MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why do you prefer Kobo ereaders to Amazon ereaders

davidfor · 10-24-2021, 07:40 PM

I only select "Better software" and even that I hesitated over. The option that is missing is "Because I bought one ages ago and can't be bothered changing"

That is at least partly it. I bought a Touch nearly 10 years ago. That was because I looked at all the one that were available and decided it was the one I liked most. Then a sale happened that was about 30% off and I got a Kobo.

Now, I prefer the Kobo software, but, I have no real idea whether it is better. Looking at the list of choices:

Better store - No. I don't think either are particularly good. But Amazon have a much larger number of books. Which isn't necessarily a good thing.
Better hardware - I think they are pretty much the same.
More innovative products - There isn't really anything innovative about any of the devices.
More open and customizable - Kobo probably is, but, this had no impact on my original choice.
Better software - How do you define that? Less crashes? Better to use?
Better support - Kobo is not going to win that.
Better price - The devices are different enough
Library access - I can access libraries, but, the only reason I have borrowed a book was to test the access.
More accessible in my country - Both Kobo and Kindle are available in B&M stores.
I disagree with the direction Amazon's is taking with ereaders - I have no idea what direction Amazon is taking.
I disagree with Amazon's policy directions in general - This I can almost get behind, but, honestly, I can't be bothered. They are doing exactly what any corporation would do if they'd managed to get into the position they are in. (Note: I have absolutely no interest in discussing this in any way. If you want to criticise me about it, go ahead. Just make sure you are polite and try not to base your arguments on, "They are big, therefore they are bad".)

Overall, the main reason I prefer Kobo over Amazon is inertia. I do like them, and nothing Amazon has done so far has given me any reason to change. But, I have never used a Kindle for more than five minutes at a time. And most usage has been in a shop.

10-24-2021, 07:40 PM	#22
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	I only select "Better software" and even that I hesitated over. The option that is missing is "Because I bought one ages ago and can't be bothered changing" That is at least partly it. I bought a Touch nearly 10 years ago. That was because I looked at all the one that were available and decided it was the one I liked most. Then a sale happened that was about 30% off and I got a Kobo. Now, I prefer the Kobo software, but, I have no real idea whether it is better. Looking at the list of choices: Better store - No. I don't think either are particularly good. But Amazon have a much larger number of books. Which isn't necessarily a good thing. Better hardware - I think they are pretty much the same. More innovative products - There isn't really anything innovative about any of the devices. More open and customizable - Kobo probably is, but, this had no impact on my original choice. Better software - How do you define that? Less crashes? Better to use? Better support - Kobo is not going to win that. Better price - The devices are different enough Library access - I can access libraries, but, the only reason I have borrowed a book was to test the access. More accessible in my country - Both Kobo and Kindle are available in B&M stores. I disagree with the direction Amazon's is taking with ereaders - I have no idea what direction Amazon is taking. I disagree with Amazon's policy directions in general - This I can almost get behind, but, honestly, I can't be bothered. They are doing exactly what any corporation would do if they'd managed to get into the position they are in. (Note: I have absolutely no interest in discussing this in any way. If you want to criticise me about it, go ahead. Just make sure you are polite and try not to base your arguments on, "They are big, therefore they are bad".) Overall, the main reason I prefer Kobo over Amazon is inertia. I do like them, and nothing Amazon has done so far has given me any reason to change. But, I have never used a Kindle for more than five minutes at a time. And most usage has been in a shop.