Kobo Nia review (hands-on)

2. Click Yes when asked if you’re sure you want to continue. The Kobo Nia may be a little slow, but it’s a solid entry-level e-reader . Luckily, there is a workaround, as we’ll explain below. 1. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Obviously, make sure you choose the correct one, so you don’t overwrite anything important. When you start a new book, you just simply start at page 1 of the book, rather than dealing with a prompt about a social network (as Amazon’s Goodreads integration does) or seeing metadata about the book.

Choose the “x64” build , rather than “arm64”, unless you have an ARM-powered laptop such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X. Against. That’s a feature I’ve always disliked, because it felt like I was given a used book. Fortunately, that’s the kind of task you’re only going to need to perform a handful of times. Microsoft has now released ISO files of the new operating system, but you’ll need to be an Insider to try this method. The Kobo Nia’s 6-inch E Link screen is sharp for its price, but not exactly impressive.

4. There’s been a lot of controversy about Windows 11 requirements, with Microsoft deeming many processors incompatible with the new operating system. That’s right, Kobo’s Overdrive section allows you to tether your local library account, to borrow eBooks. Fortunately, if you want to clean install Windows 11 without becoming an Insider, it is possible to download ISOs of the latest builds from a third-party website called UU Dump. Next, right-click the USB stick’s empty space and choose New Simple Volume . The Kobo Nia, just like that Kindle, has its microUSB port and power button on its bottom edge, and I wish the latter stuck out a little more, as it requires Chromecast a little thought and effort to actuate. Otherwise, the Kobo Nia performs "good enough." Most of the time Pages load relatively smoothly when you tap or swipe to move forward or back, as does the Back to My Books button that returns you to the home screen.

So how come I cant find that "Use a device option?" I know the drive is plugged in because the win 10 recognizes it. The Rakuten Kobo e-readers are so interesting to me, because their interface is much more aligned with what I want from an e-reader than the Amazon Kindles offer. The best part about the Kobo reading experience is that you don’t always have to pay for what you read. Click Next on the following page and select the edition of Windows 11 you want to clean install.

Also check the box to “Include updates." 3. Also, when I try booting to that disk forcibly in my BIOS, it doesn’t seem to do anything and just ends up defaulting to my normal Windows 10 hard drive. Once this is done, go back to the Windows 11 folder, right-click the ISO file and choose Mount . More: Windows 11: Inside the dramatic redesign : Here’s what’s new : Why that’s a good thing. While it could be more unique, I look forward to spending more time with the Kobo Nia to see how things work outside of Amazon’s Kindle world. Click Next again to confirm. Kobo Nia review: Software.

You can either install the new operating system on a spare PC, or on a partition on your current hard drive, so you won’t overwrite important files or lose access to Windows 10. In our instructions below, we’ve recommended selecting your USB drive in Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options, but you could also boot straight from the USB stick by changing the boot order in your system’s BIOS. He’s also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

4. No audiobook support Kinda slow processor $10 more than Amazon Kindle. Select your USB stick in the list of drives, then right-click each of its partitions in the bottom section of the window and choose Delete Volume . First, head to UU Dump , where you can download the latest builds of various Windows versions for free. The Kobo Nia doesn’t automatically show you the passages others have highlighted like Kindles do. – No audiobook support – Kinda slow processor – $10 more than Amazon Kindle. To boot into a clean install from an NTFS drive, you’ll need to disable your PC’s Secure Boot feature, and Windows 11 won’t run without Secure Boot being enabled.

I know the mobo kinda sees it because it shows up in boot priority override section of bios with all the other connected drives. Thank you for signing up to Tom’s Guide. But while the Kindle has a flat back, the Kobo Nia has a neat-looking dimpled back panel.

3. To perform a clean install, rather than an upgrade, choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)." Create a second partition that uses the remaining space on the drive and format it as NTFS . 5. This will make the downloaded Windows 11 build easier to clean install. Robert enjoys cooking, and makes a mean sausage casserole, but is definitely not the celebrity chef of the same name. Kobo Nia review: Content.

