Your advice? Libra, Forma, or KA1 for lady

[anacreon]

Originally Posted by maddz

How does the Forma feel if you read in landscape mode with the grip below? I suspect for some of the PDFs I need to read I'll need to use landscape and I don't always have access to a table to rest my device on (especially on the train where sometimes getting a seat is difficult).

I've never read in landscape mode when standing. While sitting I tend to alternate between
* reading left-handed, almost like holding a violin: the weight mostly in the interval between thumb and index, 3 long fingers balancing the back, little finger balancing bottom right, and the thumb resting on the right button (forward), sliding to the left for backwards when necessary
* reading with both hands, mostly when I need tactile functions like calling up a dictionary or a search.

[maddz]

Might go for a Forma then because of 32GB. We're in Milton Keynes this weekend so I might try John Lewis there given we'll be staying fairly close. I already know that the MK PC World doesn't carry it.

I think if I get one of those diagonal straps it will help. Not sure if I want to pay Kobo price for a sleep case; I can get a neoprene sleeve, possibly with a stiffener.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

Maybe sometime when she's reading on the Sony you could say something like "how do you manage to read on such a small screen" and see what response you get. If she says something like "I love this Sony because it's small and easy to carry everywhere I go" or "This Sony is really too small, but it was all I could get at the time, and I wish it were bigger" then you'll have an answer

Sorry, but that's not going to work. She may think a 6" screen is good enough, but change her mind once she uses a larger screen. I read on a 6" screen for a long time and when I moved to a 6.8" screen, I was hooked on a larger screen.

[Sirtel]

I would go for the Libra. The Forma might be just too big for her. I have two Kindle Oases with 7'' screens and a Nook with a 7.8'' screen. I would not really want the screen to be any bigger than the Nook's and actually slightly prefer the Kindles.

I've been eyeballing the new Libra since it was announced, but haven't decided yet whether I really want it. Depends on the incoming user reviews, I guess. I was not particularly attracted to the Forma. Your lady's mileage may vary, of course.

(And yes, I'm a woman. Not that it really matters in such things.)

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

Maybe sometime when she's reading on the Sony you could say something like "how do you manage to read on such a small screen" and see what response you get. If she says something like "I love this Sony because it's small and easy to carry everywhere I go" or "This Sony is really too small, but it was all I could get at the time, and I wish it were bigger" then you'll have an answer

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sorry, but that's not going to work. She may think a 6" screen is good enough, but change her mind once she uses a larger screen. I read on a 6" screen for a long time and when I moved to a 6.8" screen, I was hooked on a larger screen.

It depends on what her priority is - whether she cares more about having the best possible screen, or whether she cares more about having a small reader for portability.

[John F]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

It depends on what her priority is - whether she cares more about having the best possible screen, or whether she cares more about having a small reader for portability.

Plus "best possible screen" is subjective?

[petercreasey]

I don't see portability as a big deal. The only time she carries it anywhere is when she is traveling on a trip and in this case the difference in size is pretty much a non-factor.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

I don't see portability as a big deal. The only time she carries it anywhere is when she is traveling on a trip and in this case the difference in size is pretty much a non-factor.

Could you get her the Forma and if she doesn't like the size, then return/exchange for the Libra? I know you didn't want to get both at once, and understand why, but this way, you get her the best available, she'll appreciate that. You don't have to mention return is an option *unless* she appears upset over the size.

I have to agree with you that if she doesn't carry the reader with her everywhere, portability is not a big deal.

I carry my Aura ONE everywhere, my bag is big enough to hold it and I see no issues to portability with larger screen devices unless a woman prefers a very small bag. Which some do.

One thing sure, I think she is a lucky gal that you regard her so highly as to put this effort into making the right choice!


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[petercreasey]

Yes, what you say is the approach that I favor also. I'm leaning toward the Forma given the fact that it is arguably the best ereader out there. As you say, if there becomes an issue, then this is the basis for my asking which vendors are easiest to deal with on a return.

[perisiana]

Amazon doesn't sell Kobo in US?

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Yes, what you say is the approach that I favor also. I'm leaning toward the Forma given the fact that it is arguably the best ereader out there. As you say, if there becomes an issue, then this is the basis for my asking which vendors are easiest to deal with on a return.

If she really likes to read, and I'm assuming your choice of gift means she does, then I do think the larger screens tend to be more immersive. At least for me they are, and I'm one of those who reads like I breathe, LOL! (Constantly.)

The other thing is that people don't always realize how nice a big screen is until they try it. Folks can be reluctant to go for change.

My husband is more of a Kindle guy, not a huge reader, but still enjoys reading. I'd keep seeing him using a smaller text size than I think he was truly comfy with on his Paperwhite, but when I mentioned he might like a larger screen, he didn't seem all that keen. But when Amazon started offering the trade in deal, I persuaded him to try, figuring if he hated it, no big deal to return an Oasis, get him another Paperwhite. He *loves* the larger screen of his Oasis 2 and I'm happy not to see him squinting at his reader.

If your lady ever reads anything illustrated, the large screen is wonderful for illustrations as well. As long as the publisher has done it with high enough resolution images.


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[Polarpenguin]

I pulled the trigger, without waiting to try one out.

Am loving the Libra. It feels really comfortable to hold & the page turn buttons placed just right for one handed use. I haven't noticed an negatives going to a smaller screen size compared to my one. I actually have been using a slightly smaller font size on the Libra, so have more words per page than the One.
I love the overall form factor of the Libra & am very happy with my choice.
Though it probably doesn't answer your original question Petercreasy as it is just down to personal choice

[petercreasey]

Interesting you went from KA1 to the Libra.

I'm leaning slightly toward the Forma but your report on the Libra gives me pause.

[anacreon]

I've been reading on the Libra for more than 10 days now, and I think it will be my reader of choice, reserving the Forma for most PDFs (though some, with one page per screen and decent font size, read fine on the Libra).

The only minus for the Libra is the hard plastic back. I've been considering finger straps, but they seem too tight from what I've seen on Amazon, and the plastic is pocked, while the straps need to be glued to a smooth surface.

[petercreasey]

Interesting...

Most of the tech reviews I've run across much prefer the Libra over the Forma.

I'm starting to tilt toward the Libra.