MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - My first e-reader

ZodWallop · 07-23-2020, 10:36 AM

You didn't mention your location. Where you are changes the options available to you. I'm assuming US. For all the devices mentioned, I included links to stores that will sell you one in the US.

I read books on a 2015 Nook Glowlight Plus and my Kobo Clara. But for comics, I use a tablet. E-ink readers aren't good with comics. For one thing, comics tend to be color and e-ink is black and white. For another, they tend to be low-powered devices and comics tend to be large files. That file size also means they gobble up space.

Manga is black and white, so it works better on readers. But Wolf is right, if you want to read manga you want a larger screen. The ones easily available in the US (Kindle Oasis, Nook Glowlight Plus, Kobo Libra, Kobo Forma, PocketBook InkPad 3 Pro) will all break your limit.

You might look at eBay for a Kobo Aura H2O. There were two editions and both had 6.8" screens. They have been discontinued, to be replaced by the Kobo Libra, so you might find ones that fit your budget. The first edition of the H2O (the one with 4GB onboard storage and a flap on the bottom) had an SD card slot. Of those I mentioned, it is the only one with expandable storage.

As for not being tied to a platform, give it up. All ereaders are tied to a platform. But all allow sideloading via Calibre. Kobos play best with Calibre (with Kobos you can set series information and create collections with Calibre).

You might also look at Pocketbook devices. They cost a bit more (the 6" Touch HD3 is $160). But they can connect to Dropbox and have double the standard storage (16GB instead of 8GB).

In the end, for what you say you want, I'd recommend the Kobo Clara HD if you want new or can't find an Aura H2O in your budget range. The Clara, being a Kobo device handles sideloading the best and fits your budget. But there will be compromises, like there is in everything.

There's also a new cheaper Kobo, the Nia. It's $100, but has less RAM (not so bad for books, but bad for manga) and a less nice screen. I think it's a nice reader, but right now you can get the Clara for only $20 more and it's worth the $20.

07-23-2020, 10:36 AM	#3
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,487 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	You didn't mention your location. Where you are changes the options available to you. I'm assuming US. For all the devices mentioned, I included links to stores that will sell you one in the US. I read books on a 2015 Nook Glowlight Plus and my Kobo Clara. But for comics, I use a tablet. E-ink readers aren't good with comics. For one thing, comics tend to be color and e-ink is black and white. For another, they tend to be low-powered devices and comics tend to be large files. That file size also means they gobble up space. Manga is black and white, so it works better on readers. But Wolf is right, if you want to read manga you want a larger screen. The ones easily available in the US (Kindle Oasis, Nook Glowlight Plus, Kobo Libra, Kobo Forma, PocketBook InkPad 3 Pro) will all break your limit. You might look at eBay for a Kobo Aura H2O. There were two editions and both had 6.8" screens. They have been discontinued, to be replaced by the Kobo Libra, so you might find ones that fit your budget. The first edition of the H2O (the one with 4GB onboard storage and a flap on the bottom) had an SD card slot. Of those I mentioned, it is the only one with expandable storage. As for not being tied to a platform, give it up. All ereaders are tied to a platform. But all allow sideloading via Calibre. Kobos play best with Calibre (with Kobos you can set series information and create collections with Calibre). You might also look at Pocketbook devices. They cost a bit more (the 6" Touch HD3 is $160). But they can connect to Dropbox and have double the standard storage (16GB instead of 8GB). In the end, for what you say you want, I'd recommend the Kobo Clara HD if you want new or can't find an Aura H2O in your budget range. The Clara, being a Kobo device handles sideloading the best and fits your budget. But there will be compromises, like there is in everything. There's also a new cheaper Kobo, the Nia. It's $100, but has less RAM (not so bad for books, but bad for manga) and a less nice screen. I think it's a nice reader, but right now you can get the Clara for only $20 more and it's worth the $20. Last edited by ZodWallop; 07-23-2020 at 10:40 AM.