Should I buy a Kobo?

unclelobsterman · 05-20-2011, 08:30 PM

Hi, looking for some advice from owners who may have experience with both the Kobo Wifi and other devices. I'm looking to pick up another ereader (I have both a Nook Wifi + 3G and a Nook Color and my girlfriend has an original Kindle) am wondering about the Kobo. Someone on my local Craigslist is selling a new-in-box one for $70 and I'm tempted to grab it, but if I'm not mistaken the Kobo can only handle two types of file formats. I'm hoping that's not true but I might be willing to deal with the inconvenience should it be a solid device. Thanks for any tips.

CazMar · 05-20-2011, 10:06 PM

It handles EPUB and will display PDF (but not in an entirely satisfactory way). If the PDF is formatted for a large page it won't reflow into the screen size.
But for a cheap bookreader and a good clear screen it is excellent. I would hate to be without mine. It's not the wi-fi version but I don't miss this feature. It has made a big difference to my reading for a university course as I can read anywhere, anytime without having to drag a ton of books around with me.

unclelobsterman · 05-21-2011, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CazMar

It handles EPUB and will display PDF (but not in an entirely satisfactory way). If the PDF is formatted for a large page it won't reflow into the screen size.
But for a cheap bookreader and a good clear screen it is excellent. I would hate to be without mine. It's not the wi-fi version but I don't miss this feature. It has made a big difference to my reading for a university course as I can read anywhere, anytime without having to drag a ton of books around with me.

Thanks. Given that one local seller is willing to deliver a once-used one with all accessories and the retail receipt for $50 I think I'll go for it.

HarryT · 05-21-2011, 07:01 AM

For $50 it's certainly good value for money. You should be aware, though, that is does have a number of significant shortcomings, the most serious of which (for me personally) is the fact that it has no support for hyperlinks. That means that it's impossible to follow links to footnotes in a book, for example.

sabredog · 05-21-2011, 07:20 AM

Glad you took the plunge. The Kobo is a fine basic ereader. I have recently made the switch from the Kobo to the PRS-650 but still use my Kobo regularly.

In Australia, they are the most obtainable e-ink ereader with even a local private health insurance company is giving them away with new memberships.

pholy · 05-21-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

In Australia, they are the most obtainable e-ink ereader with even a local private health insurance company is giving them away with new memberships.

I guess that's proof that reading is one of the safest forms of entertainment!

The Terminator · 05-21-2011, 12:01 PM

I think for the price it's a good deal, but the kindle is still a better reader. Now I love my Kobo and the no library thing was a problem to me when I bought my Kobo, Now I just convert (Using Calibre) from e-pub to Mobi (Fine line if this is legal or not, but if I can read the book why not read it on a different device?). But If you don't want to spend three times as much on a kindle I would say go for it!

jbcohen · 05-21-2011, 12:06 PM

The Kobo is also best if you want simplicity in your electronic book reader.

nursedude · 05-21-2011, 03:55 PM

Kobo is rumored to be announcing something on Monday 23 May 2011 according to their Facebook group. Maybe a new reader?

The Terminator · 05-21-2011, 07:43 PM

OK this is what really annoys me about Kobo! If in fact they are producing a new reader on the 23 I will be more than a little p***ed at kobo. They have the new price of $129 and then they come out with a new reader, I mean sell it and say they are on sale because the new one will be out soon, don't sell it like it's a legitimate new price and not a clearance.

JSWolf · 05-21-2011, 07:46 PM

The other major issue with the Koo is they've never fixed the botched font embedding in ePub.

Solicitous · 05-21-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TERMINATOR

OK this is what really annoys me about Kobo! If in fact they are producing a new reader on the 23 I will be more than a little p***ed at kobo. They have the new price of $129 and then they come out with a new reader, I mean sell it and say they are on sale because the new one will be out soon, don't sell it like it's a legitimate new price and not a clearance.