Then here’s all the files on them. 1. Alternatively, open Settings, choose Update & Security, then Recovery , and click "Restart now" under "Advanced start-up". How to do a clean install of Windows 11 using an ISO file.

Press 0 on your keyboard to close the command prompt window and look in the setup files folder from step 1. We chose Windows Home , because that’s the version we’re running on our laptop. + Clean interface + Solid local library integration + No lock screen ads. Priced at $99, the Kobo Nia is $10 more than the Amazon Kindle, its most-similar e-reader. For example it took 7 seconds for the Kobo Nia to load the list of nearby Wi-Fi routers. The clean install of Windows 11 will now begin – at last!

Once the installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to restart your PC , so you can enter the exciting new world of Microsoft’s latest operating system. Be warned that this can take a long time , and may hang for a while: we waited for over an hour on our HP laptop. Here we’ll explain how to bypass the Windows Insider Program, and download the latest version of Windows 11 to clean install on your PC. This is a safe, trustworthy source, and you don’t even need to register with the site. 2. Double-click the file in the folder named uup_download_windows . Choose your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard and input method from the drop-down menus and click Next.

This is because the Windows 11 installation file is larger than 4GB, which is the maximum size supported by FAT32. Is there something I’m missing? I have an Asus H97M-Plus mobo and I have been futzing a lot with the settings recently to get a new m.2 hd working because NVME came out after the mobo was manufactured; therefore, my never upgraded BIOS didn’t have support for something that didn’t exist yet at its creation. If you try to burn the Windows 11 ISO to a USB stick using Rufus or a similar program, it will create an NTFS-formatted drive rather than a FAT32-formatted one. When the ISO folder opens, copy all the files and folders, except the "sources" folder, to the FAT32 partition on the USB drive . I followed the instructions really carefully, I even went back and did it 2 or 3 times to make sure I wasn’t doing something wrong.

Now copy all the files and folders from the ISO , including those you copied before, to the NTFS partition of the USB stick . I just did the "quick format" option the first 2 times, but I eventually used the partitioning in disk management to format the whole thing, make the two partitions, and do a full format with the quick option turned off. Kobo Nia review: Performance. If Windows displays a SmartScreen security warning, click More info and choose Run anyway (the file is completely safe to run.) Insert your USB stick and make sure there’s nothing important stored on it, as all data will need to be erased to create the bootable install disk. Usually, we’d recommend using the excellent free program Rufus to create the bootable USB drive, but sadly Microsoft has made this difficult, in fact impossible, with Windows 11.

The good news is that preview releases of Windows 11 can be installed despite the restrictions, and will work for the moment, at least. The Kobo Nia is an e-reader worth considering for those who want less Amazon in their Kindle. Click Next to continue. I’m going to be spending more time with the Nia to see how that factors out, as Rakuten admits battery life varies by use, and I’m guessing excessive backlight can hinder that. You should see the new ISO disc image file in the same folder as the uup_download_windows file you double-clicked in step 2. He has been writing tutorials about software, hardware, websites and other tech topics since the days of dial-up modems, and was previously the editor of Web User magazine.

I’ve just got my hands on the Kobo Nia, a new e-reader that lowers the point of entry for the Rakuten Kobo line, the main alternatives to Amazon’s Kindles. 3. Kobo Nia review (hands-on) Yes, Kobo sells them online, no you can’t listen to them on the Nia. What gives, any idea? Aside from the slight, indented Kobo logo on its front, the Kobo Nia has such a simple look that you’d be forgiven for calling it a Kindle if it were handed to you. Click the " Create a download package" button to download a ZIP file containing the Windows 11 setup files.

Select the drive or partition you want to install Windows 11 on . Kobo Nia review: Design. You just see cover of the last book you were reading. Robert Irvine is How-To Editor at Tom’s Guide. Not even mother boards can predict the future.

