eReader or Tablet?

[Roseweave]

I just bust my Nook Simple Touch/Glowlight(or rather it bust itself) and I'm looking to replace it. I've looked into it and I think that a backlit LCD display might not be as bad as I'd first thought for reading in bed, studies don't seem to show much difference in terms of eyestrain. Though things like anti-glare covers etc. are still important - I find my EEEPC has a very "paper like" screen even though it's backlit.

So I'm considering getting a tablet - maybe a 9" one, to replace both my Nook and aging EEEPC. A colour screen would let me read comics, too. I think I could just about fit a 9" Reader in my handbag assuming it was lightweight.

Are there any suggestions? I'll consider a 7" screen also, but I'd definitely rather something larger than my Nook.

I'm thinking of either picking up a second hand first gen IPad, or maybe a Windows 8 tablet. Either that or just outright replacing my Nook, though I almost feel like I may as well spend the bit extra to get a multifunctional device.

Any ideas?

[booklover6]

I recommend the Nook HD+ if you want large, or the HD if you want 7". Both screens are enjoyable, excellent in fact, for reading on. No eye strain for me. I love the HD especially.

The Nook HD+ screen is MUCH better than the first generation ipad screen.

Also the 7" screen of the Nook HD is bigger than the screen on your broken simple touch.

Nook HD+ is $149 - 16gb +[add your own] SD card (32gb) = 48gb.....you can't beat that value.

[Roseweave]

Is the Nook HD usable as a normal tablet? What does it run?

I'm not a big fan of Android to be honest, but I'll make do if I have to. It's customisable at least.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Roseweave

Is the Nook HD usable as a normal tablet? What does it run?

I'm not a big fan of Android to be honest, but I'll make do if I have to. It's customisable at least.

The Nook HD runs a custom skinned version of Android which you may or may not like as much as stock Android. It can be used as a normal tablet and has access to the Google Play store for apps (as well as B&N's app store which isn't all that great).

[Roseweave]

Is it easily hacked?

Also what is the sound like? My friends have iPads and the sound on them are great for a device of it's size.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Roseweave

Is it easily hacked?

What do you want to do on it that needs hacking? You can easily run "stock" Android on it if you want to (Google - N2A card), but since they offer the Google Play store now there's not as much reason to do so for most users. You can run a different launcher if you dislike the Nook interface also without hacking anything.

Also what is the sound like? My friends have iPads and the sound on them are great for a device of it's size.

Sound is okay, not spectacular, but not terrible. Not quite as good as an iPad or Kindle Fire, but even those I think of as "not bad". If sound is crucial an external speaker is a better solution for most tablets. Don't forget a 7" Nook will be $79 at various places on Black Friday (or $129 right now). An iPad Mini Retina starts at $400 (or $300 with the low resolution screen). They're certainly nice if they're in the budget and fit your needs. The Nexus 7 is also very nice at $229, it runs completely stock Android.

[Roseweave]

I'm based in Ireland so black friday isn't of much use to me unless I can get someone to pick one up which I probably can't.

[jscarbo]

I also recommend the HD+. The 9" HD screen is great for watching videos and reading magazines, PDF's, graphic novels, etc. Because it has access to Google Play there's probably no reason to root it but with the SD card slot, you can easily do so or run a dual boot system to run stock Android Jelly Bean. Inexpensive, preconfigured cards are available from N2A or AFN (Google for more info) or you can do it yourself following instructions on the XDA-Developer Forums.

The form factor and weight are great, better than most large screen tablets except perhaps the newest Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. I also live outside the US and have no problem using mine overseas. I don't use the Nook store and don't miss it since the selection and prices aren't all that great anyway. I do, however, use the Kindle for Android app and buy ebooks from Amazon. Their app works fine on the HD+. I buy my apps from Google Play.

For more info about my preferences, see my post (#6) in this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=226536

[Roseweave]

I'm not sure whether to get the HD or the HD+. The form factor of the HD is great as it's not really much bigger than my Nook Glowlight, but the HD+ is big enough to use for a wider variety of tasks. The weight might be too much for me though - one of the reasons I find it hard to read is that some books are just so physically heavy.

I don't suppose anyone has a side by side comparison for the Nook simple touch and Nook HD+? I think the case I keep my Nook in is probably big enough to fit the HD(the one I got is far too large) meaning it should be small enough to keep in my handbag too.

[Quexos]

e-readers for the battery life without a doubt.
But having an Ipad Mini Retina, I must say it's amazing for the looks ...

So in the end it depends on what your priorities are.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Roseweave

I don't suppose anyone has a side by side comparison for the Nook simple touch and Nook HD+? I think the case I keep my Nook in is probably big enough to fit the HD(the one I got is far too large) meaning it should be small enough to keep in my handbag too.

Here is a side by side pic, if my link works.

[Roseweave]

I'm going to take a look around for some Tablets on Monday just to compare them. Still very unsure what size to get. To be honest, the smaller one looks more attractive and will be less hassle but the larger one, with a bluetooth keyboard, could replace my EEEPC fully.

The battery life of eReaders is great and I am worried if I'm reading constantly I'll wear down the battery of this device. That's my biggest worry with getting a tablet. I guess I can read it while charging off USB, but that could be awkward. I may be better off getting off the larger tablet, use it as a tablet, and get a new dedicated eReader when one has features that tickles my fancy. I might consider a Kobo Glo. But if I can get a tablet for less... I'm leaning towards the tablet.

Do the batteries wear down as quickly as laptop batteries?

[icedtea]

Originally Posted by Roseweave

I'm not sure whether to get the HD or the HD+...
I think the case I keep my Nook in is probably big enough to fit the HD(the one I got is far too large) meaning it should be small enough to keep in my handbag too.

I have the HD - 7 inch screen, and it is a great size for portability. I have a case that acts as a stand; it's a bit too wide and heavy for me to hold comfortably in one hand for extended periods.

Originally Posted by Roseweave

Still very unsure what size to get. To be honest, the smaller one looks more attractive and will be less hassle but the larger one, with a bluetooth keyboard, could replace my EEEPC fully.

From this thread at BN, it seems like the HD devices are a bit finicky with the bluetooth or just keyboards in general.

[Roseweave]

anyone know what keyboards DO work with it?

Also is the 7" is heavy enough to give hand fatigue the 9" may be out of the question.

[booklover6]

This keyboard works with the Nooks just fine. I will test it again later today to make sure.

ok, typing this on the keyboard paired with my Nook HD 7" tablet.

It wouldn't detect the HD+ and I didn't have time to fool with it.