Kobo Forma -vs- Likebook Ares (Mars as a runner up)

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 02:59 PM

I see plenty of Forma vs Mars comparisons, but notmuch for Forma vs Ares.
Having decided not to go 10" Android Tablet, I'm simply looking at upgrading my new (yup new) Kobo Libra.

I think I'd like the 8 (or 7.8") size.
What's keeping me from going Likebook Mars and it's cheaper price tag, is that if I'm paying more for the upgrade, and paying more than a Forma, I'd like to have the Note-taking ability found in the Ares, which besides extra onboard storage, is pretty much the only thing separating the Ares and Mars.
So, are there any Forma vs Ares comparisons out there I'm missing?

Anyone familiar with "both" that can offer pros/cons?

This is primarily as an eReader (the hand written note taking is big bonus)

*** How attached to the Forma TURN BUTTONS are we?

*** Does anyone have actual WIDTH & HEIGHT Measurements for JUST the screens of Forma and Ares?

I guess this could also be an IF NOT Forma, then Ares or Mars question if you like too.

ps- is there ANY reason to pay the extra money for a Nova 3 over the Ares?

Quoth · 03-13-2021, 04:23 PM

The Forma is much like the Libra, but bigger. I bought a Libra as an upgrade from the original H2O (SD card slot) because the Forma was too expensive, a 100 Euro more.

Much later I got the Mars so as to have Borrowbox. You can simply add an apk (like KOreader from its site) without the Google Framework, or turn the Framework, add your existing Google account and add the Playstore apps.

I've never patched either Kobo, nor added koreader. Not needed. The Mars built reader is fine for PDFs, poor for epub, so I added koreader.

Jota (free android app) is fine for text on the Mars. There is only annotation of the ebooks on the Kobo ereaders. No apps or android. No doubt you can customise the Forma and Libra. But nothing like that needed for the Mars.

I also have 3 different Kindles, a Sony 5" PRS350 and did have a Storybook Cover, A Nook Touch and a Kobo Touch 905c.

I have 2 sizes of android phones, 7" tablet and 10" tablet. I see no point in a Forma rather than €80 cheaper Mars if you have a Libra

I bought my Mars from Amazon DE. I have a 32 G SD card in it. A 128 G card worked.

See the wiki here for screen sizes.

I know nothing about the Ares, except it seemed not as good an idea as the Mars (Android 8.x) and I have no need of handwritten notes. They are nearly useless to import to anything.

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 04:37 PM

Thanks.
The difference now is only about $40 between Ares and MArs, so I'm considering that.
I just bought the Libra, and happy with it, but, the idea of 8" instead is really hitting me. So, I still have time to return the Libra completely and just use one device - a Forma or Likebook. I like that Likebook has expanded ability I am likely to use. So just figuring out features I want/not between the Ares and Mars... if I don't simply go Forma (which I'm turning away from...poor grammer, I know.)

Borrowbox...why not Overdrive?

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 04:39 PM

screen measurements are not in the wiki

Quoth · 03-14-2021, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Borrowbox...why not Overdrive?

You don't get to choose what your library uses. Our free County Libraries are closed due to Covid Lockdown. Ours has about 42,000 ebooks and a load of audiobooks. Free via Borrowbox. You CAN use the Web browser, then you have to mess with ADE (more awkward if you don't have Windows). But the Android App accesses all the content, adds a wish list and includes a basic eReader.
You obviously need an email address registered with the library, your library card number and a password. You have to give name, address, proof of name and proof of address when joining the physical Library.

The majority of ebook consumers do use a phone or tablet. Most eInk is Amazon Kindle because they have about 90% of the English ebook market.

DaleDe · 03-15-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbout

screen measurements are not in the wiki

They certainly are: BOYUE Likebook Mars. They are compared and there is a note on vendor dimensions. What dimensions have you measured?

Dale

03-13-2021, 02:59 PM	#1
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Kobo Forma -vs- Likebook Ares (Mars as a runner up) I see plenty of Forma vs Mars comparisons, but notmuch for Forma vs Ares. Having decided not to go 10" Android Tablet, I'm simply looking at upgrading my new (yup new) Kobo Libra. I think I'd like the 8 (or 7.8") size. What's keeping me from going Likebook Mars and it's cheaper price tag, is that if I'm paying more for the upgrade, and paying more than a Forma, I'd like to have the Note-taking ability found in the Ares, which besides extra onboard storage, is pretty much the only thing separating the Ares and Mars. So, are there any Forma vs Ares comparisons out there I'm missing? Anyone familiar with "both" that can offer pros/cons? This is primarily as an eReader (the hand written note taking is big bonus) * How attached to the Forma TURN BUTTONS are we? * Does anyone have actual WIDTH & HEIGHT Measurements for JUST the screens of Forma and Ares? I guess this could also be an IF NOT Forma, then Ares or Mars question if you like too. ps- is there ANY reason to pay the extra money for a Nova 3 over the Ares? Last edited by jgbout; 03-13-2021 at 04:54 PM.

03-13-2021, 04:39 PM	#4
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	screen measurements are not in the wiki Last edited by jgbout; 03-13-2021 at 04:52 PM.

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03-13-2021, 04:23 PM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,016 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	The Forma is much like the Libra, but bigger. I bought a Libra as an upgrade from the original H2O (SD card slot) because the Forma was too expensive, a 100 Euro more. Much later I got the Mars so as to have Borrowbox. You can simply add an apk (like KOreader from its site) without the Google Framework, or turn the Framework, add your existing Google account and add the Playstore apps. I've never patched either Kobo, nor added koreader. Not needed. The Mars built reader is fine for PDFs, poor for epub, so I added koreader. Jota (free android app) is fine for text on the Mars. There is only annotation of the ebooks on the Kobo ereaders. No apps or android. No doubt you can customise the Forma and Libra. But nothing like that needed for the Mars. I also have 3 different Kindles, a Sony 5" PRS350 and did have a Storybook Cover, A Nook Touch and a Kobo Touch 905c. I have 2 sizes of android phones, 7" tablet and 10" tablet. I see no point in a Forma rather than €80 cheaper Mars if you have a Libra I bought my Mars from Amazon DE. I have a 32 G SD card in it. A 128 G card worked. See the wiki here for screen sizes. I know nothing about the Ares, except it seemed not as good an idea as the Mars (Android 8.x) and I have no need of handwritten notes. They are nearly useless to import to anything.

03-13-2021, 04:37 PM	#3
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Thanks. The difference now is only about $40 between Ares and MArs, so I'm considering that. I just bought the Libra, and happy with it, but, the idea of 8" instead is really hitting me. So, I still have time to return the Libra completely and just use one device - a Forma or Likebook. I like that Likebook has expanded ability I am likely to use. So just figuring out features I want/not between the Ares and Mars... if I don't simply go Forma (which I'm turning away from...poor grammer, I know.) Borrowbox...why not Overdrive?

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