The Kobo Libra Colour has been around for quite some time now, having been launched last year. As one of the fancier offerings on the market, the eReader comes with a few extra features that add more utility without detracting from its main purpose.
At least, that’s the general idea anyway. As to how it holds up in practice, well, that’s what we’re here to find out.
What Am I Looking At?
The Kobo Libra Colour features a compact design with a 7-inch Kaleido 3 e-ink display. Two buttons sit on the right side of the eReader. This side curves upwards slightly at the end, forming a lip for easier handling. At the edge is a USB-C port, which is used for charging and transferring files. Meanwhile, the back of the eReader is textured, with geometric patterns covering most of the surface. The side without the pattern houses the power button.
Physical details aside, the Libra Colour comes with 32GB of storage. You can either purchase books from the Kobo Store or acquire them through a Kobo Plus subscription, although the latter offers a pretty limited selection. Alternatively, you can download your own reading materials, provided they are in a compatible format. It is worth noting that the eReader supports Dropbox and Google Drive, so a wired connection is not necessary for transferring files.
Other features include Bluetooth connectivity for listening to audiobooks. Additionally, pairing a stylus allows access to Kobo Notebooks. As the name says, this feature lets you write notes. There are two different types, Basic and Advanced. The former is a plain notebook for writing. On the other hand, the Advanced Notebook can convert handwriting to text.
What’s Good About It?
Personally, I find the compact form factor to be one of the more appealing aspects of the eReader. It slides easily into a bag, taking up little space, so it can be ignored until needed. It’s also a good size for holding in one hand and navigating using the buttons. While the screen does lean on the smaller side, you can still read the text comfortably without needing to zoom in much, if at all.
Naturally, the main highlight is in its name. The Kobo Libra Colour supports colour content, which means you can use it to read comics and graphic novels if you so choose. Make no mistake, though. The e-ink display is not the same as your typical OLED screen. Colours won’t appear as bright or vibrant.
In fact, anything displayed on the eReader more closely resembles clippings from newspapers and old magazines. With the brightness turned all the way down, there is a slightly yellowish tint, which gives it a nostalgic feel some may find charming. But if you’re not among such individuals, then the dark mode might be of some interest.
The colour also adds a nice touch when the Libra Colour is in sleep mode, as it displays the book cover. This means you could show off whatever you’re reading when the eReader is not in use. It is worth noting that the backlight is turned off when the device is in sleep mode, so the cover doesn’t exactly stand out much.
Aside from that, there is one more perk, which is colour-coding. When reading, you can highlight specific sections of the text. The Libra Colour supports four different hues, so if you’re the type to mark your reading material, you can certainly go wild here. What’s more, this eReader is compatible with the Kobo Stylus 2, so you can scribble notes in the text. Or doodle as you read, if you prefer.
What’s The Catch?
While the display is big enough for reading, I can’t say the same when it comes to penning down your thoughts. The screen is just barely usable for note-taking purposes, especially if you have large handwriting. This is also a problem when using the Advanced Notebook, as it needs you to write within the lines. Also worth noting is the slight delay when writing, which makes it harder to write neatly and clearly.
On the subject of the stylus, it’s not something that comes with the Libra Colour. So, if you do find yourself needing it, you will have to fork out some extra cash. That said, you can probably live without the stylus, unless you plan on using the Notebook feature regularly. Or if you’re the type to write notes in the text.
Should I Buy It?
Overall, the Kobo Libra Colour does a bit more than just serve as a portable library for the avid readers among us, with its colour e-ink display and stylus support. However, the 7-inch display isn’t quite big enough for users to fully take advantage of the stylus, making the feature almost pointless.
Given the RM1,079 price tag, it’s hard to recommend this particular model, especially since the brand has other eReaders that are more suited to specific needs. The Clara Colour, for instance, is a touch more compact and easier on the wallet. On the flip side, the pricier Elipsa 2E is bigger and comes with a stylus, but does not support colour content.
Photography by Nurul Kamil.
