Black Friday Advice: Kindle Fire Screen Breaks Easier Than Nook Tablet in 'Drop Test' (VIDEO)
The Kindle Fire screen is more susceptible to breakage than the Nook tablet; something that could have an impact on shoppers looking to get a new tablet reader this Black Friday.
A new website that tests the durability of tech products has revealed the difference in the screen strengths. The Gizmoslip testers conducted a “drop test” by dropping both the Kindle Fire and the Nook tablet from various heights on both carpeted and concrete surfaces. Dropped from heights of three feet, four feet, and finally five feet, there appeared to be no harm to either device.
While powered on, the devices fell on their sides and did not turn off or show any physical damage, inside or out. Basically, no harm done when dropped on a carpeted surface.
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However, the concrete test was more problematic, as expected. Dropped on their sides, the Kindle Fire and Nook tablet only showed minor dings. However, there did seem to be some greater damage to the frame of the Nook than the Kindle Fire; the Nook's case seemed to come apart when dropped from five feet. It still worked, though, which is important.
The big difference-maker was when the Gizmoslip testers conducted the “face-down” drop. Simply put, the Kindle Fire's screen was shattered, whereas the Nook's was unscathed. According to Gizmoslip, this was probably because of the different designs. The Nook's case protrudes slightly past the screen, so when it fell, the screen did not really touch the concrete.
The Kindle Fire, however, has a flat shape and when it hit the concrete, the screen made full impact, shattering it and rendering it unusable.
Although the Kindle Fire is about $50 cheaper than the Nook tablet ($199 vs. $249 from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, respectively), that difference in style might give some shoppers pause when considering which tablet to buy this Black Friday.
