GlowLight 4e - not the direction I was hoping B&N would go

[christianbk]

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/noo...=9780594149279

A more affordable version of the GlowLight 4 (by $30, it's only $10 more affordable when the GL4 has been on sale at $129.99 before).

What's different:

• Only 8GB of storage (how much for sideloaded content...?)
• No "Night mode" amber light
• Lower pixel density (212dpi) vs 300dpi on the regular 4

I'm disappointed. I feel like the GL4 WAS more of an entry-level reader... but they went super entry-entry level.

[JSWolf]

These new nooks have almost nothing to offer over other better Readers.

[MGlitch]

It’s also 20$ more than the Kobo Nia which aside from USB C (the Nia uses micro usb) and buttons is an identical device. The Clara HD is equal cost with the trade off being a 300dpi screen in the Clara vs buttons on the ngl4e.

It compares favorably next to the basic Kindle save that the basic kindle is 30$ cheaper feature wise the gl4e is ahead. But falls behind compared to the, granted 20$ more, kindle paperwhite. But for those 20 dollars you get 300 DPI and a 6.8 screen vs a 6 you give up buttons.

Bit of an odd placement in my opinion.

[ZodWallop]

Oh man. I can understand dropping from 32GB to 8GB (though how much is available for sideloading) and lesser screen. But loss of the amber lighting sucks.

[bookyboy]

Unbelievably overpriced for what it is.

What are they even thinking?

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

These new nooks have almost nothing to offer over other better Readers.

The Glowlight 4 has page turn buttons and a faster processor than the Clara or Libra 2. I believe the Glowlight 4 also uses a Carta 1200 screen (according to Nate's blog). Honestly, if stupid B&N quit playing games with sideloading/partitioning I would have one already (and if in addition it was waterproof, it would have been a day 1 purchase).

And before you talk about bezels, the Glowlight 4 is about the same size as a Clara. A little wider and shorter:
Glowlight 4: 6.2 x 4.75 x 0.2 inches
Clara: 6.6 x 4.3 x 0.3 inches

I enjoy reading on my Nooks. The software is basic compared to the Kobo, though TBH most of the features aren't really missed, though I do enjoy messing with them on my Clara.

[MGlitch]

Pc mag says the glowlight 4 is using Carta hd not Carta 1200, another site reported the same. GoodeReader reported they were reaching out to confirm which it used but I suppose BN values them about as much as we do because those stories were never updated and a later review didn’t specify. Though it praised the GL4 screen over the Sage and Paperwhite 11th gen screen (of course it’s GoodeReader so…).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

It’s also 20$ more than the Kobo Nia which aside from USB C (the Nia uses micro usb) and buttons is an identical device. The Clara HD is equal cost with the trade off being a 300dpi screen in the Clara vs buttons on the ngl4e.

There's no way I would buy the 4e over a Clara. It makes no sense at all. But, if the Glowlight 4e is built into the same case as 4 (which I'm guessing it is), it's not identical to the Nia. I was impressed with the build quality of the Glowlight 4 — if this one is the same, with the same page turn keys then (hardware-wise, not necessarily software-wise) it's the better reader.

Originally Posted by MGlitch

It compares favorably next to the basic Kindle save that the basic kindle is 30$ cheaper feature wise the gl4e is ahead. But falls behind compared to the, granted 20$ more, kindle paperwhite. But for those 20 dollars you get 300 DPI and a 6.8 screen vs a 6 you give up buttons.

Bit of an odd placement in my opinion.

I agree, it is an odd placement. It's priced the same as the Glowlight 3, which was a superior device. As for the Kindle Basic, it's only $30 cheaper if you accept the ads (which many do) but that's not quite an equal comparison. I don't think many people would argue that 212 ppi is worth an extra $10 over 167 ppi (if you're using the no-ad version). The same goes for the Paperwhite — at the no-ad price it's $160, $10 more than the Glowlight 4 (not the 4e). Either way, $10 less with ads or $10 more without, the Paperwhite 5 should be compared to the Glowlight 4 (in my opinion) not the 4e.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by christianbk

I'm disappointed. I feel like the GL4 WAS more of an entry-level reader... but they went super entry-entry level.

I thought it might be a cheaper 6" reader to compete with the Nia and Kindle Basic, but I didn't think they would drop down to 212 ppi and price it at $120.

[Calenorn]

NOOK.

Limping toward oblivion.

Again.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by rcentros

There's no way I would buy the 4e over a Clara. It makes no sense at all. But, if the Glowlight 4e is built into the same case as 4 (which I'm guessing it is), it's not identical to the Nia. I was impressed with the build quality of the Glowlight 4 — if this one is the same, with the same page turn keys then (hardware-wise, not necessarily software-wise) it's the better reader.

I quite agree, the Clara is the winner between the two. I only mentioned it to try and give the GL4E some placement, which neither its features nor price point really lend themselves to assisting.

I meant identical in terms of features, build quality may vary. I did give the GL4e the perk of having buttons over the Nia though, as well as USB C. Of the two buttons are likely the big divide for value (aside from build quality ofc).

Though I think the Nia's main purpose is to nudge potential buyers toward the Clara HD.

I agree, it is an odd placement. It's priced the same as the Glowlight 3, which was a superior device. As for the Kindle Basic, it's only $30 cheaper if you accept the ads (which many do) but that's not quite an equal comparison. I don't think many people would argue that 212 ppi is worth an extra $10 over 167 ppi (if you're using the no-ad version). The same goes for the Paperwhite — at the no-ad price it's $160, $10 more than the Glowlight 4 (not the 4e). Either way, $10 less with ads or $10 more without, the Paperwhite 5 should be compared to the Glowlight 4 (in my opinion) not the 4e.

I discount the ads issue due to the numerous reports of customers being able to get around this by complaining to amazon cs. As before I only bring them up to give the GL4E placement.

If BN wants to play screwy with pricing in comparison to its competitors they don't get the benefit of their devices being only compared to the most alike device. Unless they want to undercut the prices of the devices they compare most to.

[Calenorn]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

If BN wants to play screwy with pricing in comparison to its competitors they don't get the benefit of their devices being only compared to the most alike device. Unless they want to undercut the prices of the devices they compare most to.

See, that's the point. I think B&N is betting that their customers won't bother to compare at all.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Calenorn

See, that's the point. I think B&N is betting that their customers won't bother to compare at all.

Then they’re more foolish than I thought. People might not compare to Kobo given their lackluster US representation, but Amazon is very much on their customers minds.

[bookyboy]

I don't even know who they think is buying these.

Our local B&N store hasn't had Nook's on display for over a year....so even if you're in the store and maybe thinking about an e-reader, you wouldn't even know they sold any unless you went to their website by chance.

Very very odd strategy

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by bookyboy

I don't even know who they think is buying these.

Our local B&N store hasn't had Nook's on display for over a year....so even if you're in the store and maybe thinking about an e-reader, you wouldn't even know they sold any unless you went to their website by chance.

Very very odd strategy

This seems to have been their strategy for quite a long time. Even prior to Covid my local BN had maybe two devices haphazardly connected to an information desk. At some point that desk disappeared and took the nooks with it.