Quote:
Originally Posted by timetochange
Hi, folks. I've read a couple of hundred of your posts on these, but still torn. I have some ideas and questions.
1. Me: My vision isn't very good. Large text will be nice. I'll probably read in a variety of lighting situations. I'm in the USA.
2. Cost: These are close enough in price that I'm basically setting it aside. Especially because Oasis is on sale right now.
3. Content & sources: Mostly novels, history, and philosophy. Some essays and articles. Court decisions would be nice. Those would mostly be PDFs. I realize that won't be great on any e-reader.
- I think a good bit will be from the library.
- It sounds like getting a book from a library isn't that much harder for a Kindle: Just go to the library site from another computer, check it out, and send it?
- Is there a difference in returning library books?
- I haven't bothered with Pocket before, but I can see use it with the e-reader. Usually, I just bookmark stuff, send myself links, leave tabs open, and never get around to 75% of that stuff.
5. Format: I probably won't understand these disagreements until I start using the device. If you buy from Amazon, you aren't really locked in - correct?
6. Quick display adjustments: Is the following correct?
- These Kobos let you to change brightness and color balance by swiping at either side of the screen; you have to go into the menu to change font size.
- Oasis lets you change font size by pinching, but you have to use the menu to adjust the lighting.
7. Readability & lighting:
- This seems important.
- In the comparisons on Youtube, it looks like the Forma edges out the other two in clarity. But that might just be due to size. Please weigh in if you can.
- I see more complaints about lighting imperfections on the Kobos, but most users seem to like/love their devices just fine.
- Avoiding PWM doesn't sound completely crazy, but I'm not too worried about it.
8. Comfort & controls:
- I'll use a case, so not worried about texture or weight.
- It sounds like the power button on the Forma might make me want to murder someone at first. Do you get used to it?
9. Customization, tweaks, and hacks:
- I like the idea because I'm picky.
- But I wonder if I'll end up working for the device, instead of the device working for me.
10. Extra features:
- Wikipedia will be more important than the dictionary.
- I imagine that being able to search lots of books for a word would be nice.
- It sounds like Kobo and Amazon each have advantages about being able to import/export/sync highlights and notes. Or is that really more Amazon's bag?
11. Fixing problems:
- It sounds like Amazon will deal with hardware issues better than Kobo.
- Asking consumers is clearly a better troubleshooting method than contacting either company.
- I don't want to have to fix problems.
- I don't see much related to durability or devices failing in the long run; it sounds like issues either show up early or don't show up at all. Is that right?
Thanks.
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Kobo is waaaaaaaaaay better at handling PDF because you can install Koreader. It is even possible you will be able to install more PDF readers in the future, because Kobo is an open system. It allows you to add and customize the system. In contrast, the Oasis is extremely closed, you are very limited in terms of customizing, you most certainly cannot add a PDF reading app, and the native software is very poor at reading PDF. If you will be reading lots of PDF, get a Kobo, install Koreader, and read PDF in landscape. The 8" will be a little better than a 7.8" because it's bigger, but not much. But the bigger the better. An Onyx Nova is even better for PDF, but Amzon and Kobo have better screen contrast.
Re: the light, the night comfort light is better on the Kobo than the Amazon because it is more orange.
I terms of format, the Kobo reads epubs. The Amazon won't. Kobo is therefore better. It is more open. The Oasis is horribly shut down. If all you're going to do is buy novels etc from Amazon, then the Oasis is great. That's what it's designed for, and nothing else, and it's good at it. If you want to use PDF and customize, get a Kobo.
I don't love Kobo stuff; I think Amazon hardware is better in general, but I would get a Kobo. The Amazon is too restricted for my needs (PDF and customization).