E-Book reader for holidays

[Wiggo]

Hello all.

After many years, I'm going on holiday again, where I have time for a beach chair and a book (fiction & non fiction)

Unfortunately, I have to admit that I can't stand e-readers. At home I always read my e-books with an iPad.
Anyway, so it should only be for holidays without a lot of gimmicks.

What's important to me (descending):

• No Kindle
• Dictionary (foreign words & english - I'm German). I find the built-in one on iOS pretty good and would like a similar quality.
• Size and type as an Oasis. I had one in my hand once and found it more comfortable than the PW style.
• Customisable reader app

Unfortunately, I've often read that in terms of the dictionary, Kindles are supposed to be the best - is that true? I don't always want to have to pull out my mobile phone for something like that.

Many thanks in advance

[Uncle Robin]

The Libra 2 is similar to the Oasis in size. Also in shape, I think. The quality of Kobo dictionaries has got much better, and the reading experience can be customised either by patching the stock reader, or by installing a different app, such as KOReader or Plato

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

The Libra 2 is similar to the Oasis in size. Also in shape, I think. The quality of Kobo dictionaries has got much better, and the reading experience can be customised either by patching the stock reader, or by installing a different app, such as KOReader or Plato

Agree, and the stock firmware gives a fairly customisable reading experience out of the box anyway. I confess that I haven't bothered to patch since the update that made it possible to change boldness on sideloaded fonts without patching.

OP if you can give us some idea why you don't like ereaders, that might help?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

Hello all.

After many years, I'm going on holiday again, where I have time for a beach chair and a book (fiction & non fiction)

Unfortunately, I have to admit that I can't stand e-readers. At home I always read my e-books with an iPad.
Anyway, so it should only be for holidays without a lot of gimmicks.

What's important to me (descending):

• No Kindle
• Dictionary (foreign words & english - I'm German). I find the built-in one on iOS pretty good and would like a similar quality.
• Size and type as an Oasis. I had one in my hand once and found it more comfortable than the PW style.
• Customisable reader app

Unfortunately, I've often read that in terms of the dictionary, Kindles are supposed to be the best - is that true? I don't always want to have to pull out my mobile phone for something like that.

Many thanks in advance

1. A Kobo Libra 2 is not a Kindle
2. The Libra 2 has an English dictionary
3. The Libra 2 is a similar size with the same screen size as the Oasis but it's using a better screen

As for Kindle's having the best dictionary, that is no longer true. Kobo's dictionaries are every bit as good and maybe better (more words).

[John F]

Since the OP hates ereaders (I assume ze means eink), wouldn't a small tablet with an OLED display be best?

[BookCat]

Originally Posted by John F

Since the OP hates ereaders (I assume ze means eink), wouldn't a small tablet with an OLED display be best?

If the OP wants to read in the sun, an eink ereader would be better.

I agree with the general consensus that a Libra 2 fits the bill, and is much less expensive than an Oasis.

[Wiggo]

So after some research

• Kobo Libra 2 (also seems to be better than German Tolino)
• PocketBook Era (more or less ok?)
• Onyx Boox Leaf (sounds interesting, but expensive for holidays only)

I tend to the Kobo

Originally Posted by meeera

OP if you can give us some idea why you don't like ereaders, that might help?

Some years ago I tested a PW and it was slow and blurry in comparison to an iPad. I also always look up many things on the internet and because of non-fiction books.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

So after some research

• Kobo Libra 2 (also seems to be better than German Tolino)
• PocketBook Era (more or less ok?)
• Onyx Boox Leaf (sounds interesting, but expensive for holidays only)

I tend to the Kobo



Some years ago I tested a PW and it was slow and blurry in comparison to an iPad. I also always look up many things on the internet and because of non-fiction books.

The VERY recently released Pocketbook Era has already picked some disappointing reviews in threads here at MobileReads, discontent with the lighting quality. Given your past experiences, probably not the one you want.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

Some years ago I tested a PW and it was slow and blurry in comparison to an iPad. I also always look up many things on the internet and because of non-fiction books.

Getting around the interface is slower than an iPad, but when you're primarily using the device simply to read, you spend 99% of your time just turning pages, not wandering around menus. Pageflips are plenty fast.

Displays have improved significantly. I don't know what PW you tested, but the Libra 2, like the Oasis, is 300 ppi, higher than an iPad Pro.

You can long-press on a word and search Wikipedia or Google as well as dictionaries, if you have wifi. The browser experience on eink is obviously subpar compared to a tablet, but it works for a quick lookup.

[John F]

Originally Posted by BookCat

If the OP wants to read in the sun, an eink ereader would be better.

I agree with the general consensus that a Libra 2 fits the bill, and is much less expensive than an Oasis.

I agree that Eink would be better in sunlight. But if the OP is set against Eink ("... I can't stand ereaders ..."), ...

And I think I am wrong about OLED and reading outdoors. Doing a quick Google, it looks like OLED isn't the best for direct sunlight.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

So after some research

• Kobo Libra 2 (also seems to be better than German Tolino)
• PocketBook Era (more or less ok?)
• Onyx Boox Leaf (sounds interesting, but expensive for holidays only)

I tend to the Kobo



Some years ago I tested a PW and it was slow and blurry in comparison to an iPad. I also always look up many things on the internet and because of non-fiction books.

Forget looking up things on an eink reader (except for the dictionary). Eink is not suitable for that. As to the screen, the Libra 2 probably has the best screen of all current ereaders. Very contrasty and sharp. Compared to phones and tablets, it's pretty slow, though.

[Wiggo]

Thank you so much guys!

I will now still think a bit whether I treat myself to the Onyx Leaf, but most likely it will be the Kobo. I also think about the origami case or do you have some additional suggestions?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

Thank you so much guys!

I will now still think a bit whether I treat myself to the Onyx Leaf, but most likely it will be the Kobo. I also think about the origami case or do you have some additional suggestions?

I suggest a kwmobile case for the Libra 2. I really like them and they last a good long time.

The screen on the Libra 2 is very clear and sharp. And it works very well in sunlight. No LCD or OLED screen will do in direct sunlight.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

I also think about the origami case or do you have some additional suggestions?

cases are even more subjective than readers, it seems. Personally, I like the origami style, very handy for cafe tables

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

cases are even more subjective than readers, it seems. Personally, I like the origami style, very handy for cafe tables

You can get kwmobile cases in origami style.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LYMVN92...ding=UTF8&th=1