Should I get a dedicated eReader? - Page 2

samhy · 03-11-2014, 11:05 AM

Without syncing all the time, my Kobo ereaders last more than a month but it will depend on how long you read (more accurately how many page turns you do) everyday.
As for the bugs and glitches, it so depends on what matters for a person that maybe it would be better for you to go and read the Kobo forum. That way you can decide for yourself if those are deal breakers.
What I like in a Kobo ereader is the ability to tweak the text look without jailbreaking the device.
I also buy a lot from Kobo, but not exclusively, which means that the ebooks are on my ereader in the blink of an eye. Yet I download and clean them for future use

I enjoyed the 650 very much before that and I think Sony makes good steady devices. I've never used a Kindle.

eschwartz · 03-11-2014, 11:07 AM

The reading experience on a dedicated e-ink ereader is infinitely superior. Anyone who plans on doing a lot of reading should definitely get one.

Kobo devices will tend to be buggy-unstable, but many people find a firmware version that works for them and is great. The Kindle isn't buggy, but doesn't offer as many features.

If you just want to focus on reading the book, and don't want any support hassle, get a Kindle. If you want to customize your reading experience, manage collections with calibre, change fonts and all kinds of stuff like that, (and don't mind potentially having to deal with bugs) get a Kobo.

Either way, you can buy from either store (or whichever ones you like, except Apple). Just google "apprentice alf" for more details. (Mobileread has a policy against supplying in-depth discussion or guides to DRM removal, but I'm sure you can figure it out.

) Contrary to what some here may think, it is not illegal, it is simply exercising your Fair Use rights; technically it is the DMCA that is illegal.

susan_cassidy · 03-11-2014, 11:41 AM

The 3-4 weeks of battery time is reading for a half hour a day. I never read only a half hour, so I have to recharge much more often than every 3-4 weeks. I can read for several days, for 6-8 hours at a time, though.

entodoays · 03-11-2014, 12:00 PM

An e-reader is not used primarily for internet browsing, but occasionally I do use my PRS-T1 for browsing. Its browser is much better than the Kindle's and the Kobo's.

booklover6 · 03-11-2014, 12:29 PM

I prefer Kobo ereaders to Kindle. Much easier to add fonts, make margin and other adjustments, and manage collections via Calibre. I have experience with the Mini, the Glo, and the Aura HD, and love them all. (Of course, now I want the Aura).

ApK · 03-11-2014, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojos

Now the only problem is choosing between a Kobo and a Kindle

Get both, problem solved!

eschwartz · 03-11-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

The 3-4 weeks of battery time is reading for a half hour a day. I never read only a half hour, so I have to recharge much more often than every 3-4 weeks. I can read for several days, for 6-8 hours at a time, though.

Perhaps we should avoid using the marketing terms then, and just say it's rated for ~28 hrs.

Now there's a meaningfully useful statement!

Of course, I don't think I've ever charged my Kindle... well, maybe once or twice... I connect it to my computer for various reasons at least once every few days, which is more than enough.

Geralt · 03-12-2014, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojos

Hello! I actually read a lot which is why I'm planning on getting an eReader if ever. But I'm just not sure if it's worth it since I have an iPad already.

Out of curiosity how much is 'a lot'? 5, 50, 100 a year? I'm asking because to some people 10 books a year is a huge number and to some 50 books a year is small or a third of what they read.

mojos · 03-12-2014, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geralt

Out of curiosity how much is 'a lot'? 5, 50, 100 a year? I'm asking because to some people 10 books a year is a huge number and to some 50 books a year is small or a third of what they read.

hello! my range is from 30-50 books a year. Not just ebooks though. I sometimes borrow books from the library.

Geralt · 03-12-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojos

hello! my range is from 30-50 books a year. Not just ebooks though. I sometimes borrow books from the library.

Well then, I am in the same boat as you (30 books a year or 15000 pages, whichever comes first). Also, my reading habit improved since I got my kindles. I currently use mainly Kindle PW2 and I have to say it fits my needs perfectly. I have a tablet, but I use that mainly for educational PDFs, and I read far more fiction thanks to Kindle. My eyes thank me for it, and being able to read in dark is a plus.

