[saravanannkl]

I am looking for Kindle alternatives as Amazon has closed my account unilaterally. I was looking for alternatives and Kobo seems to be the only alternative to Kindle. RSS integration via Pocket seems interesting. Apart from the ereader feature, how does Kobo compare against Kindle ? Do you have any recommendation for which model to buy ?

[goosedragons]

There are other options in the eReader space. Pocketbook is another one, there's some Chinese Android devices like Boox and Boyue that are more flexible since they run Android.

Kobo compares favorably to Kindle. Really they just lack something like "Send to Kindle" but they make up for it with other things. Some models support Dropbox syncing, they support getting books from the library via. Overdrive right on the device and they have a lot more customization with regards to what you can do with fonts, spacing etc. out of the box. And you can even get pen input for note taking on the bigger ones if you want.

I'd just pick the model that most appeals to you with exception of the base model. I think the extra $30 to get a 300PPI screen is worth it.

[mariusor]

Personally I advise against the Chinese devices as they often are GPL infringers (Boox for sure is). Also I don't consider running android as a plus, it's just another layer of cruft that lowers the overall performance of the device. I think Kobo's OS is largely fine and Sage has a pretty good specs: 300PPI, quad core 1.8GHz processor, and stylus support.

[goosedragons]

I've owned both. Even if Android is a heavier OS the Boox devices have so much faster hardware that they feel significantly faster. Android also greatly increases what the devices can do, e.g. magazines in Libby, Marvel Unlimited, Google Play Books, actually good web browser, etc. Yes, GPL violations are unfortunate.

[robin_reala]

How’s their long-term support? I realised the other day that my Kobo Aura H2O is now 8 years old, and still getting regular updates.

[goosedragons]

I doubt they will match Kobo there since Kobo literally has been updating every single model they've ever made except for 3. Although Kobo has a tendency to keep the best features reserved for newer models like Overdrive, Dropbox, etc even if the old hardware is basically identical to the new.

But that said they've surprised me. As a niche Android device from a Chinese company I expected absolutely 0 updates but my Nova 2 has gotten several with some significant improvements like the ability to split screen apps, layers in the note taking app and more. I've had Android phones from big manufacturers with worse support.

[saravanannkl]

Thanks. My primary use cases are reading library books, long form articles for offline reading and classic books. So Overdrive/Libby and Calibre support is critical. Kobo seems good for those tasks. I am bit wary about Android devices as they get slowed down after some time.

[mariusor]

> Apart from the ereader feature, how does Kobo compare against Kindle

I can't compare directly with Kindle, as the last one I used was a couple of years ago.

But the features that directly appealed to me are stylus support for two of the latest models: Elipsa and Sage.

It has support for Overdrive as far as I know (though not in all countries). It has support for dropbox. It supports more formats, which makes it a favourite for sideloaded manga/comics reading.

It's easy to root and run your own code on it, there's a pretty healthy community of modders out there. Under the hood is just a linux machine.

[schwartzworld]

I have a Boox Note 3, and I haven't touched my kindle since I got it. The built in e-reader is fine, but it's a full android OS so you have other options.

Additionally, the larger form factor is really nice, as my eyes start to age.

[saravanannkl]

Thanks. I am bit wary about Android devices as they become slower after some time.