I spent about a half hour at the nearest SonyStyle store. It's the one at Tyson's Corner Center Mall. The staff was polite friendly and helpful. I wish I could thank them by name, but I forgot to write them down.

I won't post most of my pictures. The lighting conditions were horribly for photography. All of the pictures are angled funny becuase I was trying to avoid catching the reflected spotlights in the ceiling.

The first new feature that caught my eye was on the "Books" menu screen. They added an index on the right side of the screen. Guess how it works? Also, you can still sort by title, author, and date.

I didn't find the smudges on the screen to be a problem. And I was careful to test this as thoroughly as possible. I had to hold the screen at an angle that made reading impossible before I noticed the smudges.

I found that I could hold the 700 in one hand and turn the page with my thumb. The motion was really easy to figure out repeat consistently.Also,m since you can set the turn page swipe to go both left and right, the 700 should be comfortable for lefties.

The on screen keyboard is finger friendly. Unfortunately, you can't use the it to type notes. It's only for the search function. The only things you can do to a book is highlight and bookmark.

I would definitely recommend this device over the 505. I think it's worth the extra cost.

thanks for the review nate !

a question or 2 about page turning with the finger swipe, can this be done only in a certain zone of the screen, or anywhere ? also, can it be only horizontal, or can you configure a vertical swipe ? for example, if holding it in one hand with the thumb on the side of the screen, could you use your thumb to swipe vertically down to page forward, up for back ?

Thanks for the review, Nate.

The on screen keyboard is finger friendly. Unfortunately, you can't use the it to type notes. It's only for the search function. The only things you can do to a book is highlight and bookmark.
That's weird.

Are you sure? in one of movies floating around you can see someone using the keyboard to enter notes... :chinscratch:

thanks for the review nate !

a question or 2 about page turning with the finger swipe, can this be done only in a certain zone of the screen, or anywhere ? also, can it be only horizontal, or can you configure a vertical swipe ? for example, if holding it in one hand with the thumb on the side of the screen, could you use your thumbt. to swipe vertically down to page forward, up for back ?

Left and right are the only two options under the Settings menu. And yes, you can swipe anywhere on the screen.


Thanks for the review, Nate.


That's weird.

Are you sure? in one of movies floating around you can see someone using the keyboard to enter notes... :chinscratch:

I could be wrong, but I didn't see a way to annotate. All I could see was that you could make a note by highlighting the text.

All I could see was that you could make a note by highlighting the text.
Yep. That's exactly how he did it in the movie.

I found that it's easier to use the stylus to turn the page, at least at first. I have an iPhone which has a much more user friendly screen. You just rub your thumb or forefinger across the screen and the page turns. But on the 700, I found that using your fingernail on the screen was a better way to turn the page.

I was busy with other matters when I was posting before, so I didn't really add an opinion. Here it is.

I like the design of the 700 over that of the 505 and the 500. Honestly, I've never liked the hardware design of the 505. If I was still using the 500, I would not have upgraded to the 505. I would upgrade to the PRS-700.

I like how I didn't have to keep my thumb near the edge of the device so I could flip the page. I think holding the 700 near the middle of the device gives a better grip, which is safer.

I like how the UI finally departed from the "10 lines for 10 buttons" menu concept. I always thought it was ugly. The 700 also dropped most of the full screen menus.

I really didn't see anything not to like about the device (other than the price). If I wasn't happy with the device I have now, I might get this one.

I was busy with other matters when I was posting before,
are you saying you have a life outside of MR ? is that allowed ? does alex know ? ;)
so I didn't really add an opinion. Here it is.

I like the design of the 700 over that of the 505 and the 500. Honestly, I've never liked the hardware design of the 505. If I was still using the 500, I would not have upgraded to the 505. I would upgrade to the PRS-700.

I like how I didn't have to keep my thumb near the edge of the device so I could flip the page. I think holding the 700 near the middle of the device gives a better grip, which is safer.

I like how the UI finally departed from the "10 lines for 10 buttons" menu concept. I always thought it was ugly. The 700 also dropped most of the full screen menus.

I really didn't see anything not to like about the device (other than the price). If I wasn't happy with the device I have now, I might get this one.
thanks for that, it's helpful (damn sony ! if they had put the 700 in stores THREE DAYS earlier i could have seen it for myself !!!). personally i think the ergonomy of the 505 seemed better than most current models but i've never been able to use one for more than a few minutes and i did have doubts about the comfort of the grip for extended reading sessions. it's nice to hear the 700 seems to have resolved that issue, at least in your experience... (arg !!! THREE days !!!!)

