Kobo or Sony?

cyberbard · 11-13-2013, 04:10 PM

I'm not going to lie, I'm one of those people who researches a potential buy to death before I even decide. The thing is, I haven't managed to come to any sort of decision, even after researching the heck out of the Kobo Glo. The latest Sony model seems pretty wholesome, right?

All the horror stories (which seem to be more abundant than the positive ones and quite understandably) have put me off the Kobo a bit. However, I was planning to buy my Kobo through Fnac (in Belgium) - does this make any sort of difference regarding customer support/everything else? (And si, I'm aware of the tacky Fnac logo during sleep mode, wth.)

I've no issues with going back and forth to a store, but I do have issues parting with my money.

mystika1 · 11-13-2013, 05:44 PM

I am really not going to be much help to you but, I really like my Kobo Glo. It has never given me any hardware issues. Some firmware updates can cause glitches for me but usually if I reset the device the problem is gone quickly. I don't use dictionaries so I can't say anything about that. I do use my own fonts which work nicely. I have luckily never needed customer service but I have heard that it is a pain sometimes.

I am also like you...I research things to death before purchasing. I would rather spend a month and a half looking for the perfect reader than just grabbing something off of the shelf and praying it will work out. :-)

I also like the look of the new Sony. I think that anyone willing to use a lamp or booklight would like it. I am in the U.S. so I can't even consider it. Sadly...

Penny

jocampo · 11-13-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberbard

I'm not going to lie, I'm one of those people who researches a potential buy to death before I even decide. The thing is, I haven't managed to come to any sort of decision, even after researching the heck out of the Kobo Glo. The latest Sony model seems pretty wholesome, right?

All the horror stories (which seem to be more abundant than the positive ones and quite understandably) have put me off the Kobo a bit. However, I was planning to buy my Kobo through Fnac (in Belgium) - does this make any sort of difference regarding customer support/everything else? (And si, I'm aware of the tacky Fnac logo during sleep mode, wth.)

I've no issues with going back and forth to a store, but I do have issues parting with my money.

My 2 cents.

In my opinion, Sony is pretty much out of the eink / ereader business; sales have dropped a lot and the company itself is not doing well. I actually had shares and sold them

.

On the other hand, some people have had horror stories with Kobo, but not all. We have lot of users here that are quite happy with the Kobo.

Now, I am a long time Amazon's customer, since 2000, I would highly recommend a Kindle instead. You can actually buy books from other stores, as long as they use MOBI format, and if not, you can still convert via Calibre from ePub to MOBI, assuming they are DRM free. Amazon's customer service is superb!

But if you do not like the Kindle Paperwhite or Amazon's ecosystem, I would go for Sony.

Welcome to Mobileread, by the way!

meeera · 11-13-2013, 09:03 PM

I too research things! For me, now, lack of frontlight is a dealbreaker, so Sony isn't in the race. Your mileage may vary.

icycloudy · 11-13-2013, 10:18 PM

I go for Sony

I am most familiar with it than Kobo.

sabredog · 11-13-2013, 11:34 PM

I had a hands on with the Sony PRS-T3 a month or so back and am very impressed with it.

Might finally have a replacement for my PRS-650 when it finally decides not to display anything anymore or complete a battery charge.

cyberbard · 11-13-2013, 11:58 PM

Kindle's pretty difficult to get for me, at least until Amazon bothers to do something about Belgium, so I'm afraid the Kindle's a no. For now. The Nook, my original second choice, isn't even available outside of the US.

Hilariously, the Kobo's the easiest to get.

owly · 11-14-2013, 04:20 AM

Kobo glo

Chi Cygni · 11-14-2013, 04:16 PM

Kindle is not at all difficult to get in Belgium. My PW1 arrived to my door from the US in less than 48 hours. I also ordered a K3 back in 2011.
You CAN buy Kindle in Brussels, at Waterstones. But there are several buts: add extra 20€ to the price of Amazon, they don't offer refund only exchange and if they have the first batch stock I wonder about the quality.

