Long Time Kobo Owner Switches to Kindle...

Tzar · 10-28-2013, 11:39 AM

Hi everyone,

I have been a Kobo owner for a few years, starting with the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo and Kobo Mini.

I now own a Kindle Paperwhite 2 since a week. I am extremely pleased. It is overall a superior product to my Kobo Glo (although in all fairness the Paperwhite 2 should not be compared to the Glo but to the more recent Kobo Aura).

The main reason why I wanted to try Kindle was the perpetual software issues and annoyances of every Kobo ereaders. It's beyond me why Kobo can solve some issues while creating new ones in the process. In the meantime, some features such as notes taking seem indefinitely broken.

The pros of the Paperwhite 2 over my Kobo Glo:

The software is stable, not buggy, and does what it says.
System is snappier, faster.
The Amazon store is way above the Kobo store - no comparison.
The screen contrast is superior and white. The Kobo light isn't really white, it has a blueish tone (not in itself an issue but I prefer the white rendition of the Kindle light).
It seems solid, you can feel the heft in your hand.
Wifi is always on, with no noticeable impact on battery life.
Wikipedia access !!! I am an avid history books reader, and having direct access to Wikipedia by simply pressing on a word is fantastic!

The cons of the Paperwhite 2:

It is noticeably heavier than the Kobo Glo (and that's why it feels more solid too).
You cannot turn off the light, although you can lower it down to a point at which it is not noticeable. Not an issue but I find it weird, I prefer Kobo's light button to allow you to switch it on or off entirely.

So the cons of the PaperWhite are quite minimal. Ex aequo with Kobo is PDF reading ability. Kindle does reflow text so that is better, but it did crash on me however. That being said, if I have a PDF to read, I prefer doing it on my tablet anyway.

I am also very much interested in the upcoming Goodreads integration.

After converting my EPUB library into AMZ3 with Calibre, I cannot be happier with the Paperwhite. Count me as a Kindle fan now

HarryT · 10-28-2013, 11:57 AM

Leaving WiFi turned on does actually have a significant impact on the PW's battery life. You'll roughly double the battery life by leaving WiFi turned off, and only turning it on when you actually need it. This may not be an issue, of course - the battery life is still pretty decent even when WiFi is on.

mr_nihilism · 10-28-2013, 12:58 PM

You're a traitor !

I'm just kidding of course. I'll probably get a PW2 eventually so that I can have the best of both worlds.

Gilmartin · 10-28-2013, 01:18 PM

I have to say I find my PW2 a marked improvement over my Sony PRST-1. Which of course is to be expected as the Sony is pretty ancient now. However, the Kindle has not crashed or frozen once; the Sony software is so unstable that I always kept a paperclip handy when I was reading

It seems that Sony have no intention of patching the T1's software, maybe they just abandon older models once a new one comes out. Just like they do with their TV sets...

pdurrant · 10-28-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzar

After converting my EPUB library into AMZ3 with Calibre, I cannot be happier with the Paperwhite. Count me as a Kindle fan now

And clearly an Apprentice Alf fan too!

When I eventually replace my nook, I'll probably go for whatever the latest kindle is. But unless I have an accident, that's not going to be for a year or two yet.

jersysman · 10-28-2013, 06:29 PM

Welcome to Kindleland Tzar. As you can see, I have both brands of Readers and do enjoy them both when I am reading. You are right, though, it is just less of a hassle owning a Kindle.

aceflor · 10-29-2013, 03:07 AM

Welcome on the dark side. We have cookies

Seriously, I own both brands too, but find myself using 99% of the time my kindles. I do miss the settings possibilities of the Kobos from time to time, but I love the kindles. So much more reliable, the CS is fantastic (not that you would need it much anyway), and the general tone in the kindle subforum is much nicer too, at least most of the time.

booklover6 · 10-29-2013, 06:31 AM

I have both, but I am more in favor of the Kobo Glo due to it's smaller size, weight, and Calibre collection management. Love the tiles on the homescreen, too! The contrast on the Kindle PW2 is better, though. I hope next year's Paperwhite will be smaller and lighter.

jersysman · 10-29-2013, 11:15 AM

I look at the size of the PW2 as a plus for me personally. That way the extra case that I had for the PW1 actually fits my PW2 and saved me some money!

Antoinekamel · 10-29-2013, 02:26 PM

Man, you are on the Morning Coffee of today on The Digital Reader!

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20.../#.Um_9afnCa0U (Topic "Long Time Kobo Owner Switches to Kindle")

Congratulations!

gavinjb · 10-29-2013, 05:09 PM

welcome to the world of Kindle, I have been considering moving the other way, but have more or less decided to stay in the Kindle camp

If you miss some of the customisable of the Kobo I found out only the other day that you can expand the font list in your Kindle without jail breaking it

http://documentally.com/2013/10/21/a...le-paperwhite/

irandamay · 10-29-2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

When I eventually replace my nook, I'll probably go for whatever the latest kindle is. But unless I have an accident, that's not going to be for a year or two yet.

I wasn't planning on replacing my Glowlight Nook so soon, but I got one of those $60 coupons last week, so into the cart it went! I can't believe how nice the screen looks next to my Nook.

booklover6 · 10-29-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinjb

welcome to the world of Kindle, I have been considering moving the other way, but have more or less decided to stay in the Kindle camp

If you miss some of the customisable of the Kobo I found out only the other day that you can expand the font list in your Kindle without jail breaking it

http://documentally.com/2013/10/21/a...le-paperwhite/

That only works with the first generation Paperwhite.

jgsmith · 10-29-2013, 08:46 PM

I just made the same switch, and I think you summed it up well!

