Why I Got a Nook HD (or Why You Got an HD+) (Real-world Comparisons)

[AACThaKid]

A decently compressed feature-length 720p movie will range from 1.5-4GB depending on encoding, and a straight rip without decent compression might run 6-8GB or more.

i know its a little off topic but i am getting a Nook HD in a week or 2(depends on how stocked they are)

using FreeStudio with DVD-Cloner Pro i can get a full feature-length Movie riped at 720p, with 3Mbits bitrate video and 320kbps AAC audio and keep it at about 1.5GB-2GB space, no compression/extra compression needed. and thats some Great Quality

 

[Character Zero]

Has anyone here tried the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 also?

Yeah I had one for a day. Not sure where development is right now but I think they might have had root. I didn't like the stock interface at all. I guess you can install a launcher but I am really liking the Nook HD+. I also like on the Nook you can run CM10 entirely from the Sd card meaning you can leave the internal SD untouched. That almost makes it more developer friendly than even Nexus devices. A screwed up build doesn't really brick you as you can use Stock in that case. I wanted a 9" screen for Comics because my N7 wasn't doing it for me. Comics look amazing on the HD+.

 

[Taosaur]

The PPI difference is still significant. I compared both devices directly and the nook HD had better color accuracy and sharper text.

I haven't put the two side by side and I have seen mixed reviews of the N7 display (though mainly in 'lab tests'--users seem totally satisfied with it), so if the difference is noticeable I would count it significantly in the Nook HD's favor. I agree that the screen is the first priority in a media tablet.

When it comes down to it, though, none of the 7" offerings to date moved me to upgrade from my Nook Color, which was 1024x600 and definitely "good enough" for reading (the sharpest screen south of the iPad at the time, and still about the same PPI as the iPad Mini). What did move me was a screen that was both larger and higher def, for media which can actually take advantage of those specs: comics and magazines. The NC's 7" form factor was more comfortable for ebooks, but you know what's better yet? An ereader.

 

[evorc]

I bought it simply because of the price and having the best screen quality in the market. With CM10 installed on an SD card, this tablet it awesome!

 

[bpaulien]

I bought it simply because of the price and having the best screen quality in the market. With CM10 installed on an SD card, this tablet it awesome!

I got the HD+. I went to B&N and compared HD and HD+ side by side, because I hadn't made up my mind which I wanted yet. Magazines/comics look WAY better on HD+ and In comparing the movies on each, I liked the + better for that as well.

I agree that book format is slightly too big, but I just set up wide margins, and the text reads just as nicely as it would on the smaller HD.

I love the expansion card, and don't care about not having camera or some of the other sensors. I like being able to choose to boot into CM10 or stock, simply by removing/inserting the appropriate microSD card.

Screen resolution was a big factor for me.

 

[OyaNET]

I'm an avid smartphone user for looong years.
My Droid Razr Maxx holds up for a shy more than two days and keeps me off from my notebook when it comes to everyday office productivity when I'm traveling, but it's definitely not my choice for reading.
I've got myself a Nook simple touch for last Christmas, as I'm in love with e-ink screens, and find reading them the best. The fact it is rootable, really featherweight and has an SD slot to expand really made me really happy. But I have found the 6" display to be too small for my reading habits already, not to mention I have started to study for a second degree - so a usable size plus high resolution was on my list of choice to replace normal scholar books.
I'm against the mac hype and like the adjustability of android a lot - so iPad was never in sight. I've been on the wait for the new generation of 7" and 9" devices to come out last winter. I have checked the kindles, nooks, galaxy tab7. The seven inchers were not significantly bigger than my existing reader, so I have chosen the HD+.
It fits all my requirements as a very good allrounder. The resolution, and the SD card are essential for me, and I don't miss the camera and sensory armada of the tab7 as I have everything and better on my mobile. I still happen to take my 6" nook simple touch when I have some free time to read non-work or university related stuff.
Now in case I could have a 8" e-ink reader with better than current PDF rendering capabilities combined with a 30 day battery and max 250g weight I'd trade my two other than phone devices to it the same day. Until then I don't see a better device for me than the HD+.

