Amazon.com: Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition (PRS300RC) with 5" Screen

54 Reviews

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (54 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great E-Book Reader, October 2, 2009

Romantic Alice (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition (PRS300RC) with 5" Screen - Pink (Electronics)

I got the ebook reader because I had previously downloaded many ebooks from various sites on the internet (fictionwise, mybookstoreandmore, eBooks, etc...) and was sick of reading them on my computer. Most of my files were in PDF form and I was a little nervous after hearing that, despite claims to the contrary, the SONY is not a good PDF reader. The claims were right as the choice of sizes for PDF fonts are: very very squint tiny, crazy large, and freakishly large 3 words-on-a-age. I searched around and learned that one needs to download "calibre" software (available for free but they would like a donation obviously) which can convert PDF files into many different types of files. [The best file types for the ebook reader is Epub and that is the format calibre converts too. Be sure to set the font size to 12 (or whatever you choose) when the conversion prompt comes up so that the base size is a good size for you. Calibre is basically a library (like the Sony library store) that stores and tracks your ebooks and allows you to change information on the books as well so they don't show up with weird titles (which many ebooks randomly do). I highly recommend using this program if you will be attempted to read mainly PDF books on the ereader and I sincerely hope that more ebook sellers will also offer their books in Epub format.] Be aware that DRM protected book cannot be converted so will have to be read in PDF form. PDF form is made easier in the landscape mode, but Epub is still much better.

There are disadvantages to the kindle (although I have never had one) because books are not downloaded directly to the device. The reader needs to be hooked up the computer (or other device) where the book is. This is done fairly easily through a provided USB 2.0 cable, but I can see why people would prefer the book just appear. Another complaint would be the prices in the Sony bookstore, a complaint I can definitely get behind. Many of their top-selling fiction is fairly decently priced even if not quite as low as Kindle prices, but many of the "less" popular fiction is way more expensive than I was expecting. Many less popular books, can be find in other ebook stores for less and can be transferred to the computer, then to calibre, then to the Sony reader. Most of the books I read fall into this category so I have no cause for complaints but if you want to read anything but the NYT top-10 (and are not willing to shop around) maybe not the reader for you.

What I love! I love the size- I was worried about the screen being too small, but it is absolutely perfect. About the size of a mass market trade paperback really and it is REALLY thin and comfortable/ easy to hold. Because it doesn't surf a store there is no need for the full keyboard which is good and saves space on the device. Page turns were at first a little off-putting as it is kind of a mild flash as the page turns, but I very quickly got used to them and that is an issue that would appear in all ebook readers. It is VERY easy to transport and fits into literally any purse. The font comes in 3 sizes and on Epub the smallest of those fonts works fine. You can bookmark easily (bookmark button) and then can view bookmarks for a specific book or for all the books. You can view the book list by date added, author, title, or collection (which you can edit on calibre). You can switch pages by simply using the side numbered buttons to enter a page number and it quickly switches to that page. It remembers what page in every book you left on and can start back up there right away (or from the beginning). Whatever page it is on when it's turned off will be the start up page. And of course it comes in pink which is just awesome. I am VERY glad I purchased this.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comments (4)

90 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for the "Everyreader" but Others Should Look Elsewhere!, September 28, 2009

Kevin Currie-Knight "Education Grad Student" (Newark, Delaware) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition (PRS300RC) with 5" Screen - Pink (Electronics)

The Sony Ebook Reader Pocket edition is a very solid ebook reader for certain types of readers. At a much lesser cost than the kindle, I would strongly reccomend this reader for those who want an easy-to-use, no nonsense, bells, or whistles, ereader. If you are not planning on taking notes, highlighting passages, having a book read to you via text-to-voice, or store 1,000 books at a time, then why pay extra for a kindle 2 with those features when you can pay less for this solid machine?

But, alas, I am not that kind of reader. I do highlight, make "notes in the margins," and - from time to time - want to turn my book into an audiobook (even if it does sound like a GPS).

Here's the backstory. I am a kindle user who has become frustrated with several features of the kindle, nonetheleast of which are its lack of page numbers (making it hard to reference passages to others) and its proprietary nature (why can't it handle PDF's without a cumbersome conversion process?!). So, I bought a Sony Ebook Reader Pocket edition to play around with.

