New to mobileread! Need Advice Kindle vs Kobo

gocoltsnfl1 · 10-25-2021, 12:51 PM

So I am interested in purchasing either a Kobo or Kindle. I am completely new to mobileread.com and somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices. I have only used the Kindle App on iphone previously and have not had a Kindle for many years. I have decided I would like to get a Kindle or Kobo. I want to use Caliber to organize read vs unread and to organize by type of book. If I buy a Kobo can I transfer all of my amazon Kindle books to Kobo by using Caliber or some other method? Would I have to purchase Epubor to transfer from amazon kindle to another ereader? also to complicate things I have a macbook and do not have access to PC. I dont think I am tech savy enough to figure out caliber. I definitely want an Ereader. I have a bunch of books on my Kindle app that I have not read and need to organize by read/unread. Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated. Thank you! !

Sirtel · 10-25-2021, 01:09 PM

You don't need to buy Epubor to transfer your Kindle books to a Kobo, but you do need Calibre and the Alf plugin. The plugin can be had here (it's free):

https://apprenticealf.wordpress.com/

If you feel that all this is too convoluted for you, getting a Kindle would be a better option.

EowynCarter · 10-25-2021, 01:18 PM

As said, you can convert using calibre and the right plugins.

But as you have some amazon books already, I would spare myself the mess, and get a kindle.

graycyn · 10-25-2021, 05:15 PM

In agreement with the above two posters, my husband has a Kindle and I have a Kobo. He simply doesn't want to fuss with stripping DRM or organizing his books, which, frankly, he only reads once anyway. He tried Kobo, but in the end, he wanted a Kindle.

I prefer the reading experience on Kobo, not to mention the fact that they offer larger screens than Amazon Kindle devices. I don't mind figuring out new software, so it's all good for me. I read enough that I own both Kobo and Kindle.

If you feel the least bit hesitant about learning to remove DRM or using a new piece of software, a Kindle reader will be the better option.

Once you've finished a book on your Kindle, it can be marked as "read" and if you use cover view, there's also a banner across the top right corner of the book thumbnail that says "read" as well. And you have a Filter option that can list either your "read" books or your "unread".

Rbneader · 10-26-2021, 06:36 PM

I have tried both Kindle and Kobo, and like Kobo a lot more to read on. I think Kobos usually offer more features for the price - better screen, different screen sizes, more organization features. It's easier to find the book I'm looking for. Kobo has a store and you can find all the usual books on it, so you can buy books just like normal.

Transferring existing books via Calibre is very easy: Download and install Calibre, install the right Calibre plugin from Apprentice Alf, import all your books and then convert them to epub.

That said, if you just want something that's super simple, get a Kindle. The important thing is that it work the way you want it. There's nothing wrong with Kindles, or with wanting something that just works the way you expect it! My friends who like their tech to just work have Kindles and are very happy with them.

Dr. Drib · 10-26-2021, 07:43 PM

Based upon your needs, as you describe them, I would suggest a Kindle.

Uncle Robin · 10-26-2021, 08:26 PM

If you're heavily invested in the Kindle ecosystem and just want a hassle-free reading experience, I'd say that getting a Kindle would definitely be the easier choice. And I say that as as someone who switched from Kindle to Kobo 3-4 years ago.

Pajamaman · 10-26-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gocoltsnfl1

I want to use Caliber to organize read vs unread and to organize by type of book.

I dont think I am tech savy enough to figure out caliber.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can organize books on a kindle by using caliber.

Caliber is easy to use.

However, removing DRM from your amazon books (so you can read them on a Kobo) is not so easy.

Uncle Robin · 10-26-2021, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can organize books on a kindle by using caliber.

Caliber is easy to use.

However, removing DRM from your amazon books (so you can read them on a Kobo) is not so easy.

