The situation for the mid-range

The situation for the mid-range Page reader ($250) is much the same as its smaller sibling the Poke 5, but the Page opts for the asymmetric look pioneered by Amazon’s Oasis (if I remember correctly). This popular form factor has seen many versions, and although I am partial to Kobo’s latest due to an ergonomic curve and extremely practical case, this slightly more severe rectangular style also has its charms.

 

The Page retains the simplicity of the Poke 5, though it has a seven-inch screen (1264×1680, also 300 DPI). It is a flat rectangle with flush display and a handle with page-turn buttons on one side and power on the bottom (or top if you hold it left-handed). A minor complaint I had about this one is that the buttons are sort of joined rather than separate, and the farthest end of the long buttons doesn’t depress, meaning you have to press a little toward the center. It’s not a big deal, but it’s a strange choice and somehow the opposite of the Kobo Libra 2, which depresses on the far end of the button but not the inward side. Maybe there’s some kind of esoteric UI debate here I’m not party to, but there it is.

 

The buttons and slightly larger screen would make this my choice for travel if only I could get a stand-up case for it. If Boox can make that happen, they’ll really be a threat. At $250, however, it’s again hard to justify this one over the competing Libra 2, which you can get with a folding cover for a bit less than that.