Nook Glowlight vs Kindle Paperwhite

storm9 · 12-10-2014, 12:33 PM

I'm deciding between the Nook Glowlight and Kindle Paperwhite. Which one should I get?

Pros for Nook:
More comfortable to hold
Physical button to return to home screen and toggle light
No ads

Pros for Kindle:
Xray is kind of cool
Wikipedia
Vocabulary builder
Light is more even than Nook and warmer color

JSWolf · 12-10-2014, 12:39 PM

The Kindle can have no ads. It just depends if you want to pay the extra $20 or not.

The nook's biggest failings are that it has partitioned storage so for side loaded eBooks you only get 500MB and the rest is for eBooks you buy and download (via WiFi) from B&N. Also, the UI of the nook is a mess.

Given the choices of just a nook and a PW, go for the PW.

I know you did not mention any other brands, but, you might want to take a look at the Kobo Aura that's on sale now for $99. You might be able to get one in a local independent bookshop if you live in the US or you can order from Kobo or Chapters. The Aura has a 6" screen and a front light. Plus it handles ePub.

If you are still unsure, have a read in the Kobo forums. A lot of what's talked about on other models like the Aura HD and Aura H2O are relevant to the Aura as they use the same firmware.

meeera · 12-10-2014, 08:12 PM

storm9, what country are you in? (I'm guessing USA, because you're considering Nook, but you never know.) Are library books a consideration for you? Font management? Ecosystem? Hackability?

NickyWithNook · 12-10-2014, 08:50 PM

I have both and they're equally good readers. Amazon has better customer service, but if you already have a bunch of B&N books you might want to stick with the Nook. If you're going to get library books, you can get them wirelessly at least in the US with a Kindle. But sideloading isn't difficult if you have a Nook. It's just another step and I like being able to skip that. I think the Nook holds more books but ONLY if you buy them from B&N. They don't have much space set aside for other content. And you can read Nook books free while you're sitting at a B&N. if you hang out at B&N a lot that might be of interest. I think the Glowlight might be a little cheaper right now, but the Kindle is more convenient in my opinion because of the library thing, and between that and how much better the customer service is, I'd probably go with the Kindle between the two. You'll have to decide if any of the Nook benefits are worth enough to you to put that one over the edge.

storm9 · 12-10-2014, 11:42 PM

Yes, I'm in the US. The partitioned storage on the nook is annoying but I imagine 500mb will hold a few hundred books. One library in my area does lend books that Amazon can deliver wirelessly but the other does ePub only. I could live with either in that regard as I will need to plugin to convert or side load with either device. I'm not too worried about font management but hackability would be good as I like to tinker with my gadgets.

Why do you say the nook ui is a mess, JSWolf?

Ripplinger · 12-11-2014, 12:41 AM

I second JSWolf's suggestion to take a look at Kobo readers before you decide. As someone coming from epubs (I had Sony 350 readers, then to Kobo Glos) I picked up a refurbished PW2 when they were on special and I can honestly say the only good thing about it (to me anyway) is that it's a nice white screen. I hate everything else about it. I never expected to want to use it as a main reader, but even with that mind I'm still very disappointed in it. I grabbed it because of the price and to be able to borrow Prime books, figuring it would pay for itself with free books.

eschwartz · 12-11-2014, 01:44 AM

I will third the suggestion that you amend your considerations to look between the Kindle and the Kobo.

And just for the record -- it is REALLY convenient to checkout a book and have it sent wirelessly without ever leaving the browser. Adobe Digital Editions is REALLY awkward to use...

If you choose a Kindle you can still hack it, see this post before doing anything: http://mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2978681

Chances are PW2s will still be coming with older firmware, from when it was first packaged -- but they will definitely have an OTA update waiting.

eschwartz · 12-11-2014, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storm9

Why do you say the nook ui is a mess, JSWolf?

B&N is more or less out of the race by default, they haven't done anything new on their ereaders for absolutely ages and it shows, and oh, did you know they still don't do collections?

The device is slow and the UI is ugly and limited in capabilities.

JSWolf · 12-11-2014, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storm9

Why do you say the nook ui is a mess, JSWolf?

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

B&N is more or less out of the race by default, they haven't done anything new on their ereaders for absolutely ages and it shows, and oh, did you know they still don't do collections?

The device is slow and the UI is ugly and limited in capabilities.

You can sort of do folders. But it's still a mess. The UI is geared toward eBooks from B&N. It's not pretty. Oh and the odd shape of the nook makes it not all that great to hold.

rcentros · 12-11-2014, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storm9

Why do you say the nook ui is a mess, JSWolf?

I think a Nook bit him when he was young -- or something.

Seriously, I own two Kindles (with slightly different interfaces), two Nooks, a Sony T2 and a Kobo Glo. They all have different interfaces, none of them perfect, but I get along fine in all of them. In my opinion the Nook UI is good, not perfect, but good. The Kindle does have a better dictionary, however and like my Kindle Touch's Translate feature (available in all modern Kindles). And Amazon definitely has a better infrastructure. But if you're mostly just reading -- especially if you're mostly reading ePubs -- there's nothing wrong with the Nooks at all.

rcentros · 12-11-2014, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

The device is slow and the UI is ugly and limited in capabilities.

What, specifically, is "ugly" about the Nook interface?

storm9 · 12-11-2014, 09:15 AM

Are the kobo Glo and aura similar? Looks like the aura isn't available at the store near me.

