Reliability... which e-reader?

Blackstar57 · 04-05-2015, 11:11 AM

As I posted in my introduction, I have a frozen 3 year old Kobo Touch. It started to do a factory Reset just by my holding down on the home button after it froze while ending one book. It had been always having slight freezing problems over the 3 yrs I've had it but this time it seems to be dead.

Is the new Kindle touch (2014) any more reliable than the Kobo? Can I expect to get more than 3 years out of the unit? Anybody having problems with their Kindle touch?

I don't worry about book formats because I use Calibre.

Thanks

Glenn

bookaho!ic · 04-05-2015, 11:20 AM

i prefer kobo to kindle to be honest i have just upgraded to kobo aura in december after 2 year no real major issues with kobo touch (wanted backlight)

no other meaningful things to add - happy searching

iluvgadgets · 04-05-2015, 12:31 PM

I have the original kindle touch and I've had no problems with it. I've had it more than 3 years. I have not tried kobo but the kindles are great.

Blackstar57 · 04-05-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iluvgadgets

I have the original kindle touch and I've had no problems with it. I've had it more than 3 years. I have not tried kobo but the kindles are great.

Does it ever freeze on you? My Kobo did it a lot but most times just rebooting it worked. I just thought these things should last more than 3 years. Thanks for the response. Good to know Kindles are reliable.

Shopaholic · 04-05-2015, 02:26 PM

I've had many Sony models, a couple of Kindles and recently caved and bought a Kobo after years of bashing them. lol I wanted stability, usability and no headaches and hassles. I've read many issues with users of the Kobo and didn't want to deal with that. Yes there are people that have zero issues but I want what I want and don't want to deal with what I consider to be a hassle or headache.

If your choice is between Kindle or Kobo, I'd go Kindle. It is more stable. It is more reliable. I sold a Kindle touch to upgrade to the Paperwhite 1 and have not had a problem in the three years I think I've owned it. Whenever it first came out is when I got it.

I bought the Kobo at Target in Canada when they were unloading stock pulling out. I like epub and figured since they're one of the larger ones remaining I may as well try when I can get one cheap. I've had it for maybe a month. It's ok. It's a much slower processor than even my Sony T1. But it is what it is and I deal with it. I don't expect more than it's capable of doing. I have had it crash a couple of times on me already. I expected it but it doesn't mean I like it to happen. lol

I do like certain features in how you can customize how you want the text to look on the screen, size, margins, spacing, depth etc. But I'd still say go Kindle between the two. It works out of the box and you just read without having to constantly fiddle with making it so you can read.

I hope that helps you out somewhat.

Blackstar57 · 04-05-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

I've had many Sony models, a couple of Kindles and recently caved and bought a Kobo after years of bashing them. lol I wanted stability, usability and no headaches and hassles. I've read many issues with users of the Kobo and didn't want to deal with that. Yes there are people that have zero issues but I want what I want and don't want to deal with what I consider to be a hassle or headache.

If your choice is between Kindle or Kobo, I'd go Kindle. It is more stable. It is more reliable. I sold a Kindle touch to upgrade to the Paperwhite 1 and have not had a problem in the three years I think I've owned it. Whenever it first came out is when I got it.

I bought the Kobo at Target in Canada when they were unloading stock pulling out. I like epub and figured since they're one of the larger ones remaining I may as well try when I can get one cheap. I've had it for maybe a month. It's ok. It's a much slower processor than even my Sony T1. But it is what it is and I deal with it. I don't expect more than it's capable of doing. I have had it crash a couple of times on me already. I expected it but it doesn't mean I like it to happen. lol

I do like certain features in how you can customize how you want the text to look on the screen, size, margins, spacing, depth etc. But I'd still say go Kindle between the two. It works out of the box and you just read without having to constantly fiddle with making it so you can read.

I hope that helps you out somewhat.

Thanks for your input. I liked my Kobo for the 3 years I had it. Read over 300 books with just the small freezing and slow page turning every now and then. But 3 years is not a long time to have to replace one of these.

The new Kindle touch is the lowest price I found around here so far (Nova Scotia) @ $79.00 so if it's dependable and reliable I think it will be my new e-reader. All I need it for is reading, nothing else.

MickeyC · 04-05-2015, 06:01 PM

Also, I found Kindle books to often be cheaper than Kobo books. Consequently, I'm leaning towards a Kindle when my Sony T1 fades away.

barryem · 04-06-2015, 06:45 PM

I have a Kindle and a Kobo. Actually several of each. I have a strong preference for the Kindles for a number of reasons although I have to admit that if I didn't have them to compare with I'd be perfectly happy with the Kobo.

