Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#1

Post by perivamsi » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 10:02 AM UTC

Hi HN!

I would like to buy an ebook reader to use it in a non-US country. Please suggest whether I should go for a Kindle or a Nook or some other device, perhaps.

Features I am not interested in: 1. Wireless connectivity (whispernet/wifi). I do not need constant access to the web. I can use my PC to sync my reading content. 2. Physical keyboard. I can work with a virtual one. 3. Wide selection of titles in the bookstore. My reading is mostly going to be custom PDF files.

Features I would want: 1. Instant boot-up, long battery life 2. Easy to use dictionary, ability to annotate 3. Support for a variety of ebook formats, especially good rendering of PDFs. 4. As much storage space as possible.

Based on the reviews, I am leaning towards Kindle. What do you guys think?

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#2

Post by semmons » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 12:37 PM UTC

I would pick the Kindle. It hits all four of your points and will have the greatest battery life, especially if you don't use the wireless connectivity.

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#3

Post by bjgger » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 12:51 PM UTC

I use my Kindle DX (best for PDFs) outside the US all the time. The new DX will also have international access (which can be disbaled). Plug it into a USB, and drag and drop your files.

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#4

Post by kgopal » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 1:01 PM UTC

Assuming I did want all those features (wifi, access to web, physical keyboard and wide selection at the bookstore) would it change to the nook?

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#5

Post by vinodlive » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 1:08 PM UTC

I have a Kindle 2. Though I like everything about it, it has the following issues:-

1) In India, free internet on Kindle does not work. But Wikipedia do work.

2) All the Magazine, Blog subscriptions will be stripped off the Graphics. Amazon is 'Saving' on the bandwidth costs they pay to the country specific Mobile Operators!

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#6

Post by perivamsi » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 1:10 PM UTC

bjgger wrote: post #3

I use my Kindle DX (best for PDFs) outside the US all the time. The new DX will also have international access (which can be disbaled). Plug it into a USB, and drag and drop your files.

Kindle DX's $490 price tag (compared to Kindle's $260) is intimidating, which brings me to the question: Is it worth spending (almost) double the amount and buying a Kindle DX instead of a Kindle?

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#7

Post by jpulakka » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 1:21 PM UTC

How about Sony PRS-600? I'm in the same situation as you (thinking about buying an ebook reader in a non-US country), and the Sony seems to be one of the few valid alternatives to Kindle. It doesn't have that ugly keyboard and unnecessary wifi/3g connections. Regardless, with Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/) even blog reading should be possible.

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#8

Post by jtyost2 » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 1:45 PM UTC

I would say also try to play with both of them at some point. The Nook can be played with in most stores - and playing with it sold me on the Kindle.

The Nook was quite slow in switching pages, extremely difficult to scroll down, and the goofy color/touch screen at the bottom was more of a nuisance than anything else.

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#9

Post by crocowhile » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 3:21 PM UTC

If you want one to be used mainly for PDF you need to go for a larger screen, so neither the small kindle nor the nook. I think price tag starts at about 500 and non of them has internet access or keyboard anyway.

Re: Ask HN: Kindle or Nook?

#10

Post by jlk » Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 3:50 PM UTC

Skiff.