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Jakkers · 04-24-2013, 04:51 PM

I've been interested in the Aura since it was announced, and have been following this thread carefully for news and updates - thanks everyone who has contributed. I finally tracked down a demo unit at an Indigo bookstore, and just made this account so I can give you my impressions.

First, the screen is really excellent. The extra .8 of an inch is noticeably bigger, in a very good way. It more closely matches the actual readable area of a trade paperback. The resolution increase is also noticeable, though less so. Putting the Aura next to a Glo, the text on the Aura was clearer and better defined (even at similar font size/sharpness/weight settings). The front-light is also very very nice - less blue-tinted than my Glo, and very even. The lowest setting appears to be very low indeed, lower than the lowest possible on the Glo, which should be nice for people who read in bed. The light settings are also measured in percent now, which is nice. The whole UI felt very zippy, significantly better than the Glo in that regard.

The back of the case is less extreme-feeling in the hand than you might expect from the new design. As described, holding it two-handed does give an impression of holding a real book. I share the complaints of others here and in several reviews, however, when it comes to the texture of the plastic used. Instead of the "soft" or "rubbery" plastic seen on the Glo and the PW, this plastic back is completely smooth. Although its a minor gripe, it makes the Aura feel cheaper. Furthermore, I don't know if this is unique to the demo unit I used, but when I squeezed the bezel against the back, there was some slight creaking. This again made the unit feel cheap, and made me question the build quality (can anyone with more experience with their own unit at home speak to this point?)

So its a bit of a mixed-bag. The screen is excellent in size, resolution, and lighting. The case housing the screen, however, leaves something to be desired. I'm still leaning towards upgrading my Glo to the Aura (the screen is, after all, the most important component of a reader), but I do wish the back wasn't so smooth and "plasticky" to the touch.

04-24-2013, 04:51 PM	#392
Jakkers Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	I've been interested in the Aura since it was announced, and have been following this thread carefully for news and updates - thanks everyone who has contributed. I finally tracked down a demo unit at an Indigo bookstore, and just made this account so I can give you my impressions. First, the screen is really excellent. The extra .8 of an inch is noticeably bigger, in a very good way. It more closely matches the actual readable area of a trade paperback. The resolution increase is also noticeable, though less so. Putting the Aura next to a Glo, the text on the Aura was clearer and better defined (even at similar font size/sharpness/weight settings). The front-light is also very very nice - less blue-tinted than my Glo, and very even. The lowest setting appears to be very low indeed, lower than the lowest possible on the Glo, which should be nice for people who read in bed. The light settings are also measured in percent now, which is nice. The whole UI felt very zippy, significantly better than the Glo in that regard. The back of the case is less extreme-feeling in the hand than you might expect from the new design. As described, holding it two-handed does give an impression of holding a real book. I share the complaints of others here and in several reviews, however, when it comes to the texture of the plastic used. Instead of the "soft" or "rubbery" plastic seen on the Glo and the PW, this plastic back is completely smooth. Although its a minor gripe, it makes the Aura feel cheaper. Furthermore, I don't know if this is unique to the demo unit I used, but when I squeezed the bezel against the back, there was some slight creaking. This again made the unit feel cheap, and made me question the build quality (can anyone with more experience with their own unit at home speak to this point?) So its a bit of a mixed-bag. The screen is excellent in size, resolution, and lighting. The case housing the screen, however, leaves something to be desired. I'm still leaning towards upgrading my Glo to the Aura (the screen is, after all, the most important component of a reader), but I do wish the back wasn't so smooth and "plasticky" to the touch.