Issue with that whilst good for consumers people will be more reluctant to buy them as they will wait and see what new product will be released. Given they are discounting due to a new product being released one could safely assume a kobo e-ink replacement and not a device such as a colour LCD.

kobofreak · 06-16-2011, 10:41 PM

Kobo is awesome, especially if you are a reading "purist". You can't beat the price, first of all. The format is simple and easy and really facilitates the main function, which is reading!! Personally I don't care for the kindle and nook because they have apps and social networking. I mean, if you're into that, that's great. But I buy my ereader for reading, nothing more. I doubt you would regret the purchase.

05-20-2011, 08:30 PM	#1
unclelobsterman Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Nook	Should I buy a Kobo? Hi, looking for some advice from owners who may have experience with both the Kobo Wifi and other devices. I'm looking to pick up another ereader (I have both a Nook Wifi + 3G and a Nook Color and my girlfriend has an original Kindle) am wondering about the Kobo. Someone on my local Craigslist is selling a new-in-box one for $70 and I'm tempted to grab it, but if I'm not mistaken the Kobo can only handle two types of file formats. I'm hoping that's not true but I might be willing to deal with the inconvenience should it be a solid device. Thanks for any tips.

05-21-2011, 03:55 PM	#9
nursedude Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 17102 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo (Original), KT, iPad 1, iPhone 4S, iPad 3rd gen	Wait a few days... Kobo is rumored to be announcing something on Monday 23 May 2011 according to their Facebook group. Maybe a new reader?

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05-20-2011, 10:06 PM	#2
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	It handles EPUB and will display PDF (but not in an entirely satisfactory way). If the PDF is formatted for a large page it won't reflow into the screen size. But for a cheap bookreader and a good clear screen it is excellent. I would hate to be without mine. It's not the wi-fi version but I don't miss this feature. It has made a big difference to my reading for a university course as I can read anywhere, anytime without having to drag a ton of books around with me.

05-21-2011, 07:01 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	For $50 it's certainly good value for money. You should be aware, though, that is does have a number of significant shortcomings, the most serious of which (for me personally) is the fact that it has no support for hyperlinks. That means that it's impossible to follow links to footnotes in a book, for example.

05-21-2011, 07:20 AM	#5
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Glad you took the plunge. The Kobo is a fine basic ereader. I have recently made the switch from the Kobo to the PRS-650 but still use my Kobo regularly. In Australia, they are the most obtainable e-ink ereader with even a local private health insurance company is giving them away with new memberships.

05-21-2011, 12:01 PM	#7
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	I think for the price it's a good deal, but the kindle is still a better reader. Now I love my Kobo and the no library thing was a problem to me when I bought my Kobo, Now I just convert (Using Calibre) from e-pub to Mobi (Fine line if this is legal or not, but if I can read the book why not read it on a different device?). But If you don't want to spend three times as much on a kindle I would say go for it!

05-21-2011, 12:06 PM	#8
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	The Kobo is also best if you want simplicity in your electronic book reader.

05-21-2011, 07:43 PM	#10
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	OK this is what really annoys me about Kobo! If in fact they are producing a new reader on the 23 I will be more than a little p***ed at kobo. They have the new price of $129 and then they come out with a new reader, I mean sell it and say they are on sale because the new one will be out soon, don't sell it like it's a legitimate new price and not a clearance.

05-21-2011, 07:46 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,667 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The other major issue with the Koo is they've never fixed the botched font embedding in ePub.

06-16-2011, 10:41 PM	#13
kobofreak Reading Rocks! Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CT Device: kobo(wifi), kobo touch	Kobo is awesome, especially if you are a reading "purist". You can't beat the price, first of all. The format is simple and easy and really facilitates the main function, which is reading!! Personally I don't care for the kindle and nook because they have apps and social networking. I mean, if you're into that, that's great. But I buy my ereader for reading, nothing more. I doubt you would regret the purchase.

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