It's a very small point, but the name of the software in question is Calibre, not Caliber. At first, I thought it was a play on "libre" as in "free" and possibly "libris" as in "book" but then realized it was probably just because the creator comes from India, and Indian English favors BrEng spellings by and large. Whatever the reason, spelling it the way the creator does seems like a courtesy well-earned

davidfor · 10-26-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

It's a very small point, but the name of the software in question is Calibre, not Caliber.

Actually, the name is "calibre". It is explicitly lower case.

Quote:

At first, I thought it was a play on "libre" as in "free" and possibly "libris" as in "book" but then realized it was probably just because the creator comes from India, and Indian English favors BrEng spellings by and large. Whatever the reason, spelling it the way the creator does seems like a courtesy well-earned

As to where the name came from, the calibre history page has:

Quote:

As my e-book collection grew, I realized that managing it was quickly becoming unwieldy, so I decided to write a graphical interface to libprs500 to make it easier. This became calibre, in its present form, as a comprehensive e-book management tool. libprs500 was renamed to calibre in mid-2008. The name calibre was chosen by my wife, Krittika. The libre in calibre stands for freedom, indicating that calibre is a free and open source product, modifiable by all. Nonetheless, calibre should be pronounced as cali-ber, not ca-libre.

Uncle Robin · 10-26-2021, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Actually, the name is "calibre". It is explicitly lower case.

Thanks for the case correction - nice to know my guess about "libre" was right

fduniho · 11-12-2021, 12:02 PM

I don't think you can use Alf tools and calibre to strip the DRM from Kindle books unless you already own a Kindle. I can do it, because I entered the serial number from a Kindle into the settings for whatever plug-in does the job. While I think you could use older versions of Kindle for Windows, newer versions don't work with Alf tools. So, if you have a lot of Kindle books from using the Kindle app, I would recommend sticking with Kindle for now. Personally, I have been pleased enough with Kindles to not seriously think about switching. My biggest move away from Kindle was to get a Likebook Mars, which is an Android device I still use the Kindle app on. But if the new Paperwhite 5 had been out at the time, I probably would have gotten that instead.

Sirtel · 11-12-2021, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fduniho

I don't think you can use Alf tools and calibre to strip the DRM from Kindle books unless you already own a Kindle. I can do it, because I entered the serial number from a Kindle into the settings for whatever plug-in does the job. While I think you could use older versions of Kindle for Windows, newer versions don't work with Alf tools. So, if you have a lot of Kindle books from using the Kindle app, I would recommend sticking with Kindle for now. Personally, I have been pleased enough with Kindles to not seriously think about switching. My biggest move away from Kindle was to get a Likebook Mars, which is an Android device I still use the Kindle app on. But if the new Paperwhite 5 had been out at the time, I probably would have gotten that instead.

The OP has apparently bought a Fire tablet, which is not a Kindle or actually an ereader at all.

fduniho · 11-13-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The OP has apparently bought a Fire tablet, which is not a Kindle or actually an ereader at all.

It was regarded as a Kindle for the purposes of the Kindle Owner's Lending Library, but now that this program is no more, there's not much to distinguish it from any other Android tablet running the Kindle app. It's certainly not an e-ink device, but people can read ebooks on it.

Looking further into the DeDRM plugin for calibre, it can use a key file for books downloaded for the Kindle app on Android. You need to install and run abd to create this file, and it works like a serial number for a dedicated Kindle. I have not tried doing this yet, and the documentation indicates that it is not known whether it will work for the Fire.

JSWolf · 11-13-2021, 05:30 PM

If you want to remove the DRM from Kindle eBooks, you are best to buy a cheap Kindle that can read KF8. Then buy a Kobo Libra 2 or Sage for actually reading.

10-25-2021, 12:51 PM	#1
gocoltsnfl1 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2021 Device: kindle fire	New to mobileread! Need Advice Kindle vs Kobo So I am interested in purchasing either a Kobo or Kindle. I am completely new to mobileread.com and somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices. I have only used the Kindle App on iphone previously and have not had a Kindle for many years. I have decided I would like to get a Kindle or Kobo. I want to use Caliber to organize read vs unread and to organize by type of book. If I buy a Kobo can I transfer all of my amazon Kindle books to Kobo by using Caliber or some other method? Would I have to purchase Epubor to transfer from amazon kindle to another ereader? also to complicate things I have a macbook and do not have access to PC. I dont think I am tech savy enough to figure out caliber. I definitely want an Ereader. I have a bunch of books on my Kindle app that I have not read and need to organize by read/unread. Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated. Thank you! !

