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bhdavis · 05-05-2012, 08:22 PM

Hi,

I'm considering buying my first eBook reader and I'm looking for input. I am contemplating the Kobo Touch, the Nook Simple Touch, and the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. The only eBook reader I have more than a few moments of experience with is the original Kobo (non-touch) and there are a few things about it that I don't like such as the lack of fonts (both variety and sizes), the inability to control line spacing and margin sizes. But mostly, I find it awkward to hold causing my hand to cramp up relatively quickly. I believe this is because of the relatively small bezel, the placement of the page turning pad at the bottom, and it's thinness. Additionally, the 'Fit and Finish' of the Kobo seems very cheap to me relative to my even more limited experience with my brother's Kindle.

I'm Canadian and I live in Canada, so at some level that would seem to make the Kobo the most obvious choice given that I cannot buy the Nook in Canada (I'd have to have it shipped to a friend who would mail it on to me) and that I cannot buy books from Barnes and Noble's eBook store in Canada. On the other hand, I really don't like the Kobo's form. I know that the Kobo Touch has updated firmware increasing number of fonts, and font size, as well as adding control for margins, and line spacing. I also know (from demoing it in a store) that it does page turns much faster too. However, I still really dislike it's form factors. It seems like it would be a bit more comfortable to use than the original Kobo, cause I won't be forced to hold it in the lower right corner, but the Bezel is still narrow and it lacks physical page turn buttons. It's hard to tell how comfortable it would be in my hands for prolonged periods of time, but I suspect it will still make my hands sore.

I don't plan on buying a lot of books, I expect that I'll primarily borrow books from the library and get free ebooks from the Gutenberg project. That said, I would like the ability to buy some eBooks if I want to. Are ebooks sold by Chapters and Indigo in Canada compatible with the Nook Simple Touch? I assume that they are, but I want to be sure before I make any purchases.

So I suppose my questions are: Did anyone else have hand cramping issues with the original Kobo that were relieved with the Kobo touch? Are any Canadians living in Canada using the Nook Simple Touch in Canada, and are they having any difficulty buying ebooks in Canada for use with it? Are there other issues I should be concerned with? (e.g. Getting the Nook Simple Touch repaired/replaced under warranty is probably more complicated for someone living in Canada than getting a Kobo repaired or replaced, but perhaps this doesn't happen enough to be concerned with?)

Thanks.
Brad

05-05-2012, 08:22 PM	#1
bhdavis Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 294 Join Date: May 2012 Device: none	Yet another "Which eReader?" thread. Hi, I'm considering buying my first eBook reader and I'm looking for input. I am contemplating the Kobo Touch, the Nook Simple Touch, and the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. The only eBook reader I have more than a few moments of experience with is the original Kobo (non-touch) and there are a few things about it that I don't like such as the lack of fonts (both variety and sizes), the inability to control line spacing and margin sizes. But mostly, I find it awkward to hold causing my hand to cramp up relatively quickly. I believe this is because of the relatively small bezel, the placement of the page turning pad at the bottom, and it's thinness. Additionally, the 'Fit and Finish' of the Kobo seems very cheap to me relative to my even more limited experience with my brother's Kindle. I'm Canadian and I live in Canada, so at some level that would seem to make the Kobo the most obvious choice given that I cannot buy the Nook in Canada (I'd have to have it shipped to a friend who would mail it on to me) and that I cannot buy books from Barnes and Noble's eBook store in Canada. On the other hand, I really don't like the Kobo's form. I know that the Kobo Touch has updated firmware increasing number of fonts, and font size, as well as adding control for margins, and line spacing. I also know (from demoing it in a store) that it does page turns much faster too. However, I still really dislike it's form factors. It seems like it would be a bit more comfortable to use than the original Kobo, cause I won't be forced to hold it in the lower right corner, but the Bezel is still narrow and it lacks physical page turn buttons. It's hard to tell how comfortable it would be in my hands for prolonged periods of time, but I suspect it will still make my hands sore. I don't plan on buying a lot of books, I expect that I'll primarily borrow books from the library and get free ebooks from the Gutenberg project. That said, I would like the ability to buy some eBooks if I want to. Are ebooks sold by Chapters and Indigo in Canada compatible with the Nook Simple Touch? I assume that they are, but I want to be sure before I make any purchases. So I suppose my questions are: Did anyone else have hand cramping issues with the original Kobo that were relieved with the Kobo touch? Are any Canadians living in Canada using the Nook Simple Touch in Canada, and are they having any difficulty buying ebooks in Canada for use with it? Are there other issues I should be concerned with? (e.g. Getting the Nook Simple Touch repaired/replaced under warranty is probably more complicated for someone living in Canada than getting a Kobo repaired or replaced, but perhaps this doesn't happen enough to be concerned with?) Thanks. Brad