I have a Kobo Aura and a couple of Kobo Mini's. I'll make this comparison about the Aura since I think the light is now a requirement since I've gotten used to it. Frankly I think the Mini is the better device though. I wish I had a lighted one.

The first and most important difference is the screen. The Paperwhite screen is much more evenly lit and has much better contrast than the Kobo Aura. Not that the Kobo screen is bad. It's probably as good as reading a new paperback and better than reading the used, slightly yellowed paperbacks I read all my life till I started reading e-books. The Kobo Aura has a good screen. The Paperwhite has an excellent screen. I don't have to have them side by side to tell that. It's just too obvious.

I just got my first Kindle Voyage today and I've read a little on it and they brag about how much better the screen is but the difference is small. In fact in some ways I'm not sure I like the screen better. It seems cooler in color and the background seems almost translucent. This is only when holding them side by side to compare. While reading they both see perfect.

Comparing the feel of the devices in my hand the Kobo Aura was the easy winner. It's small and light and a nice fit. The Paperwhite seems bulky by comparison. This is an important thing to me. I like the reduced size and weight a lot.

The Voyage isn't as small and isn't as light as the Aura and yet it feels great holding it. I think I prefer it to the Aura for it's feeling in my hand, although not by much.

The Aura has a lot more features than the Kindles. I have more control over margins and fonts and font weight, etc. The Kindles have far less control options but they really don't need them. I can fine tune the Aura to my heart's content and I still can't make it as readable as the Kindles.

Another important point of comparison is the quality of the companies behind them. I had a hard time buying my Kobo because there was a glitch on their website. I spent at least an hour a day trying again and trying to get through to Kobo support. I finally did after nearly 3 weeks. Once I got through to them they were great. The guy was willing and eager to help. It turns out my Aura has a small defect but I've decided to live with it rather than go through that again.

When I have a problem I can have Amazon on the phone in 30 seconds. It's never taken longer in the 10 years I've been buying from them. And I don't have many problems.

I buy most of my books and Amazon's books are typically 1/4 to 1/3 less than Kobo books. The selection seems better but that might be an illusion since the store and it's search features and presentation are so much better. I use the Kobo for books from other sources. If I'm going to buy a book I get it from Amazon.

Also, when I first got my Kobo I found there was no way to shop for books and avoid the porn. I'm not particularly prudish and I don't mind that there's adult material there. Amazon has plenty of that, too. But it's not always showing me porn. I see some at times and that's fine. I live in a retirement home and people are always asking me to find books for them on the computer in our rec-room and I'd be afraid to do that with the Kobo store.

I've been told that's improved a bit and the few times I've been there since it seems it may have, but it's still a bit raw.

None of these are major. If I'd had a chance to see the Aura before I bought it I might not have bought it but I'm not really sure. It's design is beautiful and I might have wanted it even if I knew about the problems. I'm not sorry now that I have it. I've had a few chances to sell it if I'd drop the price enough but I use it and like it so I didn't. It's a very good ereader and well worth having. The Kindles are noticeably better.

Barry

Blackstar57 · 04-06-2015, 10:39 PM

Thanks Barry. That just about covers everything I need to know about these e-readers. I did finally get my Kobo working again but I don't know for how long. It always was a little glitchy.

Before I got it running again I thought I had decided on a Kindle for my next unit. I really don't need a lot of extras in an e-reader so the newer Kindle touch was going to be my choice. I have a lot of books stored on my computer but they are mostly epub but with Calibre this doesn't seem to be a problem.

Thank you for your reply. It was very informative and surly helped in making my decision for a Kindle more definite.

Glenn

AnemicOak · 04-06-2015, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar57

I just thought these things should last more than 3 years.

Like anything it could a very short period of time or for a decade (although the battery would be shot by then if not replaced). I think if you read through the forums you'll find users of all the major brands have had a variety of experiences from their unit breaking down right away and being replaced under warranty to their unit lasting and lasting. There are still people using 1st generation Kindle's, Kobo's, Sony's & Nook's. No matter which you go with there is a chance it will die. Is three years a short life? I don't know. I think you'll find many that think it is and many that think it's beyond the normal life span for an item like a reader. Of course one bad software update can kill a device too. Is your Kobo running it's latest firmware? Experiences, Kobo especially, can vary from firmware to firmware.

hermano · 04-07-2015, 06:24 AM

I agree they should last more than 3 years. I continue to use my Cybook gen 3 on a daily basis and have done so since early 2008. Apart from replacing battery (twice) it is fine.
Occasionally I get 'itchy feet' and think about buying a new reader, but frankly until my Cybook 'dies' I see no point.

