In the slow lane: Kobo Clara 2E review

If you learn my final e-reader review, you’d know I’m detest to alter my studying system. I really like the distraction-free expertise that an e-reader gives. It works completely for Finding Nemo’s Dory-like, simply distracted readers like me.

After a reasonably good run with the Kobo Libra 2, I gave the Kobo Clara 2E a shot. Here’s the way it fared.

Display

Design-wise, the Kobo Clara 2E jogs my memory of the outdated Amazon Paperwhite I’ve had for ages. This one sports activities a 6-inch HD e-ink Carta 1200 show. It has a glare-free touchscreen that provides a typical 300 ppi decision. The system’s rear panel gives a matte, agency grip and comes solely in the Deep Ocean Blue color variant. The rear panel additionally homes a bodily energy button on the prime nook. At 171 grams, it’s pretty light-weight and straightforward to pop in my mini shoulder bag when commuting. The firm says it’s been crafted with an 85 per cent recycled plastic exterior, which incorporates 10 per cent ocean-bound plastic, equivalent to water bottles and CDs.

Experience

I selected Isabel Allende’s The Soul of a Woman to start out the studying expertise on this system. From the get-go, one thing felt off. As I used the system for a few extra nights in mattress, I realised the interface was painfully slow. There’s a 1 GHz processor packed in. However, every thing from web page turns to tweaking settings. Opening a brand new guide from my library generally took as much as 8 seconds to render. Considering it’s a step down from the Libra 2, on-device options, too, are restricted compared. There’s Dark Mode for high-contrast studying if that’s your factor. There’s additionally the selection of getting a cool or heat backlight on the system. ComfortLight PRO can also be included, which reduces pressure from blue mild emission. When I need to tweak some studying settings, returning to the web page after closing the settings window additionally takes 8-9 seconds. Painfully lengthy.

It helps e-book codecs equivalent to ePub, ePub3, PDF, FlePub and MOBI. If you want listening to books, bear in mind it helps Kobo Audiobooks solely. You also can learn graphic novels and comedian books because it helps CBZ and CBR codecs.

Tech Specs

There’s 16 GB of on-device storage, sufficient for tens of 1000’s of e-books or near 80 audiobooks. The system can also be waterproof, that means you’ll be able to chill with it by the pool or seaside.

It is waterproof for as much as 60 minutes (in as much as two meters of water). So it does imply you’ll be able to’t simply depart it there and neglect about it. Like all different e-readers, this one, too, stays on for weeks on finish, and charging it’s so uncommon that you simply wouldn’t fear about how a lot time it takes.

Verdict

At its value level, I had extra expectations of the Kobo Clara 2E. I didn’t anticipate it could battle with the fundamentals of what a very good e-reader must be, which is – earlier than providing frills – provide a quick, seamless studying expertise. That, it doesn’t.

Price – ₹14,999

Pros – Lightweight, customisable options, USB-C charging port

Cons – Slow to operate general which mars the studying expertise