Forma Kobo Forma a good choice now?

pavelh · 05-31-2021, 07:45 PM

Hi,
I have Kobo Clara HD now and I love the blue-less side lighting. I don't like the resolution though.
I have been thinking about upgrading to Forma, which should also have the blue-less side lighting but also much higher resolution.
I've waited so long for the latest Kobo to be introduced and did not want to buy Forma as I suspected it would become obsolete, but I am not thrilled with Elipsa as it lacks the blue-less night lighting (AFAIK) and I really don't need a pen.
Also no color reader seems to match Forma in color-resolution.
Am I right to aim for Forma now when my need is higher resolution, slightly bigger screen and blue-less side lighting or is it going way too backwards, pls?

Many thanks in advance for any kind help!

Best regards

P

rashkae · 05-31-2021, 11:04 PM

That's a ... confusing post.

1st. Clara HD and Forma have the same resolution (relative to screen size).. 300dpi.. if it's really resoluon that is bothering you, there will be no difference.

You're probably looking for a larger screen though.

I have a Forma and really love it,, but I think, the price for that extra inch is really dear. If I were to buy a new reader today, I think I would be happy with with the H20 Libra. A little smaller, but much less expensive, no odd side bar of light, and a more sensible power button.

codychan · 06-01-2021, 08:32 AM

Since you've been waiting for so long, why not wait for a little longer, there is a rumor that another device will be released later this year.

davidfor · 06-01-2021, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codychan

Since you've been waiting for so long, why not wait for a little longer, there is a rumor that another device will be released later this year.

Can you point to the rumour? I don't remember seeing one. The only discussion of this that I can think of, and that might have come from me, is the discussion of Kobo's timing for releases.

John F · 06-01-2021, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

That's a ... confusing post.

1st. Clara HD and Forma have the same resolution (relative to screen size).. 300dpi.. if it's really resoluon that is bothering you, there will be no difference.

You're probably looking for a larger screen though.

I have a Forma and really love it,, but I think, the price for that extra inch is really dear. If I were to buy a new reader today, I think I would be happy with with the H20 Libra. A little smaller, but much less expensive, no odd side bar of light, and a more sensible power button.

If it is really resolution that is bothering the OP, than the Forma will have a higher resolution.

If it is DPI that is bothering the OP, then the Forma will not be an improvement.

pavelh · 06-01-2021, 04:29 PM

Hi,
thanks for the replies!

Clara HD is 1072 x 1448 resolution over 6"
Forma is 1440 × 1920 resolution over 8"

What is confusing about it?
The way I understand it, Forma should be able to show more letters on the page which is what bothers me with Clara. Although the size of the screen is more or less the size of a paperback, the letters need to be larger because of the resolution. Therefore I never get the same amount of text on a page on Clara as in a paper book. I believe higher resolution should be able to solve it. Am I wrong?

P

JSWolf · 06-01-2021, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavelh

Hi,
thanks for the replies!

Clara HD is 1072 x 1448 resolution over 6"
Forma is 1440 × 1920 resolution over 8"

What is confusing about it?
The way I understand it, Forma should be able to show more letters on the page which is what bothers me with Clara. Although the size of the screen is more or less the size of a paperback, the letters need to be larger because of the resolution. Therefore I never get the same amount of text on a page on Clara as in a paper book. I believe higher resolution should be able to solve it. Am I wrong?

P

That's incorrect. The letters on screen do not need to be larger because of the resolution. They only need to be larger if that's what you prefer.

pavelh · 06-01-2021, 05:33 PM

If I decrease the size of letters on Clara so that they match the size of printed letters in the paperback, the letters on Clara are not as readable.
I am trying to (more or less) match the number of characters on the e-reader page to that of a printed book.

P

ottischwenk · 06-02-2021, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavelh

If I decrease the size of letters on Clara so that they match the size of printed letters in the paperback, the letters on Clara are not as readable.
I am trying to (more or less) match the number of characters on the e-reader page to that of a printed book.

