Barnes & Noble Nook

Outed by a sneak peek at a Wall Street Journal advertisement a day before its supposed release, the Barnes & Noble Nook is an ebook-reader allegedly based on Google's Android operating system. In addition to a monochrome e-Ink screen for reading it will have a colour touch-screen control surface occupying the bottom 20% of the main surface.

Where to Buy

Barnes & Noble unnamed book-reader
MSRP$259.00
Release date October, 2009
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Pros & Cons26
Reviews7
Details
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Competitors12
Comments
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
71
negative
mixed
positive
6 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Android operating system
+6agreedisagree

•
multitouch colour control panel
+5agreedisagree

•
pdf and epub format support
+5agreedisagree

•
built in WiFi and 3G
+4agreedisagree

•
2GB of internal storage
+4agreedisagree

•
microSD card reader for storage expansion
+4agreedisagree

•
potential for future apps
+4agreedisagree

•
over a million books available at launch
+4agreedisagree

•
LCD powers off when reading
+4agreedisagree

•
iPhone, BlackBerry, PC and Mac software will allow users to pick up where they left off on multiple devices (same as sharing)
+3agreedisagree

•
allows users to lend books to friends
+2agreedisagree

•
free WiFi at every Barnes & Noble
+2agreedisagree

•
pre-ordered devices will be shipped out express and with a $10 gift certificate for slightly past-due
+2agreedisagree

•
affordable price
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
WiFi will only work at Barnes & Noble (for now)
+4agreedisagree

•
no open app development
+2agreedisagree

•
distribution woes - slow to ship, any new order wont arrive until well into the new Year (January 15th is the ETA)
+2agreedisagree

•
a measurably slower page refresh compared to the Kindle - can get tedious when browsing menus, inputting text
+2agreedisagree

•
price will prevent it from gaining major mainstream traction
+1agreedisagree

•
glossy as opposed to matte plastic
0agreedisagree

•
no web browser
0agreedisagree

•
Freezes up and the only way to reset is remove battery and connect to a pc. Not convenient if you're not near a pc
0agreedisagree

•
Does not save bookmarks
0agreedisagree

•
Stores downloaded non B&N content in a Documents folder and paid B&N content in Library folder. Inconvenient to go back and forth between the two.
0agreedisagree

•
No backlight. Glare from touchscreen is annoying until backlight in that section goes out.
0agreedisagree

•
B&N ebook prices are higher than Amazon & you can't use Kindle formatted ebooks on the Nook
0agreedisagree


7 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
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Details

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This report was started October 14, 2009 at 2:38 pm by salimfadhley
with the last edit occurring Friday, 12:09 AM by fractalhorizon
This page has been viewed 1060 times, with 115 edits by 7 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Apple iPad

Apple iPad

MSRP  $499.99    Releases  March, 2010
Pros
  • 9.7-inch IPS multitouch capacitive touchscreen - 1024 x 768px resolution
  • slim and lightweight
  • 802.11BGN (WiFi)
Cons
  • no multitasking functionality
  • no Flash
  • no camera
ProSCORE
50 reviews
45
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Apple iPad  
Amazon Kindle 2

Amazon Kindle 2

MSRP  $259.00    Released  February, 2009
Pros
  • easy to read ePaper display
  • improved battery life (25%) - up to two weeks of use on a single charge
  • thinner than the previous generation model
Cons
  • no external storage (Amazon removed the original Kindle's SD card reader)
  • no PDF support
  • slow page flip
ProSCORE
13 reviews
71
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Amazon Kindle 2  
Samsung E6

Samsung E6

MSRP  $299.00    Released  March, 2010
Pros
  • WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Google content partnership
  • capacitive touchscreen display with stylus
Cons
  • no 3G connectivity for downloading books on the go
  • no physical keyboard
  • higher price than competing products
ProSCORE
1 review
62
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Samsung E6  
Jinke A6