Shopaholic · 10-29-2013, 09:12 PM

Good call on ditching the Kobo! Sorry but I'm a hater of them. lol Way too many issues and I just want to read not deal with a temperamental piece of technology or software.

10-28-2013, 11:39 AM	#1
Tzar World War II buff Posts: 55 Karma: 32130 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Montreal, Quebec Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Aura One	Long Time Kobo Owner Switches to Kindle... Hi everyone, I have been a Kobo owner for a few years, starting with the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo and Kobo Mini. I now own a Kindle Paperwhite 2 since a week. I am extremely pleased. It is overall a superior product to my Kobo Glo (although in all fairness the Paperwhite 2 should not be compared to the Glo but to the more recent Kobo Aura). The main reason why I wanted to try Kindle was the perpetual software issues and annoyances of every Kobo ereaders. It's beyond me why Kobo can solve some issues while creating new ones in the process. In the meantime, some features such as notes taking seem indefinitely broken. The pros of the Paperwhite 2 over my Kobo Glo: The software is stable, not buggy, and does what it says. System is snappier, faster. The Amazon store is way above the Kobo store - no comparison. The screen contrast is superior and white. The Kobo light isn't really white, it has a blueish tone (not in itself an issue but I prefer the white rendition of the Kindle light). It seems solid, you can feel the heft in your hand. Wifi is always on, with no noticeable impact on battery life. Wikipedia access !!! I am an avid history books reader, and having direct access to Wikipedia by simply pressing on a word is fantastic! The cons of the Paperwhite 2: It is noticeably heavier than the Kobo Glo (and that's why it feels more solid too). You cannot turn off the light, although you can lower it down to a point at which it is not noticeable. Not an issue but I find it weird, I prefer Kobo's light button to allow you to switch it on or off entirely. So the cons of the PaperWhite are quite minimal. Ex aequo with Kobo is PDF reading ability. Kindle does reflow text so that is better, but it did crash on me however. That being said, if I have a PDF to read, I prefer doing it on my tablet anyway. I am also very much interested in the upcoming Goodreads integration. After converting my EPUB library into AMZ3 with Calibre, I cannot be happier with the Paperwhite. Count me as a Kindle fan now

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10-28-2013, 11:57 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Leaving WiFi turned on does actually have a significant impact on the PW's battery life. You'll roughly double the battery life by leaving WiFi turned off, and only turning it on when you actually need it. This may not be an issue, of course - the battery life is still pretty decent even when WiFi is on.

10-28-2013, 12:58 PM	#3
mr_nihilism Always been the caretaker Posts: 479 Karma: 1406369 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Device: Aura H2O, PW2	You're a traitor ! I'm just kidding of course. I'll probably get a PW2 eventually so that I can have the best of both worlds.

10-28-2013, 01:18 PM	#4
Gilmartin Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1244690 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: PRS-T1, PW2	I have to say I find my PW2 a marked improvement over my Sony PRST-1. Which of course is to be expected as the Sony is pretty ancient now. However, the Kindle has not crashed or frozen once; the Sony software is so unstable that I always kept a paperclip handy when I was reading It seems that Sony have no intention of patching the T1's software, maybe they just abandon older models once a new one comes out. Just like they do with their TV sets...

10-28-2013, 06:29 PM	#6
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	Welcome to Kindleland Tzar. As you can see, I have both brands of Readers and do enjoy them both when I am reading. You are right, though, it is just less of a hassle owning a Kindle.

10-29-2013, 03:07 AM	#7
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,470 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Welcome on the dark side. We have cookies Seriously, I own both brands too, but find myself using 99% of the time my kindles. I do miss the settings possibilities of the Kobos from time to time, but I love the kindles. So much more reliable, the CS is fantastic (not that you would need it much anyway), and the general tone in the kindle subforum is much nicer too, at least most of the time.

10-29-2013, 06:31 AM	#8
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	I have both, but I am more in favor of the Kobo Glo due to it's smaller size, weight, and Calibre collection management. Love the tiles on the homescreen, too! The contrast on the Kindle PW2 is better, though. I hope next year's Paperwhite will be smaller and lighter.

10-29-2013, 11:15 AM	#9
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	I look at the size of the PW2 as a plus for me personally. That way the extra case that I had for the PW1 actually fits my PW2 and saved me some money!

10-29-2013, 02:26 PM	#10
Antoinekamel Addict Posts: 278 Karma: 2511467 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: ABC W p2	Man, you are on the Morning Coffee of today on The Digital Reader! http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20.../#.Um_9afnCa0U (Topic "Long Time Kobo Owner Switches to Kindle") Congratulations!

10-29-2013, 05:09 PM	#11
gavinjb Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 12028 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	welcome to the world of Kindle, I have been considering moving the other way, but have more or less decided to stay in the Kindle camp If you miss some of the customisable of the Kobo I found out only the other day that you can expand the font list in your Kindle without jail breaking it http://documentally.com/2013/10/21/a...le-paperwhite/

10-29-2013, 08:46 PM	#14
jgsmith Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 233442 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Sony PRS-600, Kobo Touch, Kindle PW2	I just made the same switch, and I think you summed it up well!

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10-29-2013, 09:12 PM	#15
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	Good call on ditching the Kobo! Sorry but I'm a hater of them. lol Way too many issues and I just want to read not deal with a temperamental piece of technology or software.