I am thinking about going into the world of electronic books...Looked at the different types of Nooks today at B&N. I was quite taken by the Nook Color. I want to do a lot of research before spending what I consider a lot of cash. I didn't care for the other Nooks due to the size of the screen and I also liked that I can add apps to the Nook Color. So those that have a Nook Color hit me with all your pros and cons. I am most concerned about reading for long periods of time from the color one. Does it bother anyone...All input would be greatly appreciated..Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy

Reading on the back lit LCD screen absolutely bothered my eyes. I also couldn't read easily outside with it because of the back light. I even tried an anti glare screen protector and playing with the font and color settings, but it still didn't make a difference. I could only read for short periods of time on the NC. I ended up selling it because eink is SO much easier on the eyes. The size of the eink screen doesn't bother me because you can adjust the font size all the way from tiny to super huge, so it's not an issue for me. The battery life on the NC is also fairly short compared to eink ereaders. It's also HEAVY.

Pros- Color, apps, web access....But that's why I have a laptop and a smart phone!

Reading on the NC would be like reading ebooks on your computer screen.  Try doing that for a couple of ebooks and see if it's going to bother your eyes.

I read ebooks on my laptop before I got an ereader.  I found it was difficult to read longer books because my eyes did bother me after a while.

I got my NookColor about a month ago and I absolutely love-love-love it!  Like you, I also researched and looked at all of the ereaders out there and hands down the NookColor topped them all for me.  And it's touch screen (another plus). As far as bothering my eyes, no it doesn't.  I can change the backlight and/or font and I'm good to go.  No, the battery life is not the greatest but everything that you can do with it totally makes up for a shorter battery life.  I did have to purchase a router but 40 bucks and I was good to go.  You can read books, magazines, newspapers, download games, surf internet.  The NookColor was the best choice for me but you get to make your own decision.

$249 is a lot of money to spend on an ereader. Its more of a tablet than an ereader. If a tablet is what you really want, then its a really good price.

As for ereaders don't feel the Nook is all there is. There are other good readers. The Kindle, the new Kobo Touch, the Sony PRS350, the Jetbook Lite. I own a Kindle and a Jetbook, if I didn't, I would seriously consider the new Kobo. Or if you want more compact, the Sony PRS350 or the Jetbook.

The Nook color has a backlit screen, like a computer screen.  I wouldn't get it for that reason alone because it strains my eyes.  I bought my Sony EReader to replace my palm pilot for reading because it has E-Ink and is practically like reading a paper book to my eyes.

IF you want a Tablet you can read on Look into the Craig Tablet $100 at CVS!  Also the Coby Tablet $$139 on Amazon!  With them you can download eBooks from Both Amazon & B/N  As well as other eBook stores! 

I have a Literati eReader which is color....Reading on it [Library books] Hurts my eyes after an hour!  I will be soooo Happy when Kindle/Amazon gets the Library Lending working LOL   

I just bought my Nook Color a couple weeks ago.  So far, I love it! I haven't had any issues with the screen being hard on my eyes, but it doesn't bother my eyes reading off of a regular computer screen either.  The second day I had it, I was going to read out in my yard but couldn't due to the glare from the sunlight.  I bought an anti-glare screen protector off of ebay and haven't had any problems since.  The battery life is shorter than most ereaders but I still get about 8 hours of solid use before it needs recharging, which is fine for me.  I do love all the extra things I can do on it, like read my email, facebook, and PBS.  :)

FYI, B&N has a 14-day return policy on the Nook. So if your B&N is close by, you can purchase and return if it doesn't suit you (though you will be out money spent on apps or e-books, though you can still read e-books on your computer with the Nook sw download).

I was concerned about eye strain with the Nook Color as well, especially since I use a computer all day. But it hasn't been a problem. The brightness on the Nook has a really wide range, and I find that if I start having problems it's because I have the brightness level set too high. It's very easy to change, because there's a quick-menu at the bottom for major settings.

I've been very pleased with my Nook Color. Took it on a trip and read on it a lot with no issues. I'm very pleased with the purchase.

I am very satisfied with my Nook Color, too.  I just adjusted the controls for brightness, size of font, etc. and now I am a happy camper.  I now want to download some audio books but B&N's selection is not great unless I am not looking in the correct place.  I love the children's book, though, that have sound for my little grandkids.  Love it.

Carol, if your library offers e-books, they may offer mp3 book downloads as well! Mine does, but I have not used the service. (My mind always wanders during audio books. Then when I "wake up" I get a D'OH! moment!)

I hadn't realized that the Nook stayed backlit.  I knew the battery life was not long.  What I did like about it is that you can tap the "details" link to get your back cover blurb, something that's missing on my older generation Sony.  I do love the e-ink on my Sony though.  Very easy on the eyes, even for marathon reading sessions.

The Nook Color is backlit. The new Nook and the 1st generation Nook is not backlit. 

Jane, I love having the audios when I drive.  That way I am reading even though I am not reading.  LOL

I have no complaints on the Nook Color other than battery life, but I read A LOT.   MUCH prefer it over the Kindle.

I got the Nook Color about a month ago and love it!!  I had a Sony 505 for a few years and needed to replace it and couldn't really find something that "replaced" it so I went for something different but I didn't want to start over with all my ebooks so I chooes the Nook Color.  

I adjust the brightness to change the intensity of the screen depending on the conditions of where I am reading... I turn it all the way up to see outside (I do have the anti-glare plastic screen cover on my screen).  I find at night I turn the brightness setting as low as it will go to read in bed at night without an extrernal light...  It is not difficult at all to adjust either... tap the lower left corner for a box to come up with settings including the brightness, tap the brightness line, and then just swipe your finger the direction you want the brightness to adjust!!  then tap again out of the box and it goes away!!

Have fun!!

Steph

I have had my nook color for almost a year now. And I LOOOOOVE it. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

The backlight does not bother  me at all, in fact I like it because you can read with very little light in the room. And the backlight is totally adjustable.

I have a few apps - email, epub, and a couple games, AND I love them.

I used to be a person who never thought i would ever get an e-reader! Now I seriously don't know what I would do without my nook color! I use it almost everyday!

I'm addicted!  Oh! and - I can't think of any cons.

Sweet price on the Nook Color today only.