eReaders in 2023 (recommend a product, $250 max spend)

Looking at replacing our kindle paperwhite from 2017 (incidentally nothing is wrong with it, maybe a slightly weaker battery than brand new).

What is everyone using now?
Looking to spend max $250 nzd.
Main feature needed is a backlight,

Comments

  • +1

    I have a kobo libra gen 1 which I got on clearance at NL for $90 or so dollars.

    Two tone backlight is neat. Where do you get your books from? You can rent directly from your library on the kobo and you can also easily load epubs over usb with calibre

    • +1

      Using Calibreweb you can also sync books to Kobos over wifi, I've got it set up for my kids' Kobos and it works really well. They browse Calibre Web on the desktop PC, add the books they want to a "shelf" that is set to auto sync to the Kobo.

      • Ohhhh I've been using calibre for years but had no idea this was a thing. I wonder if I can send things to the kids clara HDs with this. Will investigate.

    • quick update. Was at my local this morning and they've got black ones (ex display I think) on clearance at $150.

      I wanted white and it was cheaper… so win win for me

  • +1

    Unless you've got loads of Kindle books you've purchased that you want to retain access to, I'd get a Kobo as they support library borrowing. I'd get the Clara 2E, which you can get for around ~250. It is only about $20 more than the Clara HD, has better storage Clara HD, darker blacks, is waterproof, and Audiobook support too (but currently only from the Kobo store I think).
    If you wanted something cheaper, the Kobo Nia is about the same size as the Clara 2E. and about $70 cheaper. But given the lower specs, and particularly the fact it only has Comfortlight backlighting, not Comfortlight Pro like the Claras (which reduces blue light at night, and I find really great for reading in dim light), I'd say it's not worth saving $70 for the downgrade.

    • Possibly a dumb question.. Do kindles not support library borrowing? I was considering purchasing a kindle and just assumed I would be able to use Libby

      • The newer Kobo ereaders (including all the ones currently available jn shops) have Overdrive built in, so borrowing ibrary books is a breeze. As far as I know, there is no way to get library books from NZ libraries at lesst onto a Kindle, as they dont have the overdrive app and you cant add apps to a kindle. though someone more tech savvy than me may know a workaround.

        • Having just bought a Kindle I'm keen to figure this out. Calibre has been recommended here and there, but I haven't had a chance to play around with Calibre or the Kindle. Keen to hear from others that know ways of getting non-Amazon books on this device (10th gen).

          • @Wakrak: I haven’t used a Kindle for a long time now, unless something has changed your kindle account has an email address you can send and email to with attached ebooks and it will add them to your account and sync to your kindle.

            Calibre is still the best way as you can convert between formats and set it up to send directly to your kindle email

            • +1

              @kinetic9: That is exactly how I do it to get books onto my wife's Kindle.
              Convert the file if necessary into a suitable Kindle format and then email the file to the Kindle.

              I also used to download free trials of Kindle Unlimited, download books and then send to the Kindle DRM free via Calibre.
              Unfortunately, Amazon have upped their game and as of this year I can no longer do that with KIndle Unlimited titles.

              • @bigcheese: I’m using a Kobo now, but good to hear it’s still the same process.

                Ebooks are so easy to find online, I don’t even use the library apps any more. I always found it ridiculous I had to queue for a digital file. I get it’s probably some publisher licensing thing, but still..

          • +1

            @Wakrak: Use adobe digital editions to download from library then import into calibre and download onto kindle

            • @Bobtherobber: You can't just import most library books into stock Calibre. You need additional plugins because of the DRM. Note that there is now also a plugin that can remove the need to use ADE to download the book although I've never tried it.

          • +1

            @Wakrak: I have an older Kindle. At first, I used to convert files into an appropriate format using an online converter and then send the converted file to the Kindle via an @kindle.com email address. Then I found that you could enter "convert" into the subject line of the e-mail to convert the attached file (was limited to certain file extensions and was not always successfully converted). The last time I used that method was in 2019. Now I plug my Kindle into my desktop via USB and use the Calibre Library software to transfer files. Calibre Library offers to convert files during transfer.

            • @lfreak: I beleive Amazon have finally updated Kindle to now accept EPUB files which is the most common format and will save the need to convert in many instances.
              Haven't tried sending any for a few months though so am yet to test myself.

          • +1

            @Wakrak: Setup email sharing and download your books to calibre from Z-Library. Works quite well or just plug them in. Singlelogin.me to get started with z-library.

        • Besides the practice of mentioned of removing the DRM which some may consider questionable, the only way to read most NZ library ebooks on a Kindle is by using the Overdrive web on your Kindle web browser. I don't have a Kindle so I've never tried it, I believe it supports offline reading but it's unlikely to be as easy or enjoyable as a proper ebook. (Note that in the US, Overdrive does support Kindle devices so be careful about anything you read online that comes from the US.)

  • I have had a Kobo Libra for a couple of years , a little more expensive than what you are wanting ,but cheaper models available bought mine from P B Tech. I decided on the Kobo as you can download books fro the library. I have never paid for a book in the 2 years I've had it. I love using it.

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