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usuallee · 10-06-2021, 10:58 AM

I just got a Libra H20 last week, then the announcement came for the new models. I thought about returning the H20 and getting the Libra 2 but decided not to. Reasons:

-the Libra 2 is substantially heavier (193g vs 215g). That's significant. My old 1st gen Paperwhite is 213g. The Libra H20's decreased weight is definitely noticeable, and appreciated when I'm laying on the couch reading for an hour or two. I don't want go back to a heavier ereader.

-the Libra 2 is thicker. I like the slim form factor of the H20 and the asymmetrical one-handed thing.

- yes the new Carta 1200 screen is reputed to be more responsive with better contrast than the H20's Carta 1000 - but no one actually knows yet. It may not be a huge real world difference. It is the SAME dpi - no actual resolution improvement. My H20 has vastly superior contrast to my old Paperwhite, text pops off the screen by comparison, it's very pleasant to read, so it's not clear to me that a little more contrast will be meaningful. Page turns are blink-and-you'll-miss-it fast as it is, so I doubt increased responsiveness will be meaningful either. You could wait for reviews.

- Increased memory - may be important for those with a ton of books or books with lots of pictures - I don't care. I like to limit books onboard my ereader to no more than about 12 to 20. I tend to get decision paralysis if there are more options. Also, I'm a slow-ish reader, and usually have an audiobook or two in my reading mix (on my phone) as well. So the increased memory is irrelevant to me.

-USB-C - Yeah, it'd be nice. The H20 still rocks the outdated micro-USB connector. Not that big a deal to me. You only have to charge it every few weeks anyway.

-Audiobooks - to me that's actually a mild negative in the sense it adds clutter. I want my ereader to be the exclusive realm of printed books. No social media, no internet - and no audiobooks. I do like audiobooks, but on my phone. If my phone dies, I'll have bigger problems than not having a backup audiobook solution ready to go. So the audiobook feature is totally superfluous to me.

Plus, the hassle of returning my current H20, and it's $10 more too (in the U.S.). And, I'm already attached to my plucky Libra H20. I love it. I just figured out how to add more fonts and install the Nickel Menu with dark mode. I'm good with what I've got. Hope this little breakdown helps the OP or anyone on the fence make a decision. Cheers!

10-06-2021, 10:58 AM	#12
usuallee Media Junkie Posts: 278 Karma: 2039392 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kobo Libra H20, Kindle PW	I just got a Libra H20 last week, then the announcement came for the new models. I thought about returning the H20 and getting the Libra 2 but decided not to. Reasons: -the Libra 2 is substantially heavier (193g vs 215g). That's significant. My old 1st gen Paperwhite is 213g. The Libra H20's decreased weight is definitely noticeable, and appreciated when I'm laying on the couch reading for an hour or two. I don't want go back to a heavier ereader. -the Libra 2 is thicker. I like the slim form factor of the H20 and the asymmetrical one-handed thing. - yes the new Carta 1200 screen is reputed to be more responsive with better contrast than the H20's Carta 1000 - but no one actually knows yet. It may not be a huge real world difference. It is the SAME dpi - no actual resolution improvement. My H20 has vastly superior contrast to my old Paperwhite, text pops off the screen by comparison, it's very pleasant to read, so it's not clear to me that a little more contrast will be meaningful. Page turns are blink-and-you'll-miss-it fast as it is, so I doubt increased responsiveness will be meaningful either. You could wait for reviews. - Increased memory - may be important for those with a ton of books or books with lots of pictures - I don't care. I like to limit books onboard my ereader to no more than about 12 to 20. I tend to get decision paralysis if there are more options. Also, I'm a slow-ish reader, and usually have an audiobook or two in my reading mix (on my phone) as well. So the increased memory is irrelevant to me. -USB-C - Yeah, it'd be nice. The H20 still rocks the outdated micro-USB connector. Not that big a deal to me. You only have to charge it every few weeks anyway. -Audiobooks - to me that's actually a mild negative in the sense it adds clutter. I want my ereader to be the exclusive realm of printed books. No social media, no internet - and no audiobooks. I do like audiobooks, but on my phone. If my phone dies, I'll have bigger problems than not having a backup audiobook solution ready to go. So the audiobook feature is totally superfluous to me. Plus, the hassle of returning my current H20, and it's $10 more too (in the U.S.). And, I'm already attached to my plucky Libra H20. I love it. I just figured out how to add more fonts and install the Nickel Menu with dark mode. I'm good with what I've got. Hope this little breakdown helps the OP or anyone on the fence make a decision. Cheers!