 

[Windsor1959]

comparing performance of hd and hd+

I have an HD and have been very pleased with it. However, there are a few things I like to do with it that might be better on a larger screen. I know that the HD+ has a slightly faster processor, but it also has a larger screen (one should offset the other). My guess is that they are pretty close in overall performance. For anyone out there who has used both, so you see a performance difference? As long as the HD+ isn't slower than the HD, it may go on my wish list! Thanks.

 

[leapinlar]

I have an HD and have been very pleased with it. However, there are a few things I like to do with it that might be better on a larger screen. I know that the HD+ has a slightly faster processor, but it also has a larger screen (one should offset the other). My guess is that they are pretty close in overall performance. For anyone out there who has used both, so you see a performance difference? As long as the HD+ isn't slower than the HD, it may go on my wish list! Thanks.

I have both so I can develop on both. They are comparable speeds.

I do my reading on the HD since it is so light and easy to handle. But the fonts are too tiny for my eyes and keyboards hard with my fat fingers for most other things. I know, thanks to you, I can make some of them bigger, but not all.

The HD+ is best for most everything else. But it is bulkier and heavier, but easier to do things on.

Sent with XDA Premium from my Nook HD+ running CM10 on SD

 

[Windsor1959]

I have both so I can develop on both. They are comparable speeds.

I do my reading on the HD since it is so light and easy to handle. But the fonts are too tiny for my eyes and keyboards hard with my fat fingers for most other things. I know, thanks to you, I can make some of them bigger, but not all.

The HD+ is best for most everything else. But it is bulkier and heavier, but easier to do things on.

Sent with XDA Premium from my Nook HD+ running CM10 on SD

Thanks for your reply.

My guess was that the two had comparable performance, and your reply confirmed that. The HD+ is a little larger, but lighter than an iPad, from what I've read. So weight shouldn't be an issue. I've tried an iPad, and it is somewhat heavier. But there are a number of things we can do with Android that we can't do on iOS. What I'll do next is go to my B&N store and hold an HD+. That will tell me the rest of what I need to know.

PS - I see that B&N has a new update, 2.0.6. I assume that your zips will work on it, too!

Thanks again!

 

[leapinlar]

PS - I see that B&N has a new update, 2.0.6. I assume that your zips will work on it, too!

Yep, they work fine. I tested them on both devices. Only the White-on-White does not work. I will make a new one later that does.

Sent with XDA Premium from my Nook HD+ running CM10 on SD

 

[oic0]

I owned an archos 7. My main complaints with it were the TN panel that had viewing angle problems even held right in front of your face, the low resolution, and the lack of ram. I enjoyed the heck out of that device but I will NEVER own another TN panel in any device. I've had them in full size monitors where they suck, but nothing compared to the suck of having a hand held one.
I did really like the 7 inch form factor but now owning a 4.8 inch phone (GS3) I have portable completely covered and decided to move up to the not so portable 10 inch form factor.
I REALLY wanted a nexus 10 for the screen, specs, and nexusness (no OS BS), but I can't swing $400+ right now. The HD+ seemed to offer a great screen, enough performance, good battery life, but a lot of OS BS. After checking to make sure there was work towards CM on it and at least a working root and gapps, I went for it.
Now that I have it, out of the box it was basically useless to me for anything but web browsing and reading. Rooted and with gapps, it does everything I want it to, its fast, and the screen does indeed look great... although I'm sad netflix doesn't really seem to do HD on a mobile device , but that isn't the devices fault.

 

[gunnyman]

I came from a kfhd 8.9. I used it for a month. The software made it painfully slow. The lack of sd card or otg was a turn off for me. The only thing I lack now on my hd+ is amazon prime streaming and a light sensor.