JSWolf · 12-11-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storm9

Are the kobo Glo and aura similar? Looks like the aura isn't available at the store near me.

Yes, they are similar in that they both can run the same firmware version. But the Aura's screen is the same as used on the Kindle PW1.

JSWolf · 12-11-2014, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

What, specifically, is "ugly" about the Nook interface?

At the bottom of the screen is a large wasted space for nook recommendations.

Also, there are no collections so you cannot organize your content.

NickyWithNook · 12-11-2014, 12:01 PM

That isn't a picture of the glowlight, and that's not what the glowlight's home page looks like.

Here it is:

[Image violates posting guidelines for size - MODERATOR]

12-10-2014, 12:33 PM	#1
storm9 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: none	Nook Glowlight vs Kindle Paperwhite I'm deciding between the Nook Glowlight and Kindle Paperwhite. Which one should I get? Pros for Nook: More comfortable to hold Physical button to return to home screen and toggle light No ads Pros for Kindle: Xray is kind of cool Wikipedia Vocabulary builder Light is more even than Nook and warmer color

12-11-2014, 01:44 AM	#7
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I will third the suggestion that you amend your considerations to look between the Kindle and the Kobo. And just for the record -- it is REALLY convenient to checkout a book and have it sent wirelessly without ever leaving the browser. Adobe Digital Editions is REALLY awkward to use... If you choose a Kindle you can still hack it, see this post before doing anything: http://mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2978681 Chances are PW2s will still be coming with older firmware, from when it was first packaged -- but they will definitely have an OTA update waiting. Last edited by eschwartz; 12-11-2014 at 01:50 AM.

12-11-2014, 12:01 PM	#15
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	That isn't a picture of the glowlight, and that's not what the glowlight's home page looks like. Here it is: [Image violates posting guidelines for size - MODERATOR] Last edited by Dr. Drib; 12-13-2014 at 11:55 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why I am avoiding the nook GlowLight [2013 nook GlowLight]	anmanwar@aol.com	Barnes & Noble NOOK	20	04-24-2018 12:16 PM
Deleting books: Nook Glowlight v. Kindle Paperwhite 2013	allisondbl	Which one should I buy?	12	11-21-2014 01:57 AM
Ended Nook Glowlight and Oberon Cover (for Nook Touch or Glowlight)	puglover333	Flea Market	1	09-20-2012 08:11 AM
kindle paper white or nook glowlight	malmhdy	Amazon Kindle	12	09-10-2012 06:19 PM

12-10-2014, 12:39 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,120 Karma: 144284184 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The Kindle can have no ads. It just depends if you want to pay the extra $20 or not. The nook's biggest failings are that it has partitioned storage so for side loaded eBooks you only get 500MB and the rest is for eBooks you buy and download (via WiFi) from B&N. Also, the UI of the nook is a mess. Given the choices of just a nook and a PW, go for the PW. I know you did not mention any other brands, but, you might want to take a look at the Kobo Aura that's on sale now for $99. You might be able to get one in a local independent bookshop if you live in the US or you can order from Kobo or Chapters. The Aura has a 6" screen and a front light. Plus it handles ePub. If you are still unsure, have a read in the Kobo forums. A lot of what's talked about on other models like the Aura HD and Aura H2O are relevant to the Aura as they use the same firmware.

12-10-2014, 08:12 PM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,794 Karma: 68145694 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	storm9, what country are you in? (I'm guessing USA, because you're considering Nook, but you never know.) Are library books a consideration for you? Font management? Ecosystem? Hackability?

12-10-2014, 08:50 PM	#4
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I have both and they're equally good readers. Amazon has better customer service, but if you already have a bunch of B&N books you might want to stick with the Nook. If you're going to get library books, you can get them wirelessly at least in the US with a Kindle. But sideloading isn't difficult if you have a Nook. It's just another step and I like being able to skip that. I think the Nook holds more books but ONLY if you buy them from B&N. They don't have much space set aside for other content. And you can read Nook books free while you're sitting at a B&N. if you hang out at B&N a lot that might be of interest. I think the Glowlight might be a little cheaper right now, but the Kindle is more convenient in my opinion because of the library thing, and between that and how much better the customer service is, I'd probably go with the Kindle between the two. You'll have to decide if any of the Nook benefits are worth enough to you to put that one over the edge.

12-10-2014, 11:42 PM	#5
storm9 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: none	Yes, I'm in the US. The partitioned storage on the nook is annoying but I imagine 500mb will hold a few hundred books. One library in my area does lend books that Amazon can deliver wirelessly but the other does ePub only. I could live with either in that regard as I will need to plugin to convert or side load with either device. I'm not too worried about font management but hackability would be good as I like to tinker with my gadgets. Why do you say the nook ui is a mess, JSWolf?

12-11-2014, 12:41 AM	#6
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I second JSWolf's suggestion to take a look at Kobo readers before you decide. As someone coming from epubs (I had Sony 350 readers, then to Kobo Glos) I picked up a refurbished PW2 when they were on special and I can honestly say the only good thing about it (to me anyway) is that it's a nice white screen. I hate everything else about it. I never expected to want to use it as a main reader, but even with that mind I'm still very disappointed in it. I grabbed it because of the price and to be able to borrow Prime books, figuring it would pay for itself with free books.

12-11-2014, 09:15 AM	#12
storm9 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: none	Are the kobo Glo and aura similar? Looks like the aura isn't available at the store near me.

Advert

Advert