I'm trying to figure out what I want, but am not technologically savvy. I would like something along the lines of the IPad, but that's out of my price range. Both the Nook Color and the Kindle Fire are IN my price range. I don't have a smart phone, but wonder if that would be better for me or if I would end up paying more for the data plans.

Can someone help me in the simplest of terms as to what is as close to the IPad without the upfront cost?

Try The Kindle Fire

Really depends on what you want to do.

Smart phones can do the lot, but are a small form factor, best for phone apps.
Kindles and Nooks are bigger and well designed for e-books, no phone apps.
Tablets are even larger and great for surfing and games.

So what's the primary use going to be..

I was thinking of surfing, gaming and e-books.

This is a good question as I was considering something like this for my wife for Christmas.

I had considered the Kindle Fire until I just read this thread.

I heard the Nook Color had a longer battery life and a better picture, but I'm not sure about accessibility or aps.

Have you looked into the iPod touch? It's almost the same as an iPhone but without the phone or data plan. You can read and play games on it. I actually just ordered it so I can't really say how great it is, but it seems really cool.

Have you looked into the ipod touch? It's almost the same as an iphone but without the phone or data plan. You can read and play games on it. I actually just ordered it so I can't really say how great it is, but it seems really cool.

Anything Apple is out of the budget range.