Ebook reader advice

denwyn

I used to use a ebook reader on my Nexus 7, but afraid the Nexus has more or less packed in, have access to iPad, but it's to heavy to hold for reading, and I'm looking at buying a ebook reader, toss up between a Kindle or Kobi, I have access to hundreds of books on my computer, which will keep me going for a long time. I really can't ever see me buying books from Amazon or Kobi for years, my partner has a kindle paperwhite, its ok, but I find her Amazon account a real pin to use, she deletes books but they keep reappearing. I am slightly drawn towards a Kobi Glow, it's same price a Kindle Paperwhite, i read some mention of a book library use with it. Anyone got any views or experience with Kobi, ease of use, reliability etc. Oh and I intend to transfer my own books direct via USB lead via pic, all kept in Calibre. Ant advice appreciated...Thanks

datostar

You might find the Kobo more versatile in terms of the ebook formats you can use as you can easily 'side load' ePubs via a USB cable, with or without Calibre. In terms of performance I don't think there's much to choose between them. Personally, I'm increasingly using the Kobo and Kindle apps on an iPad Mini rather than the readers themselves. Quicker and more reliable, I find.

hans_2

If you have books on your computer or download new from sources other than Amazon why bother with a Kindle account at all.

Wife has Kindle Paperwhite, no account and I keep it well stocked for her.

VPNs have their uses.

flashg67

I have a Kobi glow and rate it. It is quite new, but so far, the battery lasts ages and I like the flexibillty of formats, including the ability to use a Calibre add-on to quickly convert Amazon books to epubs

denwyn

hans_2 wrote: »

If you have books on your computer or download new from sources other than Amazon why bother with a Kindle account at all.

Wife has Kindle Paperwhite, no account and I keep it well stocked for her.

VPNs have their uses.

I've closed her Kindle account , and just transfer books from my computer for her, but there will be a time when it has to be reopened as she does get through quite a lot of books.

denwyn

datostar wrote: »

You might find the Kobo more versatile in terms of the ebook formats you can use as you can easily 'side load' ePubs via a USB cable, with or without Calibre. In terms of performance I don't think there's much to choose between them. Personally, I'm increasingly using the Kobo and Kindle apps on an iPad Mini rather than the readers themselves. Quicker and more reliable, I find.

.

Using iPad is not an option, to heavy to hold for any length of time, Nexus was OK, but its no longer working. iPad mini may be OK, but she bought the iPad Air so I'm stuck with it. I seem to remember seeing a Kobi display in our local W H Smiths store, so may pop in to see if they stock any.

DCFC79

Its Kobo rather than kobi isnt it ?

Ive found a Nook is easy to put new ebooks on to it, its got the screen where its esy to read in the sun as opposed to say a tablet. I cant comment on any other options, well a suitable light tablet coild be an option.

ARandomMiser

Whichever you choose get one with a backlight ..... I am a fan of my kindle paperwhite.

For books always remember the gutenberg site and sign up to bookbub for freebies.

mac.d

DCFC79 wrote: »

Its Kobo rather than kobi isnt it ?

Yes, or else a Kobi Glow is a new ereader

Kobo Glo HD
Kindle Paperwhite

Are the two options (there are others, but the Kindle Voyage/Oasis are for someone who already has an ereader and is willing to spend a little more, and the Kobo Aura One is for someone looking for a bigger screen).

Both options are excellent.

The software on the Kindle is a little more solid, it'll rarely, if ever freeze up on you. But while the Kobo software tends to be a little less reliable, it benefits from having a lot more font/margin options. And you can also read library books on your Kobo. Library ebooks are in epub format which the Kindle can't read.

denwyn wrote: »

I really can't ever see me buying books from Amazon or Kobi for years, my partner has a kindle paperwhite, its ok, but I find her Amazon account a real pin to use, she deletes books but they keep reappearing.

If your partner is having problems with books supposedly reappearing on her Kindle after deleting them, check that on the home page she has the options set to show downloaded books and not all books.

You can toggle between the two options 'ALL | DOWNLOADED'
'All' shows all the books that are stored in your Amazon cloud, while 'Downloaded' will only show the books that are actually on the Kindle.

denwyn

Decided on a Kobo Glo HD, biggest problem so far is finding a stockist. WH Smith's out of stock online and don't sell that model in the shop. Tried all the buyers on there website, but no luck, well except for one who was well above retail price. Won't buy from EBay as no warranty. Usually get most of our bits from John Lewis, Sod's law they don't stock the Glo Hd. I'm wondering now if it's a discontinued model..

mac.d

No luck dewyn, you are right it is a discontinued model, but just last week WH Smith still had them in stock on their website.

Unfortunately, the ereader they are now selling in place of it isn't quite so good, but if you can have a look at the Kobo Aura 2, which is currently on sale for £79.99 (https://uk.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-aura), you might prefer it than getting a Kindle the same as your partner.