So based on my experience I say go for it. Kindle is good becase I don't tinker around margins or fonts at all. Although, I did jailbreak it for fancy screensavers hack

Just get yourself acquainted with Calibre and I recommend you check out Kobo Discount Codes thread here on MR, for procuring the cheapest possible ebooks. Calibre converts epub to kindle format (AZW3 or Mobi) as a piece of cake.

Or maybe you don't want the hassle, and you would like Kobo instead. In that case I leave you to more knowledgeable souls here, as I have no ideas on Kobo devices.

Whatever you choose, don't let the format trouble you too much with that. You can learn easily to convert, de-DRM and back up the books you buy for any device.

Good luck~

eschwartz · 03-12-2014, 03:07 PM

@mojos, thanks for the karma!

I hope you enjoy your Kobo!</inside information>

For 30-50 books a year (a little less than a book a week on average) I would consider an ereader worth it.

You should definitely take a look at the Kobo subforum, where the hacks and customizations and stuff lives.

I'll probably bow out now, as I don't really know a lot about Kobos.

meeera · 03-12-2014, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojos

hello! my range is from 30-50 books a year. Not just ebooks though. I sometimes borrow books from the library.

If you want to borrow ebooks from the library, your country will determine which ereaders might be the most appropriate for you. For example, in Australia, most/all libraries don't lend Kindle books.

eschwartz · 03-12-2014, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

If you want to borrow ebooks from the library, your country will determine which ereaders might be the most appropriate for you. For example, in Australia, most/all libraries don't lend Kindle books.

I know in the US most books have a Kindle option at OverDrive, and I thought basically everywhere else you can't.

Only OverDrive does Kindle at all.

But if your library supports Kindle, it is by far the most seamless experience.

Glorfindel · 03-14-2014, 04:30 PM

@mojos: ty for the karma

bookfanmd · 03-14-2014, 11:01 PM

I have both the Kobo Aura HD and the Kindle Paperwhite 2 and they are both great ereaders. The lighted screen on both is wonderful if you want to read in bed or in a low light situation. Both allow you to put your books in collections although you can't put books in collections through Calibre with the PW as you can with the Aura HD so if you would be sideloading your books the Aura HD might be a better fit for you. I also really like the larger screen on the Aura HD. The Aura HD also has a micro SD card slot so if you want to hold your whole library on the reader you can. The Kindle has no card slot.

Depending on where you live it may be easier to get a Kindle than a Kobo. I've also had much better experience with Amazon as far as customer service when having problems with an older version Kindle. Recently my Aura HD broke and Kobo makes you jump through hoops to get a replacement. Also, Amazon has tons of free Kindle books you can get.

The wifi only Kindle PW 2 is less expensive than the Kobo but the new Aura is less than the Aura HD although still more than the Kindle. The new Aura also works with more formats than the Aura HD but has a 6 inch screen like the Kindle. I also have a Kobo Glo and it's a nice little reader with a 6 inch screen.

Like everyone else has said, it's a personal decision but you would likely be happy with either choice. I would recommend googling Apprentice Alf and making friends with the tools so you can back up your books and really own them no matter what happens to the ecosystem you choose. Calibre will allow you to organize and change formats for your library so you can use the books no matter which new readers you may choose in the future.

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03-11-2014, 11:05 AM	#16
samhy Wizard Posts: 1,821 Karma: 9503859 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: France Device: (Sony (J) PRS 650), Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo HD (broken), Kobo Clara BW	Without syncing all the time, my Kobo ereaders last more than a month but it will depend on how long you read (more accurately how many page turns you do) everyday. As for the bugs and glitches, it so depends on what matters for a person that maybe it would be better for you to go and read the Kobo forum. That way you can decide for yourself if those are deal breakers. What I like in a Kobo ereader is the ability to tweak the text look without jailbreaking the device. I also buy a lot from Kobo, but not exclusively, which means that the ebooks are on my ereader in the blink of an eye. Yet I download and clean them for future use I enjoyed the 650 very much before that and I think Sony makes good steady devices. I've never used a Kindle.

