The Nook Color


(This article was started on 07/21/2011 and last )


In the beginning was the stone tablet. Then came papyrus and a quill; paper and pencil; pen. Now we are back to tablets!

It might help to read my index page first, so you understand how my relationship with smart phones started.

So I was wanting to find out WHY anyone would want a tablet. I know more than a few folks with iPads, Galaxy Tabs or similar. Even my wife has an Amazon Kindle. Well, OK, there is one thing, you can use it to read a book. A bit nerdy I guess. I can read a book with just a book. :-)

Well, a big qualification for my search was low cost. That kills most Android devices, and the Apple iPad 2. I'll include the iPad below for use as a comparison. Most Android devices will be similar to it.

  Nook
Color		 B&W
Touchscreen		  
Kindle		  
iPad 2
Cost $249 $139 $139 $499
Size 7 inch 6 inch 6 inch 9.7 inch
ounces 15.8 7.48 8.5 20.8
Resol. 1024x600 800x600 800x600 1024x768
Bat. Life 8 hrs 2 mo. 2 mo. 10 hrs
Conn's ear, uUSB uUSB ear, uUSB ear, 30pin, uSim
802.11 Version N N N N
EPUB Yes Yes No No ?
MP3 Yes No Yes Yes
Audio good NONE poor good ?

Please send me any updates, or corrections you may have.

So what are my needs? Weight is not much of a factor, and neither is battery life since it will mainly be used while lounging around the house. I want to be able to READ. Not just a book, but web pages, so color may be important. I need WiFi, but not 3G. Another big thing is sound. It doesn't have to be a phone, but I do want sound for music and for alert tones. I may want to watch a movie on it someday. Lastly, and least important; I have been really into my Android smart phone and I would like to do some programming in that vein.

So there you have it. Crunch all the numbers and my choice was clear. Nook Color!

I've used it for a few days and like it a lot. Someday I may root it, but not yet; I may use the warranty. I have been looking at a way to play with Cyanogen Mod 7 without rooting. So far I have NOT gotten it to work and this has been VERY frustrating for me. If I am EVER successful with that, I'll report it here.

Let me know if you get one too, and how you like it.

Since my wife has a kindle, this start to be a comparison review. If ANYONE wants me to, I can add more here like that. Just let me know, Okay?



Back to top