Blackstar57 · 04-07-2015, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Like anything it could a very short period of time or for a decade (although the battery would be shot by then if not replaced). I think if you read through the forums you'll find users of all the major brands have had a variety of experiences from their unit breaking down right away and being replaced under warranty to their unit lasting and lasting. There are still people using 1st generation Kindle's, Kobo's, Sony's & Nook's. No matter which you go with there is a chance it will die. Is three years a short life? I don't know. I think you'll find many that think it is and many that think it's beyond the normal life span for an item like a reader. Of course one bad software update can kill a device too. Is your Kobo running it's latest firmware? Experiences, Kobo especially, can vary from firmware to firmware.

I agree that a lot of these e-readers have problems right out of the box. Mine worked ok besides a few freeze-ups every now and then. I said it was 3 years old but is that a relevant measurement of use? Last time I checked the records on my reading I had just over 270 books read so that's a lot of page turns. Maybe this is where my problem came from.

Anyway, I'm back up and running with this Kobo (as I posted in another thread I started. The firmware I'm running right now is 3.11.0 but I don't recall what was on it before the factory reset.

I want to thank everyone who helped me with advice on this problem.

Glenn

Blackstar57 · 04-07-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermano

I agree they should last more than 3 years. I continue to use my Cybook gen 3 on a daily basis and have done so since early 2008. Apart from replacing battery (twice) it is fine.
Occasionally I get 'itchy feet' and think about buying a new reader, but frankly until my Cybook 'dies' I see no point.

That's how I feel right now. I was pricing out a new Kindle touch and was reading up on how well it worked, book choices, etc, but now that the Kobo is running again I will wait until I have another problem and see how serious it is.

Thanks...

Glenn

Sonist · 04-17-2015, 03:11 PM

Stay away from Kobo Aura HD.

I've just had the third out of 4 Kobo Aura HDs fail and Kobo has refused to honor the warranty on a single one of these.

I have never had such issues with any other ereaders.

PeterT · 04-17-2015, 08:09 PM

Warranties cover manufacturing issues not usage. Seeing what you have posted in the Kobo forum it does not look like a manufacturing issue.

04-05-2015, 11:11 AM	#1
Blackstar57 Banned Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Kobo touch	Reliability... which e-reader? As I posted in my introduction, I have a frozen 3 year old Kobo Touch. It started to do a factory Reset just by my holding down on the home button after it froze while ending one book. It had been always having slight freezing problems over the 3 yrs I've had it but this time it seems to be dead. Is the new Kindle touch (2014) any more reliable than the Kobo? Can I expect to get more than 3 years out of the unit? Anybody having problems with their Kindle touch? I don't worry about book formats because I use Calibre. Thanks Glenn

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04-05-2015, 11:20 AM	#2
bookaho!ic Evangelist Posts: 463 Karma: 5575734 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: UK Device: kobo Aura H20 2nd Ed	i prefer kobo to kindle to be honest i have just upgraded to kobo aura in december after 2 year no real major issues with kobo touch (wanted backlight) no other meaningful things to add - happy searching

04-05-2015, 12:31 PM	#3
iluvgadgets Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 300 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: kindle paperwhite	I have the original kindle touch and I've had no problems with it. I've had it more than 3 years. I have not tried kobo but the kindles are great.

04-05-2015, 02:26 PM	#5
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	I've had many Sony models, a couple of Kindles and recently caved and bought a Kobo after years of bashing them. lol I wanted stability, usability and no headaches and hassles. I've read many issues with users of the Kobo and didn't want to deal with that. Yes there are people that have zero issues but I want what I want and don't want to deal with what I consider to be a hassle or headache. If your choice is between Kindle or Kobo, I'd go Kindle. It is more stable. It is more reliable. I sold a Kindle touch to upgrade to the Paperwhite 1 and have not had a problem in the three years I think I've owned it. Whenever it first came out is when I got it. I bought the Kobo at Target in Canada when they were unloading stock pulling out. I like epub and figured since they're one of the larger ones remaining I may as well try when I can get one cheap. I've had it for maybe a month. It's ok. It's a much slower processor than even my Sony T1. But it is what it is and I deal with it. I don't expect more than it's capable of doing. I have had it crash a couple of times on me already. I expected it but it doesn't mean I like it to happen. lol I do like certain features in how you can customize how you want the text to look on the screen, size, margins, spacing, depth etc. But I'd still say go Kindle between the two. It works out of the box and you just read without having to constantly fiddle with making it so you can read. I hope that helps you out somewhat.

04-05-2015, 06:01 PM	#7
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Also, I found Kindle books to often be cheaper than Kobo books. Consequently, I'm leaning towards a Kindle when my Sony T1 fades away.

