In the rapidly growing world of e-readers, competition among devices is fierce, and each brand seeks to stand out with features that appeal to both casual readers and professionals who require advanced note-taking capabilities. In this regard, two of the leading contenders today for those seeking a high-quality reading experience and annotation capabilities are the Kobo Elipsa 2E and the Bigme InkNote Color . These devices are considered high-end and are designed not only to offer excellent screen quality but also to meet the needs of users who demand multitasking and additional functionalities.
Both devices have different approaches, but they share the mission of improving both the reading and writing experience. Below, we will take an in-depth look at the features, pros, and cons of both models, comparing aspects such as hardware, software, writing experience, note-taking, and other key features that could help you decide which is the best e-reader for you.
E-reader market overview
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There has been a significant evolution between traditional e-readers and digital note-taking devices in recent years. Users are no longer just looking to read books, but also to have advanced tools for note-taking, drawing, or working on creative projects . In this context, brands like Onyx, Kobo, Bigme, and reMarkable have captured the attention of diverse audiences by offering options that go beyond simply reading ebooks.
The Bigme InkNote Color has been highly anticipated, especially for its most distinctive feature: a color E Ink display, something few devices can currently offer. On the other hand, the Kobo Elipsa 2E, while monochrome, is backed by a long history of reliable, high-quality reading devices, and its ability to convert handwriting into digitized text is unmatched.
Differences in screen quality
The first key point in any e-reader comparison is screen quality. The Kobo Elipsa 2E features a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1872×1404 and 227 pixels per inch (PPI), providing excellent clarity for reading black and white text. On the other hand, the Bigme InkNote Color takes things a step further by integrating an E Ink Kaleido Plus display, which offers up to 5000 color combinations with a resolution of 117 PPI in color and 227 PPI in black and white, making it ideal for viewing graphics, comics, and color annotations.
The InkNote Color improves upon aspects that were quite deficient in previous generations of color E Ink displays. In particular, the uniformity of the grayscale has been improved, preventing the erratic color mixing that occurred in earlier versions of Kaleido technology.
Writing and note-taking experience
While both devices are designed for reading, a crucial aspect for many users is the ability to write and take notes . In this respect, both the Kobo Elipsa and the Bigme InkNote offer very powerful features, albeit with some differences.
The Kobo Elipsa 2E comes with a stylus that allows you to write on the screen, take notes, draw, and convert those annotations into digital text using the built-in Nebo app. This is a great advantage for professionals and academics who need to quickly transform handwritten notes into editable text files. Furthermore, its ability to highlight the margins of ebooks is a valuable feature for those who do academic reading or in-depth text review.
On the other hand, the Bigme InkNote Color uses a Wacom display , which makes for a very precise writing experience. The stylus has up to 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity , perfect for those seeking a smooth, paper-like writing experience. Furthermore, the Bigme's stylus connects via Bluetooth, allowing for additional actions, such as turning pages in a PDF simply by pressing a button on the stylus.
Hardware and performance comparison
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Hardware is an important factor in deciding between these two models. The Kobo Elipsa stands out for its simplicity and efficiency. Its processor allows for smooth handling of large files, such as heavy PDFs, although it is more limited in its ability to handle external applications or advanced multitasking.
In contrast, the Bigme InkNote Color is designed to go beyond simple reading. It integrates a 2.3 GHz A53 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage , expandable via an SD card. This is a powerful device that not only allows reading and writing but also running Android 11 applications, giving it an advantage over the Kobo Elipsa in terms of versatility. Furthermore, it incorporates stereo speakers, four noise-canceling microphones for voice recognition, and high-quality cameras (8MP rear and 5MP front).
Both devices, however, feature front LED lighting that allows for reading in low-light conditions. The Bigme InkNote offers the option to adjust the color temperature with amber and white light, while the Kobo Elipsa also provides high-quality front lighting.
Additional characteristics
The Bigme InkNote Color comes loaded with additional features, such as an optical character recognition (OCR) system that allows you to capture handwritten text and convert it into editable text. It also allows you to split the screen for multitasking and includes a voice control option. These features position it as an advanced technological tool, especially useful for students and creative professionals.
The Kobo Elipsa 2E also comes with attractive features, such as cloud synchronization via Dropbox. While it doesn't have as many additional features as the Bigme, its core tools are optimized to deliver a high-quality reading and annotation experience.
The ecosystem of applications and software
Both devices feature a robust software environment. The Kobo Elipsa comes with its own operating system, which is more closed compared to Android. Even so, the native reading and note-taking features are well integrated. The Kobo ecosystem includes access to a comprehensive eBook store, and you can also use eBook lending services like OverDrive or Libby.
In contrast, the Bigme InkNote Color offers the advantage of access to Google Play, meaning you can easily download and use third-party apps . This includes all kinds of apps, from music and podcast apps to productivity tools. The device also supports voice-to-text and real-time translation, as well as other virtual assistants like Google Assistant.
Price and value for money
Price is one of the most important factors when choosing between the Kobo Elipsa and the Bigme InkNote. The Kobo Elipsa 2E is more affordable, priced around €399. In contrast, the Bigme InkNote Color is much more expensive, with a starting price of nearly €699. While this price difference is considerable, it can be justified if you value features such as its color screen, Android operating system, cameras, or voice recognition.
In terms of value for money, if you're looking for advanced features like color note-taking, meeting recording, or dictation, the Bigme could be a worthwhile investment. However, if you're only interested in reading and taking notes, the Kobo Elipsa remains an excellent option at a more affordable price.
Which one to choose? Factors to decide
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If you're a user who prioritizes reading and note-taking in academic or professional settings (especially when writing long texts or revising), the Kobo Elipsa 2E will likely satisfy you, offering an excellent reading experience and useful annotation features. However, if your workflow involves multitasking that requires the use of third-party apps, a color screen, or voice-to-text functionality , the Bigme InkNote Color will be the device best suited to your needs.
In summary, both devices offer similar features in terms of screen quality and note-taking capabilities, but the Bigme stands out thanks to its versatile functionality and color display, while the Kobo has a better balance between price and functionality for simpler tasks.