From Kindle to Libra 2 — and then what?

repilo · 07-02-2025, 07:27 AM

I went from a Kindle Paperwhite to a Kobo Libra 2, and I feel like it was a step up.
Now I find myself wondering what comparable options are out there in case it breaks (which almost happened, and I thought, what am I going to do if they don’t sell it anymore?).
I don’t want the new Libra with a color screen, and the other 6-inch black-and-white model would feel like a downgrade.
Back when I had a Kindle, I don’t remember exactly how I came to see Kobo as the obvious alternative. But now, I’m not sure what the next alternative would be…

salamanderjuice · 07-02-2025, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repilo

I went from a Kindle Paperwhite to a Kobo Libra 2, and I feel like it was a step up.
Now I find myself wondering what comparable options are out there in case it breaks (which almost happened, and I thought, what am I going to do if they don’t sell it anymore?).
I don’t want the new Libra with a color screen, and the other 6-inch black-and-white model would feel like a downgrade.
Back when I had a Kindle, I don’t remember exactly how I came to see Kobo as the obvious alternative. But now, I’m not sure what the next alternative would be…

I'm not sure it's worth worrying about at the moment. Maybe it will break next month but I also wouldn't be surprised if you get a decade out of it and all the options we discuss will not really be options either. Just enjoy the device and think about a replacement when it does break or becomes too usable for you in some other way.

Cactus Chef · 07-02-2025, 11:45 AM

If it breaks, you've still got the Kindle as a backup, no?

JSWolf · 07-02-2025, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

If it breaks, you've still got the Kindle as a backup, no?

Not the same. Not even close.

repilo · 07-02-2025, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

If it breaks, you've still got the Kindle as a backup, no?

Yes, but it could only be a temporary solution while I look for something else, because it would be a step backwards for me.
I’d like to already have a 7" black-and-white option in mind, just in case my Libra 2 breaks and by then Kobo still hasn’t released another BW Libra.

salamanderjuice · 07-02-2025, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repilo

Yes, but it could only be a temporary solution while I look for something else, because it would be a step backwards for me.
I’d like to already have a 7" black-and-white option in mind, just in case my Libra 2 breaks and by then Kobo still hasn’t released another BW Libra.

Boox currently has a few, very similar the Libra. I think Pocketbook has some as well and Amazon although not quite the same design. But again, what does it matter if by the time you need it they've already discontinued it?

Cactus Chef · 07-02-2025, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repilo

Yes, but it could only be a temporary solution while I look for something else, because it would be a step backwards for me.
I’d like to already have a 7" black-and-white option in mind, just in case my Libra 2 breaks and by then Kobo still hasn’t released another BW Libra.

An interim solution was all I was suggesting, yes.

I'm trying to understand what the exact scenario might be that you envision. Is it that a B&W e-reader with the Libra 2's dimensions will cease to exist in the future, and so when your Libra 2 dies you won't be able to find another one and/or a suitable replacement?

Apollyon202 · 07-02-2025, 03:42 PM

At the moment the Libra 2 is irreplaceable. So make sure you do take good care of it!
There are some similar options, but they are not the same, so don't break your Libra 2.

Always use a sleep cover, and if you take your Libra with you put it in a puffy winter cap. Yes, even in the middle of the summer. I hope this helps.

jillmess · 07-02-2025, 06:05 PM

Don't write off the 6" kobo. I have a Libra 2 and a Clara (colour). I bought the Clara to use on an extended camping trip but find it has become my 'go to' at most times because of the ease of holding and using it, as well as carrying it around with me in a bag. I read kepub/ebup exclusively and for me the smaller screen has surprisingly not been as issue at all. Of course your use and experience may be very different to mine.

DNSB · 07-02-2025, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmess

Don't write off the 6" kobo. I have a Libra 2 and a Clara (colour). I bought the Clara to use on an extended camping trip but find it has become my 'go to' at most times because of the ease of holding and using it, as well as carrying it around with me in a bag. I read kepub/ebup exclusively and for me the smaller screen has surprisingly not been as issue at all. Of course your use and experience may be very different to mine.

The problem is not the people's use and experience varies, it's the people who seem to believe that everyone must be ignorant/stupid/whatever not to have the same opinion. I know quite a few people who have 6" ereaders and are very happy with them. I know a smaller group who are now using colour ereaders and are happy with them. A couple of people who have replaced their Libra 2's with Libra Colours and are very happy with them.

If you are happy using your ereader, that's the only item that really matters.

JSWolf · 07-02-2025, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

Boox currently has a few, very similar the Libra. I think Pocketbook has some as well and Amazon although not quite the same design. But again, what does it matter if by the time you need it they've already discontinued it?

Boox is not at all similar to Kobo. Sure the screen may be 7", but the software is completely different.

I think Pocketbook might be the next choice if not Kobo. I ust cannot be all that sure.

