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Old 07-16-2011, 12:15 AM   #1
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Should I get a Kobo?
Hello all!

I've been looking at e-readers for a while now, and after looking pretty closely at both the Nook and the Kobo readers, I'm thinking of getting myself a Kobo. Mainly the reasoning for it is that they seem to be a little cheaper, support more formats than the others, and also don't have space restrictions for side-loaded books.

So, having said all of that...is there a reason that I should look at another e-reader instead of the Kobo? Is the Nook a better reader, and if so, why? I'm just wanting to make sure that I pick the right device. I've been doing all of my e-reading so far on an iPhone, and have quite a few books that I've downloaded through Stanza and iBooks (mostly free classics). I've also just downloaded Calibre. Is it easier to convert book formats to one device or the other? I know they both support epub, which is a must for me (and why I'm not considering a Kindle). Anything else about these that I should know before I make a final decision?
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Old 07-16-2011, 03:24 AM   #2
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Your biggest issue is where are you located and will you be travelling? If you're in the states and staying there, it looks like both are valid choices, but if you're outside of the states or frequently travel, then the Kobo is the only option.

I have the Kobo Touch and it's great. So far, no issues and there seems to be fantastic support. I'm very happy with my choice. One thing that I have noticed, don't pay too much attention to the complaints and criticisms that you find online. Most of the issues raised have been fixed.
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Old 07-16-2011, 03:27 AM   #3
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BTW, as long as you have calibre, no format takes precedence over another. It will convert anything to anything. Still, having ePub as the standard makes the Kobo a strong contender.
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Old 07-16-2011, 04:48 AM   #4
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What do you mean by: space restrictions for side-loaded books? And does the Nook Touch have these kinds of restrictions? And the Kobo not?
On which of the Kobo and the Nook is it easiest to browse through a lot of folders containing various hundreds of ebooks?
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Old 07-16-2011, 12:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimwit View Post
BTW, as long as you have calibre, no format takes precedence over another. It will convert anything to anything. Still, having ePub as the standard makes the Kobo a strong contender.
Calibre will not convert DRMed books unless you remove the DRM first.

Carol
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Old 07-16-2011, 12:35 PM   #6
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What do you mean by: space restrictions for side-loaded books? And does the Nook Touch have these kinds of restrictions? And the Kobo not?
On which of the Kobo and the Nook is it easiest to browse through a lot of folders containing various hundreds of ebooks?
From what I've read on here, the Nook "reserves" a fairly substantial part of the memory that can only be used for books purchased from Barnes and Noble. Not sure if there is a work around or not. Not sure what their thinking was behind doing this either.
I don't have a Nook so I can't comment specifically, but from what I've seen the Nook currently may have an advantage on folders. I believe it's being worked on but currently Kobo has no folder/collection capability.
Having said that I love my Kobo Touch. Great reader and firmware updates since release have added a huge amount of functionality. Make sure you are looking at a Kobo with 1.9.6 firmware (apparently not common in store demo models -- they still seem to be 1.9.3 or 1.9.4) or comments reflecting that if you are comparing.
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Old 07-16-2011, 02:50 PM   #7
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+1 for the Kobo. I love mine and the support team is extraordinary. If you get one with older software, it will update itself once you connect to wifi and sync it.

The Kobo store is only ok, in the sense that there are no reader reviews, but seems to offer the same books as the others, and it uses epub, which is universal.

I just made the same decision as you are making, and very happy where i landed.
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Old 07-16-2011, 02:51 PM   #8
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Have you made a list of features that you want in an ereader?

I initially had a Kobo wi-fi, but I found after using it for awhile other features were important to me. So I made a new list and decided to return the Kobo and get a kindle. Thats one of the reasons you see so many people talk about returning ereaders. Its something you really need to use for a bit to figure whats right for you.

I like holding the Kobo a lot more than the kindle. The kobo has the best form factor out of all the ereaders. I just love the quilted back. In the end though it came down to certain features I decided I needed.

