A number of weeks in the past, Kobo launched a few new e-readers: coloration variations of the superb Libra 2 and Clara, in addition to an up to date monochrome model of the latter. However after testing all of them, I can say that for many customers, there is not any purpose to modify.
First up is the colour model. I have been ready for a coloration e-paper display for half a lifetime, however they have not fairly reached the extent of dynamism I wish to truly benefit from the comics and web sites on them. That is nonetheless the case with Clara Colour and Libra Colour.
These gadgets use E Ink’s newest Kaleido 3 shows, that are actually an enormous change from what we noticed 10 years in the past. However the easy reality is that coloration copy nonetheless is not nice. Higher than ever…however poor in comparison with nearly the rest.
I am undecided why you’d wish to add coloration to a 6-inch machine the scale of a pulp paperback e book. I attempted studying some comics, however the textual content was too small and the zooming and panning too awkward. The colour, whereas current, is washed out in varied shades. Perhaps a youngsters’s e book?
Now, I wish to give credit score the place credit score is due: the number of content material on the display Colours – I checked out one panel specifically that got here in a number of totally different however related shades of blue (not the one beneath) and I used to be capable of discern them on the reader nearly identically to my common LCD display. They’re actually saturated, however they exist.
These criticisms apply equally to the bigger Libra Colour, the newest in a line of asymmetrical 7-inch gadgets with page-turn buttons. The additional inch brings the additional readability you’d count on – slightly bit – however the display itself is not that totally different.
You may be pondering: Why not simply purchase one coloration so you possibly can select? In spite of everything, abnormal books can nonetheless be learn. Sure, however…sadly, the colour layer truly makes the black and white content material worse.
I in contrast the Clara Colour and BW aspect by aspect, and for that matter I additionally in contrast the year-old Clara 2E that I had mendacity round. Whereas they’re nominally the identical decision, the colours look as if they’ve a skinny layer on prime, darkening the complete show barely and decreasing distinction.
This isn’t only a small factor that one can solely discover with a microscope. It is actually apparent. Colour screens are darkish and troublesome to learn. I’ve tried and didn’t seize it in images, however belief me, it is undoubtedly a step again.
Subsequently, I merely cannot suggest the colour variations of those readers to anybody, until you may have a selected use case the place desaturated colours and a barely degraded studying expertise aren’t as massive of a difficulty.
Now, for the Clara BW, that is primarily the brand new preset advice I will give – not as a result of it is considerably higher than my go-to reader, the Clara 2E, however as a result of it gives modest enhancements for $10 much less .
The brand new model of this quite simple type issue features a barely up to date display, the Carta 1300 collection, which boasts barely higher distinction and web page turning speeds. Testing in opposition to the 2E, I discovered it to be noticeably sooner when looking pages shortly, however not noticeably so in day-to-day use. When it comes to sharpness and distinction, they’re about the identical as my eyes, with the brand new machine having a slight benefit. My favourite function is that it would not crash after I plug it into my pc half the time, which is a Clara 2E behavior I’ve given up on fixing.
So actually, I believe for most individuals, that is essentially the most sensible e-reader available on the market, and it is solely $130, not $140. No advertisements, sideloading your personal fonts and paperwork, built-in library apps, and loads of room to play with and hack. Nevertheless, should you personal a Clara 2E, or perhaps a Clara HD, I do not suppose it is essentially well worth the improve. Font high quality hasn’t improved a lot over the previous few years.
As earlier than, I like to recommend buying their fake leather-based “sleeping cowl,” which each protects your machine from frequent put on and tear and folds right into a cute little stand. I like to recommend Cayenne Crimson so that you by no means lose it. Belief me, you may be glad you spent the $30.
