Ebook Reader

[kwang0274]

I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation on an e-book reader. Maybe we could get Tekzilla to review a couple like the Kindle and the PRS-505 from Sony.

Kwang

[owlboy]

Amazon Kindle if you can get one

[dark_shroud]

Right now Sony makes the best. Though the kindle is off to a good start design wise.

[veronicazilla]

I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation on an e-book reader. Maybe we could get Tekzilla to review a couple like the Kindle and the PRS-505 from Sony.

Kwang

I would love to do a comparison, even just for my own sake! I'm been trying to decide for a while...

[dosbomber]

Some say the PDA is dead, but I've been using a Garmin iQue 3600 for years as my eBook reader. PalmReader handles everything I need it to, does fairly well on battery life, and since it's just an application on a PDA device it means I don't have to carry around another device just for eBooks. Nice sized screen, too.

I'm reading "Old Twentieth" by Joe Haldeman now, and just finished "Quicksilver" by Neil Stephenson.

The thing I like most about eBooks is that I can carry 15-20 at a time, and it takes up so little physical space. :)

[kwang0274]

So, I started this topic and thought it only fair to update everyone. I decided to purchase the Sony PCS-505. (I didn't want to wait the two days for shipping from Amazon. Aren't I crazy?) I drove to my local SonyStyle store and clunked down the cash and drove home with the goods.

My impression so far is that it's nice, but needs some work. I installed the software that Sony provided which is the worst. The program lacks that polished finish that Sony puts on everything. For example, I can't use the arrow keys to scroll down the list of ebooks. How crazy is that. The reader itself looks really nice which seems to be a hallmark of Sony's. But, there is an annoying lag between keypress and screen change. It is usually a second or two. Annoying. Next issue is when you "turn pages," the screen goes completely black and then the text appears. Not a big issue, but I can see it getting annoying for some people. My last issue so far, I can't read while the things is plugged into a usb port. So, while the device is charging via usb port, the device is a big paper weight. Hopefully, this is just me doing something wrong. But, as of yet, I haven't figured out how to correct this.

The screen looks really good and the text is easy on the eyes, provide there is plenty of light hitting the screen. So, at one point, I sat with the book between me and the lamp and no light behind me and the text was a little harder to read. When I turned around and sat between the device and the lamp, everything was fine.

Sony is also currently offering a 100 free classic ebooks which sweetens the deal provided you like to read classics. There are 16 book excerpts that come with the unit and 2 mp3's and 3 pictures and 1 full ebook (Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte). That's my brief review on the Sony PCS-505. I hope this was helpful to someone.

[veronicazilla]

With a Mac being my main machine, I think I'll have to go with the Kindle (or wait for another alternative).

AFAIK, Sony Reader isn't Mac compatible.

[tokenuser]

AFAIK, Sony Reader isn't Mac compatible.Not officially (http://thinkwrap.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/sony-ereader-format-lrf-viewer-for-the-mac-linux-and-windows/) ... eitherway, I'd hang back until after SJ does his keynote at the WWDC. Rumours of a larger screen iPod touch (Newton 2.0?) are floating around that will make a killer eReader (tilt device to turn page ?).

[kwang0274]

There are third party apps that will allow you to transfer ebooks to your PRS-505. The wikipedia page has some info about that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Reader.

[davmoo]

Some say the PDA is dead, but I've been using a Garmin iQue 3600 for years as my eBook reader.

You're not alone. My Palm TX also serves as an ebook reader (among other things).

But those sure are nice sharp and contrasty displays on the Kindle and Sony readers...