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anarcat · 07-16-2021, 10:07 PM

As some might have seen elsewhere, my faithful Kobo Glo HD is dying a horrible death. It's my second or third e-reader, depending on how you count. My first was the classic Sony PRS-T2, the second is the Kobo Glo HD, but I also have a Onyx Boox Note Pro 2, so I have good experience in a rather far ranging set of e-readers:

Sony PRS-T2: honest reader, but locked down. could at least read EPUBs and not locked into a single store
Kobo Glo HD: classic "pocket" reader, backlight, hackable, runs Linux with proprietary stuff on top
Onyx Boox Note Pro: runs Android, distracting, huge, somewhat nice for note-taking, but interoperability issues, and generally weird

At this point, my specs are this:

backlight
pocket-sized (Glo HD or Aura HD sized)
runs koreader
support for syncing with Linux easily (bonus points for Syncthing or OPDS or support)
must at least support Calibre if the above fails

I'm considering getting another Kobo. I'm guessing the Glo HD replacement is the Clara, but i'm also curious about the Libra, mostly for the water-resist capabilities. I'm also wondering if the Kobo devices are still as hackable as they were before.

I'm worried about the hardware reliability of *any* of those devices. A friend's Onyx screen cracked. My Kobo's battery controller died mysteriously. I wish I could have a device that would live for decades, not years. I know it might be unrealistic, but this is a book reader! It should be super solid. I carry those things through a lot of traveling, and beat them down pretty bad, even if I'm generally careful with my stuff (the Glo HD still lasted 5 years).

I am not considering any Amazon devices, I don't like the company, their policies, and the devices are too closed.

I'm curious about the Pocketbook devices because koreader mentions support for them. I'm intrigued by their color readers as well... surely that must not work as well as advertised? I tried to see if they could ship to Canada but got lost on their Russian and Swiss sites...

I have zero idea what Cervantes is (other than the writer), I didn't know it was a device until I read the koreader wiki. Any good?

I'd avoid Android devices completely after my experience with the Onyx: too slow, too distracting.

I'd love to use the remarkable (because it's such a cool project, and i love the texture), but it's too big for this purpose.

Suggestions?

Thanks so much!

07-16-2021, 10:07 PM	#1
anarcat Connoisseur Posts: 83 Karma: 192 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Planet Ocean Device: Kobo Glo HD, Onyx Boox Note Pro 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, Pixel 4a	Kobo Glo HD replacement As some might have seen elsewhere, my faithful Kobo Glo HD is dying a horrible death. It's my second or third e-reader, depending on how you count. My first was the classic Sony PRS-T2, the second is the Kobo Glo HD, but I also have a Onyx Boox Note Pro 2, so I have good experience in a rather far ranging set of e-readers: Sony PRS-T2: honest reader, but locked down. could at least read EPUBs and not locked into a single store Kobo Glo HD: classic "pocket" reader, backlight, hackable, runs Linux with proprietary stuff on top Onyx Boox Note Pro: runs Android, distracting, huge, somewhat nice for note-taking, but interoperability issues, and generally weird At this point, my specs are this: backlight pocket-sized (Glo HD or Aura HD sized) runs koreader support for syncing with Linux easily (bonus points for Syncthing or OPDS or support) must at least support Calibre if the above fails I'm considering getting another Kobo. I'm guessing the Glo HD replacement is the Clara, but i'm also curious about the Libra, mostly for the water-resist capabilities. I'm also wondering if the Kobo devices are still as hackable as they were before. I'm worried about the hardware reliability of any of those devices. A friend's Onyx screen cracked. My Kobo's battery controller died mysteriously. I wish I could have a device that would live for decades, not years. I know it might be unrealistic, but this is a book reader! It should be super solid. I carry those things through a lot of traveling, and beat them down pretty bad, even if I'm generally careful with my stuff (the Glo HD still lasted 5 years). I am not considering any Amazon devices, I don't like the company, their policies, and the devices are too closed. I'm curious about the Pocketbook devices because koreader mentions support for them. I'm intrigued by their color readers as well... surely that must not work as well as advertised? I tried to see if they could ship to Canada but got lost on their Russian and Swiss sites... I have zero idea what Cervantes is (other than the writer), I didn't know it was a device until I read the koreader wiki. Any good? I'd avoid Android devices completely after my experience with the Onyx: too slow, too distracting. I'd love to use the remarkable (because it's such a cool project, and i love the texture), but it's too big for this purpose. Suggestions? Thanks so much!