Libra Libra Cover Choice, Origami or Book?

[MarciaCat]

So I’ve been away for a long time and finally bit the bullet and bought a white Libra through Chapters-Indigo (for the savings via conversion rate) so I can take advantage of the Overdrive integration since I discovered my County (San Diego) library system has a great selection of Overdrive books I want to read. Now I need to decide which style cover to order from Amazon; I’ve narrowed down to two with the same design in different colors. One is origami style the other conventional book style, I’m looking for opinions on these two styles:

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Or...9CSRC50Q34Q594

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Ca...9CSRC50Q34Q594

[Ripplinger]

I think the deciding factor is how you intend to use your reader the most... propped up for basically hands free use, or like a book where you'd fold the cover under it flat.

I don't think it's a Libra vs other readers choice for the cover. For myself, I'm holding the reader and flipping pages 99% of the time. On a rare occasion when I stop for a hotdog along the lakefront will I set it open and leave it flat so I can still read while I eat, but just setting it flat on the table next to me works well enough for that limited use.

Does the origami cover also fold flat underneath it so you could fold it back to read and hold as a book?

[MarciaCat]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Does the origami cover also fold flat underneath it so you could fold it back to read and hold as a book?

From the pictures on Amazon it appears that the origami does fold flat, however I have not found any mention of the stability of it using the cover folded back. I don’t foresee using it propped up that often but it would be a nice option to have. I was hoping someone who has used an origami cover might comment. I have a couple weeks to decided since the expected arrival date is June 24th.

[4691mls]

I tried a cheap origami cover for one of my readers. The reason I decided not to keep using it was that due to the fold lines, it didn't seem to provide much protection for the screen when closed. I don't know if that would be an issue with the specific cover you linked, or if it would be a problem for your usage.

I frequently carry my reader around in a handbag and decided having a stiffer front cover over the screen to protect it from accidental bumps was more important for me than the ability to prop up the reader.

[Gordo29]

Originally Posted by MarciaCat

So I’ve been away for a long time and finally bit the bullet and bought a white Libra through Chapters-Indigo (for the savings via conversion rate) so I can take advantage of the Overdrive integration since I discovered my County (San Diego) library system has a great selection of Overdrive books I want to read. Now I need to decide which style cover to order from Amazon; I’ve narrowed down to two with the same design in different colors. One is origami style the other conventional book style, I’m looking for opinions on these two styles:

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Or...9CSRC50Q34Q594

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Ca...9CSRC50Q34Q594

Hi MarciaCat
I have the origami style and like it. I mostly read the Libra like a book holding it in my hand. However, there is the odd time I read at a counter or table. In these cases the origami style works very well for me and doesn't interfere with holding it like a book. Not sure why some think it doesn't provide as much protection, mine is fine. I'd recommend the origami as it gives you the best of both worlds (at least for me).

[Skydog]

My preference has always been an origami style case whenever available as I often read hands-free at a counter or table. The Kobo OEM case is high quality and very nice.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by Gordo29

Hi MarciaCat
Not sure why some think it doesn't provide as much protection, mine is fine. .

With the origami cover I had, if anything pressed against it while closed the cover would fold into the screen along the fold lines. Since I regularly carry my reader in a handbag with a bunch of other stuff I decided a flat, stiff cover would be more protective for my use.

Your cover may be better quality. The one I had was something cheap I found on ebay - I don't remember the brand.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MarciaCat

So I’ve been away for a long time and finally bit the bullet and bought a white Libra through Chapters-Indigo (for the savings via conversion rate) so I can take advantage of the Overdrive integration since I discovered my County (San Diego) library system has a great selection of Overdrive books I want to read. Now I need to decide which style cover to order from Amazon; I’ve narrowed down to two with the same design in different colors. One is origami style the other conventional book style, I’m looking for opinions on these two styles:

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Or...9CSRC50Q34Q594

https://smile.amazon.com/kwmobile-Ca...9CSRC50Q34Q594

I don't like the origami case because it doesn't show it working in portrait. That means if you want to use the stand, you have to do so in landscape. If you can find an origami case that works in portrait, go for it. Otherwise, forget it. Do you really want to read in landscape whenever you want to use the stand?

The case I have for my H2O is a kwimobile case and I like it.

[MarciaCat]

Originally Posted by Gordo29

Hi MarciaCat
I have the origami style and like it. I mostly read the Libra like a book holding it in my hand. However, there is the odd time I read at a counter or table. In these cases the origami style works very well for me and doesn't interfere with holding it like a book. Not sure why some think it doesn't provide as much protection, mine is fine. I'd recommend the origami as it gives you the best of both worlds (at least for me).

Thank you Gordo29, this is just the sort of info I was looking for. For the rare occasion I want to read while I’m at the table it’ll be a lot better than propping my reader up on something.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't like the origami case because it doesn't show it working in portrait. That means if you want to use the stand, you have to do so in landscape. If you can find an origami case that works in portrait, go for it. Otherwise, forget it. Do you really want to read in landscape whenever you want to use the stand?

The case I have for my H2O is a kwimobile case and I like it.

Your assumption is incorrect. Just because there is not an accompanying photo does not mean it does not work in portrait. It works just fine. It's the identical design to the Kobo OEM origami cover.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Your assumption is incorrect. Just because there is not an accompanying photo does not mean it does not work in portrait. It works just fine. It's the identical design to the Kobo OEM origami cover.

Where in the advert does it say or show portrait? All I can go by is what the ad shows and/or says and I see nothing about portrait.

[MarciaCat]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't like the origami case because it doesn't show it working in portrait. That means if you want to use the stand, you have to do so in landscape. If you can find an origami case that works in portrait, go for it. Otherwise, forget it. Do you really want to read in landscape whenever you want to use the stand?

The case I have for my H2O is a kwimobile case and I like it.

Thanks for pointing that out, I totally didn’t notice that the origami aspect only functioned in landscape format, I’m gonna have to mull this over a bit more. Fortunately I have time before I have to commit to one style or the other.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Where in the advert does it say or show portrait? All I can go by is what the ad shows and/or says and I see nothing about portrait.

That's the problem. Most 3rd-party vendors are of the same (usually China) source with the identical photos, even identical patterns. They are notorious for lack of information. If one looks at Kobo's cover and those listed on the OP's link, one will notice the fold lines are exactly the same on both. Further, I have one of the 3rd party covers and it does indeed function in the exact same fashion. Kobo's is nicer, IMO, but the function is the same nevertheless.

Hopefully this will help those who are indecisive about style and function. It's always a good idea to look at the OEM cover for a comparison.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by MarciaCat

Thanks for pointing that out, I totally didn’t notice that the origami aspect only functioned in landscape format, I’m gonna have to mull this over a bit more. Fortunately I have time before I have to commit to one style or the other.

It will work in portrait mode.

[MarciaCat]

Originally Posted by Skydog

It will work in portrait mode.

I just checked the Kobo website and it appears it does! This is the first picture I’ve seen of it in portrait mode, I never looked at the official cover before since I wasn’t planning on spending $40 on it.