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Kobo put out a fistful of newfangled e - reader a few weeks back : coloring material versions of the excellent Libra 2 andClara , as well as anupdated monochrome versionof the latter . But after testing them all out , I can say that for most substance abuser , there ’s no reason to switch .
First , the color editions . I ’ve been waiting on color eastward - paper screens for what seems like half my life , and they have yet to accomplish the grade of ringing I ’d want for really relish comic strip and website on them . That ’s still the case with the Clara Colour and Libra Colour .
These devices employ E Ink ’s latest Kaleido 3 show , and certainly matter have hail a agency from what we were check 10 years ago . But the mere fact is the color reproduction is still not big . Better than it ever was … but piteous liken with almost anything else .
It ’s unclear to me why you would want color at all on a 6″ gimmick about the size of a pulp paperback book . I attempt to show a few comics but the text is simply too modest and zooming and pan too clumsy . And the color , while present , are washed out in every refinement . Perhaps a children ’s Quran ?
Now , I want to give credit where recognition is due : The covert display a wide-eyed varietyof color — I studied one panel in particular that had several distinct but similar shades of downhearted ( not the one below ) , and I was capable to tell apart them on the reader almost as well as my normal LCD screen . They ’re certainly desaturated , but they are there .
These criticisms are all equally true of the larger Libra Colour , the tardy in the line of merchandise of asymmetrical 7″ devices with page turn buttons . That extra in makes for about as much extra readability as you would expect — a bit — but the screen itself is no dissimilar .
You may be thinking : Why not just get the color one so you have the option ? you could still read average books , after all . Yes , but … unfortunately , the color layer actually seduce black and blank content worse .
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I compared the Clara Colour and BW side by side — and for that matter , theyear - old Clara 2EI had ride around . While they are all nominally the same resolution , the Colour looks as if there is a sort of light gauze bandage over it , darken the entire display slightly and as a result reducing the contrast .
This is n’t just some minor affair that one only remark with a microscope . It ’s really obvious . The color screens are dimmer and harder to read . I tried and failed to capture it in exposure , but trust me , it ’s unquestionably a step down .
As such , I simply ca n’t recommend the color version of these reader to anyone , unless you have a especial role case where desaturated colour and a more or less libertine recitation experience are n’t a big deal .
The Modern version of this very aboveboard soma broker let in a light updated sieve , the Carta 1300 series , which boasts slightly secure contrast and page - turning speeds . Tested against the 2E , I found it to be noticeably quicker when bug quickly through Page , but not detectable in ordinary enjoyment . And as far as the clarity and dividing line , they were about adequate to my center , with a thin advantage proceed to the new machine . My favorite feature article is that it does n’t crash when I plug it into my computer half the time , a Clara 2E habit I ’d given up on fixing .
So really , you get what I think is the most practical e - reader on the market for most hoi polloi , only for $ 130 rather than $ 140 . No advert , sideload your own fonts and text file , built - in program library app , plenty of room to play around and hack . However , if you own a Clara 2E , or even a Clara HD , I do n’t reckon the upgrade is necessarily deserving it . case lineament has n’t better that much in the last few yr .
As before , I advocate getting their faux - leather “ quietus covering , ” which both protect your equipment from the usual scuff and folds into a lovely little stand . I recommend the Cayenne Red people of color so you never drop off it . consider me , you ’ll be happy you spent the $ 30 .