03-11-2014, 11:07 AM	#17
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	The reading experience on a dedicated e-ink ereader is infinitely superior. Anyone who plans on doing a lot of reading should definitely get one. Kobo devices will tend to be buggy-unstable, but many people find a firmware version that works for them and is great. The Kindle isn't buggy, but doesn't offer as many features. If you just want to focus on reading the book, and don't want any support hassle, get a Kindle. If you want to customize your reading experience, manage collections with calibre, change fonts and all kinds of stuff like that, (and don't mind potentially having to deal with bugs) get a Kobo. Either way, you can buy from either store (or whichever ones you like, except Apple). Just google "apprentice alf" for more details. (Mobileread has a policy against supplying in-depth discussion or guides to DRM removal, but I'm sure you can figure it out. ) Contrary to what some here may think, it is not illegal, it is simply exercising your Fair Use rights; technically it is the DMCA that is illegal.

03-11-2014, 11:41 AM	#18
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	The 3-4 weeks of battery time is reading for a half hour a day. I never read only a half hour, so I have to recharge much more often than every 3-4 weeks. I can read for several days, for 6-8 hours at a time, though.

03-11-2014, 12:00 PM	#19
entodoays Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 706 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony Reader PRS-T1	An e-reader is not used primarily for internet browsing, but occasionally I do use my PRS-T1 for browsing. Its browser is much better than the Kindle's and the Kobo's.

03-11-2014, 12:29 PM	#20
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I prefer Kobo ereaders to Kindle. Much easier to add fonts, make margin and other adjustments, and manage collections via Calibre. I have experience with the Mini, the Glo, and the Aura HD, and love them all. (Of course, now I want the Aura).

03-12-2014, 03:07 PM	#26
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	@mojos, thanks for the karma! I hope you enjoy your Kobo!</inside information> For 30-50 books a year (a little less than a book a week on average) I would consider an ereader worth it. You should definitely take a look at the Kobo subforum, where the hacks and customizations and stuff lives. I'll probably bow out now, as I don't really know a lot about Kobos.

03-14-2014, 04:30 PM	#29
Glorfindel Force-Aware Elf Posts: 4,762 Karma: 11557898 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Valinor Device: Kindle 4 w/SO	@mojos: ty for the karma

03-14-2014, 11:01 PM	#30
bookfanmd Addict Posts: 246 Karma: 4476 Join Date: May 2009 Location: US - Maryland Device: Sony 300/505/T1 Nook STWG Kobo Glo Kobo Aura HD KDX iPad1 K3 KT PW2	I have both the Kobo Aura HD and the Kindle Paperwhite 2 and they are both great ereaders. The lighted screen on both is wonderful if you want to read in bed or in a low light situation. Both allow you to put your books in collections although you can't put books in collections through Calibre with the PW as you can with the Aura HD so if you would be sideloading your books the Aura HD might be a better fit for you. I also really like the larger screen on the Aura HD. The Aura HD also has a micro SD card slot so if you want to hold your whole library on the reader you can. The Kindle has no card slot. Depending on where you live it may be easier to get a Kindle than a Kobo. I've also had much better experience with Amazon as far as customer service when having problems with an older version Kindle. Recently my Aura HD broke and Kobo makes you jump through hoops to get a replacement. Also, Amazon has tons of free Kindle books you can get. The wifi only Kindle PW 2 is less expensive than the Kobo but the new Aura is less than the Aura HD although still more than the Kindle. The new Aura also works with more formats than the Aura HD but has a 6 inch screen like the Kindle. I also have a Kobo Glo and it's a nice little reader with a 6 inch screen. Like everyone else has said, it's a personal decision but you would likely be happy with either choice. I would recommend googling Apprentice Alf and making friends with the tools so you can back up your books and really own them no matter what happens to the ecosystem you choose. Calibre will allow you to organize and change formats for your library so you can use the books no matter which new readers you may choose in the future.

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