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nick101 · 02-12-2012, 04:56 AM

I'm posting this here rather than in the Kobo forum, because I thought it might be helpful to those trying to choose. It's not really a review, more some thoughts and impressions.

I was choosing between this and the Sony T1; the Kindle was out of the frame because, much as I like Amazon, I don't like the DRM-driven Kindle model (yes, I know there are ways round that, but I don't like it). Also, frankly, I think the Kindle models look nasty.

I've had a Sony 600 for just over 2 years (thanks to the late lamented UK Borders shops) and I liked it. I also use an iPad (not just for reading), and the backlight has some distinct advantages (no light needed when reading in bed), but it's too big and heavy for comfort sometimes.

E-ink screens have improved a lot in the last 2 years, so I decided to replace the Sony. I chose the Kobo mainly because it was £40 cheaper (around USD60) than the Sony, and the Sony didn't have that much over it to make up the difference.

I like:

- The weight (or lack of it) and overall compact size - it fits into a coat pocket.
- The screen - clear, good contrast, easy to read
- The UI - easy to navigate, del designed
- The choice of font types and sizes, screen layout
- The battery life - I last charged it a week ago and it's used about 20% if the display means anything
- In short, it work well, I've loaded a variety of books onto it - from Kobo, and other sources (including Kindle - don't ask) and it handles them all very well

I don't like:

- The quilted back - it looks cheap
- No categories/folders - not sure why Kobo doesn't give us this - not too hard to implement
- No page turn buttons - makes it harder (not impossible) to use one-handed One-handed use is very important on the London Underground, believe me
- Frequent firmware updates -I like new features, but I don't like bugs. I'd rather wait a bit longer and have Kobo get the bugs out

In summary, I'm very happy with it. Had the Sony been the same price, I might have gone that way for aesthetic reasons.

Hope this help someone

02-12-2012, 04:56 AM	#1
nick101 Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 1248 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milton Keynes UK Device: Sony PRS-600 Touch, iPhone	Thoughts on the Kobo after a while I'm posting this here rather than in the Kobo forum, because I thought it might be helpful to those trying to choose. It's not really a review, more some thoughts and impressions. I was choosing between this and the Sony T1; the Kindle was out of the frame because, much as I like Amazon, I don't like the DRM-driven Kindle model (yes, I know there are ways round that, but I don't like it). Also, frankly, I think the Kindle models look nasty. I've had a Sony 600 for just over 2 years (thanks to the late lamented UK Borders shops) and I liked it. I also use an iPad (not just for reading), and the backlight has some distinct advantages (no light needed when reading in bed), but it's too big and heavy for comfort sometimes. E-ink screens have improved a lot in the last 2 years, so I decided to replace the Sony. I chose the Kobo mainly because it was £40 cheaper (around USD60) than the Sony, and the Sony didn't have that much over it to make up the difference. I like: - The weight (or lack of it) and overall compact size - it fits into a coat pocket. - The screen - clear, good contrast, easy to read - The UI - easy to navigate, del designed - The choice of font types and sizes, screen layout - The battery life - I last charged it a week ago and it's used about 20% if the display means anything - In short, it work well, I've loaded a variety of books onto it - from Kobo, and other sources (including Kindle - don't ask) and it handles them all very well I don't like: - The quilted back - it looks cheap - No categories/folders - not sure why Kobo doesn't give us this - not too hard to implement - No page turn buttons - makes it harder (not impossible) to use one-handed One-handed use is very important on the London Underground, believe me - Frequent firmware updates -I like new features, but I don't like bugs. I'd rather wait a bit longer and have Kobo get the bugs out In summary, I'm very happy with it. Had the Sony been the same price, I might have gone that way for aesthetic reasons. Hope this help someone