Rakuten Kobo Elipsa 2E, review: an eReader that recognizes your handwriting

The launch of the Kobo Elipsa 2E it’s a good move by Rakutenwho has seen how after the entry of Amazon with his Kindle Scribe in the sector of large-format eReaders with a stylus for writing, it was necessary to renew the original one Kobo Elipsaa model that we had the opportunity to analyze almost two years ago and that left a great impression on us.

Although the changes incorporated in the Kobo Elipsa 2E compared to the previous generation are not visible externally, aspects such as a more sustainable design, the incorporation of a faster processor, the new Kobo Stylus 2 or the improvement of the note-taking experience make it worth seeing in detail what Rakuten offers with its new Kobo Elipsa 2E.

Rakuten Kobo Elipsa 2E Specifications

Kobo Elipsa 2E, a more sustainable design

When we analyze the Kobo Clear 2E, we commented that Rakuten had set itself the goal of using the most sustainable materials in the manufacture of its eReaders, as we can read in its declaration of principles to reduce its carbon footprint. This Kobo Elipsa 2E is made with more than 85% recycled plastic, including 10% plastic recovered from the oceans. By the way, the cover SleepCoverwhich we will talk about later, is made from 97% recycled plastic.

In addition, the packaging of this eBook reader does not contain magnets and is made from FSC-certified recycled paper. This packaging is printed with soy ink thanks to a renewable and environmentally conscious printing process.

As for its design, it is practically identical to the first generation with measurements of 19.3 x 22.7 x 0.75cm and 390 grams of weight; it only differs in that the 2E model weighs 7 grams more. Although the screen rotates as we move it, the natural position to hold the eReader is with the widest edge on the right, the one with the word “kobo” printed on the bottom and which also has the USB input on the side to charge it and the on/off or standby button.

We can see how the dimensions of the Kobo Elipsa 2E and the Kindle Scribe are very similar. In the image above we have the Kobo on the left with its stylus on the magnetized side surface in which it is attached. Next to it is a Kindle, also with its “stylus”, this time on the side (also magnetized). In the middle image we see how the thickness of both eReaders is very similar. Finally, in the third image we appreciate that there is a small difference in size between the pencils of both models.

We’re talking about the “natural position” to hold the Kobo Elipsa 2E with the larger edge to the right because the SleepCover is how it forces you to use it, but obviously if we just held the new Rakuten eReader without its case, we could do it in any position. , even horizontally.

Another detail that is very accurate is its textured backThis makes it easier for us to hold the Kobo Elipsa 2E in our hands, even without a case. For example, in the Kindle Scribe, although its metal back may seem like a higher quality detail, it is almost mandatory to accompany it with a cover because the feeling at all times is that it could slip and fall to the ground.

Regarding the SleepCover, which is sold by €69.99 and available only in black, it’s the perfect complement to the Kobo Elipsa 2E. Although it means adding 70 euros more to the 400 euros that the eReader costs, which is not little, precisely because of the high investment made, logic asks us to protect it against possible accidental falls, and this case achieves the objective.

The SleepCover activates the standby mode when it is closed so that we can enjoy the Kobo Elipsa 2E as soon as it is opened without having to touch the power button. In addition, it has a compartment to hold the Stylus 2 and not lose it. By the way, neither the Kobo Elipsa 2E nor the case charge the stylus, this is done by connecting it via USB, which avoids having to carry batteries (as in the previous version), although it is not as comfortable as the Kindle Scribe stylus you don’t have to load it.

Screen, processor and pen that improve the writing experience

Although we do not know more details, the Kobo Elipsa 2E has a Dual 2GHz CPU that makes everything flow without waiting times that would not be typical of a device that sells for 400 euros. When we move through its different “screens” such as “My Books” or “My Notebooks”, we return to “Start”, we go to “Settings” or change the brightness, everything is done quickly, even when zooming or scrolling a PDF.

Besides, his backlit display with technology Comfort Light PRO allows us to adjust the warmth of the color depending on the time of day. We can even set a bedtime. The daylight setting, as Rakuten reminds us, “regulates the color of the light, ranging from an orange candlelight for night reading to a white sunlight for daytime reading. As the bar moves toward the night setting, the amount of blue light decreases.”

If we add its dual processor and the quality of its screen to the new and improved Kobo Stylus 2 (included with the Elipsa 2E), which in addition to being 25% lighter than the previous version has been redesigned with a more ergonomic and It has the “eraser” integrated into its upper part (in the style of traditional pencils), the writing experience has been greatly improved.

We wanted to take a short tour of the features provided by the Kobo Elipsa 2E in terms of writing. To begin with, there are two types of notebooks, the basic one that allows us to write anywhere or the advanced notebook, which converts handwriting into typography and allows us to add free-form sections, diagrams and equations. In addition, we can also create folders to keep our notebooks organized. As you can see in the second image, we have written a freehand text, without excellent calligraphy, truth be told, and also with the use of capital letters. After double-clicking on the text, it has been converted to typographic characters with a very low level of error. We are pleasantly surprised by the reliability of the handwriting recognition. Next we have corrected the two or three small errors that were present. We end with two more images where you can see that thanks to the Stylus 2 it is not only possible to annotate, underline or mark on PDF documents, but also on books in EPUB format, for example.

As you can see in the images above, the writing possibilities of the Kobo Elipsa 2E are very interesting. In particular, we must highlight the advanced notebooks, with recognition of freehand writing. When we want to export the notebook to our computer, we will only have to connect it to it via the USB cable that is included in the box or export it to Dropbox in the Rakuten Kobo folder. When we export to the computer we can do it in .docx, text or HTML format.

In the event that it is a basic notebook, the export, how could it be otherwise, is treated as an image and the formats it offers are PDF, PNG and JPEG, which do not allow editing.

conclusions

The Kobo Elipsa 2E is a very special device. And why do we say it, because it’s not a regular eReader, it’s an eReader that costs 400 euros (without the case) and not everyone is going to take advantage of its features. If we only want to read electronic books, it is as if we bought a Ferrari to take the children to school.

Its screen is excellent, the agility with which you move through its interface is remarkable, it allows you to change the size of the letter, the space between lines, the brightness, the warmth of the light… and all kinds of details that we can think of in an eReader, but we return to the price and also perhaps to its format, the 10.3-inch screen is large, very large compared to other readers that we can hold in our hands.

But if what we are looking for is a device in which we can not only read all kinds of ebooks, but also any document in electronic format, and we also want to make notes, underline or highlight different passages, here the Kobo Elipsa 2E is unbeatable. And what about the possibility of taking all kinds of notes in notebooks that we can then export to Word in a format ready for editing.

If we add to all this that battery life can last for weeks and that many people want to flee from iPad-type tablets due to the information saturation to which notifications have subjected us, an electronic ink eReader like the Kobo Elipsa 2E It can be a great option whenever you stop to think if you are the user who needs a device like this.