Kobo Arc 10 HD

The Kobo Arc 10 HD is a case of form detracting from function: The awkward shape, thickness and weight (1.4 pounds may not sound like much, but as an ebook-based tablet that’s well weighty) may turn some off before checking out the excellent HD screen and useful apps.

Even the specs are impressive: The Tegra 4 processor makes the Kobo Arc 10 HD among the fastest in its class, if we consider the tablet an e-book reader first. Micro HDMI and Micro USB ports are included for those seeking to do more than mere reading. With just 16 GB of internal storage space and no SD card ports, the most serious of book lovers may be slightly disappointed, but most should be able to make do.

For those book lovers, Kobo has loaded the Arc 10 HD with lots of handy apps and organizational features for enhancing that e-book experience. This tablet even allows the running of several apps at once for some nice multi-tasking opportunities.

But back to that screen: Not only does the 2560 x 1600-pixel resolution on the Arc 10 live up to that “HD” promise, the sleek glass screen nearly extends to all edges and minimizes the bezel. Response time on the touchscreen is flawless and the unique soft matte back makes holding this tablet easy.

For a while, that is. In the post-iPad Air age, who would be interested in toting around this much weight? And who at Kobo decided it might be a good idea to create a tablet with pointed corners? Here at Tablet2Cases, we may be biased but the solution to enjoying the impossible-to-hold but otherwise excellent Kobo Arc 10 HD would be to get a tablet case with stand to go with it. Prop and enjoy!