Want An Ebook Reader? Kobo Might Be The Best Choice

There was a time when all I wanted was a Kindle. I told myself I didn’t need an iPad, and since all I wanted to do was to read, the Kindle was the best choice. All that changed when I did get my hands on the iPad, but I do realize that for a dedicated ebook reader, there are better choices than a tablet. The old argument that you can do so much more with a tablet remains, but if reading is really all you are going to do on a device, then an ebook reader is the way to go.

Then comes the inevitable process of having to pick out the “best” ebook reader in the market. Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook may be household names, but taking other factors into consideration, they may not be the best choices for certain individuals.

Enter Kobo, a Canadian company that dared take on the big players in the scene.

Founded in 2009, Kobo is owned by Japan-based Rakuten. It currently has four ebook readers on offer – from kobomini to koboglo to kobotouch to koboarc.

So why would anyone highlight a small player rather than the tried and test ebook reader brands?

One, the price. Kobo’s prices are very competitive, and in today’s economic atmosphere, that is a critical point. And again, if you’re really only fixated on reading, a lower price point is even more important.

Two, ebooks are NOT locked to the device. This might very well be the clincher. You can do whatever you please with your ebooks.

Three, you can buy ebooks from indie bookstores. Kobo partnered up with the American Booksellers Association some time ago, in an effort to help indie bookstores sell more ebooks. Google used to have such a deal going on, but has since shut it down. Additionally, consumers can buy Kobo ebook readers from the stores as well, making the whole process more convenient.

So if you’re in the market for a dedicated ebook reader, you might want to take a look at Kobo devices.

[Image via Kobo]