A worthy replace to an strong e-reader, with an eco-conscious contact • TechCrunch

For years when somebody requested me what e-reader to purchase, I’d say except they care about Amazon stuff, the Kobo Clara HD. That suggestion has wavered as I’ve examined the compact Poke 3 and ergonomic Libra 2, however the brand new model of the Clara places it again within the working for best to endorse.

When you’re on the lookout for huge modifications, look elsewhere: The Clara 2E is rather a lot just like the Clara of outdated, however with a number of notable updates.

First, there’s an improved display screen — it isn’t night time and day, however the enhancements over the previous few years are noticeable, with darker and sharper textual content and lighter backgrounds (or the inverse in darkish mode). Chances are you’ll not discover except you place them facet by facet, however when you did (like me) you’d agree it’s an actual if not transformative improve. The colour-adjustable lighting is just about the identical so far as I might inform.

Second, the “E” within the title signifies Eco, so far as I can inform. It is because the again plate of every gadget is created from recycled plastic, making its exterior solely 15 p.c new stuff. In fact that doesn’t apply to the display screen, the chips inside, and so forth, but it surely’s a minimum of good to know {that a} gadget you’re getting is notionally much less wasteful than the choice.

Third, although the physique is sort of similar to the outdated Clara HD — and that’s not a nasty factor — they’ve modified the baffling backside energy button to a pleasant recessed one on the again. Thank god! It additionally makes use of USB-C now, which ought to enhance cost occasions and possibly minimize down on the variety of cables it’s a must to lug round when touring.

Final, it’s now waterproof — as in, an hour six ft below. So don’t fear about dropping it within the pool.

Past these new options, it’s similar to its predecessor. Once more, although, that’s good! At $130, the Clara 2E suits neatly into the entry-level however not discount bin stage of gadget the place you get crucial elements of dearer readers (300 DPI display screen, temperature-adjustable gentle) however skip the pointless luxuries.

A bigger display screen might be each a blessing and a curse, and I’ve discovered that jotting notes on any display screen smaller than 8″ diagonal is extra bother than it’s value. The one characteristic I might add is a display screen flush with the bezels, and that’s asking rather a lot at this value.

 

As with Kobo’s different choices, the Clara 2E helps plenty of book and doc codecs out of your favourite store or free supplier, built-in Overdrive and Pocket for library books and articles respectively, in addition to audiobooks — nonetheless solely from Kobo’s retailer, alas.

I’ve additionally discovered over the past yr that there’s a sturdy Kobo-hacking neighborhood placing collectively actually strong different interfaces, when you like tweaking stuff or don’t fancy the official UI (Koreader, Plato, and NickelMenu are all value attempting out). Plus you may drag and drop new fonts in — I’ve added masses.

The Clara 2E comes with its personal model of the good sleep cowl that made the Libra 2 for me – right here’s that evaluation:

The sleep cowl is a plastic protecting case with a gentle leather-esque sheath and magnets that inform the reader to sleep or wake once you shut or open it. However extra importantly, it folds up into a little bit kickstand, propping up the gadget at a readable angle.

It really works a deal with, although it isn’t fairly as nice a grip because the Libra 2’s once you use it as a deal with. It’s going to additionally fold flat like a standard case when you want that.

Evaluating this reader to Kobo’s different choices, for me there’s no competitors — the Clara 2E is the perfect deal by a protracted mile. However, the Libra 2 provides buttons and a bit extra display screen house with a really comfy uneven type, although whether or not it’s definitely worth the leap to $180 solely you may say. The Sage felt too huge for normal studying, and the Nia compromises on display screen high quality, which is actually crucial factor.

In Kindle world, the Paperwhite prices $160 (when you don’t need lockscreen adverts — ugh) and doesn’t supply any actual enhancements besides entry to the Amazon ecosystem, admittedly for some individuals an necessary piece. The brand new Kindle is $120 and fairly comparable hardware-wise (I haven’t in contrast the screens immediately but) however all different issues being equal I all the time vote Kobo.

So for the current, my official suggestion for anybody who asks shall be to get the Clara 2E, with its folding sleep cowl when you can spare the additional $30.