Kindle Fire Vs. Nook Tablet

Updated on March 18, 2012
S.K. asks from Plano, TX
6 answers

Ok I know this question has been asked and answered on here, and I just got through reading past responses. I'm asking it again though because new versions of these tablets came out in the past few months and I wanted an updated set of opinions!

So we are debating Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet for family use, but emphasis on our 4 year old using it. He is turning 4 next month I should say and we are thinking of getting this for him for his birthday. Main uses for it will be reading kids books, playing educational games, that kind of thing when we need him to chill out and NOT steal my iphone or my ipad :)

Why not let him take over my ipad? Its big (I like 7 inch screen for him), its packed with my work stuff, its very expensive (he is a 4 year old boy...'nuff said).

One specific time we will probably have him use it is in the morning (if anyone remembers my recent posts about our morning issues, you'll understand why. short version: he wakes up unGodly early and enjoys singing at the top of his sweet little lungs at that time, waking us and often the baby) for a bit when he wakes up. So I want him to be able to use it independently to read books (or have books read to him by the device) and play educational games, but I do not want him to have open access to cartoons we may have stored on there (for use at our discretion only) or to Youtube.

So I really want to hear from anyone who chose between these for use by a child.

And if you do use one of these for your child, have you found good ways to keep them away from youtube and cartoons/movies when they're using it independently?

I know everyone on here means well, but here's my disclaimer: If you are of the opinion that children shouldn't use devices like this, save your finger muscles. My son helps me plant vegetables, we do puzzles, he rides his bike all the time, he helps me cook, he colors and paints, etc. I'm not gonna use this as a babysitter around the clock. Its just one more tool in the parenting toolbox, so relax and please only reply if you have an answer to the actual question I'm asking.

Thanks!

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

If your primary purpose is for him to use it independently in the mornings, I'd actually recommend something like a LeapPad over either one of those. Both the devices you mention are relatively child friendly (I'd choose a NOOK for myself because they accept a greater variety of book formats), BUT they are DESIGNED for adults. He would certainly love either one, I'm sure, but he WILL be able to get into all the stuff you want to keep him out of.

I'd get him a LeapPad and everything on there will be something that is totally fine for him to use one his own.

HTH
T.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.

answers from Augusta on

my only thing about kids and an actual tablet is they can break it. And then you've got 200 -250 $ down the drain.
If you want one for yourself , I'd say Nook Tablet. It's exceptionally better than the kindle. If only for the actual in-store AWESOME customer service.
It's also got expandable memory, you can add a micro SD card to it. and takes more book formats. you can get your books from more than just one place.

Um for a 4 yr old I'd suggest the new Leappad . It's a kid's touch tablet.
http://www.leapfrog.com/leappad/index.html
They are more durable than a tablet designed for adults.

M.Q.

answers from Detroit on

I have the Nook Tablet 16GB that hubby bought me for Valentine's. Both my 7 yr old & 3 yr old love it...my 3 yr old figured out how to use it within minutes of touching it. The tablet has the built in speaker which allows you to record your voice reading a story to him you can also download "read to me" stories which will narrate for him. I've also downloaded a card matching game, counting game & a few other apps that help keep him entertained in the car or at doctor's appts. If you go to cnet.com you can also get a comparison along with reviews of the fire & the Nook table. HTH

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J.K.

answers from Omaha on

I'm coming into this a bit biased. I own the original Nook 1st edition reader and I have the Nook Simple reader. I've actually been considering getting a tablet for a bit and if I do I think I'll go with the Nook Tablet. Their devices have been wonderful for me and my family. I love the customer service. Also, my iPhone broke constantly! worst software ever. Because of that, I'm hesitant to get an iPad.

Like the other person said, a 4 year old could break it but I've heard from some friends that you can put electronic devices on home owners insurance for about $10 a month, much cheaper than the in store insurance. But I do know that ( at least for my 1st edition nook) you could buy a special "breaks and spills" warranty for the first year. You would get a new device if you dropped it, spilled on it, etc - basically the stuff a normal warranty doesn't cover.

Good luck on your purchase choice :) oh another good thing about the Nook Tablet. It's a "closed" network as far as the ap market goes - so if you're worried about your son finding inappropriate content (I know he's only four but you never know!) those kinds of aps are likely not available on the Nook. There's a limited selection of Android aps for it, but it'd be a large enough selection for him I'm sure!

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B.G.

answers from Champaign on

I was debating before Christmas and chose the Nook Color over the Kindle Fire. For me it came down to three things: actual people at the local store if I needed help, multiple formats for books because I did own an off brand e-reader and wanted to be able to move my books to the Nook and the expandable memory - not sure I really need it, but it's nice to have the option.

If I were you, I might consider an I-Pod. If I understand correctly, any games/apps you purchase for your I-Pad and I-Phone can also be downloaded to an I-Pod. That way you're not paying for the same game/app 2 or 3 times. If you buy a Nook or Kindle you'd have to buy it again because it's a different format (I think ... I'm almost positive that would be true about the Kindle) An I-Pod would be smaller than the Kindle or Nook, but it might be something to think about.

Since I have the Nook Color, I'm not sure how easy it would be to access youtube and cartoons/movies. I do know that my 5 1/2 year old taught me how to play Angry Birds and knows how to open it if he's on the right page, but I'm not sure he knows how to get to the right page.

Added:
One other thing about the Nook over the Kindle. I read that once the Kindle is registered, you no longer have to enter a password and anyone can order anything and it is charged to your account. I have to enter my password anytime I order a new book or app. I even have to enter it to download the "Free Fridays" book. Your son wouldn't be able to accidentally run up your credit card bill!

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you considered looking into a used iPad?
Apple has a bigger app platform that the amazon or droid platform...

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