Kobo - Black or White frame???

KrowNB · 12-05-2010, 11:58 AM

Kobo is available with about three different coloured backs, all with white frames on the face, or with a black back and black face frame. I bought my wife a lavender/white one for Christmas and may eventually get one for myself, if my better half takes to hers. I purchased hers in the colour noted because I thought that one would be the most appealing to her. I think I would have chosen the black for myself.

I'm wondering, from a strictly ease-of-reading standpoint, is reading black text on a white screen any easier on the eyes, ie less tiring, when the frame around the page is black or white? Or does it make any difference? I would expect it would be necessary to have had considerable experience using both versions in order to choose one over the other.

Keith

HarryT · 12-05-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrowNB

I'm wondering, from a strictly ease-of-reading standpoint, is reading black text on a white screen any easier on the eyes, ie less tiring, when the frame around the page is black or white? Or does it make any difference? I would expect it would be necessary to have had considerable experience using both versions in order to choose one over the other.

It makes not the slightest difference, to my mind. I have or have had reading devices with black frames (Kindle, Pocketbook 360) and white frames (CyBook Opus, BeBook Neo). The frame - for me, at least - does not affect the readability of the screen in the slightest.

ninicraftone · 12-05-2010, 12:52 PM

I have used kobos with both black and white frames. Did not notice any readability differences but I have started reformatting the books to reduce the margins to zero which increases the amount of text on the screen but also brings the edge of the text blocks quite close to the inside edge of the kobo's frame. In these circumstances the frame of the white kobo looks like the margin of the page and improves the look of the page, in my opinion, but as far a readability goes -- not much difference.

dmacmart · 12-05-2010, 04:39 PM

Some people find that the black border increases the apparent contrast and makes the screen look "whiter". However, you can get gelskins or other such add-ons to change the colour so it's not locked-in forever.

Mine is white (original) and I'm very happy with it.

CazMar · 12-05-2010, 05:02 PM

The environment might also have a bearing on this - my (white) Asus gets a bit grubby being hauled around, despite being in a case. The black Kobo gets the same treatment but doesn't look dirty!

plaid · 12-05-2010, 09:08 PM

I started with a white kobo, then after three months was having issues with it reading sd cards so I exchanged it for a black one. It's purely preference, but I like the black one better!

12-05-2010, 11:58 AM	#1
KrowNB Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo WiFi, Sony PRS-650	Kobo - Black or White frame??? Kobo is available with about three different coloured backs, all with white frames on the face, or with a black back and black face frame. I bought my wife a lavender/white one for Christmas and may eventually get one for myself, if my better half takes to hers. I purchased hers in the colour noted because I thought that one would be the most appealing to her. I think I would have chosen the black for myself. I'm wondering, from a strictly ease-of-reading standpoint, is reading black text on a white screen any easier on the eyes, ie less tiring, when the frame around the page is black or white? Or does it make any difference? I would expect it would be necessary to have had considerable experience using both versions in order to choose one over the other. Keith

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12-05-2010, 12:52 PM	#3
ninicraftone Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo	I have used kobos with both black and white frames. Did not notice any readability differences but I have started reformatting the books to reduce the margins to zero which increases the amount of text on the screen but also brings the edge of the text blocks quite close to the inside edge of the kobo's frame. In these circumstances the frame of the white kobo looks like the margin of the page and improves the look of the page, in my opinion, but as far a readability goes -- not much difference.

12-05-2010, 04:39 PM	#4
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	Some people find that the black border increases the apparent contrast and makes the screen look "whiter". However, you can get gelskins or other such add-ons to change the colour so it's not locked-in forever. Mine is white (original) and I'm very happy with it.

12-05-2010, 05:02 PM	#5
CazMar Book Geek Posts: 596 Karma: 1499085 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Asus MemPad 7" tablet, Nexus 5, Asus 10" tablet	The environment might also have a bearing on this - my (white) Asus gets a bit grubby being hauled around, despite being in a case. The black Kobo gets the same treatment but doesn't look dirty!

12-05-2010, 09:08 PM	#6
plaid Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 5434 Join Date: Sep 2004 Device: Kobo eReader	I started with a white kobo, then after three months was having issues with it reading sd cards so I exchanged it for a black one. It's purely preference, but I like the black one better!

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