I like how I didn't have to keep my thumb near the edge of the device so I could flip the page. I think holding the 700 near the middle of the device gives a better grip, which is safer.



I'm guessing you used the PRS-700 without a cover? With a cover, the dynamics might be a bit different. I use my PRS-505 with a cover, and with the cover, I naturally have to hold the bottom left of the device when I'm using my left hand. This is quite convenient, since the cover acts as extra support for my thumb, and I can easily press the page turn button of the 505.

So does the PRS-700 still have physical page turn buttons?

I'm guessing you used the PRS-700 without a cover? With a cover, the dynamics might be a bit different. I use my PRS-505 with a cover, and with the cover, I naturally have to hold the bottom left of the device when I'm using my left hand. This is quite convenient, since the cover acts as extra support for my thumb, and I can easily press the page turn button of the 505.

So does the PRS-700 still have physical page turn buttons?

You are correct. The display units don't have covers.


The 700 does have page turn buttons. They're the 2nd and 3rd buttons from the left.

Thanks for the review. I was wondering about the page-turning speed of the new model. Some reported that it was much faster. What do you think Nate?

Great Review Nate,
As much as I want to love the 700 I just cant see enough of an improvement to abandon my 505. With that being said I do think this is a step in the right direction and maybe the next version will have enough for me to upgrade that will give me two years with my 505.

JJ

Thanks for the review. I was wondering about the page-turning speed of the new model. Some reported that it was much faster. What do you think Nate?

I don't know about page turns in a book, but I do think that the menus changed much faster than on the Kindle.

The 700 does have page turn buttons. They're the 2nd and 3rd buttons from the left.

Ah, very good! Thanks! :thumbsup:

BTW, what did you think of the frontlighting? Although, I imagine this would be hard to judge in a fully lit environment.

Please Nate, can I ask you what is the body casing made of, metal or plastic ?

Please Nate, can I ask you what is the body casing made of, metal or plastic ?

I didn't think to check. But the body casing is probably the same as the 505 and 500- a metal foil on plastic shell.

Au Contraire!. The end caps of the PRS-500 and 505 are foil over plastic but the main body is extruded aluminum.

I expect the PRS-700 is the same.

But the body casing is probably the same as the 505 and 500- a metal foil on plastic shell.
Actually, in 505 and 500 the enclosure was extruded aluminum, and not the metal foil on plastic shell. :bulb2: The extruded aluminum enclosures are getting very popular in recent years. For instance, the enclosure of the product my company makes is also made of extruded aluminum. The main board slides in and out of the aluminum enclosure.

http://www.sunhillo.com/images/rici.jpg

Dear Nate:

Thank you for your hands-on review.
I am very interested in the PRS-700 having used a 500 and now a 505. The reason for my buying the 505 was the improved display. The 700 has the added benefit of touch screen and front-light, however does the additional layer of the front pane of glass/plastic, which is somewhat distanced from the display to allow for the LEDs, deteriorate the image? Is there a difference in clarity and contrast between the 700 and the 505?

That is something I didn't think of. I don't beleive there was a difference, but I didn't do a page by page comparison of the two devices.

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I've been trying to look around for other people's opinion on this (which led me to this forum) but so far I have only found one other person mention this.

Hope that helps. I'd really like to hear more people's opinion on this matter. It would seem to me that for a reader, a better contrast would outweigh a touchscreen and slightly faster page turns.
But I've been waffling back and forth on this issue now. Any other thoughts out there?

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I've been trying to look around for other people's opinion on this (which led me to this forum) but so far I have only found one other person mention this.

Hope that helps. I'd really like to hear more people's opinion on this matter. It would seem to me that for a reader, a better contrast would outweigh a touchscreen and slightly faster page turns.
But I've been waffling back and forth on this issue now. Any other thoughts out there?

How is that possible? They're both suppose to use the same screen technology - Vizplex Eink. Can you take a picture of them side by side?

How is that possible? They're both suppose to use the same screen technology - Vizplex Eink. Can you take a picture of them side by side?

If the touch technology is placed above the e-ink display, it might reduce the effective contrast.

If the touch technology is placed above the e-ink display, it might reduce the effective contrast. The PRS-700 is presumably using PVI's Touch EPD (http://www.pvi.com.tw/en/news/news_view.php?lists=8), which is based on force sensors under the e-paper display.

