Product ReviewsBarnes & Noble Nook Color 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7 inch - Slate

Does exactly what I need it to do.

$24 e-reader is perfect for what I needed. Due to the age, the app store no longer works and this model does not allow you to access the internet to download library ebooks directly - you need to download a program to your computer and then transfer that way.
It did come with a cord that did not actually charge the unit... it came with a mini-USB to adapter cord but then the power adapter that plugged into the wall did not fit the other side of the mini-USB plug, so it was useless. Fortunately I have several mini-USB chargers so it wasn't an issue, but might want to make sure you have one before buying.
Screen sometimes has issues depending on where I tap, but expected since it was used. You get what you pay for.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: cdrglobal

My nook doesnt even turn on.

I got my nook in the mail and of course it was dead
.. so I charged it for an hour and the screen keeps coming in saying that the battery is too low try again in 15 minutes..... Not happy about this I google this issue and most are saying if resetting it doesn't work then it's pretty much not gonna work. Very unhappy
Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: the-kuhn-family

Very good product and deserve every penny paid for it.

First of all, if you want to buy the Nook Color as an eBook reader only, you need to be living within USA. Activating the B&N account to buy form their library is only available within USA despite what the website might say. I live outside USA and I couldn’t activate the device in any way. But of course you still load your books manually to the device and read them unlike the famous Amazon Kindle.

But I still bought the device 'cause it's the cheapest "GOOD" full Android tab existing with high specs (high resolution, capacitive touch, 800MHz processor, motion sensor, etc.) and the device lives up to the high standards. I also liked its small (7") size of it as opposed to other (10") devices.

To summarize the pros and cons about it:

+ Low Price
+ High Resolution Screen
+ Fast Enough Processor
+ Motion Sensor Included
+ Capacitive Touch Screen
+ Developer Support ;-)
+ Arabic Support (in some mod ROMs)

- No GPU
- No 3G
- No GPS
- No Standard Buttons
- No Cameras (Both Front or Back)
- No Mic
- Build Quality (has some issues)
- No Full Functional Market
- Tiny WiFi issue
- The Nook (B&N Account) Activation Process

OS:

The device was among the first to have a taste of the new OS (Android 3.0) but as a review OS with some features missing.

The default OS is completely customized to do certain "few" functions only; thanks to some devs, the full Andorid OS (2.3) can be installed as a temporary solution on an SD card to keep the original OS, or as a default OS; and there a support for Arabic language.

Let-Downs:

It won't run most of the heavy games as it lacks a GPU, but the device can run almost all other games. Other things missing like mic and camera (for video chatting), standard buttons (instead there are soft buttons on the screen that are displayed all the time), GPS (not really required), BT (but it was activated on CyanoGen Mod 7 ROMs), 3G (WiFi can do the job indoor), light sensor (to auto adjust the brightness), etc.

Moreover, despite the Android App Market was installed, it didn't show all "FREE" applications for some reasons; most of the popular applications are not available; to install an application like Flash 10, I had to search through Google on all free file-hosting websites for the latest version of the application and download it to the device manually to install it; this works fine but it requires some times and effort, the full functional market would help a lot.

Another issue I noticed (although rarely happen) is that the WiFi sometimes connect to my router but not to the internet and I had to restart the device to re-connect successfully; this occurred in both original OS and a mod ROM.

Build Quality:

The design of the nook color is majestic, the colors are splendid and the back has a rubber like material. That’s being said, there are few let-downs on the design and build quality. The back cover feels a little bit wiggly on one side; the volume and power buttons are also wiggly and do not stand out, you need some times to feel them before you press them; the screen is very reflective and finger-print magnet, you need a screen protector; the micro USB and audio output are a bit loose, moving the cables accidently will cause them to unplug and plug-in again interrupting the data transfer; and finally, there is that wasted space under the screen that contains only one button, although the area can contain all the Android standard buttons.Read full review...

Great eReader

We have had the Nook Color for a few weeks now (used by a 64, 35, and 5 year olds), for the most part I’m happy with it. It’s great for reading ebooks, getting online, etc. The only downfall I have with it is the apps, that are not many free or free trail apps like on the android market. Even angry birds where on android market you can do a free download for a few levels its $2.99 right from the start. I have a 5 year old and there are several apps I would like to try before paying out the $$ to see if she likes them.
Its easy to use, my mother and my daughter can also use it easily.
If just using for ebooks it’s great, but if your wanting it for apps check out the nook app market online before buying to see how much $ you’re going to be out.
Overall I am happy with the ereader part of the Nook Color but will be getting a tablet later for the apps.Read full review...

A good product with some annoying drawbacks...

There is lots to like about the Nook Color, but also a bit to hate as well.

On the good side, it is a beautiful looking tablet, light weight, easy to hold and with a nice, clean interface. It has 8gbs worth of internal storage and an sd card slot, so lots of room to store ebooks and other files. It accepts the popular epub file format as well as pdf and word files, so it is very easy to find ebooks that are compatible with the Nook apart from the books available from the Barnes and Noble Store.