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10-25-2021, 01:09 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,470 Karma: 239219543 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	You don't need to buy Epubor to transfer your Kindle books to a Kobo, but you do need Calibre and the Alf plugin. The plugin can be had here (it's free): https://apprenticealf.wordpress.com/ If you feel that all this is too convoluted for you, getting a Kindle would be a better option.

10-25-2021, 01:18 PM	#3
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,337 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	As said, you can convert using calibre and the right plugins. But as you have some amazon books already, I would spare myself the mess, and get a kindle.

10-25-2021, 05:15 PM	#4
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,591 Karma: 11722446 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma, Kindle Oasis 2	In agreement with the above two posters, my husband has a Kindle and I have a Kobo. He simply doesn't want to fuss with stripping DRM or organizing his books, which, frankly, he only reads once anyway. He tried Kobo, but in the end, he wanted a Kindle. I prefer the reading experience on Kobo, not to mention the fact that they offer larger screens than Amazon Kindle devices. I don't mind figuring out new software, so it's all good for me. I read enough that I own both Kobo and Kindle. If you feel the least bit hesitant about learning to remove DRM or using a new piece of software, a Kindle reader will be the better option. Once you've finished a book on your Kindle, it can be marked as "read" and if you use cover view, there's also a banner across the top right corner of the book thumbnail that says "read" as well. And you have a Filter option that can list either your "read" books or your "unread".

10-26-2021, 06:36 PM	#5
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 503 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	I have tried both Kindle and Kobo, and like Kobo a lot more to read on. I think Kobos usually offer more features for the price - better screen, different screen sizes, more organization features. It's easier to find the book I'm looking for. Kobo has a store and you can find all the usual books on it, so you can buy books just like normal. Transferring existing books via Calibre is very easy: Download and install Calibre, install the right Calibre plugin from Apprentice Alf, import all your books and then convert them to epub. That said, if you just want something that's super simple, get a Kindle. The important thing is that it work the way you want it. There's nothing wrong with Kindles, or with wanting something that just works the way you expect it! My friends who like their tech to just work have Kindles and are very happy with them.

10-26-2021, 07:43 PM	#6
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Based upon your needs, as you describe them, I would suggest a Kindle.

10-26-2021, 08:26 PM	#7
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,661 Karma: 52758936 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	If you're heavily invested in the Kindle ecosystem and just want a hassle-free reading experience, I'd say that getting a Kindle would definitely be the easier choice. And I say that as as someone who switched from Kindle to Kobo 3-4 years ago.

11-12-2021, 12:02 PM	#12
fduniho Addict Posts: 201 Karma: 9146378 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: New York State, USA Device: Kindle Touch, DX, PW4, PW5, Scribe; Likebook Mars; Fire HD 8; iPad	I don't think you can use Alf tools and calibre to strip the DRM from Kindle books unless you already own a Kindle. I can do it, because I entered the serial number from a Kindle into the settings for whatever plug-in does the job. While I think you could use older versions of Kindle for Windows, newer versions don't work with Alf tools. So, if you have a lot of Kindle books from using the Kindle app, I would recommend sticking with Kindle for now. Personally, I have been pleased enough with Kindles to not seriously think about switching. My biggest move away from Kindle was to get a Likebook Mars, which is an Android device I still use the Kindle app on. But if the new Paperwhite 5 had been out at the time, I probably would have gotten that instead.

11-13-2021, 05:30 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,745 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you want to remove the DRM from Kindle eBooks, you are best to buy a cheap Kindle that can read KF8. Then buy a Kobo Libra 2 or Sage for actually reading.

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