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

It may be the front light. It could reduce apparent contrast on certain conditions and improve it in others.

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

This is worrying. You are the second one to voice this problem. I was going to order the PRS700 as soon as it came out but now I think I'll wait a bit. :(

What is worrying about it? No matter, I've pre-ordered mine so I'll be a guinea pig! :)

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I have also noticed the difference in contrast when comparing the two side by side in the store - 700's background looked significantly darker. I was almost ready to buy it, but combined with the lack of dictionary support the 700 doesn't seem worth the price. I'm waiting to see what the new Kindle will have to offer...

I recently sold my PRS-500 on ebay and had pre-ordered the PRS-700 reader. To me, image contrast is more important than the bells and whistles and I was hoping that the new model would be like the 505 -- which had a much whiter background -improved contrast for easier reading than my 500.

Today I went to the sonystyle store to compare the 505 against their demo 700 side by side under the bright lights. To my dismay, the 700 had poorer contrast than the 505 and reminded me immediately of my old 500.

My order for the new unit was cancelled and I plan to buy a 505 using my new Sony Visa card (getting $150 credit) and the profit from my ebay sale.

Oh well, I'm picky about the screen contrast and don't have a need for the extra features......

Bottom line - try to go to a sonystyle store and compare for yourself and see if the new model meets your needs or not...

now -- I need to read the 505 forum to see if they have a lot of neat hacks and tricks like the 500 model had....

... the 700 had poorer contrast than the 505 and reminded me immediately of my old 500.....

Anyone else with this impression?

I have one on order (my first ereader,) but haven't schlepped to the Sony store to see it. I like the look and the touch screen, as well as the light idea.

But I am concerned about eye-strain, so poor contrast may be a deal-breaker.

Anyone else with this impression?
I've been to the SonyStyle TWICE because I couldn't believe after the first visit how much worst the constrast was on the 700. I'd pay them a visit to see if you can live with it - I personally can't.

Today I saw the 700 and were it available I would have bought it on the spot. It is unbelievably fast which was my main beef with eink till now and made me give away the 500. I love touch screens and the finger use was easier than on the iTouch, while on my 770 I have to use the stylus.

Turning pages was easy either with touch or with a button and search and go to page worked so fast I could not believe it.

Cannot say how good the integrated light is but it seemed ok.

Regarding contrast I do not particularly care that much - 500 was pretty good for me screen-wise, but the lack of integrated lighting and its slowness made it unusable, but this one is as fast as my 770. Still not up to eBookwise standards in ergonomics.

I could not care less about wireless - and that is a main reason I would not buy the Kindle since it's overpriced due to that - since I do not plan buying e-books from Sony or Amazon anyway so I am very, very tempted.

The only drawback is size, still a bit too big for casual carrying, so I would still take my 770 with me, and this is the main reason I am wavering since I still need a pocket device even if my 770 expires which is entirely possible given almost 3 years of hard use

Hi,

as it is discussed here, have a look at the entry "side by side screen comparison 505 - 700".
I still cannot believe it. Is there really anyone who will buy the 700 when you look at the poor display quality? I can't believe it. And I was in the process of ordering, but now... It is as poor as the 500 was. A step back. I am still speechless. Thank heaven I have got keys under my fingertips.

Friedhelm

does anyone who has tested one out know how the bookmarks feature works on the 700 ? is the "all bookmarks" feature still available ?

does anyone who has tested one out know how the bookmarks feature works on the 700 ? is the "all bookmarks" feature still available ?
I bookmarked a page to see what happens. It goes into the "all notes" heading on the home page. From there you can see all your bookmarks, things you highlighted etc. and edit them if you wish from there also.

thanks lisreed ! that's exactly what i wanted to know.

I bookmarked a page to see what happens. It goes into the "all notes" heading on the home page. From there you can see all your bookmarks, things you highlighted etc. and edit them if you wish from there also.

Hi, i suppose you can upload your notes and bookmarks to your computer, can't you ?


:hatsoff:

That I don't know. I have returned the 700 and went back to a 505.

I wonder how the 700 is going to shake out over the next six months. I know we're all aficionados when it comes to gadgets, but even some of the most devout 700 pre-orders have been canceled, and then many canceling after it arrived and they saw the screen.

Think Sony will just continue to promote the 505 instead?

