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The-eBook-Reader · 10-22-2009, 09:46 AM

Main stream media is jumping on the nook bandwagon big time, but they are neglecting to mention the facts about nook. Before you decide to buy a nook, you should consider this:

(To be fair to the nook, it is good in a lot of ways, and I posted a thread about its positives here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60099)

1. B&N's book prices are considerably higher than Amazon's.
2. The Lending feature is seriously flawed; they will have to impose a 1 or 2 lending limit or people will just lend the book over and over again.
3. Free Wi-Fi without a browser is about as useful as free internet on a clock. And you can only access B&N's overpriced store with it.
4. Very limited format support, just 3.
5. The supposedly open ePub isn't really open; it's just another new DRM that won't work with other ePub supporting devices.
6. From the videos the menu system looks pretty basic, and there's no folders support.
7. The LCD screen will no doubt affect battery life greatly.
8. Users may be locked-in to B&N's store for ebooks (meaning their current software won't import other DRM'ed ebooks; hopefully they'll update).
9. From the videos, book formatting doesn't look promising.
10. This is the first generation ereader from a company that has zero experience with ebook readers, and there are likely to be many problems and faults.

Update: Many may not agree with my opinions; that is fine. However, to clarify my reasoning I've decided to post links so that you can verify these for yourself. I'm not trying to bash nook, (I'm probably going to get one in fact; not pre-order though, I'll wait till I can see it in person), I'm just trying to show what I think many people don't see from reading all the very short articles online. It's better to know what to expect in advance and not have to pay a 10% restocking fee for something you don't like.

I admit, the tone of the post is somewhat angry. That's because at first I was really impressed by nook, and thought it would be the next best reader, but after I did some research I became very annoyed with B&N for #1, #5, and #8 especially.

1. Some prices are the same, but many are higher, and not by just a few cents. I'm not plugging Amazon, I'm just stating a fact.

Barnes and Noble's first ebook store failed miserably because they charged the same for ebooks as they did real books. But to keep up with Amazon they will need to lower prices this time around. This is a good thing. You can compare prices here if you don't believe me.

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Books/b...ode=1286228011

MR post: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59947

2. Although it isn't directly stated anywhere that I can find on B&N's website, Daithi figured it out here on this MR post: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60148

1 lend per book, provided the publisher allows it.

You can read more about why multiple lends wouldn't work here: http://ireaderreview.com/2009/10/21/...e-should-they/

3. Wi-Fi only allows access to B&N's store: http://www.teleread.org/2009/10/21/b...line-biz-prez/

4. EPUB, PDF, PDB: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pim...fact_sheet.pdf

5. New EPUB DRM that isn't compatible with previous EPUB supporting devices without Adobe update: http://www.teleread.org/2009/10/20/y...l-drm-in-time/

6. Videos: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/media/
No folder support: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60064

7. B&N themselves say battery life is about 30% less than Kindle; 30% is significant in my book, maybe not yours.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pim...comparison.pdf

8. I'll be the first to tell you this isn't a fact, but I have yet to see any documentation that states users will be able to import purchased DRM'ed EPUBs from places like ebooks.com. Obviously anyone can import any file if they try hard enough, but you got to remember that the vast majority of people who will purchase a nook won't know anything about Calibre or stripping DRM. If B&N doesn't update their software to allow importing these files easily, It'll be a huge pain to work around for most people.

9. Subjective, yes. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/media/

10. I'll admit "many problems and faults" is excessive; I should have said "a few bumps in the road is likely for a new device and new software".

10-22-2009, 09:46 AM	#1
The-eBook-Reader Groupie Posts: 194 Karma: 4637 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States Device: All	Nook buyers beware Main stream media is jumping on the nook bandwagon big time, but they are neglecting to mention the facts about nook. Before you decide to buy a nook, you should consider this: (To be fair to the nook, it is good in a lot of ways, and I posted a thread about its positives here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60099) 1. B&N's book prices are considerably higher than Amazon's. 2. The Lending feature is seriously flawed; they will have to impose a 1 or 2 lending limit or people will just lend the book over and over again. 3. Free Wi-Fi without a browser is about as useful as free internet on a clock. And you can only access B&N's overpriced store with it. 4. Very limited format support, just 3. 5. The supposedly open ePub isn't really open; it's just another new DRM that won't work with other ePub supporting devices. 6. From the videos the menu system looks pretty basic, and there's no folders support. 7. The LCD screen will no doubt affect battery life greatly. 8. Users may be locked-in to B&N's store for ebooks (meaning their current software won't import other DRM'ed ebooks; hopefully they'll update). 9. From the videos, book formatting doesn't look promising. 10. This is the first generation ereader from a company that has zero experience with ebook readers, and there are likely to be many problems and faults. Update: Many may not agree with my opinions; that is fine. However, to clarify my reasoning I've decided to post links so that you can verify these for yourself. I'm not trying to bash nook, (I'm probably going to get one in fact; not pre-order though, I'll wait till I can see it in person), I'm just trying to show what I think many people don't see from reading all the very short articles online. It's better to know what to expect in advance and not have to pay a 10% restocking fee for something you don't like. I admit, the tone of the post is somewhat angry. That's because at first I was really impressed by nook, and thought it would be the next best reader, but after I did some research I became very annoyed with B&N for #1, #5, and #8 especially. 1. Some prices are the same, but many are higher, and not by just a few cents. I'm not plugging Amazon, I'm just stating a fact. Barnes and Noble's first ebook store failed miserably because they charged the same for ebooks as they did real books. But to keep up with Amazon they will need to lower prices this time around. This is a good thing. You can compare prices here if you don't believe me. B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Books/b...ode=1286228011 MR post: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59947 2. Although it isn't directly stated anywhere that I can find on B&N's website, Daithi figured it out here on this MR post: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60148 1 lend per book, provided the publisher allows it. You can read more about why multiple lends wouldn't work here: http://ireaderreview.com/2009/10/21/...e-should-they/ 3. Wi-Fi only allows access to B&N's store: http://www.teleread.org/2009/10/21/b...line-biz-prez/ 4. EPUB, PDF, PDB: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pim...fact_sheet.pdf 5. New EPUB DRM that isn't compatible with previous EPUB supporting devices without Adobe update: http://www.teleread.org/2009/10/20/y...l-drm-in-time/ 6. Videos: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/media/ No folder support: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60064 7. B&N themselves say battery life is about 30% less than Kindle; 30% is significant in my book, maybe not yours. http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pim...comparison.pdf 8. I'll be the first to tell you this isn't a fact, but I have yet to see any documentation that states users will be able to import purchased DRM'ed EPUBs from places like ebooks.com. Obviously anyone can import any file if they try hard enough, but you got to remember that the vast majority of people who will purchase a nook won't know anything about Calibre or stripping DRM. If B&N doesn't update their software to allow importing these files easily, It'll be a huge pain to work around for most people. 9. Subjective, yes. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/media/ 10. I'll admit "many problems and faults" is excessive; I should have said "a few bumps in the road is likely for a new device and new software". Last edited by The-eBook-Reader; 10-23-2009 at 07:30 PM. Reason: fairness