Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why Sony?, August 28, 2009
Length:: 3:24 Mins
I have been following the e-book readers for some time, and I wanted several things for me to "jump on the bandwagon." ***Since I have received many questions, I am now including a video to demonstrate my favorite features***
1) I have a number of PDF reference books, so a Reader needs to handle these well. Since my books are text, these reflow well on the Sony.
2) Because I will use (and now am using) the Reader for reference books, it was important that I be able to access my notes directly from my computer to use in other documents. I actually began using the software on my desktop several months before I purchased the 600, and was pleased with its capabilities.
3) I enjoy the free epub books from my library. The Sony accesses these easily. There are also a number of locations besides Sony selling the epub or Adobe digital books (usable by the Sony Touch) giving me more choice in my decision.
4) The Touch handles my regular documents well - as a public speaker, I love having my speeches available to study on the reader, without having to print them out!
But for those looking for the points I already love (thus the 5 stars)
1) I love having the touch turn capability, just a brush of my thumb!
2) I enjoy the sideways and zoom features for PDFs that you want to keep "standard"
3) After only a couple of minutes, I forgot I was even using a reader and I got involved in the book.
*** I live in an isolated area - so neither Whispernet for the Kindle nor the upcoming 3G connection on the more expensive Daily model would be helpful - I'm just as happy to order my books "in advance" and carry them with me.
I enjoy the feel of the Reader by itself, but since I will be carrying this "library" with me, and I was worried about protection, I purchased the M-edge Executive Jacket for Sony Reader PRS-505 (Genuine Leather--Pebbled Grey w/ Black) - SALE! which fits it perfectly.
I also purchased the Sony AC Charger for PRS505SC and PRS505LC to ensure that I can charge up my reader when my computer isn't around.
Edited after 2 weeks and 10 books
Some people have mentioned the glare - since my previous reading was on my laptop - this isn't an issue for me. I keep my lighting at my side, and it is not a problem at all. It is more noticeable in a dark room with a single light source.
Another issue I have encountered isn't with the reader - but with the interaction between Windows and the software. It is pretty touchy. I have learned to be careful of some PDF documents which have caused problems.
It is also important that when importing books that aren't loaded through the reader that you "maintain" the link by not moving them once they are imported. Like Powerpoint and other programs, the desktop ebook reader doesn't store the book in the program - it links to it on your computer. Breaking the link means it can't find the book - and it can't upload the book.
*** A special touch for a "Grandma" is the ability to be able to load photos of my granddaughter to carry with me. There is even a feature that permits showing the photos as a slide show. While the photos are in black and white, they are very sharp and it is a nice touch when I travel.
*** Edited after 2 months -
A recent update in the software has removed some of the software connection problems I originally experienced. So, that's a plus!
However, I have recently added some PDF files that did NOT flow the same way as my original "professional" files reflowed. After checking with those more knowledgeable, I have been told that the problem is not with the Sony, but with the way the PDF files have been set up. The PDF is supposed to include "tags" that will help the pages to reflow correctly. My recommendation is that anyone with PDFs they need to carry on the reader download the free computer software and attempt to read them using this software. If it works on your computer, it will reflow correctly on the Sony. If it does not - then it will not do so on the Reader either.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Kindle, just Sony has bad marketing dept., October 25, 2009
I've had the Sony Reader 505 for 5 months and loved it, just upgraded to the Touch version. You are not forced to buy from Amazon, Sony eBook store has most everything Amazon does, and you can request if something is missing. Free books on Google, specially formatted for Sony reader, No ugly keyboard at the bottom, but a virtual keyboard and can use a stylus or fingers. Expandable memory slots, 2 of 'em! Can borrow books from library.
It looks much cooler than the Kindle and the note functions and editing a page is great.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Happy with Purchase after Agonizing Decision!, December 2, 2009
I have been watching eBooks and the available hardware for them for years. When the Kindle came out, I spent some time with one and liked it but was concerned about the proprietary nature of the format and the inability to "share" my books.
Then the Nook showed up and I was tempted, but struggled with the same aspects -- and the lack of availability when I was ready to purchase.
I had glanced at the Sony versions, but wasn't even tempted until the Touch came out.
I am *so* glad I waited.
What I love:
Reading PDFs -- I am in grad school and read 20-30 journal articles a week. That's a lot of chair time to spend in front of a computer screen -- and way too much to print out. I can also convert my own documents and put them onto the reader for ready reference.
Free Library Books -- there are ePub and PDF books available through my public library at no charge that play on my reader without conversion or strife. Beautiful Adobe interface makes it work seamlessly.
Free Public Domain Books -- Again, these books are already formatted for this reader. The pages flow beautifully. The only downside is that I could never read them all!
Large selection of Books for Purchase -- I like that I can buy them from several sources -- including Sony, Fictionwise, and the like.
Audio -- The reader offers MP3 support and plays audio books, music, and the like. I can download *free* audio books from my library for my drive-time "reading" or listen to music while I read.
Expandable -- There are two card slots for expanding the memory of the reader should I ever need more space.
Color -- It is red!! Yes, you can get it in silver, but I love that it comes in red! It may seem silly to get so excited about the aesthetics, but they do matter.
Design -- In addition to the pretty color, this reader is just beautifully engineered. It feels great in my hands and fits perfectly into the (purchased separately) lighted cover.
Touch Screen -- Turning the Pages with a button is fine, but I love just swiping my thumb to move to the next page. The ability to double-tap a word and activate a dictionary is wonderful. Highlighting, handwritten notes, and on-screen menus are all bonus features of this technology. In addition, it means there is lots more space for screen and just a tiny piece of real estate devoted to buttons. Love it.
Clarity -- The screen is somewhat reflective and the touch-screen layer does cause the reader to lose a tiny bit of clarity as compared to other Sony readers. However, unless I am holding them next to one another it is not something I notice. It is very easy to read this eBook, and the aforementioned cover-with-light allows me to read it anywhere.
Adjustable Fonts -- Being able to change the print size from tiny to gigantic is fabulous. There are 5 font sizes and I have used them all for one book or another.
Adjustable Screen Orientation -- I love being able to turn the book sideways. It is actually my preferred orientation for reading.
Why only 4 stars:
The set up of this device was clunky. It does not come with much of a manual (4 pages?) and all of the software is loaded on the device and transfers to your computer when you plug it in. Except that you need additional software to make the PDFs play nice with your library. And you have to run and upgrade the software and firmware as soon as you get it. (I love that Sony fixed the glitches, so only a minor complaint here.) If I weren't pretty savvy with technology, I would have been stuck with a glitchy, crashing program and no clue how to fix it. There needs to be a "here's how to get your machine up and running now that we've figured out that we didn't ship it ready to work" card in the box!
People have quizzed me about the need to link to my computer to acquire books and other reading material for this eBook. I actually prefer it this way. It is a rare day that I am not near my laptop. I maintain my library and back it up through my computer, and I sync the device pretty regularly. By searching for titles online I can find the best deal and widest variety rather than being tied to one source for content. (Library? Google? Free! If not, I quickly check my favorite 3 sites for the title I want at the best price.) With several hundred books on the eBook, I have never run out of material to read.
While I am not super-thrilled with the software that shipped with the unit, once I discovered an open-source program called Calibre that organizes my eLibrary, converts files to be readable on my device and fetches news from about 300 sites, I officially became hooked for good. But that would be an entirely different review.
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