Looking for a Kobo Aura HD Alternative

Sonist · 04-17-2015, 02:12 PM

After going through Kobo's customer service gauntlet with two separate defective Kobo Aura HDs, I am looking for an alternative.

For me, 7" is about the minimum size suitable for pleasant reading, so 7" to 8" would be ideal.

Backlighting and touch are also a must. Good software a great plus.

Anything that fits the bill currently on the market?

AnemicOak · 04-17-2015, 03:23 PM

I have no experience with the software on these, but here are some devices that come to mind. Might help you get started on your search at least...

Bookeen Cybook Ocean (8")

Onyx Boox T68 (6.8")

Onyx Boox M96 (9.7")

Pocketbook Inkpad (8")

HarryT · 04-17-2015, 05:00 PM

A backlight means an LCD tablet. There are no backlit eInk devices, for the very simple reason that eInk screens are completely opaque.

Sonist · 04-17-2015, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

A backlight means an LCD tablet. There are no backlit eInk devices, for the very simple reason that eInk screens are completely opaque.

Ah, of course you are right....

I meant built-in light.

Anyone with first hand-experience with the Onyx or Inkpad devices mentioned by AnemicOak?

HarryT · 04-17-2015, 06:30 PM

I've owned an Onyx T68. A very capable tablet, although it doesn't have the world's most accurate touchscreen (although, to be fair, neither did the Kobo H2O that I also had).

PeterT · 04-17-2015, 07:45 PM

Whatever you get I do hope you take better physical care of the device. Eink screens are not as robust as other screen types, and don't always handle being in direct sun all that well either.

meeera · 04-17-2015, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

After going through Kobo's customer service gauntlet with two separate defective Kobo Aura HDs, I am looking for an alternative.

Your Kobos weren't defective, they had their glass substrates broken. I suggest you get an LCD tablet with gorilla glass if you want something that is more likely to withstand your treatment of it, if that treatment isn't going to change. You have a huge amount of choice in your size range, with your first decision being iOS vs Android. If price is no object, I recommend an iPad Mini Retina - it's a lovely device. If budget is constrained, the choice in Android tablets goes from premium right down to really-quite-cheap, but of course quality is compromised at those lower levels (and I'm not sure if the glass has the same resistance to breakage).

Sonist · 04-18-2015, 01:00 PM

Thank you all. Actually, I have an iPad, but looking specifically for an ereader.

I have soured on the Kobo, so the only other (relatively) easily available 6.8" option where I am seems to be the Onyx T68.

I'd be curious to hear Harry's (or anyone else's with experience with both) take on how it compares to the Aura HD, in terms of ease of use, software and build quality.

Thanks!

HarryT · 04-18-2015, 01:38 PM

Not as well constructed as the Kobo, and with an equally poor touchscreen, but if you can live with the Kobo's touchscreen you should be OK with it. Has a microSD card slot for storage. The relatively poor touchscreen is alleviated by the fact that it has physical page turn buttons.

Software-wise it's a completely generic Android 4.0 tablet, and behaves exactly as any other Android tablet does. It has the Google Play store, so you can download and install whatever apps appeal to you. There are several built-in reading apps, but I didn't find any of them to be particularly satisfactory. However, it runs Moon+ Pro (my favourite Android reading app) well, and using Calibre Companion obviously makes library management easy.

Sonist · 04-18-2015, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply, Harry!

Ugh, "not as well constructed as the Kobo."

I might have to reconsider and move to a 6"

The Kindle Voyage is starting to look better and better....

HarryT · 04-18-2015, 02:08 PM

I'm extremely happy with my Voyage. It's probably the most solidly constructed reader currently around, and Amazon have excellent replacement policies, which may be of value given that you seem to be a little hard on your devices

.

Josieb1 · 04-18-2015, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

Thanks for the prompt reply, Harry!

Ugh, "not as well constructed as the Kobo."

I might have to reconsider and move to a 6"

The Kindle Voyage is starting to look better and better....

If you buy a Voyage or any Kindle I think you should consider taking out the extended warranty, in case your device should fail at all. Then at least you know you'll get a replacement. I did with mine even though I've never had any ereader fail on me and I've had Sony, Kobo, Nook and Kindle ereaders.

04-17-2015, 02:12 PM	#1
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	Looking for a Kobo Aura HD Alternative After going through Kobo's customer service gauntlet with two separate defective Kobo Aura HDs, I am looking for an alternative. For me, 7" is about the minimum size suitable for pleasant reading, so 7" to 8" would be ideal. Backlighting and touch are also a must. Good software a great plus. Anything that fits the bill currently on the market?

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04-17-2015, 03:23 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I have no experience with the software on these, but here are some devices that come to mind. Might help you get started on your search at least... Bookeen Cybook Ocean (8") Onyx Boox T68 (6.8") Onyx Boox M96 (9.7") Pocketbook Inkpad (8")

04-17-2015, 05:00 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A backlight means an LCD tablet. There are no backlit eInk devices, for the very simple reason that eInk screens are completely opaque.

04-17-2015, 06:30 PM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've owned an Onyx T68. A very capable tablet, although it doesn't have the world's most accurate touchscreen (although, to be fair, neither did the Kobo H2O that I also had).

04-17-2015, 07:45 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,232 Karma: 74000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	Whatever you get I do hope you take better physical care of the device. Eink screens are not as robust as other screen types, and don't always handle being in direct sun all that well either.

04-18-2015, 01:00 PM	#8
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	Thank you all. Actually, I have an iPad, but looking specifically for an ereader. I have soured on the Kobo, so the only other (relatively) easily available 6.8" option where I am seems to be the Onyx T68. I'd be curious to hear Harry's (or anyone else's with experience with both) take on how it compares to the Aura HD, in terms of ease of use, software and build quality. Thanks!

04-18-2015, 01:38 PM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Not as well constructed as the Kobo, and with an equally poor touchscreen, but if you can live with the Kobo's touchscreen you should be OK with it. Has a microSD card slot for storage. The relatively poor touchscreen is alleviated by the fact that it has physical page turn buttons. Software-wise it's a completely generic Android 4.0 tablet, and behaves exactly as any other Android tablet does. It has the Google Play store, so you can download and install whatever apps appeal to you. There are several built-in reading apps, but I didn't find any of them to be particularly satisfactory. However, it runs Moon+ Pro (my favourite Android reading app) well, and using Calibre Companion obviously makes library management easy.

04-18-2015, 01:53 PM	#10
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	Thanks for the prompt reply, Harry! Ugh, "not as well constructed as the Kobo." I might have to reconsider and move to a 6" The Kindle Voyage is starting to look better and better....

04-18-2015, 02:08 PM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm extremely happy with my Voyage. It's probably the most solidly constructed reader currently around, and Amazon have excellent replacement policies, which may be of value given that you seem to be a little hard on your devices .

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