The latest e-reader to hit the stores is the Kobo eReader.  This  funky looking tablet will hold 1000 of your favorite books and weigh no more than 221grams in the process.

With a quilted back for comfort and a trippy blue navigation button to help you manoeuvre through your library, it has the looks but can it outperform the Kindle?

To be honest, I own a Kindle, so I might be a little biased here. I also own the top of the range Kindle so to be fair I will compare apples to apples.  The basic Kindle 2 to the new Kobo.

First, the new kid on the block…the Kobo.

Ok, here’s the stats…

• Holds 1000 books…can be increased up to 4000 with a memory card insert

• Comes with 100 classic books pre-loaded

• Battery charge will last up to 2 weeks or 8000 page turns

• Weight 221grams

• Has 5 different font sizes from small to large

• Cost is only $149

So, what can the Amazon Kindle 2 offer?

• Holds 1500 books, although no ability to increase memory

• No pre-loaded books, however, the same 100 that are pre-downloaded on the Kobo are available for download for free on the Amazon Kindle

• Battery life is up to 2 weeks

• Weight is 289.2 grams – slightly heavier than the Kobo

• Has 6 different font sizes from small to large

• Has a “Read to Me” option which converts text to speech and will read the book to you – handy if you are driving and there is nothing good on the radio

• Amazon keeps a back-up of your library – just in case anything happens to your Kindle (how handy is that?!!!)

• Manual screen rotation – so you can read in both portrait or landscape

• If you like to highlight or put notes in the margins of normal books – you can do the same with the Kindle 2.  It will keep records of all your notes (hence the keyboard under the screen)

• Cost US$249

Would I buy a Kobo?  Well, I could be tempted, however, the Kindle gives more features that I find handy – particularly the ability to make notes or highlight sections of text.

As an avid reader and book buyer, I love all the new e-reading technology that not only saves paper but allows me to purchase books and start reading them within minutes.  Plus, as my husband reminds me, reduces the number of boxes filled with books that break your back when you move house…to date I have 19 boxes of books and a Kindle.

What do you think about the new Kobo?  As a book-lover, would you invest in buying an e-reader?