NOOK Tablet

“We're not going to tally up the marks and declare a winner, because their respective values will vary depending on how you plan to use your device. Feel free to mix and match and decide based on the criteria you value the most. Need a better browser, want to turn book pages without bringing the device to its knees, and looking for superior hardware? A Nook Tablet is for you. Need a constant stream of apps, a good e-mail app, and a thriving content ecosystem? Go with a Kindle Fire. We could discuss the permutations ad infinitum, but it's ultimately up to you to decide which device is best for your needs.”

“I have less doubt about the Nook Tablet as a capable product than I did about the Kindle Fire. The experience is not frustrating or jagged and doesn't feel as unfinished. Indeed, it is more intuitive, and the device is more responsive. However, I do have some doubts about the value of the Nook ecosystem. Amazon's selection in all categories seems a bit more diverse, though that is going to be a matter of taste. The ability to access free videos through Amazon Prime is also valuable, though the fact that both platforms have Netflix apps negates this a little.”

“The reader's tablet is back. The new Nook Tablet delivers the best color e-reading experience available, especially for magazines and for childrens' books. It's a better e-reader than the Amazon Kindle Fire, our Editors' Choice for small tablets. But the Nook doesn't quite match the Fire on music, video or apps, and the Nook Color offers the same great e-reading experience for less money. Make no mistake, the Nook is a very good small tablet, but the Fire delivers a better all-around tablet experience, and the Nook Color offers better value as a color e-reader.”

“Separated by a mere $50, one can spend a lot of time juggling why one is better than the other, but after spending some time with the two, we think that the Amazon Kindle Fire simply offers the most bang for the buck – and even better, it’s the cheaper of the two! Yes, the Nook Tablet has a better display, expandable storage and more RAM, but when it comes down to actually using the device, there’s nothing too major that makes it the better performer. Actually, it’s Amazon’s extensive ecosystem surrounding multimedia content and third party apps that wins us over above all things – not only does it deepen the tablet’s functionality, but it will seemingly appease those who are already heavily invested in Amazon’s services. We also expect the Kindle Fire to sell better, and to receiv? better support from 3rd party developers. On the other hand, the Nook is better in terms of hardware and its biggest drawback – the apps ecosystem - is rather easily solved, once you port the Amazon Appstore to it.”