If you use the same letter size on the Kobo Forma as on the Kobo Clara, you'll see it just as blurry, maybe even a little less sharp - because different screen technology is used.
But if you want to have the same number of letters on the screen, then they are 8/6 larger - you see them the same size at 8/6 distance, so sharper.

Uschiekid · 06-02-2021, 04:01 AM

If you just want more words on the screen, you are right, as long as you don't make the words larger. Why people are confused is because of the terms you used and that they don't know what you were actually wanting to accomplish. Some people want "better resolution" so that they can make the words smaller and still read it. That is generally what people mean when they ask for "better resolution". What you are asking for is a screen with the same resolution, but bigger, so you can use the same font size, but fit more words on the screen at once. The way you used the words resolution is generally used to mean DPI (ie they both have 300DPI) and is not used to mean larger screen at same DPI, ie the resolution numbers are larger.

But when you clarified that you want to fit more words on the screen, without changing the font size to be smaller, than yes, the Forma would accomplish that.

JSWolf · 06-02-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

If you use the same letter size on the Kobo Forma as on the Kobo Clara, you'll see it just as blurry, maybe even a little less sharp - because different screen technology is used.
But if you want to have the same number of letters on the screen, then they are 8/6 larger - you see them the same size at 8/6 distance, so sharper.

That is BS. You will not see the letters less sharp when they are the same size on both the Forma and the Libra.

ottischwenk · 06-02-2021, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That is BS. You will not see the letters less sharp when they are the same size on both the Forma and the Libra.

You should deal with optical laws.

At the moment when there are the same number of bushes on both screens and you hold the Forma 8/7 further away from your eye, so that you see both screens in the same size, you will see a point 8/7 sharper on the Forma than on the Libra - this would only be different if the Forma screen was crap.

And if you think that Mobius is as sharp and contrasty as glass, you are wrong.

Pajamaman · 06-02-2021, 11:57 AM

A bigger screen really helps. 7.8" is nice to read on and portable.

I think the elipsa does have the orange light, but not 100% sure. 10" is kinda big to hold, but it might suit you as you don't like 6".

Personnally, I would try to hold off. It's been a while since kobo have updated their ereaders...

codychan · 06-02-2021, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Can you point to the rumor? I don't remember seeing one. The only discussion of this that I can think of, and that might have come from me, is the discussion of Kobo's timing for releases.

I heard it from another person in another forum, he heard from someone else.

He mentioned on 12 April that there will be a notebook with a pencil released in April or May, and now we all know, it is Kobo Elipsa.

And he also mentioned that there will another device released in September or October, didn't mention any more detail, just "new device", I personally hope it is Kobo Forma2.

pavelh · 06-02-2021, 06:19 PM

The life is so difficult. First I need to grasp my mind about resolution/DPI concept (will have to re-read several times the thick educational paragraph in one of the previous posts. Then decide whether to buy Forma while it is still in stock or perhaps gamble for maybe something better later this year. Choices, choices, choices :-)
Many thanks for all your kind replies though!!!
Bets regards and strong health!

P
P.S. I should be getting to all this information here soon, but not right away as I am in the middle of setting up my new PC with the latest Win10 21H1 and boy it is so nice to have Win10 settings shuffled around between releases or even removed alltogether. What a joy... I wonder if I would prefer a punch in the face instead of this (thinking... thinking...)