I wonder how the 700 is going to shake out over the next six months. I know we're all aficionados when it comes to gadgets, but even some of the most devout 700 pre-orders have been canceled, and then many canceling after it arrived and they saw the screen.

Think Sony will just continue to promote the 505 instead?

Did Microsoft continue to promote XP?

The 700 is the next greatest thing from Sony. The nay sayers on this list don't amount to anything (sorry guys, but we all know it's true - and I just may join you when I get mine and possibly return it, I don't know yet)... Sony will insist it's fantastic regardless of criticism but may secretly try to redeem themselves on the 705, knowing they can't have the same thing happen with that model.

I wonder how the 700 is going to shake out over the next six months. I know we're all aficionados when it comes to gadgets, but even some of the most devout 700 pre-orders have been canceled, and then many canceling after it arrived and they saw the screen.

Think Sony will just continue to promote the 505 instead?

Personally, I think the "mainstream" see it in Targets buyer that doesn't use a reader at all right now is not going to have such a problem with it.

BTW: Sony still sells and promotes both the 505 AND the 700. This is not like Vista which REPLACES XP... This is a product sold side-by-side with the 505. Just like BMW Sells the 300 AND the 500 AND the 700 series lines.

BOb

I saw the screen and I am definitely keeping mine -- I have no problem reading it and I love the increased storage capacity and the built-in light.

So count at least one 700 fan out here!:2thumbsup

I saw the screen and I am definitely keeping mine -- I have no problem reading it and I love the increased storage capacity and the built-in light.

So count at least one 700 fan out here!:2thumbsup

would you buy my old monochrome LCD PDA for only 399$?
:p

No, why would I want to do that?:chinscratch:

would you buy my old monochrome LCD PDA for only 399$?
:p

:offtopic: (me, sorry)

Man, I don't get this stuff... seriously. I have a 700 on order and I'm really looking forward to seeing if it's decent (if not, it goes back to Sony). For me, the 505 is useless due to its slowness, but I don't take pleasure in making 505 owners feel stupid for owning theirs and actually liking them.

(Some) people really are making a huge fuss over this as though there is a foreign person invading their prehistoric tribe.

It's a piece of electronic gear... circuit traces, silicon, (plexi)glass and plastic... jeez... lighten up.

Some of us are trolling this forum for more information but lately there's more noise than signal. This forum is becoming more useless by the minute and, of course there's nothing that says it "must" be useful for people like me, but it's a shame that it's not so much anymore.

EWIPlayer -- Are you on the windlist? I play the WX5/VL70m combination.

I am very happy with the 700 -- the speed of page turns and book opening is terrific. The length of time after loading the reader with well over 1000 books (the increased memory is wonderful!) and then detaching from the computer was about the same amount of time I used to wait for my 500 to be ready to read when I only had 300 books on it.

And the new UI is fast and easy, too.

I was nervous after all these negative reactions, but the new reader is great. Different from the 505, but better in so many ways. And definitely a huge leap upward from my 500. I'm hooked, it's staying.

And my wife liked the screen, too. I really don't understand all this negative reaction.

But I'm ready to accept that people don't like it -- I have no problem with that. If a person finds it hard to read from, then there's nothing I can do about it.

I do however think that if a person finds it perfectly fine to read from the 700 screen, I really shouldn't get snide remarks about buying old PDAs.

One other thing - the new version of the Library software installs perfectly on a Vista-64 computer and the reader is recognized instantly as either an external drive or by the library software.

No complaints at all from me about it.

would you buy my old monochrome LCD PDA for only 399$?
:p

Hm, I am not trying to defend the 700 screen, but under direct bright light it is usable without eye strain - I've been happily using it every night with a clip-on light, which also eliminates all reflections.

No comparison to a PDA, or to an LCD -the 700 is still an e-ink screen. However, in my experience, the 700 is not usable for extended reading, when there is anything less than direct, bright light.

I haven't seen the 500, but it does sound like the 700's screen is comparable. Thus, many who were happy with the 500, may be happier with the 700. And the UI and speed of the 700 are significantly better than the 505, IMO.

And as I mentioned before, many people think ANYONE reading from an ereader, instead of a paper page, has lost it. I personally think a 6" screen is too small.

So, if someone is happy with what they use, I'd say live and let live.

