Kobo Aura HD

I started reading e-books many years ago with reading on the laptop with Microsoft reader.I discovered the Sony family of e-readers up to PRS-T2. Reading on the lap top and on the Sony readers gave me more choice in stores to buy from and choice of format EPUB or PDF/DRM. I would have stuck to Sony readers but their development of readers is so far behind the readers offered by Amazon, Kobo and even Nook. For reasons only known by me I do not like Amazon and I used Kobo website (in UK also WH Smith) even in my Sony days. I purchased the Kobo Arc at reduced price as it is also tablet type. Liked that I can download straight onto reader from Kobo. But rubbish battery life and quite heavy - not good for reading in bed. Then saw the AURA HD and liked the look if it a lot. Love that it has a bigger screen, it is really clear. It weighs 240 grams which light enough for me. I love that I can play around with the spacing and font size and type. You need to experiment a bit to find what you like. Back light is excellent and for the first time I was able to read in the dark without straining the eyes and disturbing my partner. Due to the excellent weather in the UK I sat in the garden to read in direct sunlight(with a glass of wine I hasten to add) and the screen did not let me down. All was clear without looking at my own reflection. The battery life of this reader is also much better the Kobo Arc. Started using it 10 days ago and battery and still have nearly two thirds full battery. Great!

The AURA HD reader is also linked in with Adobe Digital Editions and once you have authorised the reader with your Adobe ID you can also load your previous EPUB purchases from other stores on the AURA HD. So my purchases from Samhain and BookStand in the EPUB format are not wasted. I really appreciate that feature. Aura Reader is not very good for books in the PDF format. But I can't have it all.

You can purchase books directly from the Kobo store onto the AURA HD reader. But I personally use the Desk Top app on the laptop and then synch the reader. This is my preferred method because it is easier to type on the laptop then on the reader. On the desk top app as well as on the Kobo website you have choice of payment methods i.e Credit Card, Debit Card, Gift Voucher from Kobo Store or,in the UK, Kobo Gift Voucher from WH Smith store. On the reader direct payment method is card only. There is only one thing that I miss on this reader, I cannot lock it. I would like to able to set a pin or password to open the reader because I do read some steamy books and I do not wish for somebody to pick up the reader and start reading my books and get upset about my choices or make fun of me.

Although slightly overprized I really, really, like the AURA HD from Kobo a lot. It does exactly what it says on the tin. My best e-reader yet.