Overview
The Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour is a new entrant in the e-reader market that brings a color E-Ink display to a popular and established form factor. Positioned as an evolution of the Libra line, this device targets readers who want to see book covers, illustrations, and their own highlights in color, without sacrificing the benefits of an E-Ink screen. It also introduces compatibility with the Kobo Stylus 2, adding note-taking and markup capabilities, though the stylus is sold separately.
Key Features
Color E-Ink Display
The most significant feature of the Kobo Libra Colour is its color screen. This allows for book covers, charts, and internal graphics to be displayed in color, a notable step up from the monochrome screens that have dominated the e-reader market for years. This feature is aimed at enhancing the reading experience for graphically rich content like comics, magazines, and textbooks.
Kobo Stylus 2 Compatibility
The Libra Colour is compatible with the Kobo Stylus 2, an accessory sold separately for $69.99. This transforms the e-reader into a digital notebook. Users can mark up ebooks and documents with colored highlights and handwritten notes. The addition of stylus support suggests Kobo is targeting not just leisure readers, but also students and professionals who need to interact with their digital texts more deeply. The stylus itself appears to attach to the device for easy transport.
If you plan to use the note-taking features extensively, purchasing the Kobo Stylus 2 is essential, as it is not included with the e-reader. Consider bundling it with your purchase.
Expansive Accessory Ecosystem
Rakuten Kobo is offering a wide range of accessories for the Libra Colour at launch. These include multiple types of cases like the standard SleepCover, a Basic SleepCover, a Clear Case, and a Stylus Case designed to hold the Kobo Stylus 2. There are also limited-edition "Collector Cases" with unique designs. This extensive lineup allows for a high degree of personalization and protection right from the start.
Specifications
The following table includes all available details derived from the product page.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Kobo Libra Colour |
| Display | Color E-Ink Screen |
| Stylus Support | Yes, compatible with Kobo Stylus 2 (sold separately) |
| Color Options | Black, White |
| Price | $259.99 |
Buyers should seek out a full spec sheet before making a purchase decision.
Design & Build
Based on the product images, the Kobo Libra Colour retains the asymmetric design of its predecessors. It features a wider bezel on one side with physical page-turn buttons, designed for comfortable one-handed use. The rear of the device has a textured pattern, likely to improve grip. The device is shown in both Black and White colorways. A USB port, presumably for charging and data transfer, is visible on the side profile. Without official dimensions or weight, its portability is hard to judge, but the form factor appears consistent with other 7-inch e-readers.
Who It's For
The Kobo Libra Colour is for avid readers who have been waiting to upgrade from a monochrome e-reader to a color one. It’s particularly well-suited for those who read content with color illustrations, such as graphic novels, cookbooks, and children's books. The ability to highlight in different colors makes it a strong candidate for students and researchers who need to annotate texts and PDFs.
However, the additional cost of the stylus means it will primarily appeal to those who see a clear benefit in handwritten notes. Casual readers who only consume novels might not find the color or stylus features to be essential, but those who want a more dynamic and interactive reading experience are the core audience for this device.
To make full use of the device, you will need a Rakuten Kobo account. The device is also compatible with Kobo Audiobooks, though you'll need to connect to a wireless speaker or headphones as there's no built-in speaker mentioned.
Pros
- Color E-Ink display enhances graphically rich content
- Compatibility with Kobo Stylus 2 for note-taking and highlighting
- Ergonomic design with physical page-turn buttons
- Available in multiple colors (Black and White)
Cons
- Kobo Stylus 2 required for note-taking is an additional purchase ($69.99)
- The price is higher than many monochrome e-readers
FAQ
Does the Kobo Libra Colour come with the stylus?No, the Kobo Stylus 2 is sold separately for $69.99. You will need to purchase it to use the highlighting and note-taking features.
What colors does the Kobo Libra Colour come in?The device is available in two base colors: Black and White.
Can I read regular ebooks on this device?Yes, while its main feature is the color screen, it functions as a standard e-reader for all types of ebooks. Traditional black-and-white text will be displayed as on any other e-reader.
Are there cases available for the Kobo Libra Colour?Yes, Rakuten Kobo offers a wide variety of cases, including SleepCovers, a clear case, and special cases designed to also hold the Kobo Stylus 2.
Related Reads
Pros
- Color E-Ink display enhances graphically rich content like comics, magazines, and textbooks.
- Compatible with Kobo Stylus 2 for marking up ebooks and documents with colored highlights and handwritten notes.
- Asymmetric design with physical page-turn buttons allows for comfortable one-handed use.
- Available in two color options: Black and White.
- Offers an expansive accessory ecosystem including multiple types of cases from launch.
- Transforms into a digital notebook with the optional Kobo Stylus 2.
Cons
- Kobo Stylus 2 required for note-taking is an additional purchase at $69.99.
- The price of $259.99 is higher than many monochrome e-readers.
- Key specifications such as screen size, resolution, storage capacity, and battery life are not mentioned.
- No built-in speaker mentioned, requiring wireless connection for Kobo Audiobooks.
- Casual readers who only consume novels might not find the color or stylus features essential.
Verdict
Based on the available specifications, the Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour is positioned as a significant upgrade in the e-reader space, bringing color and active stylus support to a mainstream price point. It directly challenges competitors by offering features previously reserved for more expensive, niche devices.