Clara HD Will it be wise to buy a Kobo Clara HD now?

pnerd · 07-29-2021, 06:49 PM

Kobo Clara HD came out 3 years ago. And Kobo discontinues its devices a few years after they come out. So,

Will it be wise if I buy a Clara HD now?
How would the device being discontinued by Kobo affect my device if I buy one now?
Will it be better to wait for some new device (of the same price range as ClaraHD) to come out?
Or should I just go for it and buy a Clara HD?

Mercador · 07-29-2021, 07:35 PM

As far as I understand rechargeable batteries, if they haven't been used, they should work as new and kept the same charge as a new released device.

Cactus Chef · 07-29-2021, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnerd

Kobo Clara HD came out 3 years ago. And Kobo discontinues its devices a few years after they come out.

This is true, however Kobo devices continue to receive firmware updates years after they have been "discontinued."

ZodWallop · 07-29-2021, 08:58 PM

At this point there hasn't been any new FCC filing and those are usually discovered months before any new device announcement. And the announcements are made well before anything is released.

And there's no promise Kobo's next device will be another 6" device.

For my money, the only features the Clara HD is missing are:

Waterproofing
Flush screen
Page turn buttons
More storage

From that list, I would guess Kobo's next six inch reader will have maybe #1, maybe #2. #3 would be nice but is unlikely. Probably the same for #4*

Only you can decide if any of those are worth waiting for.

At this point I'd say get a Clara, or take a step up and get a Libra.

*and you can add storage to a Clara if you really want to, though for me 8GB is plenty.

LinuxArie · 07-30-2021, 05:21 AM

2012 I bought a Kobo Touch, it still gets firmware updates and works fine.
This year I bought a Clara HD, why wait for something newer when a current version does what you want?

issybird · 07-30-2021, 08:35 AM

I see you’ve got a Glo HD. My Glo HD is still going gangbusters and I don’t think the Clara is much of an upgrade, with the exception of OverDrive functionality. If that’s important to you, then get the Clara now. If not, why not wait on developments, understanding that a replacement device won’t be soon? (And when it does happen, you probably can get a good deal on the discontinued Clara, or there might be an upgrade that’s valuable to you in the new device.)

Pajamaman · 07-30-2021, 08:36 AM

Hard to say. If your existing device still works, personally, I'd be tempted to wait.

ZodWallop · 07-30-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I see you’ve got a Glo HD. My Glo HD is still going gangbusters and I don’t think the Clara is much of an upgrade...

If you read at night a lot, the amber light really is nice.

My other device is the 2015 Glowlight Plus and I really like it. It has the same screen as the Clara and a nicer build quality. But the addition of the amber light pushes me to use the Kobo more (I do the bulk of my reading at night due to work+kid).

Whether that is worth buying a new device though...

Quote:

...with the exception of OverDrive functionality.

I thought all Kobos now had OverDrive access as they all use the same firmware. Shows what I know.

Semwize · 07-30-2021, 10:23 AM

Yes, the yellow color makes the Clara backlight much more pleasant to the eyes. Clara is noticeably thinner than Glo HD, more elegant.

DNSB · 07-30-2021, 10:47 AM

For me, the Clara HD is now my experimenting device. With the replaceable internal μSD card, I don't have to worry about bricking it and it allowed me to upgrade the internal storage to 128GB (I had the card on hand from my DSLR so why not repurpose it?)

Mercador · 07-30-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semwize

Yes, the yellow color makes the Clara backlight much more pleasant to the eyes. Clara is noticeably thinner than Glo HD, more elegant.

I concur, I've lost that color with Elipsa and I missed it.

Calenorn · 07-30-2021, 01:04 PM

The Clara does everything I want an ereader to do. I didn't think the amber light (comfort light pro) would make a difference, but now I couldn't go back to the white-only light. It has enough memory for my entire library, and some goodies available with 'devmodeon'.

I love mine so much I bought a spare. I predict that the Clara is going to have an army of long-term fans like the legendary Mini still has.

bookaho!ic · 07-31-2021, 02:55 AM

i went from a Kobo Touch to a Kobo Aura H20 edition 2 4 years ago and the comfort light pro is fantastic couldnt go back

thangcuoi · 07-31-2021, 07:05 PM

There is the new display technology that was announced earlier this year. Whether it will be use in Kobo next eReader is anybody guess.

https://www.techradar.com/au/news/er...-a-big-upgrade

As the recently released Elipsa has a non standard eReader display size, Kobo's next eReader will be back to 6-7 inches. It depends on if this new display technology will also help reduce the eReader bezel.

