In this Nook Color vs Nook 2 comparison, we find out just what the new E-Ink Nook Simple Touch Reader has to offer and how it differs from the color version. While the Nook Color has been around since late 2010, the All-New Nook, as the name implies, is a reinvention of the previously dual screen E-Ink Nook.
Let’s first take a look at a side-by-side comparison of these two devices…
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Nook Color vs Nook 2: A Side-By-Side Comparison |
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| Nook Color | Nook 2 | |
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Touchscreen Display |
VividView Color Touchscreen | E-Ink Pearl Touchscreen |
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Display Size |
7-inch diagonal | 6-inch diagonal |
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Size (inches) |
8.1 x 5.0 x 0.48 | 6.5 x 5.0 x 0.47 |
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Weight (ounces) |
15.8 | 7.48 |
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Battery Life (wireless off) |
Up to 8 hours | Up to 2 MONTHS |
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Memory |
8GB (up to 5,000 books) | 2GB (up to 1,000 books) |
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Wi-Fi |
802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g |
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Free Wi-Fi in AT&T Hotspots |
NO | YES |
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Supports Audio & Video Books |
YES | NO |
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Supports Newspapers & Magazines |
YES | YES |
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Supports Apps |
YES | NO |
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Sharing, Syncing, Borrowing |
YES | YES |
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Enhanced Web Browser |
YES | NO |
| Supports Microsoft Office Files | YES | NO |
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Kids Books |
AliveTouch Technology; Read to Me; Read & Play | Chapter books only |
| Price | $249 | $139 |
Display
One of the major differences between the two is of course, the reading display. While both are already equipped with touchscreen technology, the 7-inch Nook Color display is in full color (obviously) while the 6-inch screen of the All-New Nook uses E-Ink Pearl technology. At a glance, the VividView Color Touchscreen may be more appealing to most users especially if reading magazines and books with vivid pictures are a big part of your literary fare. But then again, e-ink screens are still the best type when you want to read pure text books; they read like real paper and are devoid of any glare issues.
Unit Size
Do you plan to take an ebook reader with you anywhere you go? If so, then the size of the device should be a big consideration. The Nook Color and All-New Nook are practically the same width and thickness but the former is longer by almost two inches. More importantly, at 7.48 ounces, the e-ink Nook weighs about half as much as the color edition (15.8 ounces), making it the more portable ebook reader.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery performance, there is a huge chasm between the two. Even with the wireless turned off, the Nook Color can only last for around 8 hours, while the Nook 2, as some call the new e-ink Nook, can go as long as 2 months on a single charge. That’s even longer than what the Kindle 3, previously a front runner in the battery life department. Again, this makes the All-New Nook the more mobile and all-around handy device.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
The capability to connect via Wi-Fi is a big factor for many avid readers. This means being able to conveniently browse new releases and download the latest bestsellers more quickly. In this aspect, the two Barnes & Noble ereaders have different advantages. Equipped with 802.11 b/g/n technology, Nook Color boasts of a faster Wi-Fi, presumably, to support its other functions aside from ebook reading. On the other hand, Nook 2 owners can enjoy free Wi-Fi in AT&T hotspots, allowing them to access content easily at more areas.
Memory and Content
With 8GB of memory space, the Nook Color may appear to have a considerable edge over the 2GB Nook. If this space were used purely to store books, the two could hold up to 5,000 and 1,000 books respectively. However, you should keep in mind that the color version functions more like a multi-media tablet than a pure ereader and as such, may require the storage for many other types of files such as photos, videos, Office documents, and others. With the e-ink Nook 2, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to pack in the thousand or so ebooks it promises to hold.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Nook Color can best render full color reading content such as children’s books, magazines, cook books, video books, etc, but these ebooks are bound to be larger than the pure-text and chapter books that the e-ink version is designed for.
Other Features
Judging from the features outlined in the table above, it’s easy to see that the Nook Color comes with more extras than the new Nook. Yes, the two ereaders are capable of the same functions especially where ebook reading is concerned – sharing and syncing, lending between Nook devices, posting updates on social sites,etc.
But compared to what the dedicated ereader Nook can do, the Nook Color offers a lot more: it has web browsing capability, supports Word, Excel and Power Point documents, and is preloaded with apps for games, internet radio, and email. Other applications are also available at the Nook Store.
Bottom Line of This Nook Color vs Nook 2 Review Comparison
Both of these devices are great ebook readers offered at affordable prices, but each has an “ideal” user. To that end, here is the breakdown…
The All-New Nook Is Best For People Who:
- Read mostly books
- Have dedicated “reading times”
- Read one book at a time
- Enjoy “just-like-paper” reading experience
- Want a dedicated ebook reader first and foremost
If you just want a simple and affordable ebook reader to read books and that’s it, then the Nook is what you want.
The Nook Color Is Best For People Who:
- Love to read books, magazines, recipes, blogs, & email
- Like to read whenever they get a chance (waiting in line, having their morning coffee, etc.)
- Multi-tasking readers – they’re in the middle of a couple novels, a few magazines, and a blog
- Enjoy rich color and interactive touch screen
- Enjoy other activities besides reading books – apps, checking email, videos, etc.
If you want an ebook reader that can also function as a quasi tablet – similar to an iPad – then the Nook Color is what you want.