TRANSITIONING from physical books to e-readers will always be a challenge for most orthodox readers like me. Besides, nothing beats the woody scent of books and the feel of flipping every page with the tip of your fingers.
Although there are advantages to carrying books in your hand, it is not practical enough to bring them on your travels.
If this is your first time getting an e-reader and you're contemplating on which one to get, here are the top five brands that you can choose from.
Kobo Elipsa 2E: The screen is as big as the price you have to pay. But if you want an e-reader that feels like a tablet and serves a similar purpose, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is definitely for you. This 10.3-inch e-reader does not only give you an ample screen for a comfortable reading time, but it is also great for note taking. You can doodle your artwork or jot down notes with the help of the Kobo Stylus 2 which works and feels just like a normal pen, or convert your illegible handwriting to typed text. The upgraded processor makes it faster and more responsive than its predecessor, and it could last you for weeks despite expensive usage. The Kobo Elipsa 2E is priced at RM2,019.
Kobo Clara 2E: Coming from one of the brand's smaller variants is the Kobo Clara 2E. If you're not a fan of 'the bigger the better' concept, then this mini e-reader would be just fine for you. Unlike the Kobo Elipsa 2E, this variant has an IPX 8 rating that lets you read while swimming. It sports an E Ink Carta 1,200 and 300dpi resolution, which makes texts sharper and darker for a comfortable read. It is also made out of recycled plastic for those who are particular about sustainability, and its 16GB storage could fill all the books of your dreams without having to delete any of them any time soon. The Kobo Clara 2E is priced at RM699.
Amazon Kindle 11th Gen (2022): A formidable adversary to the Rakuten Kobo brand is the Amazon Kindle, which has its perks and is just as great for new e-readers. The 11th Gen variant weighs only 158g, which is almost palm-sized and is more portable than other e-readers. Its 300ppi delivers a sharper and more detailed display quality while maintaining that ink-on-paper feel. And just like other e-readers, it also offers audiobooks and connects them via Bluetooth headphones. Its 16GB storage (that could go up to 32GB) also lets you double your downloads than its predecessor. It is priced at RM940.
Onyx Boox Poke 4 Lite: Being a more straightforward brand, the Boox Poke 4 Lite does not entail a note-taking ability, but it diverts more towards using it as an E Reader. Running on Android 11 and pre-installed Google Play, you can download apps, third-party apps, and listen to audiobooks too. Its multi-touch screen also lets you scroll, zoom with two-finger movements, and make notes via additional options. Furthermore, you can easily listen to music, podcasts, and your favourite books while at home, at work, or outdoors. This e-reader is priced at RM649.
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4: This compact e-reader's design is slightly different from other e-readers out there. Instead of the normal swiping of the pages, there is a physical button for you to do so. The 6-inch panel makes it the smallest and lightest among the ones on the list and is pretty much basic for new readers. You can download EPUB and PDF, and purchase ebooks from Barnes & Noble. The UI is simple enough for beginners to navigate and it is priced at US$149.99 (RM682).
Grab Shopee Discount Code when buying physical books online and enjoy extra rebates.
