Kindle Paperwhite v1 versus Kobo Aura

[jgoguen]

I currently own both a Kobo Aura and a first-gen Kindle Paperwhite. I'm trying to decide which one to make my primary reader. I'm not interested in buying a new reader, I'm trying to decide which of the two I have to make my primary.

Pro Kobo:

• Smaller
• Better light
• Displays series information
• Battery seems to last longer

Pro Kindle:

• I can use personal document syncing to read on my phone if I leave my reader somewhere and want to read a bit
• More seamless for books purchased from Amazon
• Better selection than Kobo

Things I don't care about:

• The Kindle doesn't show the cover, instead shows random images
• The Kindle software is too new to root (which I think I would only use to display the book cover anyway)
• Kobo's reading awards
• Kindle's Goodreads integration

Out of these two, has anyone used both and come away with a strong preference for one over the other? Do you use one and have a killer feature that keeps you from using another brand of reader?

[Cinisajoy]

I use both depending on what I want to read and which device it is on.

[barryem]

I have both and I use both although I use the Paperwhite more. I don't think I actually choose my primary reader. I have several and I make it a point to use each of them at least now and then. Paying attention to my habits I guess I could say my Voyage or my phone is my primary reader but that wasn't the result of any choice. It's just what I grab first most often.

Barry

[eschwartz]

I have only used a Kindle (Touch).

But a couple points:
Better Amazon selection doesn't really mean anything if you buy on/from both devices and sideload -- and you would prefer the Kindle for syncing PDOCs anyway.
You say it's unimportant/low-priority, but regardless -- you can jailbreak the PW1, which is still able to be downgraded to a jailbreakable firmware. That gets you root + cover screensavers.
Series information -- meh, plugboards always worked fine for me.

[dordale]

My question--are you planning on selling one of your readers or giving one away? If you are going to be keeping both, why do you need to pick a "primary reader"? Use whichever reader suits the format of the book and your current mood at the time. I have several readers and use two of them with regularity. The two that I use the most are my Kindle Voyage and my Kobo Aura HD. Since I load almost all of my content on to my readers through Calibre, formatting usually isn't an issue. I do find myself using my Voyage more often--it's smaller size makes it easier to carry with me and the screen technology is better. (Now if I have a Kobo Glo HD, I think my usage would be more even.)

[jgoguen]

Some books I can only get in either Kindle or ePub formats, and the local laws are quite strict about forbidding removal of DRM for any purpose. So I need a reader that can handle both.

[eschwartz]

Those laws are contradictory. You are permitted under Fair Use to remove DRM, so you can format-shift to your device of choice...

[jgoguen]

Considering I only have Resident Alien status in the US, I'm not terribly interested in finding out which law industry lawyers could convince a judge to side with. If I were still in Canada, where I have much more solid legal status and a better understanding of the relevant laws and legal climate in general, I would be more willing to test that. Maybe I will in the US once my status isn't basically "at the whims of whatever DHS/TSA agent is in front of me now" :/

[eschwartz]

I guess that does kind of change things...

[Cinisajoy]

Keep and use both.

[jgoguen]

Well…yes…given that there are some books only in one source (or significantly cheaper in one source) I basically have to. But that doesn't give me an opinion on which one someone may prefer and why. Hearing what others think might help me decide whether to stick with the Kobo or start using the Kindle preferentially.

[Cinisajoy]

Since you want an opinion, here you go.
Read on one, then read on the other.
Decide which one you like best.
I am pretty sure that 34% will say kindle, 34% will say kobo, 30% will say both and 10% will say neither.
What I like you may not like.
So an opinion is just that.

[jgoguen]

No, but it gives insight. I just might not know everything the platforms have to offer. Someone may have an opinion that teaches me about something I never heard of and really like. Such as how the PW1 can be downgraded to a rootable firmware, if I find a root feature I like that may be a reason.

It's nice you aren't interested in helping. Your very first post was fine, not helpful but also a perfectly valid opinion and not downright unnecessary. Your second post strongly suggested you ignored the subsequent discussion and possibly also the entire point of this thread. Your third post was just unnecessary. I can appreciate you using whichever you feel like depending on what platform has the book you want, it's what I'm doing now, but I'm looking to go a different way.

If you have reasons or opinions to share in a more helpful and respectful tone about why I shouldn't pick a primary I'd be interested to hear them.

[eschwartz]

I'd have to say that ultimately the most important feature is having books to read. Since DeDRM is not an option for you, that gives the Kindle an advantage because of the superior store -- so I'd probably go with that.

As I said above, IMHO I don't see any problem using plugboards for series information (and of course you can add books to calibre and modify the metadata even without removing the DRM).
And the Kobo only "seems" to have a longer life, I wouldn't put too much faith in that. It's kind of tricky to really prove one way or another, and I doubt you have done comprehensive testing (has anyone, actually?). Besides, either one will last pretty long anyway.

...

Yes, I do have a bias toward the Kindle. Doesn't make any of it untrue.

[Barbara1955]

Seems to me they both have their own uses. Esp since you are using 2 different formats. Another thing you could do is buy a Tablet ...if you can read on a LCD screen comfortably. Down load the apps for Amazon & Kobo. At least then you have all your e-books together.