Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series about textbook prices and options.

In addition to the Hewlett Pack- ard and Aspire laptops that are al- ready on display in the University Bookstore, students now have the option to purchase a Nook, Nook Color, Acer Tablet or Lenovo Tablet.

A Nook is an e-book reader that can be used to wirelessly down- load books, magazines, newspa– pers, games and more. Its com- pact size can add convenience for students who do not want to pur– chase paper books.

According to Doris Savoie, bookstore employee, two Nooks have already been purchased since they were put on display at the beginning of the fall 2011 semes– ter. The bookstore also recently received the display for the Nook Color.

“We introduced the Nook and the Nook color, and they have been very good sellers,” Savoie said. “Students ask about them frequently.”

The Nook Color can be pur– chased in the bookstore for $249, and the original Nook can be pur– chased for $139.

Savoie explained that the items for sale in the bookstore can be beneficial to students who would like to save money by purchasing eTextbooks.

Savoie said that with Nook Study, an application that can be downloaded for free but can only be used on PC and Mac comput– ers, students can download eText– books for a fraction of the cost. Students can try eTextbooks for free for seven days with access to more than two million eBooks and eTextbooks instantly. However, the

application is not designed for use on a Nook.

Angelle Caillouet, bookstore manager, said that eTextbook prices vary. For example, a Mass Communication 101 new, bound textbook can be purchased for $124.60, but an eTextbook can be rented for $49. In the bookstore, the loose-leaf copy of the book can be purchased at $94.30 new and $70.75 used.

“It’s usually cheaper than buy- ing the books. You can save up to 60 percent by downloading instead of buying the textbook,” Savoie said. “We only had a problem with Chemistry 101 where students could not pull up their textbook, and the company corrected it im– mediately.”

Savoie said that there are other benefits to purchasing a Nook, because students have access to wireless Internet throughout campus.

“What’s good about it is that if you have Wi-Fi, you can access the Internet on the Nook as well,” Savoie said. “I love it, and I’m al- ways playing with it.”

She said that students frequently show interest and ask questions about the laptops and tablets, but none have been sold so far this se- mester.

Both the Acer and Lenovo tab- lets use the Android 3.0 operating system. The Lenovo Tablet can be purchased in the bookstore for $584.98, and the Acer Tablet can be purchased for $609.98.

The laptops in the bookstore include the Acer Aspire HD Note- book for $798.98, the HP Mini Netbook for $369.98 and the HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC for $839.98.

Caillouet said that Barnes & Noble mandates the prices for any inventory received, which is why some items in the bookstore are less expensive elsewhere.

“The computers we have are

more of a convenience for stu– dents,” Caillouet said. “If you shop around, I’m sure you can get a bet- ter price, but it’s more convenient for some students to have access to a display before ordering.”

A possible advantage of pur– chasing a laptop or other portable

device in the bookstore is that stu– dents can use Colonel Cash.

“Last semester, we had a student who looked at the HP mini in the bookstore and then purchased on- line,” Savoie said. “He got a student discount, so it’s something good for students to look into, whether or not they purchase here.”

Laptops, Nooks and Tablets can

be purchased with cash or credit card, and the bookstore orders the requested item for no additional fee. When the item arrives at the bookstore, the student is notified and may pick it up.

Refunds can be issued for defec– tive merchandise with the original receipt within 14 days of the pur– chase date.