JSWolf · 07-02-2025, 07:18 PM

delete post

JSWolf · 07-02-2025, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The problem is not the people's use and experience varies, it's the people who seem to believe that everyone must be ignorant/stupid/whatever not to have the same opinion. I know quite a few people who have 6" ereaders and are very happy with them. I know a smaller group who are now using colour ereaders and are happy with them. A couple of people who have replaced their Libra 2's with Libra Colours and are very happy with them.

If you are happy using your ereader, that's the only item that really matters.

The problem is that if you are happy with a Libra 2 and don't care all that much for a 6" screen, there there is no option for buying a Kobo if the Libra 2 was needing replacement. Kobo has bascially screwed us over by not releasing a Libra BW.

kandwo · 07-03-2025, 10:08 AM

I bought a white Boox Go 7. It is pretty similar to the Libra 2. The screen on it is every so slightly less sharp than on the Libra 2, though. (It has Carta 1300 and a flush screen using a plastic layer on top). And obviously the software is different. On the other hand I tend to use Koreader on both devices, so the reading experience itself will be identical.

repilo · 07-03-2025, 03:37 PM

I suppose I should have started by explaining the reason behind this concern — not entirely unfounded, as it turns out.
A couple of weeks ago, my Libra 2 actually broke, and I was quite worried because it’s no longer being sold, and I didn’t know what other 7" black-and-white device I could get.
Fortunately, I managed to fix it by opening the case, removing the microSD card, and cloning it onto a new one.
But this experience made me realize that these things can happen, and it’s better to have a backup plan in mind — so that if it ever happens again, I don’t have to go too long without being able to read anything while trying to research other brands and options, in a language I’m not fluent in.
I saw both Kobo color models in a store, and I prefer the Libra 2’s screen.

07-02-2025, 07:27 AM	#1
repilo Connoisseur Posts: 97 Karma: 21870 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Spain Device: Kobo Libra 2	From Kindle to Libra 2 — and then what? I went from a Kindle Paperwhite to a Kobo Libra 2, and I feel like it was a step up. Now I find myself wondering what comparable options are out there in case it breaks (which almost happened, and I thought, what am I going to do if they don’t sell it anymore?). I don’t want the new Libra with a color screen, and the other 6-inch black-and-white model would feel like a downgrade. Back when I had a Kindle, I don’t remember exactly how I came to see Kobo as the obvious alternative. But now, I’m not sure what the next alternative would be…

07-02-2025, 07:18 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	delete post Last edited by JSWolf; 07-02-2025 at 07:21 PM.

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07-02-2025, 11:45 AM	#3
Cactus Chef Guru Posts: 682 Karma: 8196132 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: East Coast, United States Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD, Galaxy Tab S5e, Kindle 4th Gen	If it breaks, you've still got the Kindle as a backup, no?

07-02-2025, 03:42 PM	#8
Apollyon202 Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 251718 Join Date: May 2018 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Clara HD, Aura, Touch	At the moment the Libra 2 is irreplaceable. So make sure you do take good care of it! There are some similar options, but they are not the same, so don't break your Libra 2. Always use a sleep cover, and if you take your Libra with you put it in a puffy winter cap. Yes, even in the middle of the summer. I hope this helps.

07-02-2025, 06:05 PM	#9
jillmess Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 500190 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Clara Colour	Don't write off the 6" kobo. I have a Libra 2 and a Clara (colour). I bought the Clara to use on an extended camping trip but find it has become my 'go to' at most times because of the ease of holding and using it, as well as carrying it around with me in a bag. I read kepub/ebup exclusively and for me the smaller screen has surprisingly not been as issue at all. Of course your use and experience may be very different to mine.

07-03-2025, 10:08 AM	#14
kandwo Evangelist Posts: 493 Karma: 11708254 Join Date: Dec 2020 Device: Boox, Bigme, Hisense, Kobo	I bought a white Boox Go 7. It is pretty similar to the Libra 2. The screen on it is every so slightly less sharp than on the Libra 2, though. (It has Carta 1300 and a flush screen using a plastic layer on top). And obviously the software is different. On the other hand I tend to use Koreader on both devices, so the reading experience itself will be identical.

07-03-2025, 03:37 PM	#15
repilo Connoisseur Posts: 97 Karma: 21870 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Spain Device: Kobo Libra 2	I suppose I should have started by explaining the reason behind this concern — not entirely unfounded, as it turns out. A couple of weeks ago, my Libra 2 actually broke, and I was quite worried because it’s no longer being sold, and I didn’t know what other 7" black-and-white device I could get. Fortunately, I managed to fix it by opening the case, removing the microSD card, and cloning it onto a new one. But this experience made me realize that these things can happen, and it’s better to have a backup plan in mind — so that if it ever happens again, I don’t have to go too long without being able to read anything while trying to research other brands and options, in a language I’m not fluent in. I saw both Kobo color models in a store, and I prefer the Libra 2’s screen.