Setting up the 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi was easy, and the device automatically searches for and reconnects to your last network, even when booting up after a complete shutdown. Users get free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots nationwide.

Battery life should be up notably: Barnes & Noble says that the Nook can last up to 2 months on a single charge, with the Wi-Fi turned off. We'll have to check in later with an update on how its battery life does in the real world.

At $139, the new Nook is competitively priced with Amazon's Kindle. It also replaces current Wi-Fi-only and 3G Nook models, and will co-exist going forward with the .

I can't say that the Nook is the absolute best e-reader available today, but it comes close. Nook gets marked down for its terrible button design and inconsistent contrast; and yet, it wins favor for its interface and touch navigation. Those factors, coupled with its light weight and long battery life rating, make Nook a solid choice, as long as you plan to use the touchscreen and not the buttons to page through your books.