Performance comparison between models.

[LDB]

Is there somewhere to find a performance comparison between Kobo models? I have the Aura One and like it but it is slow to start up when power is pushed and has fairly slow and noticeable page turns. I might want a new one if it is significantly speedier.

[Sirtel]

The Sage is fast enough on both counts if you use kepubs. But I always put it to sleep when not in use; I don't know how quickly it will start up if you switch it completely off.

[NiLuJe]

Both the Sage and Elipsa are indeed much faster to boot up .

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by LDB

Is there somewhere to find a performance comparison between Kobo models? I have the Aura One and like it but it is slow to start up when power is pushed and has fairly slow and noticeable page turns. I might want a new one if it is significantly speedier.

The Kobo website has comparisons between later models, but as to more specific performance I guess it's also more subjective. Each device usually has its own thread as you know, and maybe that's the only place here on mobileread you'll find the sort of performance chat you're after.


For example in both the sage and libra 2 threads you'll find ample opinions on performance, and comparative performance with other kobo and kindle models, including video links.

Yeah, it will mean wading through those threads, but that's where you're likely to find just what you want to know.

[kyôdai]

There is often little to no difference in performance, because the hardware (and firmware) is often very similar.

Kobo has used variations of basically the same 1 GHz processor for almost 10 years now. (As have other manufacturers.)

2010 - 400 MHz processor (Original, WiFi)
2011 - 800 MHz processor (Touch, Mini)
2012 - 1 GHz processor (everything since the Glo)
2021 - 1,8 GHz processor (Elipsa, Sage)

Same goes for the RAM:

2010 - 64 MB RAM (Original, WiFi)
2011 - 256 MB RAM (Touch (2), Mini, Glo, Aura)
2013 - 512 MB RAM (Aura HD / H2O (2) / One, Forma, Libra (2), Clara, Nia, Sage)
2021 - 1 GB RAM (Elipsa)

Same for the display:

2010 - EInk Vizplex (Original, WiFi, Mini)
2011 - EInk Pearl (Touch (2), Glo, Aura, Aura HD)
2012 - EInk Carta (Aura 2, Nia)
2014 - EInk Carta HD (Aura H2O (2) / One, Glo HD, Forma, Libra, Clara)
2021 - EInk Carta 1200 (Elipsa, Sage, Libra 2)

[mezzanine]

It's wild to think seven years passed without any improvement to e-ink screens. Not like Carta 1200 is some massive improvement, either. Completely stalled technology. I wouldn't bet on it getting much better in the near future, either.

[Almamida]

@kyôdai Sage has 512MB of RAM and Elipsa has an e-Ink Carta 1200 screen

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

It's wild to think seven years passed without any improvement to e-ink screens. Not like Carta 1200 is some massive improvement, either. Completely stalled technology. I wouldn't bet on it getting much better in the near future, either.

Dunno. The modern screens are pretty good, IMO. I don't mind the slow development. As far as I'm concerned, Carta 1200 can stay for 10+ years. It's not like I want to watch videos or edit photos on my ereaders.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Dunno. The modern screens are pretty good, IMO. I don't mind the slow development. As far as I'm concerned, Carta 1200 can stay for 10+ years. It's not like I want to watch videos or edit photos on my ereaders.

This kind of thinking was the downfall of the Roman Empire (or of the Empire in Asimov's original Foundation book)

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

This kind of thinking was the downfall of the Roman Empire (or of the Empire in Asimov's original Foundation book)

Well, in my defense I don't think like this about everything. I'm all for progress in most aspects of life, electronics included. But I don't feel that way about ereaders for some reason. I'm quite content with them as they are now.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Well, in my defense I don't think like this about everything. I'm all for progress in most aspects of life, electronics included. But I don't feel that way about ereaders for some reason. I'm quite content with them as they are now.

+1

Although I would appreciate improvements (blacker blacks, whiter whites, ...) and tweaks (remote pag turner support, ...), I see myself using the current readers for the forseeable future.

[Almamida]

Originally Posted by John F

+1

Although I would appreciate improvements (blacker blacks, whiter whites, ...) and tweaks (remote pag turner support, ...), I see myself using the current readers for the forseeable future.

Like detergents commercial for decades... We're doomed

(On a more serious note, I second this wish)

[Deobulakenyo]

Heads up.

US kobo store and Amazon listed the Nia, Clara HD and Libra h2O at discounted prices of $80, $100 & $150 now.

The forma is still at $210

[Barty]

Inverted mode is easier on my eyes but that's where the poor contrast of eink is most apparent. I desperately want incremental improvement in contrast every year.

[mezzanine]

Originally Posted by Barty

Inverted mode is easier on my eyes but that's where the poor contrast of eink is most apparent. I desperately want incremental improvement in contrast every year.

I don't think significant contrast improvement is likely at all, unfortunately. Would love to be wrong.

I wish I knew why the Mobius revision seems not to have become standard. If they can't improve the contrast, at least it seemed they could improve the weight and durability.