 

[neutronjeff]

Hey all,
I see this thread is old, but it came up in my search...

The Nook HD and HD+ now come with Google Play Store which is a big deal for most of us who aren't going to immediately root.
They are also on SALE, HD+ 32GB is $209. I think I'm done thinking.

 

[dbrickg]

Has anyone here tried the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 also?
I'm on the fence between a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and a Nook HD+

I played, very briefly, with the Kindle Fire 8.9 before I got my Nook HD+. The thing I like most about the nook is it's look and feel. It just *feels* better to me, and I love the way it looks. I know that's not much in the way of concrete data, but I'd definitely advise trying both in person before you decide.

 

[brokemember]

My reasons for getting the HD+

1. Couldn't find a comparable tablet for $179 anywhere in the market
2. Ability to root and run Cm10
3. Screen quality
4. Size. 9inch seems to hit the sweet spot for me
5. Specs are very competitive. Don't really miss the lack of camera or gps — those are two things I never really used on the iPad.

 

[Taosaur]

My reasons for getting the HD+

1. Couldn't find a comparable tablet for $179 anywhere in the market
2. Ability to root and run Cm10
3. Screen quality
4. Size. 9inch seems to hit the sweet spot for me
5. Specs are very competitive. Don't really miss the lack of camera or gps — those are two things I never really used on the iPad.

That price is seriously nuts, especially now with gapps on board. I'm actually looking at an eInk device, the Kobo Aura HD, that's only $10 cheaper (and a decent value at that price). Also, verygreen is back after a long stretch where it seemed like development was dead.

I agree that I don't need the sensor array on my tablet that I have on my phone. There are few things more ridiculous to see than someone taking pictures/video with a tablet.

 

[jutley]

I just picked up my brand new nook HD for £85 from eBay delivery today now I have a brand new nook simple touch to sell anyone interested just pm me.

 

[View92612]

I checked out a few tablets at a local Best Buy store including iPad 4, ASUS transformer, and some other 10" tablets. I chose Nook HD+ because:

1. 20% lighter than iPad and 10% lighter than Transformer and much cheaper than both and Nexus 10.
2. Google Play Store (mandatory)
3. Potentially running CM10/CM10.1 on the SD card (not a requirement but definitely a bonus)
4. A 9" 1920x1280 display for < $200
5. Wanted a larger tablet optimized for reading (I have Nexus 7, great for apps, gaming and some productive work but only okay for reading.)

 

[snowlarbear]

picked up a HD+ when it was on sale at BN.

loved the specs, and the sub $200 price did it for me since i'm not a believer in the tablet as a "primary computing" item. was stalking nook color/tablet refurbs for awhile, but never committed until now. was always intent on rooting it.

i like the device but my opinion on tablets haven't changed, though should be fun to travel with. i do like android's "openness" vs apple/ipad's too

 

[NicoleC]

I came from a Nook Color running the N2A card. When it "died" last year (turns out the SD card died, not the Nook) off I went to get a new one. I mostly use my tablet for reading and web browsing at home, and as my computer while traveling.

While the NC was a good size for reading, the screen was really too small for web browsing. When I saw the gorgeous screens on the brand new HD and HD+ I knew I was upgrading. While a 10" tablet would have been too big as a primary reader, the HD+ was just big enough for browsing and still small enough as a primary reader. I now prefer the larger screen for reading; it's more like a having a hard cover.

It was $249 (I think... or was is $279?) at the time and the closest competitor was the 10" Galaxy Tabs at $500. Prices among devices are much closer now but I still think the HD+ is a really great value. Lack of Google Play was an issue -- no more! -- but you could sideload apps.

I have an iPad 2 for work - I never use it. The HD+ feels better in the hand (IMO) and I'm not into the Apple ecosystem and I find it much harder to use. I love the iPad magnet cover, though. Screen quality and responsiveness are about the same; app selection in terms of quality and useful apps is about the same between the Apple and Google Play stores.