If they would fix the dictionary issue I would get a Kobo Touch. Something about the nook touch I don't like. It doesn't feel right in my hands.
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Old 07-16-2011, 03:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omega Supreme View Post
Hello all!

I've been looking at e-readers for a while now, and after looking pretty closely at both the Nook and the Kobo readers, I'm thinking of getting myself a Kobo. Mainly the reasoning for it is that they seem to be a little cheaper, support more formats than the others, and also don't have space restrictions for side-loaded books.

So, having said all of that...is there a reason that I should look at another e-reader instead of the Kobo? Is the Nook a better reader, and if so, why? I'm just wanting to make sure that I pick the right device. I've been doing all of my e-reading so far on an iPhone, and have quite a few books that I've downloaded through Stanza and iBooks (mostly free classics). I've also just downloaded Calibre. Is it easier to convert book formats to one device or the other? I know they both support epub, which is a must for me (and why I'm not considering a Kindle). Anything else about these that I should know before I make a final decision?

actually the nook has an sd card slot that can be used along side the internal memory for sideloaded books, so no there is no space restrictions for sideloaded books.
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Old 07-16-2011, 06:06 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by jtdolphins View Post
I like holding the Kobo a lot more than the kindle. The kobo has the best form factor out of all the ereaders. I just love the quilted back. In the end though it came down to certain features I decided I needed.

If they would fix the dictionary issue I would get a Kobo Touch. Something about the nook touch I don't like. It doesn't feel right in my hands.
The latest firmware update for Kobo expanded the dictionary, so now it can be used on all books - Kobo epubs and sideloaded epubs. I've tested it myself and it does work. This article talks about the latest firmware. Apparently, highlighting sideloaded epubs is also coming soon.
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Old 07-16-2011, 06:54 PM   #11
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The latest firmware update for Kobo expanded the dictionary, so now it can be used on all books - Kobo epubs and sideloaded epubs. I've tested it myself and it does work. This article talks about the latest firmware. Apparently, highlighting sideloaded epubs is also coming soon.
Not all books, only epubs while many other e-readers support dictionaries in all text-based formats.

I would buy a kobo touch as my second reader if it supports dictionaries in all text-based formats, djvu, customized dictionaries, and word log...I like its look so much...but functionality goes first... so far it fits readers who read epubs only better.
Last edited by jshzh; 07-16-2011 at 07:07 PM.
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Old 07-16-2011, 06:57 PM   #12
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Not all books, only epubs while many other e-readers support dictionaries in all text-based formats.
Sao did say
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...so now it can be used on all books - Kobo epubs and sideloaded epubs
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Old 07-16-2011, 09:01 PM   #13
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Thanks for the feedback, all. One of you asked a really good question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by jtdolphins View Post
Have you made a list of features that you want in an ereader?
Honestly, I hadn't really put together a list, but my main concern has been if the ereader supports epubs, which I know the Kobo does. My main needs in an ereader are mainly an easily accessible library, bookmark support, and how the overall reading experience is on it. I have to admit I've been suckered in by Kobo's Reading Life, which I think is a really neat feature.

I haven't really looked at the new Kobo Touch so far, mainly just the older Kobo model (with the d-pad on the bottom right). It looks like that model does not support wifi, correct? Also, are any of the new features being added to the firmware updates also applicable to the older model, or only for the touch version? If the latter, then I'm guessing I'll want to pass up the older model and get the newer one.
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Old 07-16-2011, 09:31 PM   #14
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The kobo touch doesn't have the greatest library and I believe you can only have ne bookmark at a time. If it's possible I would encourage you to try the kobo and the nook. They are both good at different things.
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Old 07-16-2011, 10:02 PM   #15
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I haven't really looked at the new Kobo Touch so far, mainly just the older Kobo model (with the d-pad on the bottom right). It looks like that model does not support wifi, correct?
The wifi model looks just like the previous model. Most stores only carry the wi-fi model right now. Just check the box. I actually liked the d-pad for navigation and page turning. I thought it fit my hand well.

I would get the touch instead of the wi-fi unless you are on a budget. I haven't had much time with the touch, but its clearly an improvement on the wifi model.
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