Did you try http://www.ereaderstore.be/ ?
Excellent customer service, delivery next day, no Fnack logo. I already bought 3 things from their shops, no complaints. And btw, stop over analysing. Toss a coin and just get your first ereader.

edit: if you'd ever order from amazon.com leave price in usd. Amazon has a rip off converter.

Shopaholic · 11-14-2013, 07:04 PM

Between your two choices, go with the Sony. You shouldn't have to regularly reset something in order to use it regularly. That's a PITA as far as I'm concerned. If you're doing funky stuff with it that causes it to go off-kilter, then fine, sure it's not the devices fault but if you're simply reading and you have to reset the fool thing to get it to do what it was supposed to do in the first place. Sorry but that's a problem for me.

Everything goes glitch every once in a while but Kobos do it on a regular basis. That's a deal breaker for me. Customer service is practically non-existent for most of these things. 90 day warranty and then you're pretty much on your own.

cyberbard · 11-15-2013, 02:50 AM

@ Chi Cygni

I had no idea about Waterstone! I guess a trip to Brussels is in my future.

Chi Cygni · 11-15-2013, 03:25 AM

Here's the address. http://users.skynet.be/waterstones/

I personally would not buy from them. For the moment (checked a month ago though)they only had an old PW1 on display, one that is pink and blue all over. They do have PW2 but you can only see it if you buy it. Remember you cannot return it for refund, only exchange. But while and if you're at it, they also have black original covers under the display.

Hang on, I might go there at lunch break, it's like 200 m from where I work...

Edit: so I went at lunch break, nothing has changed. The same old PW1 on display. The price for PW2 Wifi is 169€ at Waterstones. If you order it directly form Amazon.com paying in USD it will cost you something like +/-145€, delivery and tax included.

alism · 11-15-2013, 09:54 AM

I got the Kobo Aura Hd as soon as it came out in May. Like you I usually do a lot of research before I buy a product. I'm glad I didn't in this case. Reading the Kobo forum might have stopped me from buying it. I use the reader 2 to 3 hours everyday and the only problem I have ever had was when it said it was loading a book. A simple tap on the top of the screen fixed that. I have a kindle k3 and pw1 and sony 350 but the Aura is by far my favorite. I haven't picked up my other readers since I got it.

11-13-2013, 04:10 PM	#1
cyberbard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: none	Kobo or Sony? I'm not going to lie, I'm one of those people who researches a potential buy to death before I even decide. The thing is, I haven't managed to come to any sort of decision, even after researching the heck out of the Kobo Glo. The latest Sony model seems pretty wholesome, right? All the horror stories (which seem to be more abundant than the positive ones and quite understandably) have put me off the Kobo a bit. However, I was planning to buy my Kobo through Fnac (in Belgium) - does this make any sort of difference regarding customer support/everything else? (And si, I'm aware of the tacky Fnac logo during sleep mode, wth.) I've no issues with going back and forth to a store, but I do have issues parting with my money.

11-13-2013, 10:18 PM	#5
icycloudy Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 60 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: prospective	Which one should I buy? > Kobo or Sony? I go for Sony I am most familiar with it than Kobo.

11-13-2013, 11:34 PM	#6
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I had a hands on with the Sony PRS-T3 a month or so back and am very impressed with it. Might finally have a replacement for my PRS-650 when it finally decides not to display anything anymore or complete a battery charge. Last edited by sabredog; 11-14-2013 at 12:03 AM.

11-14-2013, 04:16 PM	#9
Chi Cygni 秋子 permanently lurking Posts: 844 Karma: 6590735 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Europe Device: Oasis 3, Pocketbook Era	Kindle is not at all difficult to get in Belgium. My PW1 arrived to my door from the US in less than 48 hours. I also ordered a K3 back in 2011. You CAN buy Kindle in Brussels, at Waterstones. But there are several buts: add extra 20€ to the price of Amazon, they don't offer refund only exchange and if they have the first batch stock I wonder about the quality. Did you try http://www.ereaderstore.be/ ? Excellent customer service, delivery next day, no Fnack logo. I already bought 3 things from their shops, no complaints. And btw, stop over analysing. Toss a coin and just get your first ereader. edit: if you'd ever order from amazon.com leave price in usd. Amazon has a rip off converter. Last edited by Chi Cygni; 11-14-2013 at 04:24 PM.