On the bad side, the battery life is extremely poor.You may find yourself needing to recharge the tablet every second day (the battery of my Kindle Fire, the major competitor of Nook Color, lasts twice as long). But perhaps worst and most annoying of all (and to the eternal shame of Barnes and Noble) people living outside the U.S. and people without a U.S. credit card are not permitted to purchase ebooks or apps from the Barnes and Noble store. This also applies to U.S. citizens travelling outside the U.S. Luckily, however, the Barnes and Noble store has a huge and impressive range of free ebooks and apps which anyone in the world can download. There are also many great free ebook sites from which to download ebooks which are compatible with the Nook.

Overall, I love my Nook Color (even though Barnes and Noble clearly fail the test for good business sense in their absurd purchasing restrictions on non-U.S. residents and non-U.S. credit card holders).Read full review...

Great product for what I needed. Super price compared to competition!

I bought a Nook Color because I was interested in a more portable alternative to my 16" laptop but did not really want to pay $500 or $600 for a device that, at it's best, still does not do everything that a laptop can do. Knowing I could get a fully loaded PC for around the same price, always caused me to hesitate when it came to Tablets. I had no interest in a cheap poorly made knock-offs with resistive touchscreens. For my purposes, I had been leaning toward a Netbook for $200-$300. But, I was intrigued by the superior battery life and even greater portability of Tablets over Netbooks. The reviews and tests on the rooted Nook Color versus competitors made it a good alternative for me. It's small enough to fit in my everyday purse. Buying on Ebay saved me 35% over retail and I realized I had very little to lose going with the Nook Color. I would either get the best Ereader on the market (with web browsing and email) or a fully functional tablet that can compete well with the Galaxy Tab. I'm using it as a Tablet and have not been disappointed. I'm still getting to know the device but so far am very satisfied. It's not 3G but I have access to plenty of WiFi (including mobile) so I wouldn't pay for a 3G subscription anyway. Anyone for whom a WiFi only tablet would provide enough connectivity should consider the Nook Color. It's definitely worth the price. Since I carry a purse anyway, the idea of carrying additional small peripherals if I just have to try out the camera features is not really an issue for me but if a built-in camera is worth literally twice the price for you, then definitely go with something else. For a simple comparison, Nook Color is more like the IPad than IPad2.

As an aside, if you have an Android phone, don't waste money on any 3G Tablet or extra subscription because you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

For people who just want to read books, check email, browse the web, and maybe play Angry Birds, the stock software is pretty awesome on its own.Read full review...

Nook Color a good bang for your buck

So far the Nook has met or exceeded my expectations. It presents a nice reading experience- much better than the earlier Nooks. It has a lot of tablet-like features and does a decent job with using the internet. Since I have a smart phone and laptop I am pretty well set with the broader range of uses, so I really am happy with it- if I didn't have the other two I might want to bump up to a tablet but for now this is just fine. The only criticism I really have is the app selection pales in comparison to what I can get on my phone.Read full review...

If you are short on cash, I definitely recommend it.

I received the Nook Color more than a week after I submit my payment. To NC looks brand new and it works immediately I turned it on. The NC is an e-reader and it works fine at that. I can use it for simple web-surfing. Other than that, don't expect much. The app selection at B&N is poor at best. Most market place has tons of free apps. B&N is by far the worst. The app offering is quite expensive compare to other marketplace.

Nook Color is also quite slow. The recent update on NC shows some slight increase in speed, but it is by far not a speed demon. The biggest update is it allows NetFlix to run. The quality of the video is not bad, but I can definitely see some pixelation on the videos.Read full review...

Overall pleasant product

Since I never had an eReader before it is hard to compare this unit to anything out there. I expected it to be able to download free books from the library and other sources, which it does in a way. you need to download software to your computer that is compatible with the nook and then download books to your computer and then hook up your nook and transfer the info to the reader. It isn't as seamless as I had hoped but it works. Using the nook is pleasant and comfortable in most any lighting or lack thereof. Direct bright sunlight is not the best but with a little shade I am able to see without a problem.
The internet feature and e-mail are functional but the nook freezes up now and then. I didn't try to watch any movies or clips but they say you can. Internet access is pretty straight foreward and it seems to have nice range from the router. The battery really gets a workout when you are on the net. but off the net it seems to hold up for a few hours or more.
Overall I was very pleased with the Nook Color for my first eReader.Read full review...

If you love to read, then you need the Nook.

I had wanted an e book reader for a long time and was undecided between the Nook and Kindle. Both were too expensive but because the Nook had the capability of using an SD card, I thought it would be better for me. I found a deal for the Nook on Ebay that I couldn't resist (a refurbished color nook for less than half price. The Nook was delivered rapidly and works very well despite my misgivings about buying a refurbished item. It is easy to use and can contain a large amount of books. As an added incentive, you can download from a large assortment of free books and there are also books for as little as 99 cents. I added my Netflix account to the Nook and now I can watch my movies on this. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars instead of 4 is that the sound level is not loud enough. But if you purchase headphones or earbuds, you can hear the sound very well.Read full review...

Good enough for the price.

This item is quite good for the purpose. The battery does not last too much, but I think it's because is used.
The quality of the screen is very good, and has very options and features.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: prosoundhound