First Time Product Recommendation

F4in7_ · 02-26-2023, 02:30 PM

I've read a bit online about what kind of e-readers are available, but as a person who has never owned one, I would like some advice.

I have a budget so I don't wanna go off with the most expensive ones, but what I'm looking for is something that could handle my .epub library (because I mostly have all my books there + I might end up not using my brand's online library at all). What kind of brands are friendly to users like me?

Karellen · 02-26-2023, 02:55 PM

From personal experience, I used a Kindle for around 10 years. Then replaced it with a Kobo Libra 2 last year and it is definitely (for my use) more satisfying than the Kindle.

It allows me to sort my books into sets, and orders within those sets, that is not possible on a Kindle. My book titles are clean, and haven't been hijacked to add set information or advertising.

F4in7_ · 02-26-2023, 03:24 PM

I've seen some reviews on that, are the buttons really that much of an issue?

F4in7_ · 02-26-2023, 03:36 PM

correction: my bad, that was Sage not Libra 2

DNSB · 02-26-2023, 05:01 PM

I have a Sage and my wife has a Libra 2. Neither of us has noticed any issues with the buttons. Overall, we have both been very happy with our Kobos (SWMBO told me I'm allowed to write that.

).

rcentros · 02-26-2023, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4in7_

...What kind of brands are friendly to users like me?

I would look at PocketBook or Kobo. I like PocketBooks because ADE is "built in" and I use Linux (so no Adobe Digital Editions). I can borrow or buy books directly using PocketBook's browser -- though I usually use my computer. It's nice to have the option. With Kobos you can use Overdrive from the device (if you live in one of the countries that this feature is enabled, the U.S. is one of them). You can buy books from Kobo on the device, but you won't be able to directly buy from another seller, like eBooks.com (for example). This only matters if you don't use your computer for buying books, or if (like me) you use Linux and can't install Adobe Digital Editions.

You can also use Calibre and a couple of its plugins to bypass ADE.

dreambeat · 02-26-2023, 11:19 PM

I would go with a Kobo Clara (either HD or 2E). The Sage and Libra are both very nice, but there's not enough of a difference that I'd recommend either over the Clara for a basic first ereader, especially as they tend to be significantly more expensive. I tend to think of them as more "upgrade" options.

As to the page turn buttons - no, I don't think they're as big a deal as some people make them sound, especially if you don't have a years-long history of using them. It's just personal preference. If you're used to a touchscreen phone or a tablet, you shouldn't have any issues with a touchscreen-only ereader.

A Kobo will be able to read epub files without any need for conversion (though you can use Calibre to change them to kepubs if you decide to). Kobos also have a lot of good built-in support for sorting your books in different ways, which is nice for a large library.

EDIT: misread your post asking about buttons on the Sage to be about buttons on ereaders in general. Oops.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 06:24 AM

But if your the type who likes to tinker with eBooks to fix the poor formatting, then Pocketbook to be able to download eBooks on the device is irreverent.

issybird · 02-27-2023, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But if your the type who likes to tinker with eBooks to fix the poor formatting, then Pocketbook to be able to download eBooks on the device is irreverent.

Kobo is the religious choice?

rcentros · 02-28-2023, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But if your the type who likes to tinker with eBooks to fix the poor formatting, then Pocketbook to be able to download eBooks on the device is irreverent.

Not irrelevant if you're traveling.

02-26-2023, 02:30 PM	#1
F4in7_ Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2023 Device: none	First Time Product Recommendation I've read a bit online about what kind of e-readers are available, but as a person who has never owned one, I would like some advice. I have a budget so I don't wanna go off with the most expensive ones, but what I'm looking for is something that could handle my .epub library (because I mostly have all my books there + I might end up not using my brand's online library at all). What kind of brands are friendly to users like me?

02-26-2023, 11:19 PM	#7
dreambeat Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 2145544 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: PW2, Kobos Mini & Libra 2.	I would go with a Kobo Clara (either HD or 2E). The Sage and Libra are both very nice, but there's not enough of a difference that I'd recommend either over the Clara for a basic first ereader, especially as they tend to be significantly more expensive. I tend to think of them as more "upgrade" options. As to the page turn buttons - no, I don't think they're as big a deal as some people make them sound, especially if you don't have a years-long history of using them. It's just personal preference. If you're used to a touchscreen phone or a tablet, you shouldn't have any issues with a touchscreen-only ereader. A Kobo will be able to read epub files without any need for conversion (though you can use Calibre to change them to kepubs if you decide to). Kobos also have a lot of good built-in support for sorting your books in different ways, which is nice for a large library. EDIT: misread your post asking about buttons on the Sage to be about buttons on ereaders in general. Oops. Last edited by dreambeat; 02-26-2023 at 11:22 PM.

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02-26-2023, 02:55 PM	#2
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,107 Karma: 4911876 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	From personal experience, I used a Kindle for around 10 years. Then replaced it with a Kobo Libra 2 last year and it is definitely (for my use) more satisfying than the Kindle. It allows me to sort my books into sets, and orders within those sets, that is not possible on a Kindle. My book titles are clean, and haven't been hijacked to add set information or advertising.

02-26-2023, 03:24 PM	#3
F4in7_ Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2023 Device: none	I've seen some reviews on that, are the buttons really that much of an issue?

02-26-2023, 03:36 PM	#4
F4in7_ Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2023 Device: none	correction: my bad, that was Sage not Libra 2

02-26-2023, 05:01 PM	#5
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 35,513 Karma: 145557716 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I have a Sage and my wife has a Libra 2. Neither of us has noticed any issues with the buttons. Overall, we have both been very happy with our Kobos (SWMBO told me I'm allowed to write that. ).

02-27-2023, 06:24 AM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,044 Karma: 129333562 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	But if your the type who likes to tinker with eBooks to fix the poor formatting, then Pocketbook to be able to download eBooks on the device is irreverent.