Kobo has released a new e-reader, the Kobo Clara HD. What is it worth? That is what we’re going to find out…
The Clara HD is more compact than its predecessor, the Kobo Glo HD, and its screen is clear and bright. It actually uses the same screen technology as the Kindle Paperwhite: A Carta e-Ink screen.
The Kobo is different than the cheaper e-readers because it has a very nice front light. On e-readers, the lightning system isn’t behind the e-ink screen (like it is on a computer’s LCD screen), but rather on the sides of it, and it illuminates the electronic ink in order to simulate “normal” light, like that of a lamp. Normally, this kind of lighting is relatively pale, and reflects a lot of blue light. Kobo added a feature called “comfort light” or “natural light”, which they’ve been using since the Kobo Aura One. The problem? With the Aura One, this lighting system wasn’t harmonious and well-integrated, some spots had more lights than others. This problem is fixed on the Clara HD, and the lighting is high-quality and homogeneous, even at low brightness. For those who want to read comfortably in dark environments, this is a great feature!
But compared to the Kobo Forma, this e-reader is smaller. It’s a 6-inch e-reader, great for reading ebooks in ePub format. With the possibility to install Koreader, is it possible to read PDFs in “landscape” mode, but for those who want to be able to read PDFs without having to tinker with their e-reader, we wouldn’t suggest this model. There are better e-book readers and e-Ink tablets for PDF reading.
However, for about 129 euros, Kobo is producing a competitive e-reader, with sufficient storage and a great front-light. It is possible to open all document types, while being able to install “hacks” and alternative programs more easily than on Kindles, if tinkering with your device is something appealing for your. In my opinion, it offers a great bang for the buck for anyone looking for a 6-inch multipurpose e-reader.