So, when I last posted regarding e-readers, I was still mostly into paperbacks, but did have a Kindle 1.  However, when the Kindle 3 came out, I picked up the WiFi only version and pretty much converted to electronic readers.  I think since then I’ve only read a one or two paperbacks (and I read a lot). I really liked the form factor and that I could travel for work, go on  vacation, or go camping and not worry about carrying a ton of books.
Unfortunately, I dropped my kindle face down on some rocks and messed the screen up pretty bad.  I hemmed and hawed about getting another Kindle as the cost was pretty hard to justify (If I had dropped a book, I would have been out a few bucks).
However, being a gadget guy, I went ahead and made the decision to re-up and get another reader.  However, this time I went with the Barnes and Noble (All New) NOOK Touch.  I decided on this for several reasons and am very happy with the choice.
Here’s my list of pros and cons and my opinion of the differences between the Kindle and the NOOK:
Pros:

  • Smaller
  • Lighter
  • Faster – no jarring e-Ink page turn, can fast scroll through a book
  • No keyboard – touch screen keyboard is faster than the Kindle keyboard and with a reader you shouldn’t be typing much anyway.
  • Expandable memory – Micro SD slot
  • Supports ePub – in addition to the Barnes and Noble “Lend-me” you can also check books out from many online and local libraries that support ePub lending.
  • Android based – can be rooted/jailbroken (some folks have even installed the Kindle app on the NOOK)

Cons:

  • No browser
    • This didn’t matter to me as my reader is for books. I have an iPad and an Android phone so if I needed to access the Interwebs, why would I use an e-ink based reader?
  • No e-mail function
    • Kindle has a feature where you can e-mail yourself a document and it will magically appear on your Kindle.  This wasn’t an issue for me as I had never used the feature on the Kindle.
  • WiFi only
    • Not really an issue for me as my Kindle was WiFi only, but if you wanted the 3G signal you would be out of luck with this particular device.

I used Calibre DeDRMed the remaining Kindle books I had not read and those that I had read that I wanted on the new device.
I’ve had it for 6 weeks and the only real thing I would add to this list is that sometimes when reading in bed with one hand I will inadvertently touch the screen and the page will turn.  This is a minor annoyance, and one I can forgive.
I also expect to see new features in a new release of the software (such as disabling touch screen page turning), browser, etc.
Other reviews:

  1. Booksprung (yes, those are my comments)
  2. PC Magazine
  3. cnet Reviews
  4. More on Google