05-31-2021, 07:45 PM	#1
pavelh Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 565178 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD	Kobo Forma a good choice now? Hi, I have Kobo Clara HD now and I love the blue-less side lighting. I don't like the resolution though. I have been thinking about upgrading to Forma, which should also have the blue-less side lighting but also much higher resolution. I've waited so long for the latest Kobo to be introduced and did not want to buy Forma as I suspected it would become obsolete, but I am not thrilled with Elipsa as it lacks the blue-less night lighting (AFAIK) and I really don't need a pen. Also no color reader seems to match Forma in color-resolution. Am I right to aim for Forma now when my need is higher resolution, slightly bigger screen and blue-less side lighting or is it going way too backwards, pls? Many thanks in advance for any kind help! Best regards P

06-01-2021, 04:29 PM	#6
pavelh Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 565178 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD	Hi, thanks for the replies! Clara HD is 1072 x 1448 resolution over 6" Forma is 1440 × 1920 resolution over 8" What is confusing about it? The way I understand it, Forma should be able to show more letters on the page which is what bothers me with Clara. Although the size of the screen is more or less the size of a paperback, the letters need to be larger because of the resolution. Therefore I never get the same amount of text on a page on Clara as in a paper book. I believe higher resolution should be able to solve it. Am I wrong? P Last edited by pavelh; 06-01-2021 at 04:31 PM. Reason: clarity

06-02-2021, 06:19 PM	#15
pavelh Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 565178 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD	The life is so difficult. First I need to grasp my mind about resolution/DPI concept (will have to re-read several times the thick educational paragraph in one of the previous posts. Then decide whether to buy Forma while it is still in stock or perhaps gamble for maybe something better later this year. Choices, choices, choices :-) Many thanks for all your kind replies though!!! Bets regards and strong health! P P.S. I should be getting to all this information here soon, but not right away as I am in the middle of setting up my new PC with the latest Win10 21H1 and boy it is so nice to have Win10 settings shuffled around between releases or even removed alltogether. What a joy... I wonder if I would prefer a punch in the face instead of this (thinking... thinking...) Last edited by pavelh; 06-02-2021 at 06:20 PM. Reason: typo

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05-31-2021, 11:04 PM	#2
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,277 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	That's a ... confusing post. 1st. Clara HD and Forma have the same resolution (relative to screen size).. 300dpi.. if it's really resoluon that is bothering you, there will be no difference. You're probably looking for a larger screen though. I have a Forma and really love it,, but I think, the price for that extra inch is really dear. If I were to buy a new reader today, I think I would be happy with with the H20 Libra. A little smaller, but much less expensive, no odd side bar of light, and a more sensible power button.

06-01-2021, 08:32 AM	#3
codychan Groupie Posts: 153 Karma: 27950 Join Date: Nov 2018 Device: Kobo Aura One, Kobo Forma	Since you've been waiting for so long, why not wait for a little longer, there is a rumor that another device will be released later this year.

06-01-2021, 05:33 PM	#8
pavelh Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 565178 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD	If I decrease the size of letters on Clara so that they match the size of printed letters in the paperback, the letters on Clara are not as readable. I am trying to (more or less) match the number of characters on the e-reader page to that of a printed book. P

06-02-2021, 04:01 AM	#10
Uschiekid Tenrec Posts: 724 Karma: 1076988 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Kobo Aura One, Kobo Glo	If you just want more words on the screen, you are right, as long as you don't make the words larger. Why people are confused is because of the terms you used and that they don't know what you were actually wanting to accomplish. Some people want "better resolution" so that they can make the words smaller and still read it. That is generally what people mean when they ask for "better resolution". What you are asking for is a screen with the same resolution, but bigger, so you can use the same font size, but fit more words on the screen at once. The way you used the words resolution is generally used to mean DPI (ie they both have 300DPI) and is not used to mean larger screen at same DPI, ie the resolution numbers are larger. But when you clarified that you want to fit more words on the screen, without changing the font size to be smaller, than yes, the Forma would accomplish that.

06-02-2021, 11:57 AM	#13
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,874 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	A bigger screen really helps. 7.8" is nice to read on and portable. I think the elipsa does have the orange light, but not 100% sure. 10" is kinda big to hold, but it might suit you as you don't like 6". Personnally, I would try to hold off. It's been a while since kobo have updated their ereaders...