Jinke A6

MSRP  $275.00    Released  March, 2010
Pros
  • 6" multi-touch e-ink display (AUO's SiPix - 16 levels of grayscale)
  • WiFi
  • 2GB of internal storage
Cons
  • slightly more expensive than the competition with no stand-out features
  • late to market next to the competition
  • does not have the power of a large distribution network like Barnes & Noble or Amazon
ProSCORE
1 review
73
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Jinke A6  
Spring Design Alex

Spring Design Alex

MSRP  $359.00    Releases  April, 2010
Pros
  • built-in WiFi and 3G
  • thin
  • sturdy build quality
Cons
  • concept has not yet been fully worked out - steep learning curve in its current form
  • fully unlocked Android platform muddies the focus of the device as an e-reader
  • delay after delay
ProSCORE
2 reviews
47
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Spring Design Alex  
Interead COOL-ER

Interead COOL-ER

MSRP  $250.00    Released  May, 2009
Pros
  • lighter and more compact than QWERTY-packing eReader devices
  • 1GB of internal flash storage
  • ~175g - half the weight of a Kindle 2
Cons
  • no 3G or WiFi connectivity / distribution deals - can only load the device via USB or SD card
  • gaudy aesthetic - looks like a cheap iPod knock-off
  • 2.5mm headphone jack (3.5mm adapter included)
ProSCORE
1 review
57
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Interead COOL-ER  
ViewSonic VEB612

ViewSonic VEB612

MSRP  $259.00    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • SD card slot for external storage expansion up to 4GB
  • competitive price point - matches the most popular e-readers
  • manufactured by ViewSonic - well known and respected display manufacturer
Cons
  • smaller than average 512MB of internal storage
  • cannot match the competition in terms of functionality or aesthetics at the same price point
  • no WiFi or 3G connection for buying books
ProSCORE
2 reviews
33
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote ViewSonic VEB612  
iRiver Story

iRiver Story

MSRP  $329.99    Released  December, 2009
Pros
  • full QWERTY keyboard
  • support for Microsoft Office file formats (Word, Excel & Powerpoint)
  • 2GB of internal storage
Cons
  • no wireless / 3G connectivity
  • poor value - way more expensive than the competition, especially considering the features
  • not as high-end as the Kindle - no aluminum back, lower build quality, lower quality e-ink display
ProSCORE
3 reviews
68
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote iRiver Story  
enTourage eDGe

enTourage eDGe

MSRP  $499.00    Released  February, 2010
Pros
  • runs Android
  • dual screens with different functionality - 9.7" e-paper on the left, 10.1" LCD display with Wacom digitizer on the right
  • WiFi
Cons
  • high price
  • 6-16 hours of battery life (16 hours with e-paper only) - short compared to the competition
  • not detachable
ProSCORE
1 review
78
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote enTourage eDGe  
Sony Pocket Edition PRS-300

Sony Pocket Edition PRS-300

MSRP  $200.00    Released  August, 2009
Pros
  • 440MB internal memory
  • USB 2.0 connection
  • Internal battery can hold a charge for two weeks with regular use
  • Available in Navy Blue, Rose Pink and Silver
  • eBook Library software for PC and Mac
Cons
  • Memory not expandable
ProSCORE
1 review
83
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Sony Pocket Edition PRS-300  
Endless Ideas BeBook 2

Endless Ideas BeBook 2

MSRP  --    Released  October, 2009
Pros
  • 3G
  • touchscreen functionality
  • will be available in places competitors like the Kindle 2 are not
Cons
  • no qwerty keyboard
  • button interface isn't as intuitive or appealing as the one found on the Kindle/Kindle 2
  • 3G service will cost a lot more than Amazon's Whispernet
ProSCORE
4 reviews
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Endless Ideas BeBook 2  
Endless Ideas BeBook Mini

