Kindle user plays with a Kobo

[cjottawa]

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to handle the latest generation of Kobo reader.

I've owned a Kindle 3G+WiFi for about six weeks now.
My spouse used to own a Sony reader and now has an iPad so that's the lens through which I view other readers.

My first impression was that the Kobo reader felt "cheap".

The case seemed chunky for the weight of the device making it feel like there was a lot of hollow space inside. The plastic itself didn't inspire confidence; it seemed brittle.

The thickness of the bezel next to the screen seemed greater than that of the Kindle which distracted me from the text on the screen.

Edges on the Kobo were sharp, not to the extent as to cut anything but lacking a nice bevel like those on the Kindle and iPad.

The interface on the Kobo seems crude in comparison to the Kindle.
Response time to button presses was slow, likewise page turns.
Accessing certain functions such as disabling wireless was cumbersome, requiring too many key presses.

If I'd posted this in the Kindle section, I'd have been preaching to the choir; in the Kobo section, raining on the parade or poking the bear.

If anyone's on the fence, don't hesitate: get the K3 or some other device over the Kobo, if device quality and functionality are important to you.

Yes, the Kobo reader displays .EPUB files natively. If that means anything to you, look for another reader that does or live with converting .EPUB to .MOBI files for a Kindle.

[twowheels]

I had a similar feeling about the Kobo. While the new generation looks nicer than the old ones, they still have that "cheap toy" look and feel to them, IMO.

[Jcas]

Thanks for an interesting post ..

[boswd]

Originally Posted by cjottawa

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to handle the latest generation of Kobo reader.

I've owned a Kindle 3G+WiFi for about six weeks now.
My spouse used to own a Sony reader and now has an iPad so that's the lens through which I view other readers.

My first impression was that the Kobo reader felt "cheap".

The case seemed chunky for the weight of the device making it feel like there was a lot of hollow space inside. The plastic itself didn't inspire confidence; it seemed brittle.

The thickness of the bezel next to the screen seemed greater than that of the Kindle which distracted me from the text on the screen.

Edges on the Kobo were sharp, not to the extent as to cut anything but lacking a nice bevel like those on the Kindle and iPad.

The interface on the Kobo seems crude in comparison to the Kindle.
Response time to button presses was slow, likewise page turns.
Accessing certain functions such as disabling wireless was cumbersome, requiring too many key presses.

If I'd posted this in the Kindle section, I'd have been preaching to the choir; in the Kobo section, raining on the parade or poking the bear.

If anyone's on the fence, don't hesitate: get the K3 or some other device over the Kobo, if device quality and functionality are important to you.

Yes, the Kobo reader displays .EPUB files natively. If that means anything to you, look for another reader that does or live with converting .EPUB to .MOBI files for a Kindle.

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder. When i was going back and forth between the Kindle and the Nook, I felt navigating throughth the user interface on the Kindle felt crude and outdated as compared to the nook.

[mikesgold123]

I like the Kindle better than the Nook, I have yet to see the Kobo

[sabredog]

I have read over 30 books now on my Kobo and although not as nice as my PRS-300, I find it a great ereader. It does what it does and that is allow you to read ebooks.

[ManosHandsOfFate]

Originally Posted by boswd

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder. When i was going back and forth between the Kindle and the Nook, I felt navigating throughth the user interface on the Kindle felt crude and outdated as compared to the nook.

The Nook's UI is fine. It's the slow response to input in the soft keypad that kills me. Navigating with dpad is a big chore. Hopefully the newest software update speeds things up a bit.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by boswd

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder. When i was going back and forth between the Kindle and the Nook, I felt navigating throughth the user interface on the Kindle felt crude and outdated as compared to the nook.

I think we have firmly established that everything is in the eye of the beholder.

That is because you like a touch screen. I liked the rollerball on the K1. I kind of miss having the little window on the right hand side of my Kindle with the silver box that glittered...

I like my joystick on the Kindle and really appreciate the keyboard. I am doing my best to avoid buying a K3. I don't need one. I like my DXG and it is fine for travel. But I really, kind of like the idea of a K3 for travel. But I don't travel that much.

uggghh

[cjottawa]

Originally Posted by ManosHandsOfFate

The Nook's UI is fine. It's the slow response to input in the soft keypad that kills me. Navigating with dpad is a big chore. Hopefully the newest software update speeds things up a bit.

To be clear: I can't buy a Nook in Canada but I suspect they're wonderful to use.

My observations were specifically related to the latest generation Kobo versus Kindle.

[ManosHandsOfFate]

Originally Posted by cjottawa

To be clear: I can't buy a Nook in Canada but I suspect they're wonderful to use.

My observations were specifically related to the latest generation Kobo versus Kindle.

Because of the price I was seriously considering the Kobo. Then right around the time I was going to buy an e-reader both B&N and Amazon dropped their prices. The Kobo didn't seem as much of a deal.

I'm very happy with the Kindle in particular.

[Traecer Prime]

Originally Posted by cjottawa

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to handle the latest generation of Kobo reader.

I've owned a Kindle 3G+WiFi for about six weeks now.
My spouse used to own a Sony reader and now has an iPad so that's the lens through which I view other readers.

My first impression was that the Kobo reader felt "cheap".
[snip]

I handled a Kobo in the local Borders, and had the exact same impressions you did. That's why I went to Sears and bought the Sony PRS-300 on sale for $20 less than Borders was selling the Kobo. The Sony is a more solid device all around.

Kobo on paper looks great, and if they stick with it, they will be a good low-end player. But IMHO they need a few more product revisions.

[ProfCrash]

And they need to drop the price. Right now it is more expensive then the Kindle Wifi

[Traecer Prime]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

And they need to drop the price. Right now it is more expensive then the Kindle Wifi

Agreed! Kindle has the build quality, name recognition, and Amazon's clout in the publishing industry. Kobo can't compete with all that at a higher price!