04-06-2015, 06:45 PM	#8
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I have a Kindle and a Kobo. Actually several of each. I have a strong preference for the Kindles for a number of reasons although I have to admit that if I didn't have them to compare with I'd be perfectly happy with the Kobo. I have a Kobo Aura and a couple of Kobo Mini's. I'll make this comparison about the Aura since I think the light is now a requirement since I've gotten used to it. Frankly I think the Mini is the better device though. I wish I had a lighted one. The first and most important difference is the screen. The Paperwhite screen is much more evenly lit and has much better contrast than the Kobo Aura. Not that the Kobo screen is bad. It's probably as good as reading a new paperback and better than reading the used, slightly yellowed paperbacks I read all my life till I started reading e-books. The Kobo Aura has a good screen. The Paperwhite has an excellent screen. I don't have to have them side by side to tell that. It's just too obvious. I just got my first Kindle Voyage today and I've read a little on it and they brag about how much better the screen is but the difference is small. In fact in some ways I'm not sure I like the screen better. It seems cooler in color and the background seems almost translucent. This is only when holding them side by side to compare. While reading they both see perfect. Comparing the feel of the devices in my hand the Kobo Aura was the easy winner. It's small and light and a nice fit. The Paperwhite seems bulky by comparison. This is an important thing to me. I like the reduced size and weight a lot. The Voyage isn't as small and isn't as light as the Aura and yet it feels great holding it. I think I prefer it to the Aura for it's feeling in my hand, although not by much. The Aura has a lot more features than the Kindles. I have more control over margins and fonts and font weight, etc. The Kindles have far less control options but they really don't need them. I can fine tune the Aura to my heart's content and I still can't make it as readable as the Kindles. Another important point of comparison is the quality of the companies behind them. I had a hard time buying my Kobo because there was a glitch on their website. I spent at least an hour a day trying again and trying to get through to Kobo support. I finally did after nearly 3 weeks. Once I got through to them they were great. The guy was willing and eager to help. It turns out my Aura has a small defect but I've decided to live with it rather than go through that again. When I have a problem I can have Amazon on the phone in 30 seconds. It's never taken longer in the 10 years I've been buying from them. And I don't have many problems. I buy most of my books and Amazon's books are typically 1/4 to 1/3 less than Kobo books. The selection seems better but that might be an illusion since the store and it's search features and presentation are so much better. I use the Kobo for books from other sources. If I'm going to buy a book I get it from Amazon. Also, when I first got my Kobo I found there was no way to shop for books and avoid the porn. I'm not particularly prudish and I don't mind that there's adult material there. Amazon has plenty of that, too. But it's not always showing me porn. I see some at times and that's fine. I live in a retirement home and people are always asking me to find books for them on the computer in our rec-room and I'd be afraid to do that with the Kobo store. I've been told that's improved a bit and the few times I've been there since it seems it may have, but it's still a bit raw. None of these are major. If I'd had a chance to see the Aura before I bought it I might not have bought it but I'm not really sure. It's design is beautiful and I might have wanted it even if I knew about the problems. I'm not sorry now that I have it. I've had a few chances to sell it if I'd drop the price enough but I use it and like it so I didn't. It's a very good ereader and well worth having. The Kindles are noticeably better. Barry

04-06-2015, 10:39 PM	#9
Blackstar57 Banned Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Kobo touch	Thanks Barry. That just about covers everything I need to know about these e-readers. I did finally get my Kobo working again but I don't know for how long. It always was a little glitchy. Before I got it running again I thought I had decided on a Kindle for my next unit. I really don't need a lot of extras in an e-reader so the newer Kindle touch was going to be my choice. I have a lot of books stored on my computer but they are mostly epub but with Calibre this doesn't seem to be a problem. Thank you for your reply. It was very informative and surly helped in making my decision for a Kindle more definite. Glenn

04-07-2015, 06:24 AM	#11
hermano Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 14 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: cybook gen 3	I agree they should last more than 3 years. I continue to use my Cybook gen 3 on a daily basis and have done so since early 2008. Apart from replacing battery (twice) it is fine. Occasionally I get 'itchy feet' and think about buying a new reader, but frankly until my Cybook 'dies' I see no point.

04-17-2015, 03:11 PM	#14
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	Stay away from Kobo Aura HD. I've just had the third out of 4 Kobo Aura HDs fail and Kobo has refused to honor the warranty on a single one of these. I have never had such issues with any other ereaders.

04-17-2015, 08:09 PM	#15
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,172 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	Warranties cover manufacturing issues not usage. Seeing what you have posted in the Kobo forum it does not look like a manufacturing issue.

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