A few hours ago, erstwhile brick and mortar Bookseller Barnes and Noble announced the launch of its first tablet, the Nook tablet in the United States.
The launch came a few months after arch rival Amazon came up with a similar device – the Kindle Fire. For those of you who have already decided on the Amazon Kindle Fire, we are sure that the arrival of the Nook tablet would put you in two minds. Here’s why.
The Specs
We start with the specs. The Nook Tablet is powered by a dual core processor which is clocked at 1 Ghz. This is the same as the one found on the Kindle Fire. Scores even? Well let’s go further… Things start to go downhill for the Kindle Fire from here on. When we observe the RAM figures, the Nook tablet with a full GB of RAM thrashes the Kindle Fire which comes with exactly half that amount (512 MB).
Then we have the internal storage capacity where the Nook tablets scores. With 16 GB of internal memory, along with the option to expand it further using micro SD cards, the Nook tablet wins this one hands down. Compare this with the measly 8 GB of memory on the Kindle Fire out of which the user has access only to 6 GB. The Nook tablet also comes with a built in microphone which the Kindle Fire lacks.
Software
Both the tablets run customized versions of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Sadly, neither of these devices would be allowed on to the Android Market and would have to be satisfied with the island eco system of apps that developers would have to churn out for these two platforms. However, it is clear that Amazon already has a lead when it comes to apps – thanks to its Amazon App Store which has a far greater variety of apps than the Barnes & Noble’s App Store. Add to it the fact that the Amazon App Store is frequented by other Android users thereby making it a much larger platform with more developer interest.
In contrast, the Nook’s App Store would only cater to two devices; the new Nook Tablet and the Nook Color. Clearly, if apps are important, the Kindle Fire wins his round hands down.
That said, Barnes & Noble seem to have done their homework well and has already announced tie ups with Hulu, Netflix and the likes for content.
Price
Now, Barnes & Noble thinks that for the better specifications and hardware on the Nook tablet, customers would not mind paying a tad extra for a “better” product. Which is why the decided to price the Nook Tablet for $249. This makes the device $50 dearer than the Kindle Fire which retails for $199.
Is the $50 premium really worth it? Depends on how you see it. If you are the kind who would like tons of storage options the Nook tablet should do the job for you. But if Apps are a priority, you better look at the Kindle Fire. As for performance, on paper the Kindle Fire might be the laggard but we have more than often seen that real world performance also depends on how well the software is integrated with the hardware. It is not necessary that a device with the best, cutting edge hardware is actually “faster” than a device which might have slightly outdated specs.
That said, we would reserve our judgment until we get to check out both these devices. Anyway, we hope this makes your search for that perfect Tablet/e-reader a tad easier!