; 5.8 inches across

Kindle Fire: 14.6 ounces total weight; 4.6 inches across
Winner: Nook Tablet - This tablet is larger and lighter than the Kindle Fire.  But don't let this be the biggest deciding factor for you, the weight and size is very close (.5 ounces and 1.2 inches difference? yeah...not much).

2. Screen: Size and Color
Nook Tablet: 7 inch display screen; all touch and home button; 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors
Kindle Fire: 7 inch display screen; all touch (no home button); 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors
Winner: Draw - These devices have the exact same screens (on the outside) no matter what either company tells you, so don't be fooled!  One screen is not better than the other.

3. Battery Life and Charging Time
Nook Tablet: 11.5 hours of reading or 9 hours of video playback (with wifi turned off); 3 hours to recharge
Kindle Fire: 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback (with wifi turned off); 4 hours to recharge
Winner: Nook Tablet - The Nook Tablet hands down has a better battery - it lasts longer and charges faster.


4. Device Storage
Nook Tablet: 8GB or 16GB (with some needed for Nook Store) with expandable storage of 32GB microSD
Kindle Fire: 8GB internal (approximately 6GB available for user content) plus free endless space on the Amazon Cloud server
Winner: Kindle Fire - The Amazon Cloud is what causes the Fire to win.  The Cloud server is free, has endless memory and can be accessed easily from any Amazon account.  The Cloud also provides safe and secure memory storage, if you lose your device your books are still there.
Photo from Amazon.com

5. Speed and Internet
Nook Tablet: WiFi only; 1GHz TI OMAP4 (dual-core) processor with 512MB RAM; Adobe Flash Player enabled browser
Kindle Fire: WiFi only; 1GHz TI OMAP4 (dual-core) processor with 512MB RAM; Amazon Silk Browser
Winner: Kindle Fire - The Amazon Silk browser is faster than the Adobe Flash Player enabled browser (yes, I have tested this out in person).  The Silk browser is also supposed to be more secure.

6. Supported Data/Files
Nook Tablet: EPUB, XLS, DOC, PPT, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLX, PPT, MP4, or Adobe Flash Player format, 3GP, 3G2 MKV, WEBM, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, MP4, AAC, AMR, WAV, OGG.
Kindle Fire: Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8.
Winner:  Nook Tablet - Because this device supports more Adobe files than the Kindle Fire, it wins hands down.

7. Bonus Features: Microphones, Pre-loaded Apps, Audio Ports, USB ports, etc.
Nook Tablet: Pre-loaded with Netflix, Hulu+, Pandora radio, Chess, Crossword, Sudoku, Media Gallery, NOOK Friends, Email; built-in microphone; 1 3.5mm headphone jack; 1 charging port; 1 expandable memory slot; parental controls on everything, Nook Kids
Kindle Fire: top mounted stereo speakers; 1, 3.5mm headphone jack; 1 USB port; pre-loaded with email (Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL, etc.); best tablet eReader for gaming; best tablet eReader for music/audio; parental controls on everything
Winner: Draw - Both have their perks, it depends on what you want your tablet for.  If you're going to game, watch music and videos, Kindle Fire is the best way to go.  If you want to record anything, have pre-loaded apps, and be able to just "plug and play" when your device arrives, the Nook Tablet is better.

8. Lending/Borrowing
Nook Tablet: Nook Friends
Kindle Fire: Kindle Owner's Lending Library, Public Library Lending (limited locations), Kindle Lending
Winner: Kindle Fire - Multiple outlets for lending and less restrictions are placed on the Amazon lending policies than with B&N.  Nook Friends is more like a social network, Kindle lending is more about the books.

Here is the final score:
Nook = 3
Kindle = 3
Draw = 2

If I were to buy a tablet eReader today, I would purchase the Nook Tablet.  This tablet is going to function more as a tablet, can read more files formats, and has similar perks as a Kindle.  I am a die hard fan of Amazon and the Kindle.  Don't get me wrong, the Kindle Fire is worth the price, BUT know it will be more of an eReader with a few tablet features instead of a tablet with an eReader feature.  Most people who purchase these tablets expect them to function as exactly that, a tablet.  If you're going to purchase one, take some time and consider what you are going to use it for.  That is what will truly help you decide between the two tablets.

Happy Comparison Day!

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