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fjtorres · 11-22-2010, 07:25 AM

It really comes down to what you will use it for.
The NookColor *does* have the better screen and touch controls.
But it is *not* an Android webpad tablet. It is limited to the apps B&N allows on it. The way they talk, I'm not even sure it can be hacked to get generic Android apps to run. So if the out-of-box NookColor meets your needs, it is a good buy.

The IQ looks like it'll need some early care and feeding.
Until we get some real-world reports on the release firmware we really won't know how the native apps will perform. The pros are substantial: you can just about buy an IQ and a PB360 for the price of the Nook (at least while the PB360 remains on sale at US$129.

) The screen has a book-like aspect ratio. It is, in fact, a wide-open android tablet, so yes; Kindle runs. Side-by-side with the Nook app, the Kobo app, Aldiko, FBreader, and the native Pocketbook reading environment. The latter, on the *eink readers* is a very polished and flexible package. On the IQ? Unclear.

Which brings up the cons of the IQ: it is a fresh release. There is a risk you might be in for a few months of wrestling with the "firmware of the month".
The touchscreen thing? All the evidence is the IQ's resisitive touchscreen is good but it is *not* a capacitance screen. Fast swipes will *not* be reliably detected. Taps, drags, and *slow* swipes will. That much we already know. It's the nature of the tech and part of the reason for the price differential.

If you can live with the lockdown B&N has imposed on NookColor it looks like a good buy.
If you can live with the uncertainty of its outright newness, the IQ could be a great buy. If you are willing to exploit the Android environment, rather than relying just of the included features, the IQ has a ot more to offer than merely ebooks in color for $150.

Me, I have a PB360 (and love it) and I'm intrigued by the potential of the IQ so I'm likely going to get one as my christmas toy. But I doubt it will displace the 360 as my primary reader; the 360 is too good for that, it fits my ebook needs too well for any touch device to replace it, color or no color...

Bottom-line: better screen and swipe-responsiveness with NookColor versus the freedom and significantly-lower cost of the IQ. You really *can* get a second reader for the extra $100, you know. A Libre, a Kobo, a Jetbook, a black friday Nook, a PB360, or even a Kindle WiFi.(A slight stretch the last two but the point stands.)

Neither looks to be a bad choice.

11-22-2010, 07:25 AM	#7
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	It really comes down to what you will use it for. The NookColor does have the better screen and touch controls. But it is not an Android webpad tablet. It is limited to the apps B&N allows on it. The way they talk, I'm not even sure it can be hacked to get generic Android apps to run. So if the out-of-box NookColor meets your needs, it is a good buy. The IQ looks like it'll need some early care and feeding. Until we get some real-world reports on the release firmware we really won't know how the native apps will perform. The pros are substantial: you can just about buy an IQ and a PB360 for the price of the Nook (at least while the PB360 remains on sale at US$129. ) The screen has a book-like aspect ratio. It is, in fact, a wide-open android tablet, so yes; Kindle runs. Side-by-side with the Nook app, the Kobo app, Aldiko, FBreader, and the native Pocketbook reading environment. The latter, on the eink readers is a very polished and flexible package. On the IQ? Unclear. Which brings up the cons of the IQ: it is a fresh release. There is a risk you might be in for a few months of wrestling with the "firmware of the month". The touchscreen thing? All the evidence is the IQ's resisitive touchscreen is good but it is not a capacitance screen. Fast swipes will not be reliably detected. Taps, drags, and slow swipes will. That much we already know. It's the nature of the tech and part of the reason for the price differential. If you can live with the lockdown B&N has imposed on NookColor it looks like a good buy. If you can live with the uncertainty of its outright newness, the IQ could be a great buy. If you are willing to exploit the Android environment, rather than relying just of the included features, the IQ has a ot more to offer than merely ebooks in color for $150. Me, I have a PB360 (and love it) and I'm intrigued by the potential of the IQ so I'm likely going to get one as my christmas toy. But I doubt it will displace the 360 as my primary reader; the 360 is too good for that, it fits my ebook needs too well for any touch device to replace it, color or no color... Bottom-line: better screen and swipe-responsiveness with NookColor versus the freedom and significantly-lower cost of the IQ. You really can get a second reader for the extra $100, you know. A Libre, a Kobo, a Jetbook, a black friday Nook, a PB360, or even a Kindle WiFi.(A slight stretch the last two but the point stands.) Neither looks to be a bad choice. Last edited by fjtorres; 11-22-2010 at 07:29 AM.