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(More customer reviews)Edited 1/2/10: In the comments, someone pointed out that if you already have several books on one platform or another, that is a big motivator for staying within that platform for now. He is absolutely correct and should be a major consideration to anyone looking to upgrade to a larger screen. THANKS TO EVERYONE who has read and commented on my review!! I really appreciate it.
------------------------------------------------------I am an ereader freak -- I started out with the Cybook Bookeen, then moved onto the Sony PRS-505. Next came a Kindle 2, and then a Kindle DX. I've also played with the Cybook Opus and Sony PRS-700 and PRS-600.
Of those 4 readers, I have always felt that the Sony PRS-505 had the best screen of any ereader I have seen. Once Sony introduced the Sony 700 with their first touch screen, they took a HUGE step backward in terms of screen clarity. Since their bookstore was inferior to Amazon's, I felt like they gave up their marketing advantage.
When the Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device (9.7" Display, U.S. Wireless, Latest Generation) came out -- I reluctantly shelved my Sony Reader Digital book - Red (PRS505RC) despite still having a superior screen. There were 2 reasons for this:
1. Size of the screen -- I really like having more words per page and larger choice of fonts that the larger format reader affords
2. Content -- Amazon's content still can not be beat in terms of newer releases and cost of books.
However, I remained a Sony girl at heart at eagerly awaited the larger screen Sony PRS-900 dubbed the "Daily Edition".
Sony has come along way since their first dismal foray into the Touchscreen arena -- the clarity of the Sony PRS-900 is nearly as good as the PRS-505 and, in my humble opinion, even superior to the recently released PRS-600. The glare issue which the touchscreen seems to introduce has somehow been minimized and improved and therefore, those (including myself) that would never consider a touchscreen are eating a bit of crow now that Sony appears to have done a good job improving the screen clarity. The fonts associated with the Sony PRS-900 are better than the 505 which may have something to do with the perceived readability.
Sony has also included wireless access this time around -- ostensibly to compete with the Kindle. To me, the wireless access isn't that big a deal since I'm almost always near a computer and therefore, "sideloading content" is not burdensome to me. However, some consider this a big deal and the wireless does work as promised.
The Sony Store recently completed its conversion to EPUB -- Adobe's PDF-like DRM'ed reader format. EPUB is quickly becoming the defacto reader standard and with that comes some advantages:
1. Public Libraries have ebooks available for free using the EPUB format -- that means you can check books out for free and read them on your Sony -- something that is not available to Kindle users. (I don't know about the Nook since I believe they use a slightly modified version of EPUB DRM).
2. Many bookstores carry EPUB books so you are not locked into buying content only from the Sony store -- competition is good.
Now the not-so-good:
1. EPUB tends to have display issues that make it annoying to use. For example, page reflow and justification are often issues. However, on the larger format Sony -- some of these issues (like page numbers showing up to the side of the text instead of at the top or bottom) appear to have been corrected.
2. Even though there are LOTS of ebookstores out there that sell EPUB format books, the prices are still significantly higher and the availability of content for modern (i.e. copyrighted) titles still is not competitive with Amazon's Kindle.
The larger format of the Sony Reader is a welcome addition to the eReader world. Again, it makes a big difference (to me) being able to display more words per page and have a better choice of fonts. The touchscreen interface of the Sony PRS-900 is better than the Kindle interface. It is more portable than the DX -- however technical documents will still be better on the Kindle DX. For reading regular fiction, though, I think many people will find the 7.1 inch screen a good compromise between portability and use of real estate.
So should you buy a Kindle DX or a Sony PRS-900? (I'm assuming you are looking for a larger-screen reader so I'm not addressing Kindle 2, Sony PRS-600, or even the nook).
Like everything in life, the answer is "it depends"? What is more important to you?
1. Screen clarity and quality? Answer: Sony
2. Cost of purchasing newer copyrighted content? Answer: Kindle
3. Cost of device? Answer: Sony
4. Cost of maintenance? Answer: Sony (Sony has a user replaceable battery which is a good thing)
5. Ease of use? Answer: Its a push -- you'll quickly adapt to whatever reader interface you choose
6. Wireless access? Answer: Kindle -- mainly because having access to Amazon's bookstore is better than having access to Sony's bookstore and Kindle DX does give you a browser which can be very handy
7. Ability to display technical documents? Answer: Kindle
8. Ability to borrow books from the library? Answer: Sony
9. Ability to subscribe to periodicals? Its a push though the larger Kindle screen probably gives you a bit of a formatting advantage
10. Looks? Answer: (in my opinion) Sony
11. Do you already have a lot of ebooks in Kindle or Sony format? Answer: Stick with the platform you already have since converting is really not an option (unless you want to throw away your investment or learn python or several other non-kosher alternatives out there) (This one is a biggee and I appreciate the commenter that pointed this out!!!)
At this point, purchasing an eReader is a very personal decision and it will depend on what factors are most important to you. At this point, both the Sony and the Kindle provide excellent eReader experience and the good news is that you will probably quickly bond with whichever you choose (or if you don't, you probably aren't the type of person who is going to embrace eReader technology in the first place).
In the end, figure out those features that are most critical to you and pick your reader based on those features. Hopefully, this review gives you some idea of the pluses and minuses of the 2 primary large format readers currently on the market.
Oh, and if this isn't confusing enough for you -- wait until 2nd quarter of 2010 -- there are going to be some more excellent choices so if you can't make up your mind between Kindle vs Sony -- you'll really have fun going around in circles within the next few months. Just for fun, try googling iRex dr800sg (8.1" touch screen with a stylus interface and really gorgeous design) and Plastic Logic's Que e-reader (8.5 x 11 plastic screen with touch screen interface, ability to edit Office documents directly on the reader, and bigger and lighter than anything we've seen so far -- will be formally announced January 7th at the Consumer Electronics Show)
[NCJAR]
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Reader Daily Edition - Black ( PRS900BCKIT )
With the all new Sony PRS-900BCKIT Daily Edition e-Reader - you can download books and periodicals wirelessly. Experience the freedom to wirelessly browse, purchase and download books and periodicals from the Reader™ Store with free 3G wireless access11. Measuring just 0.6" thin8 and weighing only 12.75 ounces, the Reader Daily Edition™ also features a 7" paper-like display and touch screen navigation. With six adjustable font levels you can be sure to read easy in either portrait or landscape format. Plus, the Reader supports multiple formats including ePub and PDF while giving you access to over one million free public domain titles from Google Books.
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