Barnes & Noble Nook HD+

Pros: -Fast Speeds 1.5 ghz x 2 + 1gb or ram
-Full HD display 1920x 1080
-Bluetooth Ready
-Light but with substance
-Now has Google Play
-New interface feels like an Android operating system
-Has Microphone to search web/Google talk search from home screen

Cons: -Doesnt have microphone for keyboard
-No Camera

Summary: At this price point, it may be challanging to find another tablet as good as this Nook HD+. When I first saw it, I was initially turned away. I have owned a nook in the past, and it was very slow. However I picked it up out of curiosity just to give it a closer look. I was shocked by the specs at this price point. It was purchased brand new for around 180.00. I actually find the unit to be quite zippy. You can costomize your home screen wallpapers, and these new Nook HD tablets feel more like an Android tablet. The interface has greatly improved. If one familiar with Android, than one will enjoy this new interface. The home screen can be scrolled over to other screens, where you can simply drag your apss, and scroll from one screen to another, much like the ipad.

Google Play has now been added to the tablet as well. With it, all of Google's apps are open to this device. That is likely the singular greatest advantage for every app seeking person out there.

In addition to the apps, its fast, quite fast. I never had had hangups with the new update installed on web usuage. It does seem to take a second or so for the screen to rotate, but other than that, going into programs, web browsing, using Netflix, I have never noticed an issue with speed. This makes sense as the unit proudly supports a 1.5 dual core processor with 1gb of ram - something that's an excellent find for around 200 dollars.

Vs the Kindle Fire HD. I own a Kindle Fire HD. Ive really enjoyed it. However the one thing that has always bothered me about the kindle is the rotation bar in the middle of the device. This Nook has a rotation bar, but its out of the way at the top, allowing one to place their apps below, which in turn allows for easier accessability.

Now that this has Google play, one can download the kindle app. This means if your you switching over, you still have access to all your amazon purchases just like you would on an i phone or I pad with the kindle app from Google's app store.

That being said, Barns & Noble's store front for the books and magazines is quite large, and their new setup on these Nook Hds is quite attractive. On this device if one goes to: A(clicking on the battry icon): all settings --> applications --> Reader, there is an option to enable page curling. I feel this should have been set as a default for reading books and magazines. Its impressive because it makes one feel like they are actually turning the pages of a book. You can grab it at the top right corner and peel the page back slowly and see the images or writing on the next page of magazines. If you turn it to landscape mode, it feels even more like your simply turning the page of an actual magazine. In conclusion to this point, Barns and Noble's new setup is nothing like the past. Its very user friendly and you can subscribe to magazines and books at competitive price points.

The screen: The screen feels great. I have no issues there. In fact, its the sharpest screen that Ive seen at this price point. Its full 1080p, making HD videos on Netflix, as well as pictures look stunning. Its also a great size. Ive always found the 10 inch tablets to feel too big for portability, and the 7inchs to feel more like an oversized phone. This 8.9 ~ 9inch display is just the right size to be able to pick it up and carry it around the house, and type on. When its tited at a vertical angle, you are able to use your thumbs alone for typing, which makes typing lot faster.

As stated under cons, the device doesnt have a camera. however this is why I have a phone and a digital camera. A lot of tablets out there don't have cameras, or if they do, there not very good. There enough to take a picture, but my thought is: If you cant take a good picture, than a camera is useless.


Conclusion: What you get for under 200 dollars is a device that is fast, zippy (other than screen rotation), has a dual core processor with 1.5 ghz and 1 gb of ram, a nice (and quite impressive looking) screen, full access to google play store, a layout that feels more like your using an android operating system, a battery life that is very good, and a device that isnt awkward to hold. It makes for an excellent e book reader, as well as a web browser. All games Ive ran on it, have also run quite well. The 3d bench mark also scored well..especially in comparison with the galaxy 2 10.1 inch tablet that is selling in stores right now for 100-150 dollars more. All said, Its a great buy with many features for under 200 dollars.