Critique of Kobo Aura Edition 2: A Comprehensive Assessment

Ready to dive into the world of electronic reading, but don't want to break the bank? The Kobo Aura Edition 2 could be your best bet. However, be warned - this affordable e-reader does come with a few sacrifices.

Hardware

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 sports a 6-inch E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, boasting a decent 212 PPI (pixels per inch). While this isn't ground-breaking by modern standards, it gets the job done when it comes to reading ebooks. In 2016, there are plenty of affordable alternatives on the market with better resolutions, such as the Kindle Paperwhite (1430 x 1080 and 300 PPI).

When it comes to hardware specs, Kobo has kept things shrouded in mystery. They haven't disclosed the processor or RAM of the Aura Edition 2 yet. However, it's likely they are using a 1 GHz Freescale i.MX507 processor and either 128 MB or 512 MB of RAM.

Another downside to the device is its limited storage capacity, with just 4 GB of memory, which is low compared to most modern e-readers. Kobo hasn't provided an option to expand the memory via an SD card, making it less appealing for avid readers with large collections. That being said, for the average user, it should still be enough to store a good number of books.

Design and Lighting

The Aura Edition 2 shares a similar design with the Kobo Aura One, complete with a textured rubber back and embedded Kobo logo. The power button is positioned on the back of the device, while the charging and data transfer port is located at the bottom. The front of the device features a simple status light that glows while booting and charging.

One of the Aura Edition 2's strengths lies in its front-lit display. It's a significant improvement over other devices in the market, such as the Barnes and Noble Nook Glowlight Plus, due to a lack of the blueish hues commonly found in other e-readers. For better readability, the Edition 2's screen has a brighter display with whiter whites compared to the Kobo Aura One.

Software

The Aura Edition 2's user interface shares many similarities with other devices in the Kobo family. The home screen is heavily dynamic and quickly adapts to your reading habits, displaying your recent books, reading progress, and recommended content.

The Aura Edition 2 supports multiple file formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more. Customization options are plentiful, with 11 font choices and over 40 sizes to choose from. For advanced users, it's even possible to sideload custom fonts using various methods.

Reading Experience

The Kobo Aura Edition 2's reading experience is smooth, supporting various formats such as EPUB, PDF, and MOBI. It's especially useful for reading complex Japanese characters and manga due to its EPUB 3 support.

One of the device's main drawbacks is its slow rendering time when zooming into parts of the screen. This can be frustrating when dealing with larger PDF files. It takes between 12 and 21 seconds for any zoomed-in area to fully render, making the reading experience less enjoyable.

Wrap Up

When the Kobo Aura Edition 2 hits the market on September 6th, it'll cost just around $100. It's already available for pre-order in select markets, including Canada, France, Netherlands, and the United States.

If you're looking for an entry-level e-reader and don't mind the compromises, the Aura Edition 2 could be for you. Its affordable price, great front-lit display, and well-designed interface make it a solid choice. However, its mediocre PDF support, limited storage, and slow rendering times are notable shortcomings that you'll want to consider before making a purchase.

PROS

Affordable
Front-Lit display is great
Well-designed

CONS

PDF experience is poor
4 GB of storage may not be enough for most people
Resolution not up to 2016 standards
No SD Card slot for expandable memory

Rating: 7/10

Michael Kozlowski

michael@ourwebsiteMichael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief of ourwebsite and has been covering audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. In addition to writing for ourwebsite, his work has been picked up by various publications, including the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Despite its affordable price, the e-reader gadget, Kobo Aura Edition 2, comes with compromises in terms of hardware specifications, such as unspecified processor and RAM, and limited storage capacity (4 GB) which might not be enough for avid readers with large collections.
One area where the Aura Edition 2 excels is in technology, specifically its E-Ink Carta display and front-lit screen, offering a decent reading experience and brighter display with whiter whites compared to similar devices.
When comparing the Kobo Aura Edition 2 with other e-readers on the market, it is important to consider the battery life and reading statistics, as some devices offer higher resolutions and faster rendering times, which may enhance the overall reading experience.