Immediately, I was struck by its compact design, with a 5'' screen perfect for putting in one's jacket pocket, briefcase, or carry-on bag. I was also VERY impressed with its readability; in my opinion, the resolution and text-to-screen contrast is actually better than the kindle (albeit only barely). It is easy to turn pages, jump from one page to another (this is much easier than on the kindle), and one has the option of text appearing vertically or horizontally on the screen.

Now, the downside: instead of five text sizes, there are only three (sometimes the choice is between just too smal and just too big). AND DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE CLAIM THAT THIS MACHINE HANDLES PDF FILES WELL; it doesn't. Especially since there are only three text sizes, in order to display with formatting in tact, the text will be very tiny! One can only change text size on some PDF's and even then the PDF formatting comes completely unglued. Nor can you search for a word that apears in the book like you can on the kindle.

And here are the reasons that I personally could not see this device as a worthy kindle replacement: first, one cannot highlight or make notes in the margins. This is crucial for me, as I am a PhD student who often reads research articles on my ereader. One can bookmark pages, but not make any notes or highlights in the text. Also, to be honest, the software the Sony Ereader works with (ebook library) is quite clumsy. I had it for less than a week, and it crapped out on my twice, and since there is no wireless compatibility, when the software doesn't work, no new books can be downloaded. Lastly, the book selection isn't there yet. Every single book that was available for the Sony was available and cheaper on the kindle.

As an aside, I was also looking forward to the Sony Ereader's ability to download any google book (that is in the public domain) for free. While this was something alleged to be exclusive to the Sony Ereader, it is not. While I cannot get into specifics, there exists freeware online that will allow the kindle to accept public domained google books. (And most are available free via other websites, anyhow.) If this is a selling point for you, rethink.

But, for many readers who don't need to "write in margins," highlight, or search a book for words that appear in it, this ereader is every bit as solid in performance as the kindle, costs quite a bit less and is more affordable. (Some even say it is every bit as stylish, but that is a matter of taste.) I can fully see most everyday book readers willing to trade bells and whistles for affordability happily using the Sony Ereader Pocket edition.

But for those who want more advanced features, this ereader doesn't have them.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comments (5)

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Pocket Reader, December 1, 2009

rokalily (City of Angels, Cali USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition (PRS300RC) with 5" Screen - Pink (Electronics)

This Sony pocket reader is the best e-reader I've owned so far. While the color is described as pink, it is more of a dark ruby-pink, very attractive color - a guy would not be weirded out by carrying one of these around. It does not have a lot of bells and whistles on it, but the best thing about it is...it just works. There's no fooling around, plug it in, charge it up, download your books and your are ready to go. The screen clarity is much better than previous gen Sony e-readers, and the battery seems to last a bit longer. It lasts up to about 7-10 days with everyday reading. You will want to charge it fully if you haven't used it in a week or so. You can read in landscape or regular. Buttons are quick to respond, you can bookmark pages, jump back and forth within a book or between books. The size is perfect for female, smaller hands, but doesn't get lost in your boyfriend's big paws either. And, it is not cutting board size, or ugly like some other e-readers out there. No, it doesn't have a touch screen or wireless downloads or a pointless mini color screen, but I don't find that I miss those things. They are readily available to buy, the selection of books you will be able to buy for this reader is expanding and you can borrow e-books for downloading from your public library. The reader software has improved a lot, is faster and makes it easy to find your books, whether you are looking for them on your computer or e-reader. Definitely worth a look and worth its price.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 54 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars It works but......
....Sony's format for this reader is a bit of a pain. If you have issues with your computer and the software you will never be able to get it to work again. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Guro305

1.0 out of 5 stars Gave 1 star because there was nothing lower!
The only reason I continue to use this horrible item is that it was a gift from my daughter. Costs too much and needs to be hooked up to a computer to load books. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Rebecca L. Espinosa

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Happy
My Nook WiFi, that I never dropped before, I dropped and the thing went complete kaput :-( . Right now purchasing another one, even used was financially out of the question. Read more