Barnes & Noble expected to launch cheaper NOOK Tablet this week

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Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet

Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet

Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet

According to information obtained by The Verge, Barnes & Noble is prepping to launch a less expensive version of its NOOK Tablet this week. The current NOOK Tablet sells for $249, $50 more than the Amazon Kindle Fire, its main competitor.

Reportedly, the version of the NOOK Tablet that is set to hit shelves on February 22 will have only 8GB of internal storage, as opposed to the 16GB the current model has. The lower internal storage matches what is offered in the Kindle Fire, and, more importantly, should help Barnes & Noble lower the NOOK Tablet's price point to the Kindle Fire's $199 level, though that has not yet been confirmed.

Walmart is expected to carry the lesser NOOK Tablet and is prepping stores for a 12:01 a.m. launch on February 22. The original NOOK Color, the forebear to the NOOK Tablet, features 8GB of storage and sells for $199.