Find a NOOK color and BUY IT on sale, it is AWESOME

the Nook is one awesome mini tablet (by that I mean 7" rather than 10") My wife got interested in a tablet last summer, we got a couple of MID tablets - worked ok, but couldn't upgrade the games, etc because they were basically old technology and wouldn't upgrade. We looked into the B&N NOOK when we found out that as well as using the onboard B&N Android software, it would readily accept the Cyanogen Android builds using the mini SD card expansion slot. We bought one Nook, it apparently was an old version of software and could not even get on the internet without a major boost; returned it, then bought the newer software version ones Thanksgiving day on an Ebay deal. They both worked super great!! And with the Cyanogen build in the expansion slot, we can use both Anroid systems, just choose on opening bootup. Both work GREAT, I am even starting to read books again because it is an easy read on the Nook with it's white background and normal size print. Best thing we have done in a long time. RECOMMEND the NOOK!!!

My second eReader

I'm a big fan of Adobe's e-ink technology. In a lot of ways, I find it superior to any LCD display. But I gave my first eReader, the Barnes & Noble Nook, to my girlfriend & took the plunge & got a NookColor. I got to try one first at my local Barnes & Noble so I had an idea of what to expect. But trying a demo in the store is very different to actually owning one & having it with you daily. I've had it for over a month now and so far it has exceeded expectations!
So, yes, the screen is VERY different to an e-ink display. Just understand this and let's move on. I've heard a lot about glare in sunlight. First of all you should not have ANY electronics exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. The NookColor is very hard to read in direct sunlight and because it is encased in a dark graphite shell it gets VERY hot after a few minutes. When I realized this, I promptly found a TINY bit of shade. Problem solved. The screen was much more legible and I didn't feel like I was cooking it in my hands. The original Nook being a white device didn't have this problem as quickly but it eventually did get too hot to handle.
The responsiveness is not quite as smooth as an iPad, but at this point I am just nitpicking. I never found myself being annoyed because the screen lagged 0.000001 seconds more than an iPad. And the lag is only occasional. 90% of the time it's super smooth.
So, it's an eReader. Yes. But I find myself using the internet on it a great deal. The browser is very fast I've tried it at home, Starbucks, B&N and have had excellent connection. In fact I canceled my internet data plan on my phone and almost exclusively use my NookColor for web browsing on the go. (that's an extra $20 a month I can now put in my pocket, Thanks NookColor!)
FLASH player is not yet available but I heard that they are upgrading the software to accommodate FLASH websites. When this happens, it is going to have a major competitive advantage over the iPad.
I am not much of a magazine reader, but I LOVE reading magazines on this thing. The subscriptions are cheap and the magazines aren't in a box cluttering my garage. The photos are crisp and bright for the most part. I found that Newsweek for some reason isn't as HiRes as other magazines but it downloads faster so perhaps that is the reason.
The music player is great for my commute. I was able to import my entire iTunes library to it. I was not so successful with T.V. shows. A lot of the videos on iTunes are copy protected so I am not able to convert them into MP4s so I can watch on my NookColor. If anyone has any advice let me know ;)
I couldn't copy my iTunes T.V. shows but I was able to convert my DVDs at home, put them on a Micro SD card and stick it in my NookColor. Now I have 4 of my favorite movies ready to go on my next plane flight.
I feel like I should write a new review once the update gets released. At that point the NC will be more of a tablet and less of a reader. All in all, it is a good eReader, GREAT tablet, and a handy web browser to carry around the house or leave at your coffee table for quick reference.
Last but not least, I should point out that I am not a techno geek. There is a WEALTH of information on the internet about how to get the most out of your NookColor. Barnes & Noble's website and in-store support taught me a lot about how to use this thing.

You are leasing books, limited sharing, AWFUL power cord quality.

GOOD:
fairly intuitive use, wireless is quick, removable drive allows big-file extras to be added (movies, etc). Visual image is good, great for 'toss-away reading', although a VERY limited number of newspaper subscriptions available for a national device. Decent magazine availability.

BAD:
Awful, awful, awful power cord w/$25 replacement cost (read B&N site, 305 complaints, some resolved; others not). Magazine colors are great, but page management requires continual moving up and down as you enlarge page or paragraph in order to read it (crops off top of page column). With Amazon Prime, best-sellers are often free; B&N not the case.

In general, I am ambivalent about digital readers forcing leasing vs buying books. I can't share but with one person, no donations to libraries. I suppose if I read a lot of best-sellers it might be a better option but for me just not really worth the price. My smart phone has wireless, I have a computer for the rest, and a fondness for sharing books with multiple friends.

A MUST HAVE PRODUCT FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES TO READ!

NOOK COLOR is such an amazing product to bring a family together with reading, its just a finger touch away! What the NOOK offers is a world of reading with children books, newspapers, magazines and adult books; that you'll fall in love with reading all over again! The NOOK is light weight, screen is crisp and clear during the day and night, and the size is small enough for easy travel in purses or brief cases!

The "read to me" children picture books are so adorable that my daughters cry when reading time is over! There are so many magazines to choose from, that your life of decluttering is a new trend from all the trips to the recycling! No more cutting all those recipes out of magazines that you never have time to put into binders or cook books. And the adult books and games are even more amazing! I LOVE the "LEND ME" option, its like a trip to the library to read the books you've always wanted to read but not purchase and the prices are for anyone with a budget! There are many more options that the NOOK offers even if your not just reading: watching movies, playing games and emails.

I shopped around for the right price that I felt comfort to paid for. I got a "like new" used Nook with accessories (protective cover and extra memory card) plus free shipping. I am very satisfy that I stopped being hesiate with what brand to buy and purchase this NOOK COLOR. It has not disappoint! I was already a Barnes & Noble consumer that I feel comfortable with this choice. I would recommend this product to any book lover who loves to read and stay connected with the world! It declutters your life (all those magazines and newspapers) even if its not the good ol' hardcover book smell! I'll still keep my library at home but its sure alot easier to decide on what book to take on vacation or a road trip.

This product is simply amazing, try it and you'll see! If you love to read, you won't be disappointed! Its just a finger touch away...

Good tablet, good reader, a very capable device at a value price.

The NookColor is a very capable device. It supports flash so you can watch netflix and youtube as well as read books, magazines, newspapers and play games. The size of the device is perfect to carry with you anywhere although it is slightly heavier then many of the same size devices I've held however that makes it feel very solid. The only problem that I've had with the device is the B&N charger is very easy to break and it is a well known problem with NookColors, it's almost gauranteed you will either have to buy a new charger at some point or use a cell phone wall charger although that takes longer to charge. There's various support sites available to help you get the most out of your NookColor and it's an over all solid device and a value for the money.