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

DNSB · 07-31-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thangcuoi

There is the new display technology that was announced earlier this year. Whether it will be use in Kobo next eReader is anybody guess.

https://www.techradar.com/au/news/er...-a-big-upgrade

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Basically it's the same Eink display technology but with the capacitive touch layer as part of the screen assembly instead of needing to be laminated to the display later in assembly. Now if they announced ACeP displays with technology...

07-31-2021, 07:05 PM	#14
thangcuoi Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2016 Device: Kobo Glo	There is the new display technology that was announced earlier this year. Whether it will be use in Kobo next eReader is anybody guess. https://www.techradar.com/au/news/er...-a-big-upgrade As the recently released Elipsa has a non standard eReader display size, Kobo's next eReader will be back to 6-7 inches. It depends on if this new display technology will also help reduce the eReader bezel. Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk Last edited by thangcuoi; 07-31-2021 at 07:09 PM.

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07-29-2021, 06:49 PM	#1
pnerd Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: Kobo Glo HD	Will it be wise to buy a Kobo Clara HD now? Kobo Clara HD came out 3 years ago. And Kobo discontinues its devices a few years after they come out. So, Will it be wise if I buy a Clara HD now? How would the device being discontinued by Kobo affect my device if I buy one now? Will it be better to wait for some new device (of the same price range as ClaraHD) to come out? Or should I just go for it and buy a Clara HD?

07-29-2021, 07:35 PM	#2
Mercador I'm not a number! Posts: 222 Karma: 11496 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Quebec City Device: Kobo Elipsa	As far as I understand rechargeable batteries, if they haven't been used, they should work as new and kept the same charge as a new released device.

07-29-2021, 08:58 PM	#4
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 7,244 Karma: 64995487 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Deep in the heart of Texas (whether I like it or not) Device: Kobo Aura, Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Glowlight Plus, Glowlight 3	At this point there hasn't been any new FCC filing and those are usually discovered months before any new device announcement. And the announcements are made well before anything is released. And there's no promise Kobo's next device will be another 6" device. For my money, the only features the Clara HD is missing are: Waterproofing Flush screen Page turn buttons More storage From that list, I would guess Kobo's next six inch reader will have maybe #1, maybe #2. #3 would be nice but is unlikely. Probably the same for #4* Only you can decide if any of those are worth waiting for. At this point I'd say get a Clara, or take a step up and get a Libra. and you can add storage to a Clara if you really want to, though for me 8GB is plenty. Last edited by ZodWallop; 07-29-2021 at 09:07 PM.*

07-30-2021, 05:21 AM	#5
LinuxArie Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 2703388 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: 51,9°N 4,2°E Device: Kobo Touch & Clara HD. FBreader on Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro, Nokia 3.1	2012 I bought a Kobo Touch, it still gets firmware updates and works fine. This year I bought a Clara HD, why wait for something newer when a current version does what you want?

07-30-2021, 08:35 AM	#6
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 17,061 Karma: 195897073 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, GloHD, Aura One	I see you’ve got a Glo HD. My Glo HD is still going gangbusters and I don’t think the Clara is much of an upgrade, with the exception of OverDrive functionality. If that’s important to you, then get the Clara now. If not, why not wait on developments, understanding that a replacement device won’t be soon? (And when it does happen, you probably can get a good deal on the discontinued Clara, or there might be an upgrade that’s valuable to you in the new device.)

07-30-2021, 08:36 AM	#7
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,456 Karma: 9917093 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	Hard to say. If your existing device still works, personally, I'd be tempted to wait.

07-30-2021, 10:23 AM	#9
Semwize Guru Posts: 712 Karma: 221216 Join Date: Jun 2016 Device: Kobo	Yes, the yellow color makes the Clara backlight much more pleasant to the eyes. Clara is noticeably thinner than Glo HD, more elegant.

07-30-2021, 10:47 AM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 15,476 Karma: 76259369 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Forma, Clara HD, Nexus 7 HD, iPad Pro, Tolino epos	For me, the Clara HD is now my experimenting device. With the replaceable internal μSD card, I don't have to worry about bricking it and it allowed me to upgrade the internal storage to 128GB (I had the card on hand from my DSLR so why not repurpose it?)

07-30-2021, 01:04 PM	#12
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 874 Karma: 7236781 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	The Clara does everything I want an ereader to do. I didn't think the amber light (comfort light pro) would make a difference, but now I couldn't go back to the white-only light. It has enough memory for my entire library, and some goodies available with 'devmodeon'. I love mine so much I bought a spare. I predict that the Clara is going to have an army of long-term fans like the legendary Mini still has.

07-31-2021, 02:55 AM	#13
bookaho!ic Evangelist Posts: 427 Karma: 5575734 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: UK Device: kobo Aura H20 2nd Ed	i went from a Kobo Touch to a Kobo Aura H20 edition 2 4 years ago and the comfort light pro is fantastic couldnt go back

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