As a tech blogger and mom-geek, there are two questions that I'm asked most often – Wii or Xbox, and Kindle, nook or iPad?
As I've written in the past, I have had a Kindle since last January, and this summer I bought an iPad (less than a month after I convinced myself I didn't need one), so it's a subject that I've given a lot of thought.
I don't think there is an easy answer, but with Christmas fast approaching and many looking at these items as gifts, here's how I think it breaks down:
Amazon Kindle ($139 – $379)
I have a great fondness for my Kindle, because it does one thing – allows me to read – and it does it pretty well. I have an older version that is most similar to the new 3G version, meaning I can download books, blogs, magazines and newspapers from anywhere, including the middle of the Pennsylvania Turnpike while my husband is driving.
The new Kindles with their black plastic case, are much slicker looking than mine, and there are more options available, including a less expensive unit which allows for downloading through wifi only, and a more expensive unit with a larger 9.7" screen.
Reading on the Kindle is very comfortable because the screen is not backlit, and you can adjust the color and contrast of the page. The lack of backlighting makes reading outside in the sun possible, but also means if you want to read in bed without disturbing your partner, you will need a book light.
But the best part, and what differentiated the Kindle from the Nook, was the Amazon store. Each has quite a bit of free content available, but Amazon makes it very easy to find the free goodies, through the Kindle app, on the Kindle reader, and through their web site.
Apple iPad ($499 – $829)
While it may seem logical to talk about the Nook next, let's talk about the iPad, and why it's not a simple choice between the Kindle and iPad.
First, there's price. The least expensive iPad (16GB with Wi-Fi) comes in at $499 – a not insignificant difference between it and the most expensive Kindle. To get something that will allow you to download books via 3G you will have to spend a minimum of $692 for the 16GB iPad with WiFi + 3G, and that doesn't include the 3G data plan for which you will have to subscribe.
While you can read from the iPad, using a variety of available apps including those from Apple, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, you can also do a lot more – check e-mail, update your status on Facebook, play games, surf the net – which what makes the iPad so intriguing and more useful than any e-reader.
The iPad is back lit, which can be tough on the eyes, but is great at night when my husband is trying to sleep and I want to read. Reversing the text (black background, white text) and using a matte screen protector, makes reading outside easier but still not as comfortable as the Kindle.
But the biggest reason I hang on to my Kindle? When visiting the beach, pool, or sitting in the tub, I can put the Kindle in a zip lock back and still "turn the page" using the button on the side. Can't do that with the iPad because you have to touch the screen to turn the page.
Barnes & Noble nook ($149 - $249)
Which brings me to the nook from Barnes & Noble.
When I tried the original nook, I will admit I didn't like it at all. The combination of a Kindle-like screen and a backlit colored display at the bottom of the unit felt like an awkward marriage of features which didn't create anything but an uncomfortable reading experience. And I had trouble navigating the Barnes & Noble store on the nook to find the content I was looking for.
Then I saw the nook color, and began to wonder if they might have come up withe something that was a good compromise of my two favorite pieces of technology.
Like the iPad, the nook color has a full-color, back lit touch screen display, good for reading at night. Magazines, newspapers and illustrations look gorgeous, while on the Kindle everything is rendered in shades of grey. Unfortunately, they got rid of the physical navigation buttons, preventing me from using my inexpensive waterproofing method.
And, while the price is more in line with the Kindle, the nook color only comes with Wi-Fi, meaning even at $249 you don't get the 3G network that comes with the $189 Kindle.
So, what's my recommendation? Again, I don't think there is any easy answer, but I do believe the question is not iPad or Kindle, but instead nook color or Kindle.
Personally, I still think the Kindle at $189 is the better deal, largely because of the free 3G downloading. With physical buttons on the side and a non-backlit screen, it also works better than the rest in outdoor or wet situations.
What do you think?