If you are looking for an ebook reader, then the comparison between Kindle, Nook and iPad 2, presented in this article will be a helpful read. Here I present a head to head comparison of these three ebook readers, that will make your choice simpler.
Though nothing can replace the real experience of reading a book, turning each page at leisure while sipping a hot cup of coffee, ebook readers are really useful gadgets to have when you are traveling. It’s simply not possible to carry all your books with you, but with an ebook reader it’s actually possible! You can carry your whole library along with you and read the books whenever, wherever. There are many choices in front of you if you plan to buy an ebook reader.
Kindle Vs. Nook Vs. iPad 2: Comparison
Choosing one device out of many options available before you, can be tough. However, if you are guided by your exact requirements and your budget constraints, making a choice is substantially easier. Let me briefly introduce you to all three gadgets before I present a head to head comparison between the three.
Kindle DX Graphite
The latest release from Amazon, the Kindle DX Graphite has it all. A 9.7 inch E Ink screen with better contrast, anti-glare screen, 3G connectivity, an auto rotating screen and longer battery life. The price on this new Kindle version, christened as ‘DX Graphite’ owing to a new graphite case color, has been slashed to $379. Oh yeah, this one is one of the slimmest Kindles to have been ever launched, with thickness which is just a wee bit above 1/3 of an inch. Without wireless adapter switched on, the battery can easily go on for two to three weeks, on a single charge. With wireless adapter functioning, on a single charge, it can still go on for a week, making it an ideal choice for reading when traveling.
Nook Color
Giving the Amazon Kindle DX, a run for the money is Nook Color. Barnes & Noble have put together an Amazing gadget in the form of the new Android 2.2 based Nook version. With a 7 inch capacitative multi-touch LCD screen, Wi-Fi connectivity, 8 GB of internal memory and a color display at price tag of $249, what more could a consumer ask for!
Apple iPad 2
Doubling up as an ebook reader is just one of the many things this versatile gadget can do for you. The Apple iPad 2 falls in a class of its own, being a fully functional computer. With a 9.7 inch screen, 1 Giga Hertz processor, 6 GB plus of flash memory, 512 MB of RAM, camera, Wi-Fi plus 3G connectivity and hundreds of other impressive features, it is hard to not be tempted by this masterpiece of a gadget. If you are looking for a tablet computer that doubles up as an ebook reader, the brand new iPad 2 is the right choice! However, if you are just looking for an ebook reader, it would be an expensive purchase.
Features Comparison
Let me now present a head to head, feature wise comparison. The table below makes the difference between these three e-readers quite apparent.
| Kindle DX Graphite | Nook Color | Apple iPad 2 |
| Diagonal Screen Size (in inches) | ||
| 9.7 inches | 7 inch Color Touchscreen | 9.7 inches |
| Screen Resolution | ||
| 1200 x 824 pixels | 1024 x 600 pixels | 1024 x 768 pixels |
| Screen Type/Color | ||
| E Ink Pearl | VividView Color Touchscreen with 16 Million Colors | Color LED Backlit |
| Storage Capacity | ||
| 4GB/3.3 GB | 8 GB (Expandable up to 32 GB) | 16 GB to 64 GB |
| Wireless Connectivity | ||
| 3G | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi + 3G |
| Battery Life | ||
| 3 Weeks (Without Wireless)/7 Days (With Wireless) | 8 Hours (With Wireless Off) | Up to 10 Hours With Wi-Fi |
| Supported Formats | ||
| PDF, Kindle (.azw), HTML | PDF, ePUB | PDF, .Doc, .DocX |
| Weight | ||
| 1.813 Pounds | 0.9875 Pounds | 1.33 Pounds |
| Dimensions (in inches) | ||
| 10.4 x 7.2 x 0.38 | 8.1 x 5 x 0.48 | 9.50 x 7.31 x 0.34 |
| Multimedia Offered | ||
| Audio | Audio & Video | Audio & Video |
| Price | ||
| $379.00 | $249.00 | $499.00 (16 GB)/$599 (32 GB)/$699 (64 GB) |
If you are only looking for an ebook reader and nothing more, you may choose between Nook Color and Kindle DX Graphite, as iPad 2 would be overkill. I would particularly recommend the Nook Color with its price advantage over Kindle and the range of features it offers. If you want a tablet computer you could carry around, which could also function as an ebook reader, Apple iPad 2 would be the right choice. Otherwise, for people who want a lightweight and compact ebook reader, iPad would be bulky. Hope the specs comparison presented above, make it easy for you to arrive at a decision.
