Quote:
Originally Posted by Lestrade
I'm planning on buying my first e-reader in the next few days. At this point, I'm considering a 6" device and I've narrowed my search down to the Kobo Clara HD or the new Paperwhite 4. I don't want to spend more than about $130. Also I'm in the US and will use these devices to check out library books. My library uses Overdrive and supports epub and Kindle downloads. Finally, I don't mind converting formats/de-DRM using Calibre.
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Reading through your post, it seems like the Clara is the way you clearly want to go. Aside from customer service, the Amazon benefits you tend to discount. The Kobo benefits you don't.
Having said that, with the Clara, the light-bleed is of course the boogeyman. I do think reading the comments here on MR may make it seem like a more common issue than it is, but then again, like you it would be a niggling worry in my mind when it came time to buy it.
Amazon benefits:
- waterproof (I suspect this won't be of much use to me)
- excellent customer service
- better dictionary (not sure how much I'll use the dictionary)
Kobo benefits:
- more file formats
- greater control of device settings
- no ads
- ComfortLight Pro
- more easily support non-Amazon ebook sellers
I've never used customer service for any of my ereaders, tablets or any other electronic device, so for me, customer service isn't even a consideration.
That's just me though. I know for others it is a big deal. I don't get it, but I know it is so.
I think you should pull the trigger on the Clara. You
might have to return one for light bleed. I can't guarantee you won't. But it seems like long term, it's the device that does what you want.
If it's any reassurance, ereaders now are so good, that ultimately, whether you take the Kindle or the Clara, you are bound to be happy. Both are solid devices.