Quote:
Originally Posted by petercreasey
Barcey etal, just curious...why would happy A1 users want to go to the Forma?
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I've only just set up my Kobo Forma, so I can't speak for long term reading etc.
However the Forma feels easier to hold. This is because it's markedly lighter than the Aura One, and the wedge gives you a good place to grip the device. Where the KA1s thinner bezels made me feel like I had to adjust my natural grip to one to fully support the KA1.
On the KA1 I form an L with my fingers as the | and my thumb as the _ the KA1 goes in the crook and my thumb supports it from the bottom. I found that using anything else became uncomfortable or didn't provide enough support for the KA1 (obviously this is going to vary from person to person as our hands are all slightly different as are our comfort levels, etc).
The Forma grip is harder to explain, and may vary as I have not read with it as of yet. My thumb rests on the wedge, starting in the rest between the top and bottom buttons, I can easily reach the top button and can reach the bottom if i move my thumb down (I set it so the top bottom goes forward in the book and the bottom goes backward so I do not see this being an issue). My palm and fingers provide support for the Forma, with my fingers basically pointing to the side of the Forma, maybe at a 30 degree angle we'll see.
In portrait mode (which is what I intend to read in 100% of the time) the Forma is shorter than the KA1 which I think will also help people feel more at ease holding it. I've got long fingers and the KA1 felt moderately big to me, so I can imagine folks with smaller hands having issues. Now it is wider than the KA1 in this mode, but the weight feels good, and is generally a slow slop down from the wedge. Which again I think will help with holding it long term.
I'm not going to focus on the screen size, you gain 0.2 inches. But you gain that while also getting thinner bezels all around aside from the wedge which is nice in my opinion.
A lot of reviewers seem to want to focus on the 'feel' of the device, noting it doesn't feel 'premium' because it's plastic/rubber instead of aluminum. I find this a stupid point, aluminum is heavier, and slicker than the plastic/rubber used in the Forma. That same 'smooth premium' feel is going to be a pain in long term reading, especially if you get the device wet. Which shouldn't be the case for the Forma.
They've also said it feels like it wouldn't do well in a bag without a case. Which is generally true of every single ereader out there. I have no reason to believe the change in design and materials will alter this for the Forma. Nor do I think that the Forma will need a case if it's going to just be in a jacket pocket, unless you're doing something which puts you at risk of a heavy mass hitting you where the pocket is (again this is true for every ereader). I am sure the Mobius substrate will help a bit, but I wouldn't want to test that theory by exposing the Forma to blows.
The only thing I am not sold on right away is the material on the back. It feels slicker than the KA1, not slick in particular, just in comparison. The KA1s backing was more textured.
Again the above are strictly initial impressions. As noted i have not read on it yet, i have spent longer writing this up than I have actually holding the Forma. I would say if you are happy with the Aura One, stay with it. I upgraded from the A1 but I did so because I was looking for a better grip, the lighter device, bigger screen, etc were strictly perks in addition to the wedge.