Why I think I should get a Kindle PW12

[frank33v]

I am new to shopping for an e-reader so feel free to correct me if I am wrong in my assumptions but here is what I have learned after purchasing a PW 12 to try and am still within the return period.

My premise is that the PW 12 has the best quality display hardware for a B&W reader in the 6-8" size. (Is the Kobo Clara BW better?) I have access to the kindle book store if I choose to use it. I can sideload via sending non drm files to the kindle email address and the book appears on my PW as well as the kindle app on any of my i-devices AND reading progress is synchronized. With Calibre I can De-Drm book from other book stores and then send them to my Kindle.

I really don't intend to purchase anything from the Amazon Book store but if a book I want to read ONLY exists there I have access to do so.

I prefer my books to be in one library and I am ok managing it via Calibre. I guess this means I don't want to use different apps on an Android device (Is that how they work?).

In this scenario then I want to best display and ideally the best library management and no be limited much as to where I get books. Seems that is the PW12.
Is all this valid and accurate?

[Sirtel]

No. The best library management via calibre is with a Kobo - you can do a lot of things with a Kobo you cannot do with a Kindle. For example, Kindles have no series or automatic collection support for sideloaded books.

A PW is an excellent choice if you mostly buy your books from the Amazon store. For sideloading and using calibre, both Kobos and Pocketbooks are better.

The main drawback of Kobos is that you cannot sync reading progress of your sideloaded books between different devices and apps. With Pocketbooks you can do it, the same as with Kindles.

As to the best display, the best in recent years was widely said to be the Kobo Libra 2. Unfortunately it was discontinued a while ago without a replacement (Kobo Libra Colour is not the replacement for the Libra 2, as its screen uses a different technology).

[Quoth]

Only Kindle ebooks that you have bought or sent to Amazon (which has privacy & other issues) can be sync'd, not sideloaded ones.

There is variations in quality on examples of same model with eink and in reality little difference on any mono Carta (HD/1100/1200/1300). The Oasis 2 and PW3 seem to use the same underlying display as the Voyage, but it's better. The PW4 looks fine on its own, but side by side is poorer than the PW3 (both 6″) or Original Libra H2O (7″) or even the slightly lower resolution Aura HD H2O (6.8″).

All kindles for over 10 years have abysmal library management compared to Kobo. You can only edit collections on the device or website. You can't edit title or author on Website or Device and only on PC if you remove DRM and sideload. You can't edit subtitle or series.

With Kobo you can edit Author, Title, subtitle, series, blurb, publisher info and collections on Calibre.

[frank33v]

Thanks for that.

On library management, I understand Kobo has more functionality but really why does one need to change all that. I tend to read a book and be done with it. Seems the functionality of synced cross platform would be more beneficial long term.

I see lots of hardware comparisons with model that are not available anymore. If one is not comfortable with the used market which is the better form factor and display? I dont read comics so dont need color but might be nice if not giving up much for reading or $$.

[frank33v]

oh I just learned of the news/rss feeds in Calibre that I can send to an email for Kindle, bit not Kobo. Is there any other option like that for Kobo?

I generally just use my phone for that but anything that keeps me off the phone is a good thing

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by frank33v

On library management, I understand Kobo has more functionality but really why does one need to change all that. I tend to read a book and be done with it. Seems the functionality of synced cross platform would be more beneficial long term.

That depends. Me, I don't need cross-platform syncing, as I never read books on phones, tablets or computers. I do want lots of calibre functionality that Kindles don't have. YMMV.

I see lots of hardware comparisons with model that are not available anymore. If one is not comfortable with the used market which is the better form factor and display?

Again, it depends on individual preferences. I love lopsided form-factor; others hate it; still others are indifferent. Only you can say what you prefer.

If you're the read-once-and-delete type, don't reread, don't read long series with multiple volumes (series info would come in handy then) and don't really want to spend time tinkering with your calibre library and your ereader, then Kindle would probably suit you perfectly well. It's just your phrase "best library management" that made me question your choice. Kindles are quite well known for their lack of any library management beyond the most basic. But then, maybe you don't really care about that.

[gbm]

Kobo's can be made to work with Dropbox or other cloud storage.

https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...-using-Dropbox

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=316894

bernie

Originally Posted by frank33v

oh I just learned of the news/rss feeds in Calibre that I can send to an email for Kindle, bit not Kobo. Is there any other option like that for Kobo?

I generally just use my phone for that but anything that keeps me off the phone is a good thing

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by frank33v

My premise is that the PW 12 has the best quality display hardware for a B&W reader in the 6-8" size. (Is the Kobo Clara BW better?)

I think you've done fine. There's a significant difference in the screen size between 6" and 7" readers and, if you want the best possible 7" display, there are no longer any Kobo BW 7" readers available at this point.

The PocketBook Era is 7", but it costs about $60 more and the reports on the screen quality are mixed.

As long as you are comfortable converting ePubs into the current Kindle format (AZW?) I think you'll do well with the Kindle.

[frank33v]

Your suggestion of the Pocketbook era is interesting. I like the cloud sync and fooled with the IOS app on my ipad an iphone. Seems it would get me good library controls like the Kobo AND sync sideloaded books progress. However I am concerned of the few complaints of poor customer service support in the US..

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by frank33v

Your suggestion of the Pocketbook era is interesting. I like the cloud sync and fooled with the IOS app on my ipad an iphone. Seems it would get me good library controls like the Kobo AND sync sideloaded books progress. However I am concerned of the few complaints of poor customer service support in the US..

I can't speak for PocketBook's support as I've never really used it. But I have no problem believing that the customer service would be iffy. When the Era first came out I was waiting for Newegg to get in them in stock to buy one (for a while Newegg was a PocketBook dealer) but, by the time they had arrived, I read (from some reviewers) that screen contrast and lighting was a bit off. That said I like my Touch HD3 and Basic Lux 3 (both 6"). The Basic Lux 3 doesn't have a touchscreen, but it had the warm light. The Basic Lux 4 added touch, but removed the warm (yellow) light.(?) The price for these have gone up quite a bit since I bought mine.

[Quoth]

Does anyone online do good customer service?

OTOH, the best CS is not needing it because the product has no issues.

[frank33v]

My wife has reminded me about how rarely we need to make a manufacturers warranty claim. I guess I was mostly worried about receiving a defective product. Since Amazon has a decent return policy and currently sells Pocketbooks I might give it a shot.