E-readers

I'm just wondering what anyone has and uses in the way of an e-reader.  I have both the Kindle Oasis and the Kobo Libra H2O and while I enjoy using them both I find that lately I have been leaning towards the Kobo.  If a book is the same price at both Amazon and Kobo, I invariably download it on the Kobo, though I have many books on both.  I enjoy the built in Libby app on the Kobo that makes it easy to borrow books from my county library system (my city library uses Cloud Library).

With the introduction of phone size and color to e-readers, I have been looking at both.  The BOOX Palma 2 intrigues me because it is pocketable and runs on Android therefore permitting the downloading of both the Kobo and Kindle apps, the best of both worlds while traveling.  However, some reviews seem to suggest that those apps don't run as smoothly on an e-ink device.  Also, it runs on an outdated version of Android which has me thinking that the shelf life of this device isn't going to be great and at US$279.99 plus tax it doesn't sound like a promising investment.  Does anyone have any familiarity with the BOOX Palma 2?  If so, what are your thoughts?

As for color e-ink devices, I won't even consider the Kindle Colorsoft.  I played with it briefly and was not impressed.  Its biggest downside for me is no page turn buttons.  Some don't care about them but I do.  I've considered the BOOX Go7 color but, like the Palma, seems to come with the same issues.  The Kobo Libra Colour would seem to be my best bet in the color e-ink world.  Again, does anyone have experience with either of these color e-readers and if so, what are your thoughts about them?

So, what e-reader do you have and what are their pros and cons?  Thanks for any input.

Why not just get an Windows or Apple tablet and be done with it?

Why not just get an Windows or Apple tablet and be done with it?

Or why not an Android tablet?

Why not just get an Windows or Apple tablet and be done with it?

Why not just get an Windows or Apple tablet and be done with it?

Or why not an Android tablet?

I find it much easier to read for long stretches on the subdued e-ink pages.  Also, I want something that is exclusively, or almost so, an e-reader.  I don't want a built in phone or camera.  Is it pressing that I upgrade from what I already have?  Of course not.  However, as the technology for these advances, I'm curious to see what advantages there may be.

I have no experience with the Kobo or Boox, having only had a first generation Kindle Fire and a more recent Paperwhite. But I am seriously eyeing the Kobo Libra Color. And I hear you regarding tablets. All seem heavy, especially if holding it by one hand, compared to an eReader.

Why not just get an Windows or Apple tablet and be done with it?

I have no experience with the Kobo or Boox, having only had a first generation Kindle Fire and a more recent Paperwhite. But I am seriously eyeing the Kobo Libra Color. And I hear you regarding tablets. All seem heavy, especially if holding it by one hand, compared to an eReader.

Eric, what I find so frustrating is that, with the exception of Amazon's Kindle, it's all but impossible to go into a bricks and mortar store to test one out and purchase.  Yes, I know that in many cases one can return the product if it is disappointing but that just seems like an unnecessary hassle.  I thought I might see a variety of brands of e-readers at Best Buy but all they had were various Kindles.  That is where I saw and tried out that brand's Colorsoft and knew it wasn't for me.  Had they had other brands, I might have found one I liked and purchased it there.  From everything I have read, and with my experience with the older Kobo H2O, the Libra Colour is the one I am most considering right now.

Hey Freddy -

I was in the process of writing a detailed response since I have tried a bunch of these devices. However, if you have the time, I suggest looking through this Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsJY-YkcbUY

This guy has detailed reviews of most of the devices you are considering.

After having used Kindle and Boox devices, I prefer the Boox. That being said, the Boox interface is definitely not for everyone. If you have specific questions, let me know.

To answer the question in your original post:

After my old Kindle Paperwhite started having battery issues, I tried many devices and settled on a Mobiscribe Origin for reading, but I also read on my Supernote A5X. Both these devices are really E-notebooks, but I like taking notes so I appreciate the versatility.

Hi Yohann .  I saw a short video of his and shall definitely look at this one.  However, two things that make me leery about any video.  In so many cases, these reviewers have been sent a free e-reader to test and, hopefully for the manufacturer, write a review.  As far as I’m concerned, no matter how much the reviewer may claim that (s)he isn’t influenced, the review is already tainted.

Second, and this goes back to my response to Eric (MaineYooper), videos or written reviews, which I definitely look at when doing my research, do not offer a tactile feel.  I find it frustrating that I cannot try before I buy, if that makes any sense.

Honestly, I have heard of neither the Mobiscribe Origin nor the Supernote A5X but my main objective is pleasure reading.  A Kobo Libra Coulor would probably offer me all of the notetaking ability I would need, if I needed it at all.  I’m so old and so old school that if I had to, or wanted to, take notes I would opt for a fountain pen or pencil and paper.  (However, that doesn’t mean that I won’t be looking up the Mobiscribe or the Supernote. )

On the surface, the appeal of the Boox Palma 2 is its form factor (great for traveling) and the fact that I can have both my Kobo and Kindle books on it as well as Hoopla, Cloud Library, and Libby for library use.  There have been a lot of positives for this device but almost as many negatives, including awful customer service, should it be needed.  That’s why I’d like to test it before buying to be able to make my own decision.

Thanks for the video and your insights; they’re invariably helpful.

Freddy - I completely understand your reservations about online reviewers. For what it's worth, this guy claims that if he wants to keep something he buys it outright (otherwise he returns the stuff). Still, given that he gets to try out these items 'for free', I'm sure there's some bias present.

Mobiscribe seems to be winding down their business. I think the Origin is out of stock and their larger 7.8" reader (the Wave) is on sale at a steep discount. I'm fairly adept at sideloading and dealing with Android in general, so this is not a concern to me. It might not be something you want to deal with.

Supernote makes amazing e-notebooks, but they are very expensive. For my use case (copious note taking in meetings and conferences, and for assembling training documents), it just really works amazingly. That's probably not something you're interested in.

I have used the Boox devices, and can say that they're really well-built, with great specs and superb hardware. The interface is more complicated than I like, but you can get used to it. They're also more versatile than the Kobo/Kindle devices.

I have not been impressed with any of the color E-ink devices. They tend to have darker screens (because of the Kaleido tech) and need the use of the frontlight all the time. I don't like front-lit devices much.

Voja does a quick (for him) comparison between 3 color E-ink devices in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZilzWOD1jY