Tue 1 Dec 2009
Like everyone else, I watched for the release of Sony Reader Touch with great enthusiasm. Though I prefer to read while traveling and during my free time, I was not sure that I will be that comfortable with a digital device. I checked out Sony PRS-505 at Staples and I must say that I was very impressed with the display quality. I found it more comfortable to read than the book I purchase at Jayanagar 4th block. Look of PRS-505 accelerated my decision to go for an ebook reader. Thought of carrying over 300 books with me while traveling was a compelling enough reason to own one immediately. 
Sony announced PRS-600 and PRS-300 at the same time. I decided to go for PRS-600BC for the following reasons
- Touch Screen
- Free hand highlighting and note taking capabilities
- Built-in dictionary
- Multiple format support
The last one was the decision point when I have to choose between Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader.
I received my Sony Reader (after some struggle due to back orders) just before I left Utah. I was hoping that I can use the Reader as a tool for my references, like read through multiple books, mark sections, refer them back etc. I realized after using ti for a couple of days that, eBook Readers are best used just as a Reader. It’s slow to skip through pages and highlight (on screen writing works pretty well though). I switched to using this just as a Reader now.
I’ve been using the Reader for over two months now. I’m very used to with the Reader and its there always with me when ever I go out. Here are my observations….
Good Stuff first…
- Small and convenient to carry around
- Can be used for taking small notes
- Over 350 books with you always
- Supports PDF
And things that I don’t like
- While PRS-505 looks better than real paper, PRS-600 has a lot of touch screen glare. Its difficult to read in a room with fluorescent light.
- PDF docs needs to be zoomed for better readability. You can’t copy text in this mode.
- Music and image quality is not great.
Operating System Supported
You need Sony’s application to purchase ebook from Sony’s ebook store. I wish I never have to use this software. Sony supports only windows platform. I took almost an hour to figure out how to transfer some files to the device.
I searched around for a linux client before I purchased the Reader. Calibre is much better than Sony’s own software (except that you can’t purchase books) and supports multiple platforms. I use my linux laptop to manage the device completely using Calibre.
I’m very happy with my PRS-600BC. Its very handy and convenient with its leather book like cover. I already finished 4 books (including the Lost Symbol!!!) already and I’m afraid that I’m getting addicted to the Reader. However, I would recommend PRS-505 anytime if you are not very interested in dictionary, online note taking etc.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I debated whether to get a Kindle 2 because I’d pretty much stopped using my Kindle 1 (except for when traveling). I just missed real books too much, and there were a number of things that drove me crazy about the Kindle 1. Well, I caved. My Kindle 2 just arrived, and I LOVE it!
Here are some differences:
1. The page turning buttons have been fixed. Yea!!! I couldn’t hold the old Kindle without inadvertently turning the page, which rendered it unusable for me. The new model fixes that problem.
2. While the old Kindle looked and felt like a hunk of junk, the new Kindle is an elegant object. Both the design and the manufacturing standards were atrocious on the old Kindle. Not only was it as ugly as sin, but all of the buttons were all out of alignment and there were giant gaps between the plastic and the screen. I cringed every time I used it. The new device is still no iPod, but it is a pleasure to hold. (One thing remains that I still HATE: Having the hideous AmazonKindle logo — the “smirk” — on the front of the device. iPod has its name only on the back of the object; why can’t Kindle? And why a smirk?)
3. The screen quality is much, much better. It may have been because I got my first Kindle from the very first batch, but the screen and text on the old model looked very grainy, like newsprint. The grey background was mottled and the text was fuzzy, like text had “bled” into the paper. It was like reading a super-cheap paperback. The new screen has a very smooth background and very crisp letters. I’m still not crazy about the drab grey color of the screen and greater contrast would improve readability, but to me it is exponentially better.
4. I actually like the audio feature. I thought that was something I’d never use, but I turned it on for my morning commute and it was surprisingly tolerable. Of course, if I had the choice of an audio book read by an actual human, I’d choose that every time, but given the limited selection of real audio books this is an acceptable substitute. Yes, it sounds like your GPS lady is reading to you, but it is 100x better than I ever thought it would be.
5. The thrill of downloading something on the spot still gives me a rush. While there are still many things to iron out — WE WANT THE ABILITY TO MAKE FOLDERS, AMAZON! — the flaws are not significant enough to get in the way of my overall enjoyment. This is not to say that the device will replace paper books for me; there is still something about a book as a physical object that I love and crave. But I’ll likely keep my Kindle charged and with me all the time now (and I’ll likely buy both the hard copy and Kindle version when available).
6. Finally, for those romantics out there who think that there is something heretical about a device like this, think of it this way: Never again will you have to leave the house without your top 100 (or 1000) all-time favorite books by your side. In fact, I plan to go download the complete works of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Paul Auster right now. (But not Emily Dickinson. Everyone knows you can’t read poetry on an electronic device! That would just be wrong.)