11-19-2011, 11:30 AM | #1 |
Member
Posts: 11
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Near Halifax NS Canada
Device: Vox
|
Kobo WIFI E-Reader - is it any good?
Hello,
I see that Wal-Mart has the Kobo WIFI ereader on sale in Canada for $88. I have been following teh growing pains of the Vox, and was not enamoured with the screen sensitivity of the Touch (maybe because I was trying store samples) All I want is an ereader that I will have along with the Asus Transformer Prime in the near future. I also want teh ereader to be able to read elibrary boks Is the subject reader any good? Any problems or deficiencies I should worry about? Thanks for any advice you send my way Preston |
11-19-2011, 12:30 PM | #2 |
Trying for calm & polite
Posts: 4,012
Karma: 9455193
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mostly in Canada
Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura
|
FWIW, the "rightness" of the screen sensitivity of the Touch in the beta version we have for testing will make a great many people here very happy.
|
Advert | |
|
11-19-2011, 12:30 PM | #3 |
Retired
Posts: 2,552
Karma: 37638420
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Vancouver Island Canada
Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)
|
For Epubs and Library epubs it's great (Not really for PDF's, the touch handles them better but still not very good.) Battery life is good and the price is too.
|
11-19-2011, 01:39 PM | #4 |
Trying for calm & polite
Posts: 4,012
Karma: 9455193
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mostly in Canada
Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura
|
The WiFi device is still being actively developed. It's been a long time since we have had an update--but we've been told that one there are plans for adding Pulse and other features. That being said, it is an older device, and although Kobo will no doubt support it for quite some time, they may stop adding features into it while they are still actively developing for the Touch.
I think it is a heck of a bargain and a great simple reader. |
11-19-2011, 02:00 PM | #5 |
Kobo Toucher
Posts: 62
Karma: 103942
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Touch
|
Like taming said above, firmware changes happen. The retail displays I have seen for the Kobo Touch are never the latest firmware version, and show in my opinion, a sub-par product.
I prefer the Kobo Touch because you can set the screen refresh interval from 1 to 6 pages (i.e. the 'black flash' that occurs during page turns). On the Kobo Wifi, the screen flashes black once per page turn. I also believe that the processor is somewhat slower, so book loading and page turns are not as fast. |
Advert | |
|
11-19-2011, 03:36 PM | #6 |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
I'd go with the Touch. Page turns are much faster and the Touch is quite speedy when doing things compared to the WiFi. Also navigating amongst multiple books in your library with the WiFi using the green pad is a pain.
The touch part is quite decent in my opinion. Occasionally it won't register a page turn touch so I hit it again and it turns two pages. But a page turn back and all is well. And it's nice to read that the sensitivity of the touch will be adjusted in the next version. |
11-19-2011, 04:33 PM | #7 |
Zealot
Posts: 130
Karma: 143194
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Device: Kobo Touch + Kobo Aura
|
I have both devices. The Touch is definitely the superior reader. But $88 for the Wifi is a good deal too.
|
11-19-2011, 04:53 PM | #8 |
Groupie
Posts: 158
Karma: 153344
Join Date: Dec 2010
Device: Kobo wifi
|
I've been using the Wifi, every day for nearly a year and still love it - for me, I have no reason to move to the Touch, since the Wifi does everything I need it to do. For that price, it's a good deal!
|
11-19-2011, 05:57 PM | #9 |
Fanatic
Posts: 563
Karma: 1089963
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Libra H2o
|
I think the wifi version is great. I have a touch now but you can't go wrong with the wifi.
|
11-20-2011, 09:12 PM | #10 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,326
Karma: 1077205
Join Date: Jun 2011
Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini
|
I loaned my touch to son for week and went back to reading on wifi. It still is a joy to read on but took a while to break my tapping screen for page turns. Paging through library is noticeably slower than touch. Blank screen between page turns has never bothered me but have never liked stiff rubber cover on 5 way switch. Overall using the wifi was going back with comfortable old friend. Still a low priced bargain.
|
11-21-2011, 08:08 PM | #11 |
Member
Posts: 11
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Near Halifax NS Canada
Device: Vox
|
Thanks folks for your thoughts and honest answers
I hit my local Wal-Mart today to get one and they sold about 150 of them in a heart beat when the sale flyer hit the streets So I am back on hold assessing the Vox and waiting for the Transformer Prime Preston |
11-21-2011, 08:20 PM | #12 |
Trying for calm & polite
Posts: 4,012
Karma: 9455193
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mostly in Canada
Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura
|
The Vox is a very different device/experience than the Touch or the WiFi. It is not eINK, it is heavier, and the battery life is not as good. Here in Canada, we are beginning to see things like $25 gift cards with the Touch. I am also expecting to see it discounted at places like Walmart.
I am not trying to talk you out of buying a Vox, or any other more tablet like device, just be aware of the differences. |
11-22-2011, 05:10 AM | #13 |
Junior Member
Posts: 7
Karma: 10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Device: K-Fire, Kindle 2, Kindle 3, Kobo, iPad3, iPad Mini, HTC Evo
|
I bought a Kobo Wifi back when Borders was going out of business (paid about $69 before tax, think they were originally $99) and even tho I've owned 4 Kindles now, I do like reading on the Kobo. I prefer my Kindles, but the Kobo Wifi is a great ereader if you can get it cheap. (they're $59 at Best Buy right now. Refurbed tho..)
|
11-22-2011, 03:34 PM | #14 |
Zealot
Posts: 127
Karma: 1002610
Join Date: Jun 2010
Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2
|
I also bought a Kobo WiFi at a Border's going-out-of-business sale and paid only $50. It's a cool little e-reader. My version had 100 Gutenberg classics preloaded and I've really enjoyed them. The Kobo WiFi is very light, thin and easy to use. It has a nice, sharp e-ink screen and, to my eyes, the screen is every bit as readable as the ones on my Nook and Kindle. It's not as quick as my other e-readers but it does the job. However, the Kobo Touch, Kindle 4, Kindle Keyboard and Nook Simple Touch are so cheap right now it's hard to justify buying the Kobo WiFi.
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Kobo Wifi with SD Card Reader | rvijay | Kobo Reader | 1 | 08-07-2011 04:29 PM |
Just about ready to give up on Kobo WiFi reader | jean_wat | Kobo Reader | 9 | 02-05-2011 03:26 AM |
Any affordable Kobo reader without WIFI? | erictoma | Kobo Reader | 19 | 12-02-2010 03:58 PM |
Kobo Desktop App v1.7 onboard Kobo WiFi | ZombWii | Kobo Reader | 6 | 10-20-2010 12:24 PM |
Kobo Reader WiFi Pre-Order Comes with 2 free books until midnight tonight for $139 | eric11210 | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 7 | 10-19-2010 09:16 AM |