Sony Reader Edition (Digital Reader)

[Catrin]

Best Buy has the Sony readers (as well as Kindles and a couple of off-brand readers).

Thanks for the tip, it was nice to be able to compare the readers. While more expensive, I opted for the Sony Reader Daily edition - with wireless access. The 5-inch screen version is too small, and since the 7 inch wireless version is only $50 more from the 6-inch non-connected version I went ahead and pulled the trigger. I was quite glad to see that Sony has solved the glare of the touch screen from the first generation of the touch screen.

The Kindle is certainly more affordable, but it doesn't do .epub easily, and I have hundreds of .epub books on my computer. This in itself is worth the extra money. It is worth it to me to be able to easily access them without having to convert each and every one of them - and I've noted that most of the books I do check out on Amazon do not come in electronic format. I really like having easy access to borrowing library books and the Google public domain library with the Sony Reader.

I am giving up my cable tv, so that will give more time for reading, and riding, and needlework and music and...

[Becky]

I am giving up my cable tv, so that will give more time for reading, and riding, and needlework and music and...

I really should do this.... It would certainly make it easier to get to the gym/pool and ride and read books and clean house......

[salsabike]

Hey, how timely! Thanks. I have just been trying to sort through this, because I too think an e-reader device will help with heavy books AND I darn sure want to have access to the library e-books. Yay! Info much appreciated.

[7rider]

Sony e-reader touch is only $99 on Woot.com today.

[Catrin]

Sony e-reader touch is only $99 on Woot.com today.

Check that it isn't the older version of the Touch - the older version uses a technology that causes a lot of screen glare. The most recent version is the PRS-650 RC, which retails for a little over $200 so this is a great price if it is the right version - even Sony is out of stock on this model right now. If it is an older version, the problem with the glare is significant and I would caution against it at any price. At least that was my experience with it...

Edited: I checked it out, and it is the second generation of Sony's Touch screen reader - the PRS-600. While the glare problem wasn't as bad with this version as the first generation (the one I had) it still uses the same technology - thus the same problem. With the third generation they moved to infrared detection which removed the need for that additional layer on the screen that caused the glare problem with the first two generations. This is a great price though, and it might be that the glare was reduced enough for this version to make the price worthwhile.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, I have the PRS-600. I don't find it particularly glary, but I do find that the low contrast (non-adjustable) makes it much harder to read than DH's Kindle. It's also dog slow, the touch screen is unreliable, and the physical buttons seem to require an excessive amount of force to operate (not a strength problem, but could be an issue for anyone with wrist issues/CTS). I use it, I like it okay, but if I were getting a new one for myself I'd likely choose something else.

But for $99... it's probably worth it.

[Catrin]

FWIW, I have the PRS-600. I don't find it particularly glary, but I do find that the low contrast (non-adjustable) makes it much harder to read than DH's Kindle. It's also dog slow, the touch screen is unreliable, and the physical buttons seem to require an excessive amount of force to operate (not a strength problem, but could be an issue for anyone with wrist issues/CTS). I use it, I like it okay, but if I were getting a new one for myself I'd likely choose something else.

But for $99... it's probably worth it.

That is kind of what I was thinking. Apparently Sony has addressed those issues with the 650, weight is lighter, speed is faster, contrast is better. Of course that isn't the one that Woot has on sale... I did check out the 650 at Best Buy and was quite impressed at the responsivity/speed of the new infrared touch screen. I noted little difference in the contrast between the Kindle and new generation Sony. Sadly their Nook wasn't registered and insisted that it had to be registered before I could look at anything - but I wasn't considering it anyway.

[Catrin]

Hey, how timely! Thanks. I have just been trying to sort through this, because I too think an e-reader device will help with heavy books AND I darn sure want to have access to the library e-books. Yay! Info much appreciated.

It is very helpful to have one of these, which is why I can't seem to NOT have one. I do not know if there is some way to "borrow" library books with the Nook or Kindle, but here is a link to the Sony Library Finder page to see if your library is available and if they have made books that you might like to read accessible via this method.

The Sony is certainly more expensive than the Kindle, all three versions. I prefer, however, how they feel in the hand and they do have more features than the Kindle - this is aside from the ability to access libraries and .epub books. The smallest/cheapest version is not expandable or will play music, but it has the other features Sony features. You can download a PDF here from Sony's site that compares features between the assorted versions of the Sony, Kindle, and Nook.