Kobo has produced what it said was the highest-resolution e-ink reader, the Aura HD, which means it should have the best-looking screen, right?
This is why you can't buy devices based on specifications. In a side-by-side comparison, I still preferred the screen of the lower-resolution Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.
Not that Kobo isn't superior in many ways. For one, it allows for more customization. If you go into the menu for fonts, there is an advanced option that lets you adjust the darkness of the type, type size and sharpness of the type. It also offers a sizable selection of 24 fonts.
It also has a 1 GHz processor (faster than the Paperwhite), so you shouldn't get hung up flipping pages. It comes with 4 GB of built-in memory (that's double the Paperwhite). An additional 32 GB can be added with a Micro SD Card.
Like the Paperwhite, the Aura's adjustable back lighting makes it excellent for bedtime reading. It claims a battery life of up to two months.
But to me it has two significant disadvantages.
One is the shopping experience. I find it easier to shop on Amazon, which tends to bring in more mainstream authors and applicable titles in my searches than the Kobo store.
The other disadvantage is the look of its plain text. Even though the Paperwhite has lower resolution, for me, it's the easier screen to read. That's because the background color of the screen, whether using the back light or not, is a lighter color than that of the Aura. It makes the type appear clearer for me.
The Aura might be better for publications like magazines that have detailed drawings or photos. But if you want to use a reader for magazines, which are often filled with stunning photography, wouldn't you prefer a color tablet?
Finally, there is the cost. The Kobo Aura is $170. The most similar Paperwhite model, which like the Aura is Wi-Fi only, is $140.
A version of this article appeared in print on 05/16/2013, on page B11 of the NewYork edition with the headline: New E-Reader's Display Allows for Customized Fonts.