Endless Ideas BeBook Mini

MSRP  $199.00    Released  September, 2009
Pros
  • affordable price
  • 512MB of internal storage
  • SD card slot for easy to use expandable storage
Cons
  • no wireless connectivity
  • difficult to match the Kindle 2 at $259
  • bland and cheap looking
ProSCORE
1 review
67
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Barnes & Noble Nook   vs. vote Endless Ideas BeBook Mini  

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Comments

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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Yale

avatar
December 7, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
70
negative
mixed
positive
14 pros
6 cons

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • multitouch colour control panel
  • pdf and epub format support
  • built in WiFi and 3G
  • 2GB of internal storage
  • microSD card reader for storage expansion
  • potential for future apps
  • over a million books available at launch
  • LCD powers off when reading
  • iPhone, BlackBerry, PC and Mac software will allow users to pick up where they left off on multiple devices (same as sharing)
  • allows users to lend books to friends
  • free WiFi at every Barnes & Noble
  • pre-ordered devices will be shipped out express and with a $10 gift certificate for slightly past-due
  • affordable price

Cons

  • WiFi will only work at Barnes & Noble (for now)
  • no open app development
  • distribution woes - slow to ship, any new order wont arrive until well into the new Year (January 15th is the ETA)
  • a measurably slower page refresh compared to the Kindle - can get tedious when browsing menus, inputting text
  • glossy as opposed to matte plastic
  • no web browser

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
Friday, 12:08 AM
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
82
negative
mixed
positive
14 pros
3 cons

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • multitouch colour control panel
  • pdf and epub format support
  • built in WiFi and 3G
  • 2GB of internal storage
  • microSD card reader for storage expansion
  • potential for future apps
  • over a million books available at launch
  • LCD powers off when reading
  • iPhone, BlackBerry, PC and Mac software will allow users to pick up where they left off on multiple devices (same as sharing)
  • allows users to lend books to friends
  • free WiFi at every Barnes & Noble
  • pre-ordered devices will be shipped out express and with a $10 gift certificate for slightly past-due
  • affordable price

Cons

  • WiFi will only work at Barnes & Noble (for now)
  • distribution woes - slow to ship, any new order wont arrive until well into the new Year (January 15th is the ETA)
  • a measurably slower page refresh compared to the Kindle - can get tedious when browsing menus, inputting text

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

shadowtech

avatar
October 21, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
69
negative
mixed
positive
11 pros
5 cons

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • multitouch colour control panel
  • pdf and epub format support
  • built in WiFi and 3G
  • 2GB of internal storage
  • microSD card reader for storage expansion
  • potential for future apps
  • over a million books available at launch
  • LCD powers off when reading
  • iPhone, BlackBerry, PC and Mac software will allow users to pick up where they left off on multiple devices (same as sharing)
  • allows users to lend books to friends

Cons

  • WiFi will only work at Barnes & Noble (for now)
  • no open app development
  • price will prevent it from gaining major mainstream traction
  • glossy as opposed to matte plastic
  • no web browser

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

pgroves

avatar
November 10, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
3 cons

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • multitouch colour control panel
  • pdf and epub format support
  • built in WiFi and 3G
  • microSD card reader for storage expansion
  • potential for future apps
  • over a million books available at launch
  • LCD powers off when reading
  • free WiFi at every Barnes & Noble

Cons

  • WiFi will only work at Barnes & Noble (for now)
  • no open app development
  • price will prevent it from gaining major mainstream traction

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Marcy Johnston

avatar
January 18, 2010
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
5 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Freezes up and the only way to reset is remove battery and connect to a pc. Not convenient if you're not near a pc
  • Does not save bookmarks
  • Stores downloaded non B&N content in a Documents folder and paid B&N content in Library folder. Inconvenient to go back and forth between the two.
  • No backlight. Glare from touchscreen is annoying until backlight in that section goes out.
  • B&N ebook prices are higher than Amazon & you can't use Kindle formatted ebooks on the Nook

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Alaberthus

avatar
December 7, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • pdf and epub format support
  • 2GB of internal storage

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

salimfadhley

avatar
October 14, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • Android operating system
  • multitouch colour control panel

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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