1. I didn’t have any trouble finding books I was looking for in the Kobo eBookstore library store, and you shouldn’t either: they claim to house over 6 million titles. Now comes the tricky task of creating a bootable install disk from the Windows 11 ISO file. For your phone, the best ebooks apps are Scrapbooking?

We’ve found the best photo books services. On the positive side, we like the the Kobo interface over the Kindle’s because it’s simply less cluttered and more focused on the books than the social networks and Amazon-y-ness of even the best Kindle (you shouldn’t need to get the Kindle Kids Edition for a minimalist interface). 3. Measuring 1024 x 758 pixels, it’s got a resolution of 221 pixels per inch, which is sharper than the $90 Kindle’s 167 ppi panel but not as crisp as the Kindle Paperwhite’s 300 ppi display. You won’t even need to enter a Windows product key. You may now be asked to enter your Windows product key . 4. This will mean losing all files, settings, and applications stored on the installation drive, so make sure you have everything backed up . However, this method only allows you to upgrade to Windows 11 from your current Windows 10 installation.

Create a new partition that’s 1GB in size and format it as FAT32 . How to clean install Windows 11: Create a bootable install disk. The Kobo Nia is an e-reader worth considering for those who want less Amazon in their Kindle. Price: $99.99 USD | $129.99 CAD | €99.99 | £89.99 Display: 6-inch E Ink Size: 6.3 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches Processor: NXP i.MX 6ULL Weight: 6.1 ounces (0.37 pounds) Resolution: 1024 x 758 resolution (212 ppi) Memory: 256 MB Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Port: Micro USB Lighting: ComfortLight: adjustable brightness Storage: 8GB (stores up to 6,000 eBooks) Battery: 1,000 mAh Supported file formats: eBooks (EPUB, EPUB3, PDF and MOBI), images (JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP and TIFF), text (TXT, HTML, XHTML and RTF), comic books (CBZ and CBR) Amazon doesn’t list how many it offers online, but my colleague and Tom’s Guide editor Marshall Honorof pegs Amazon’s tally at around 4 million, and the seller claims a million or so exclusive titles.

Open the downloaded ZIP file and extract its contents to a folder on your PC. On the following screen, click "Install now." Prior to joining Tom’s Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. 6. Measuring 6.3 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches and weighing 6.1 ounces, the Kobo Nia is also practically identical in size to the Kindle (6.3 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches, 6.1 ounces). Create an empty folder called "sources" on this FAT32 partition and copy the “boot.wim” file from the original "sources" folder into it.

Loading different sections on the home screen, though, I saw about 3-5 seconds pass, which felt a bit long. How to do a clean install of Windows 11: Download the latest build. With that difficult part out of the way, you can now perform your clean install of Windows 11 from the bootable install disk on your USB stick, so make sure it’s inserted in your PC. Oh, and Rakuten and Kobo don’t force you to pay to remove lock screen ads either (Amazon charges $15 for a clean experience). Henry is a senior editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years.

It looks an awful lot like the $90 Amazon Kindle it’s competing with, down to the indented picture-box bezels. 4. Once you’ve downloaded the latest Windows 11 build, you’ll need to install the required files to create an ISO disk image of the operating system. This Kobo Nia review is a preliminary assessment of the tablet, which is why it’s not rated at this time — I’ll need more hours spent reading on it to know whether or not to recommend it. The default folder will have a very long name and be located in your Downloads folder, so you may want to create a dedicated folder on your Desktop for easier access.

1. Hey, I got to the part where I was making the boot disk and somehow I’m NOT getting the option to "Use a device" at the very end when we’re restarting our pc with advanced startup repair by holding shift right before the initial windows setup screen. Here we explain how to perform the ISO creation process and why you’ll need to be patient to get your clean install of Windows 11. The Kobo Nia’s NXP i.MX 6ULL processor is the no-namiest no-name computer component I’ve come across in a while, and the tablet doesn’t give me a strong impression of its capability. With 5 front-lit LED lights, the Kobo Nia’s got one more LED than the Amazon Kindle, and that lighting is pretty even by my eye so far. Once all the files are downloaded, the ISO file should be created automatically.