:rimshot:

I'm keeping my 700 too.
700 screen is very similar to 500. I happily used my 500 for over a year, then moved to 505. I read all reviews here, then compared 505 to 700 in Sony store, decided to buy it. Interface is nice, touch screen is fast, integrated light is a plus. It's lighter than 505 with light wedge. Of course, 505 screen is sharper, but that doesn't mean you cannot read on 700. How did people use 500 before the 505?

One other thing - the new version of the Library software installs perfectly on a Vista-64 computer and the reader is recognized instantly as either an external drive or by the library software.


Interesting. I assume it shows as a 32-bit process in task manager? Are you also able to view/activate the reader to Digital Editions on the 64-bit system too?

BOb

:offtopic: (me, sorry)

Man, I don't get this stuff... seriously. I have a 700 on order and I'm really looking forward to seeing if it's decent (if not, it goes back to Sony). For me, the 505 is useless due to its slowness, but I don't take pleasure in making 505 owners feel stupid for owning theirs and actually liking them.

cut



Not to worry.

I would say most 505 owners don't feel stupid at all. In fact, I would guess they feel pretty smart for liking their units and enjoying them very much, and owning a unit right now from which they can enjoy reading something at this very moment.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time getting information and feeling so much angst.

Don

You missed my point...

You missed my point...

I'm always willing to say I made a mistake. :)

Help me to understand, please, what point you were making.

:)

Don

There is a side-by-side photo of the 500 & 700 which I don't think is good enough to do a proper comparison of the two screens. Because what's left out is that further down in the article where that photo came from is a screen shot of the 700 only that looks better then either screens in the side-by-side shot. So really, you cannot then take that side-by-side shot seriously given that how the photo is taken can influence how it looks. Anyway that bases their opinion on a seriously mislieading photo is doing themselves a disservice.

I received my PRS-700 three days ago; here are my impressions after using it extensively since. First, the screen reminds me more of my old PalmPilot than the PRS-505. Having said that, I am definitely keeping this unit. I have read a 200+ page book on it in all lighting conditions and am very pleased. Occasionally, I have to reposition it due to glare but not often. I have experienced no eye strain. Most of all, I read primarily non-fiction and love to highlight and make notes. The touch screen makes doing both a joy. Highlighting is faster and better than highlighting in a paper book...you simply press at the start of the section and drag to the bottom, release and its done. Note taking is also fast. There is a slight delay in the letters appearing but I simply typed at the fastest speed that I could and the notes appeared. Finally, I used the unit in dim lighting and I didn't feel a need for additional lighting. The lighting is uneven but the text is readable and, again, I didn't experience any eye strain. Overall, I am very pleased with this unit.

I received my PRS-700 three days ago; here are my impressions after using it extensively since. First, the screen reminds me more of my old PalmPilot than the PRS-505. Having said that, I am definitely keeping this unit. I have read a 200+ page book on it in all lighting conditions and am very pleased. Occasionally, I have to reposition it due to glare but not often. I have experienced no eye strain. Most of all, I read primarily non-fiction and love to highlight and make notes. The touch screen makes doing both a joy. Highlighting is faster and better than highlighting in a paper book...you simply press at the start of the section and drag to the bottom, release and its done. Note taking is also fast. There is a slight delay in the letters appearing but I simply typed at the fastest speed that I could and the notes appeared. Finally, I used the unit in dim lighting and I didn't feel a need for additional lighting. The lighting is uneven but the text is readable and, again, I didn't experience any eye strain. Overall, I am very pleased with this unit.

Hi do you know if it can handle well big files?More than 10MB each.Can you easily read scanned books in Prs 700?Thank you.:book2:

Hi do you know if it can handle well big files?More than 10MB each.Can you easily read scanned books in Prs 700?Thank you.:book2:

It depends on how the scan fits the screen, but in terms on opening, navigating and such I played with a 100+ MB pdf scan and it worked so fast I could not believe it.

If the scan is one page, no big margins, it should work fine at horizontal half page even if it does not work in full page vertical mode, but if you have the chance to test a 700 try it with your scans on an sd card.

For lrf's I have a 27MB one and again it navigates as fast as the rest.

