Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch
Score: 62/100
Kobo Libra Colour
Score: 76/100Rankings
The Kobo Libra Colour is a 7-inch colour E-Ink e-reader with a larger screen, 32 GB storage, physical page-turn buttons, and optional stylus support. Battery life is shorter than monochrome rivals and storage cannot be expanded. It appeals to manga enthusiasts and note-takers who want colour and a bigger display.
The Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch is a 6-inch e-reader featuring an infrared touchscreen, expandable microSD slot, and up to two months of battery life. It lacks built-in front lighting and runs an outdated Android 2.1 OS, limiting modern functionality. It appeals to travelers and budget-focused readers who prioritize long battery life.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
6 inches | 7 inchesbest | |
— | 960 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 361.9 g | 199.5 gbest |
— | 2,050 mAhbest | |
— | 300 ppibest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 8.3 mmbest |
2 GB | 32 GBbest | |
3 formats | 16 formatsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Processor | TI OMAP ARM Cortex-A8 | Dual-core 2GHz |
Display(3) | ||
Screen Size (inches) | 6 inches | 7 inches |
Resolution (pixels) | 600x800 pixels | 1264x1680 pixels |
Frontlight Type | GlowLight (optional) | LED |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 361.9 g | 199.5 g |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11ac |
Bluetooth Version | Yes | 5.0 |
Software(2) | ||
Supported File Formats (formats) | 3 formats | 16 formats |
Operating System | Android 2.1 | Linux |
Storage(2) | ||
Internal Storage (GB) | 2 GB | 32 GB |
Expandable Storage | true | false |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Nook Simple Touch for its feather-light build, intuitive infrared touchscreen, and impressive battery endurance that lives up to the advertised claims. However, they point out the device's modest internal storage, outdated Android 2.1 platform, and the absence of built-in front lighting on the standard model as notable drawbacks.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the device's portability, long battery life, and the convenience of free in-store Wi-Fi, noting that it feels comfortable to hold for extended periods. Recurring complaints focus on the limited usable internal storage and the infrared touchscreen's need for precise interaction, with many users relying on a microSD card to expand capacity.
Professional reviewers applaud the Libra Colour for its lighter chassis, upgraded 2 GHz CPU and the vibrant Kaleido 3 screen that makes comics and PDFs come alive. They also caution that the color features and optional stylus increase power consumption and that the fixed 32 GB storage cannot be expanded.
Everyday users love the portable 7-inch form factor, the ample 32 GB library capacity and the vivid colors for manga and cover art, while repeatedly noting the strong battery life after prolonged use. Common complaints revolve around the separate stylus purchase, lack of expandable storage and occasional lag when handling high-resolution images.