You’ll need a USB stick with at least 8GB of storage space on it. I assume there is a bad setting in my BIOS, but I have no clue, do you guys? I did 1024 in FAT32, I think the only thing I changed was I named them every time instead of defaulting "new volume" I named them things like FAT32 and 32 and FT32 and NTFS and FS on the remainder. The Windows Setup screen will now open. 6. The Kobo Nia has a 1,000 mAh battery, which the company says should last for weeks on a single charge.

Performing a clean install, in contrast, gives you a completely fresh start with Windows 11, and ensures that it runs as smoothly as possible. If you have your license key for Windows 10 to hand, type it in, but if not don’t worry: you can just click “I don’t have a product key” to continue. You will receive a verification email shortly. While the Kobo Nia is $10 more than the Amazon Kindle, that extra fee softens once you realize that Rakuten and Kobo don’t make you pay extra to remove ads.

Select the download option “Download and convert to ISO” . Although upgrading preserves all your files, settings, and programs, it also means that any junk, broken registry entries and performance issues will be transferred to your new setup. Tom’s Guide Verdict. This doesn’t make it any easier to hold or grip, at least in my experience, but it’s nice to look at. Windows Setup will now ask which type of installation you want.

Kobo Nia review: Outlook. Here is a pic of Disk 4 formatted exactly as asked. This can take a while, but once complete, you should (finally!) have a bootable install disk for Windows 11 . Amazon’s Kindle does support audiobooks, but only Amazon’s own Audible audiobooks.

2. If it doesn’t work, try the other option. The only official way to test drive Windows 11 is to sign up for the Windows Insider Program and upgrade from Windows 10. Check if your PC can run it: Windows 11 system requirements : Through the Windows Insider Program if PC Health Check doesn’t work Our full list: Windows 11-ready laptops.

Select the most recent version of Windows 11 at the top of the list of releases. Make sure your folder doesn’t have any spaces in its name , as this will prevent installation. We’ve called our folder “win11iso”.

When the Advanced Startup screen appears, click "Use a device" under "Choose an option." While the Kobo Nia supports a ton of file formats, with EPUB, EPUB3, PDF and MOBI eBooks, as well as CBZ and CBR comic books and various text files and images, it’s seriously lacking when it comes to audiobooks. A command prompt window will now open and start downloading all the installation files required to create the Windows 11 ISO. Here we show you how to clean install Windows 11 by downloading the correct ISO file for your PC. 7. How to clean install Windows 11: Perform the clean install. Open the Disk Management Tool by typing “disk partition” into the Start menu search box and selecting "Create and format disk partitions." To do this, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard when you choose Restart from the Power menu.

5. Want to know how to do a clean install of Windows 11? The obvious solution is to sign up for the Windows Insider Program and download the latest build that Microsoft makes available through Windows Update. Restart your PC into Advanced Startup Options. So while it might come off as a Kindle imitator, this Kobo Nia review has shown how it puts the ‘reader’ back in e-reader.

But is the Kobo Nia good enough to make it to our best Kindles page, despite it not being a Kindle? I’m not so sure. Clean interface Solid local library integration No lock screen ads.

Click the Dev Channel link at the top of the page. How to clean install Windows 11: Create the ISO file. I can take photos if you need them, but I cant screenshot the bios and/or startup repair menu.

Kobo Nia review: Battery life. The Nia’s brightness is manually controlled by a brightness slider, and I found it bright enough at 15% brightness. The Kobo Nia’s ComfortLight lighting is strong enough for reading in direct sunlight, which I tested by taking a moment to bring it out onto a hot NYC sidewalk. 2. The package you downloaded from UU Dump will do the hard work for you.

As you created two partitions, you’ll see two options: the top one should be the NTFS-formatted partition , so click that. Kobo Nia review: Display. On the following screen, select the USB stick that you copied the Windows 11 ISO to.