I just got both devices new for a few days now - they are very similar from both size and price standpoints, so I want to summarize their pros and cons in my view.
Pocketbook Versa Pro
Pros
- Better ergonomic, slightly more grippy and looks SEXY naked! (But it matters less w. case/clothes on)
- Support auto rotation (More comfortable to read in landscape mode w/wo buttons, not sure how case will affect this)
- Multiple ways to send books (Email, Dropbox)
- Very customizable setting (Backlight, buttons, logos, ...)
- Slightly easier to highlight and move cursor
Cons
- More expensive ($20 more)
- Quite noticeable uneven backlight (Top is brighter)
- Bloated software (Why would I need calendar and game?!)
- Slower awake from sleep
- Open book is slower
- Minor
- No book cover in sleep mode (Only in off mode)
- Can't show percentage in reading mode (Only pages left)
- Slightly heavier
Questionable (For my use cases)
- 4 Physical buttons that are customizable
- TTS (Sounds robotic, not sure if I want/need this)
Kobo Clara 2E
Pros
- Minimalist software (No games, no gimmicky)
- More even backlight (Not perfect but barely noticeable)
- Better official case (Sleep/wake, magnet, look & feel)
- Instant awake from sleep (Feel great in comparison!)
- Sleep with book cover (I love this)
- Mods, hacks and communities
Cons
- Solid quality but not as sexy as Pocketbook (Again, plan to use case so this is okay)
- Need cable to send books (Not going to read 10 books a week so this is acceptable to me)
- No auto-rotation (But can manual rotate via NickelMenu)
- No buttons (But I am ok with screen, it's smooth and accurate)
Questionable (For my use cases)
- Overdrive (Plan to sideload mostly, so unsure how useful)
It's a very tough one. Both devices have things I like and dislikes. I am leaning toward Kobo for the simplicity. Pocketbook is very customizable but I have a feeling that most of the settings do not really matter. (YMMV) Hope this helps those on the fence.
Pocketbook Versa Pro
Pros
- Better ergonomic, slightly more grippy and looks SEXY naked! (But it matters less w. case/clothes on)
- Support auto rotation (More comfortable to read in landscape mode w/wo buttons, not sure how case will affect this)
- Multiple ways to send books (Email, Dropbox)
- Very customizable setting (Backlight, buttons, logos, ...)
- Slightly easier to highlight and move cursor
Cons
- More expensive ($20 more)
- Quite noticeable uneven backlight (Top is brighter)
- Bloated software (Why would I need calendar and game?!)
- Slower awake from sleep
- Open book is slower
- Minor
- No book cover in sleep mode (Only in off mode)
- Can't show percentage in reading mode (Only pages left)
- Slightly heavier
Questionable (For my use cases)
- 4 Physical buttons that are customizable
- TTS (Sounds robotic, not sure if I want/need this)
Kobo Clara 2E
Pros
- Minimalist software (No games, no gimmicky)
- More even backlight (Not perfect but barely noticeable)
- Better official case (Sleep/wake, magnet, look & feel)
- Instant awake from sleep (Feel great in comparison!)
- Sleep with book cover (I love this)
- Mods, hacks and communities
Cons
- Solid quality but not as sexy as Pocketbook (Again, plan to use case so this is okay)
- Need cable to send books (Not going to read 10 books a week so this is acceptable to me)
- No auto-rotation (But can manual rotate via NickelMenu)
- No buttons (But I am ok with screen, it's smooth and accurate)
Questionable (For my use cases)
- Overdrive (Plan to sideload mostly, so unsure how useful)
It's a very tough one. Both devices have things I like and dislikes. I am leaning toward Kobo for the simplicity. Pocketbook is very customizable but I have a feeling that most of the settings do not really matter. (YMMV) Hope this helps those on the fence.
