Nook STR or K3, which is more durable?

[timpearson26]

Which one is more durable?

I am trying to decide which one to buy. I tried them both out at the store the other day. I had decided on the Nook, but now with the price drop of the K3 3G I am tempted the other way.

A big selling point to me is the durability of the device. I felt that the Nook seemed more robust, and even though the page turn buttons were harder to press, they seemed more sturdy, almost hidden under the side rubber.

I thought the Kindle 3 seemed more flimsy. When no one was looking at the store, I put my hands on the ends of the K3 and applied pressure and I could see the device flexing. I obviously didn't do this that hard b/c i didn't want to break it, but I feel I easily could have snapped it in 2. Also the page turn buttons didn't seem that solid in place on the sides of the device.


One plus though for the Kindle is that I heard the customer support is awesome, and will even replace a kindle even if its not under warranty. Where as B&N will not. So that is something to think about.

[JSWolf]

To be honest, if you want more durable, Sony is more durable then either the nook or the K3. But of the two, I'd think one is almost the same as the other.

[mcooke66]

IMO you are getting poll results based on device preference. After all how many people have really tested the durability of the NST.

I think both devices are well built, go with the your impressions on this one.

Get a good case and let that provide the primary durability IMO.

The poll results will more likely show how many kindle fans vs NST fans voted.

[TedJ]

Originally Posted by mcooke66

The poll results will more likely show how many kindle fans vs NST fans voted.

Or bloody minded individuals aiming for a 50/50 split.

[Ditchleyportrait]

the nook str is probably a bit more durable, but that doesn't mean it will last longer, either. ppl talk about the "robustness" of the metal framed sonys, but they'll probably break before either the nook or the kindle. the kindle has a metal back, and the nook has a plastic back, right? nook is thicker, more square. i guess the nook for durability. that said, what if it lasts a long time and you want a batt replacement? i don't know if that would be as easy as it is for kindle. remember that.

you get 3g with the kindle same price.

after being in a packed barnes and nobles during peak hours, i honestly hope they fail and go out of business. the nooks are nice, though.

also in terms of button wear the rubberized material won't develop that plastic sheen all consumer electronics get. i personally like how that looks on the graphite kindle, though. the kindle will last, believe.

all this aside, on pure instinct i would go kindle only because you're faced with the ugliness or bn's corporate business. these people are dying to sell you cheap product at inflated prices, and that may or may not extend to their ereaders, but, who can really know?

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Ditchleyportrait

... i honestly hope they fail and go out of business...

Why? They do employ folks. Not being able to pay bills and provide for one's family can be devastating.

[Ditchleyportrait]

Originally Posted by SCION

Why? They do employ folks. Not being able to pay bills and provide for one's family can be devastating.

good point. i just dislike the mall environment i guess that bn is so woven into, part and parcel. the way they do business like that cheapens literature for me.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Ditchleyportrait

ppl talk about the "robustness" of the metal framed sonys, but they'll probably break before either the nook or the kindle.

That's incorrect. The Kindle is flimsy compared to the Sony even though the Sony is lighter. Sonys also last. The old 505s are still going strong. In contrast, there have been numerous reports on these boards of poor build quality with the K3, such as fading key symbols and cracks appearing in the corners.

[Ditchleyportrait]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Rubbish. Sony build quality is far superior to the flimsy Kindle even though it's lighter. There have been numerous reports of poor build quality with the K3, such as fading key symbols and cracks appearing in the corners. That's not just opinion, it's fact.

maybe you're right.the kindle does look flimsy. i forgot the new ones have plastic backing instead of metal, like the k2s. so in regard to op maybe the nook is a keeper.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by timpearson26

Which one is more durable?

I am trying to decide which one to buy. I tried them both out at the store the other day. I had decided on the Nook, but now with the price drop of the K3 3G I am tempted the other way.

A big selling point to me is the durability of the device. I felt that the Nook seemed more robust, and even though the page turn buttons were harder to press, they seemed more sturdy, almost hidden under the side rubber.

I thought the Kindle 3 seemed more flimsy. When no one was looking at the store, I put my hands on the ends of the K3 and applied pressure and I could see the device flexing. I obviously didn't do this that hard b/c i didn't want to break it, but I feel I easily could have snapped it in 2. Also the page turn buttons didn't seem that solid in place on the sides of the device.


One plus though for the Kindle is that I heard the customer support is awesome, and will even replace a kindle even if its not under warranty. Where as B&N will not. So that is something to think about.

You cannot tell how durable or not the Nook STR is. The reason for that is that has been on the market just a few weeks, maybe a month or so. Like cars, we need more time so people start complaining about things falling apart, if that's the case.

Regarding the Kindle, and not because I own one, I've never had any hardware issue with any of them (I just sold the Kindle DXG, never had a problem after almost a year). They are strong and durable. I toss it with the cover, inside my backpack, brought to the beach, receive some sand and even light rain, still working like the very 1st day.

On the other side, my 1st ereader was a Nook, the classic one. Did not crack or something, but physical buttons start making weird noises after a few weeks. I almost sure that with the usage, mine probably was going to be one of those with crack buttons. I sold it and bought the Kindle so not sure what happened later.

Just a quick comment. Metal does not mean sturdiness in Engineering. And polymer does not mean flimsiness either, it's the design and construction what actually tells over the time how flimsy or not a device is. I'm an Engineer, by the way.

[pidgeon92]

The screens on all of these devices are the same, and the screen is the part that is most likely to break. If the screen breaks, Amazon is the most likely vendor to replace it for you without any hassle.

[boswd]

rubberized back goes along with in terms of durability.

[timpearson26]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

The screens on all of these devices are the same, and the screen is the part that is most likely to break. If the screen breaks, Amazon is the most likely vendor to replace it for you without any hassle.

Yeah, thats a good point. May just wait to see if amazon announces anything about the rumors of a K4 anytime soon before buying.


About using a case, I don't like using cases with my devices but instead like using sleeves while there not in use. Anybody have a good sleeve that they use either for the STR or the Kindle? What do you guys look for in a good sleeve?

[jocampo]

I also prefer sleeves instead of cases.

The Kindle 3 is so light and nice to hold that putting a case will make it bulky and even ugly. Granted, maybe won't protect enough on accidental drops but 180 bucks is not a lot of money for me, won't break my finances (I can't speak by others) This is not the same for my iPad 2 though, is more expensive. Won't break my finances but I will probably cry a bit , lol ...

I like this one and is actually the one I own: Timbuk2 Nylon Kindle Envelope Sleeve

[timpearson26]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I also prefer sleeves instead of cases.

The Kindle 3 is so light and nice to hold that putting a case will make it bulky and even ugly. Granted, maybe won't protect enough on accidental drops but 180 bucks is not a lot of money for me, won't break my finances (I can't speak by others) This is not the same for my iPad 2 though, is more expensive. Won't break my finances but I will probably cry a bit , lol ...

I like this one and is actually the one I own: Timbuk2 Nylon Kindle Envelope Sleeve

that sleeve looks really nice but how much does it protect the Kindle? Was thinking more of a sleeve made of a tougher material, like hard plastic or something.