11-15-2013, 03:25 AM	#12
Chi Cygni 秋子 permanently lurking Posts: 844 Karma: 6590735 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Europe Device: Oasis 3, Pocketbook Era	Here's the address. http://users.skynet.be/waterstones/ I personally would not buy from them. For the moment (checked a month ago though)they only had an old PW1 on display, one that is pink and blue all over. They do have PW2 but you can only see it if you buy it. Remember you cannot return it for refund, only exchange. But while and if you're at it, they also have black original covers under the display. Hang on, I might go there at lunch break, it's like 200 m from where I work... Edit: so I went at lunch break, nothing has changed. The same old PW1 on display. The price for PW2 Wifi is 169€ at Waterstones. If you order it directly form Amazon.com paying in USD it will cost you something like +/-145€, delivery and tax included. Last edited by Chi Cygni; 11-15-2013 at 08:16 AM.

11-13-2013, 05:44 PM	#2
mystika1 Addict Posts: 353 Karma: 1360168 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisiana Device: IPad Air 2, , Kindle Voyage, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Aura H2Ov1, Kobo Mini	I am really not going to be much help to you but, I really like my Kobo Glo. It has never given me any hardware issues. Some firmware updates can cause glitches for me but usually if I reset the device the problem is gone quickly. I don't use dictionaries so I can't say anything about that. I do use my own fonts which work nicely. I have luckily never needed customer service but I have heard that it is a pain sometimes. I am also like you...I research things to death before purchasing. I would rather spend a month and a half looking for the perfect reader than just grabbing something off of the shelf and praying it will work out. :-) I also like the look of the new Sony. I think that anyone willing to use a lamp or booklight would like it. I am in the U.S. so I can't even consider it. Sadly... Penny

11-13-2013, 09:03 PM	#4
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,802 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I too research things! For me, now, lack of frontlight is a dealbreaker, so Sony isn't in the race. Your mileage may vary.

11-13-2013, 11:58 PM	#7
cyberbard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: none	Kindle's pretty difficult to get for me, at least until Amazon bothers to do something about Belgium, so I'm afraid the Kindle's a no. For now. The Nook, my original second choice, isn't even available outside of the US. Hilariously, the Kobo's the easiest to get.

11-14-2013, 04:20 AM	#8
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	Kobo glo

11-14-2013, 07:04 PM	#10
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	Between your two choices, go with the Sony. You shouldn't have to regularly reset something in order to use it regularly. That's a PITA as far as I'm concerned. If you're doing funky stuff with it that causes it to go off-kilter, then fine, sure it's not the devices fault but if you're simply reading and you have to reset the fool thing to get it to do what it was supposed to do in the first place. Sorry but that's a problem for me. Everything goes glitch every once in a while but Kobos do it on a regular basis. That's a deal breaker for me. Customer service is practically non-existent for most of these things. 90 day warranty and then you're pretty much on your own.

11-15-2013, 02:50 AM	#11
cyberbard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: none	@ Chi Cygni I had no idea about Waterstone! I guess a trip to Brussels is in my future.

11-15-2013, 09:54 AM	#13
alism Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 1055730 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Aura HD, Kindle 3, KPW,	I got the Kobo Aura Hd as soon as it came out in May. Like you I usually do a lot of research before I buy a product. I'm glad I didn't in this case. Reading the Kobo forum might have stopped me from buying it. I use the reader 2 to 3 hours everyday and the only problem I have ever had was when it said it was loading a book. A simple tap on the top of the screen fixed that. I have a kindle k3 and pw1 and sony 350 but the Aura is by far my favorite. I haven't picked up my other readers since I got it.

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