Hi đź‘‹
My daughter's birthday is coming up and I plan to gift her a e-book reader.
Budget is about $100 ish
I am not able to decide between Kindle gen 10 and Kobo (Nia probably)
Please share your thoughts on ease of use, versatility and device quality in general.
Thank you.
They work basically the same, minor differences
Kobo works with libraries, Kindle doesnt (natively). The number of ebooks at libraries varies and I dont know how good the selection is for a 12 year old.
Kindle has a number of free books through Amazon and a lot of books through Kindle unlimited. However there is a monthly cost so it depends on how many books people read a month (plus certain genres have a lot of Unlimited books and others dont have many)
Both are hopeless with anything graphical, graphic comics or maps or whatever. Dont even bother
For a kid I reckon a kobo for the library access and because you probably wont use kindle unlimited.
+1.
Kobo 100% - convenient to take “books” away with you when on holidays and having access to library is great.
For a kid, i recommend using real books. They already spend too much time in front of screens.
using real books
I think you mean printed paper books with physical pages. At some point in the future real books, maybe ebooks.
She has been reading real books for last 3-4 years. She has read over 100 books by now. Buying new books isn't economical, borrowing and returning to library is a big hassle as I need to drive her there every time.
Again, there are at least 4 books that she reads at a time and they are lying in every room of the house + balcony.. all half open (bookmark).
Hopefully both scenarios can be covered by a e-reader.
borrowing and returning to library is a big hassle as I need to drive her there every time.
You can reserve and borrow online.
School libraries also have stacks of books.
I presume it's been a while since you've been in school, but depending on the kid's reading, there may not be much of value to them in the school library.
Growing up in a rural(ish) city my school library was a bit crap. I doubt there has been any improvement in the last decade and a bit.
Sadly, I have to agree with Sleeqb7
Recently we toured a local Secondary College for my son to attend next year and their 'Library' consisted of 2 x Rows of books.
I seriously asked 'Where is the Library'?
I got a kindle a couple of years ago and I find the interface slow and onerous. Maybe newer models are better. The reading experience itself is great. Also Amazon does have a fair amount of free books on offer at any given time, if that's a consideration for you
I have both kobo is better if you are looking to borrow library books .
I also prefer the lighting on clara hd then the kindle 11th gen .
Look at the books first that would be the deciding factor for me .
What about a tablet and just using the free Kindle and Kobo apps?
I use a tablet with the free apps for all my ebooks and audio books.
Temptation to get on YouTube and browsing may ruin the whole reading hobby she has developed.
Are there any ups in using tablet for reading vs an e-reader?
For me it's one less device to have. All 12 book reading/listening apps I have I can access from the one place, and I can take advantage of cheap audio and e book deals whatever the platform.
I wonder when your kids are older, would they say "i miss the nostalgic smell of a plastic ebook reader"…
I only ask this as a parent of 11 & 8 year olds.
Does she want an e-reader ?
My kids, like mentioned above, take every opportunity to watch/interact with a screen at all hours of the day/night - Or when the Internet is scheduled at our house.
I take great pleasure in seeing my 11-year-old reading a paperback in bed before lights out.
We have a 'Strict!' 'Loose' lights out policy and I'm 'concerned' that the blue Light effect is going to have long term effects on kids of today.
I have already set up Kindle/Amazon accounts for both and regularly add free titles as they become available.
I 'download' most titles I want and sideload them into either ebooks (iPad) or Kindle.
Apparently, Amazon/Kindle is allowing epub sideloading sometime soon, which will make the above easier.
source: https://www.engadget.com/amazon-kindle-supports-epub-format-…
Not sure if she wants. But kids love gadgets and am pretty certain she will be proud to own one.
Yes, paperbacks are good but finding the right book ain't that easy or else economical. And as I said in another response, seeing 4-5 half open books lying around in the house is not a sight.
Hassle of going to library in small time window to borrow and return books is not something I look forward to on the weekend.
Got both my kids Kobo Clara Hd for xmas. Got it on sale for $130. Works great, screen is good, really nice and small size overall. Links well with local library for free book renting and can handle books from other sources not only Kobo library.
Got myself latest 6.8 kindle. Screen is definitely nicer, but not liking the lack of flexibility that it affords. I would go Kobo and try to get the best PPI screen you can.