Amazon's Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet will both be released next week, but if you're in the market for a low-priced tablet, which one is best?
Both Android-based devices include 7-inch touch screens with 1024-by-600 displays and run TI OMAP 4 dual-core processors. The $249 Nook Tablet, however, boasts 16GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card, compared to the 8GB available on the $199 Kindle Fire.
Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch was quick to slam the Kindle Fire during the Nook Tablet launch event earlier this week, arguing that "the Kindle Fire is deficient for a media tablet." He touted the Nook's laminated display and Barnes & Noble's in-store customer service. If you wanted to talk to somebody about the Kindle Fire "where would you go?" Lynch asked. "Amazon's headquarters in Seattle?"
The Kindle Fire, however, taps into Amazon's cloud-based eco-system, including Amazon Web Services, Prime, Kindle, Instant Video, MP3, and the AppStore. The Nook Tablet has some apps of its own, but will not connect to the Android market.
The Fire also boasts Silk, its "split" browser that partially lives on the Fire tablet and partially lives in the cloud, producing a faster browsing experience. The Nook Tablet comes equipped with the standard Android browser.
The Nook Tablet debuts on Nov. 17 and the Kindle Fire is coming Nov. 15. For more, see Amazon Kindle Fire vs. B&N Nook Tablet vs. Nook Color: Spec Showdown, as well as PCMag's Kindle Fire review and hands-on look at the Nook Tablet.
Are you eyeing either tablet? What appeals to you most? Or are you holding out for the iPad 3 despite the price difference? Cast your vote below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.