Barnes & Noble Launches Nook HD and Nook HD+ Android Tablets, Could Be Kindle Fire Killers
The first of the two new tablets is the Nook HD, a 7-inch slate that, according to B&N, weighs less and sports a higher resolution than any other tablet of equal size. A dual-core 1.3.GHz processor teamed with 1GB of RAM combine to power the device and drive its 1440x900 resolution screen. How does that compare to the Kindle Fire HD?
Barnes & Noble Nook HD | Amazon Kindle Fire HD |
1.3GHz dual-core | 1GHz dual-core |
1GB RAM |
512MB RAM |
1440x900 resolution | 1280x800 resolution |
243 pixels per inch | 216 pixels per inch |
11.1 ounces (315 grams) | 13.9 ounces (395 grams) |
$199 8GB; $229 16GB | $199 16GB; $249 32GB |
On the larger end of the spectrum is the Nook HD+, a 9-inch tablet with a 1920x1280 display. It too is relatively light, checking in at 18.2 ounces (515 grams). B&N equipped its flagship slate with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the same chip you'll find in the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" tablet. How do those compare in a head-to-head?
Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ | Amazon Kindle Fire HD8.9" |
1.5GHz dual-core | 1.5GHz dual-core |
1GB RAM |
1GB RAM |
1920x1280 resolution | 1920x1200 resolution |
256 pixels per inch | 254 pixels per inch |
18.2 ounces (515 grams) | 20 ounces (567 grams) |
$269 16GB; $299 32GB | $299 16GB; $369 32GB $499 32GB LTE; $599 64GB LTE |
We're not sure if the resolution is a typo on B&N's part (it shows up repeatedly in marketing literature), but even if it's supposed to read 1920x1200 or 1920x1080, it compares favorably with the Kindle Fire HD 8.9". The Nook HD+ features more storage for $30 less on the 16GB model and $70 less on the 32GB SKU, plus it also has a microSD card slot. Finally, unlike the Kindle Fire models, there are "no annoying ads," B&N points out, referring to Amazon's Special Offers that are beamed to the Kindle Fire HD's lock screen.
What do you think about the Nook HD and HD+?