I received my PRS-700 three days ago; here are my impressions after using it extensively since. First, the screen reminds me more of my old PalmPilot than the PRS-505. Having said that, I am definitely keeping this unit. I have read a 200+ page book on it in all lighting conditions and am very pleased. Occasionally, I have to reposition it due to glare but not often. I have experienced no eye strain. Most of all, I read primarily non-fiction and love to highlight and make notes. The touch screen makes doing both a joy. Highlighting is faster and better than highlighting in a paper book...you simply press at the start of the section and drag to the bottom, release and its done. Note taking is also fast. There is a slight delay in the letters appearing but I simply typed at the fastest speed that I could and the notes appeared. Finally, I used the unit in dim lighting and I didn't feel a need for additional lighting. The lighting is uneven but the text is readable and, again, I didn't experience any eye strain. Overall, I am very pleased with this unit.

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...

As I have said, I don't think the 700 screen is satisfactory -- at least not for me. But someone ought to add that none of the eInk screens are really satisfactory, at least none I have seen (Iliad, Sony 505) -- they have a grey background, are bw, and are slow to refresh. Compare them to a backlit, hi def screen like the Nokia N800. The Nokia screen refreshes instantaneously, has full color and high res and can be manipulated by a stylus (like the overlay of the Sony 700). Like many, I find the backlit screen (marginally) harder on the eyes, but if you want responsiveness and can manage with only fb2 files, the Nokia is miles better than any of the competition, at least if you don't mind the backlighting. I am hoping eInk progresses in the next year or two and we finally have units that fulfill their potential. In any event, I personally wouldn't settle for a step backwards in the most important element of a reading device -- the screen. And in that regard, the Sony 700 is certainly a step backward.

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...

Interesting claim above, some proof would be helpful.

I love the 700 and I am not a Sony employee since I could not use the 500 and gave it away and I could not use the 505 either so never bought it though I tried it quite a few times. After all these claims by the 505 fanatics, I tried it one more time tonight at a store and again it struck me what a slowpoke is it compared to the 700.

I would have stuck happily to my 770 and went to a 800/810 when the 770 dies, but the 700 impressed me so much that I bought it on sight and have been using it extensively for the past week - I am at the fourth novel on it, after 2 finished novels, one full novel reread and another half novel read so far - and the device is great so far. I even neglected my print books and I have 2 *must* reads that I've been waiting for a while...

So please back off wild claims and personal attacks, and while nobody asks you to like the 700, there is no reason to get personal. Just do not buy it...

since I could not use the 500 and gave it away and I could not use the 505 either so never bought it though I tried it quite a few times. I'm interested to know what you mean by "I could not use the 500" and "I could not use the 505 either". Could not use it it what way?

Sayhello

I'm interested to know what you mean by "I could not use the 500" and "I could not use the 505 either". Could not use it it what way?

Sayhello

Too slow; I had the 500 for about 9 months to a year I think - I bought it last year with that Sony card promotion so I paid only 60$ and I got 50$ free books, and I gave it away in August after sitting unused on my shelves for a good while - and I read maybe 5 books on it, while in the same time frame I read maybe 50 books, maybe more on my 770.

I tried the 505 many times at the Sony Store, at Borders, at Target - even tonight I tried it again at Target after people having seen both the 505 and 700 claimed that the 505 is not noticeably slower when turning pages than the 700 and again I could not believe how anyone in good faith can make that claim when the 505 is clearly slower. As some people are sensitive to the screen, I am very sensitive to speed and ergonomics and the 505 is just way too slow and clumsy comparable to the 700 for me.

After all the reports on how eink is slow by nature I did not believe I would find an eink that I could use, so maybe this is why I was so amazed when I saw the 700 first and I wanted to buy it on the spot had they have in store then, and in fact I bought it on the spot the moment it was available...

I do not dispute the claim that the 505 is crisper, but the 700 is quite decent screenwise too at least for me. If for some people the screen is a deal breaker, sure why not, but from there to making wild claims as above - anyone happy with the 700 is a shill for Sony and such - is quite a stretch and kind of annoying

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...

Come on ...
Do you have some proof, or you just simply think that if you do not like it, there is nobody that does?

I know people that are HAPPY reading from a very small cell phone display. I personally shudder when I imagine reading several hundred books from a tiny display, yet there definitely are people that like it that way. Japanese even write (!!!!) novels on their cell phones while commuting. I personally hate writing even short SMS messages using 10 buttons, and I only use about 26 letters and not thousands characters in four different "alphabets" (**) <SHUDDER>

I am a happy owner of PRS-500. I have read many hundred books on it and I carry it *everywhere*. It does have many shortcomings, yet I am quite content with the quality of its 19 months old display (the display loses crispness a little bit as it ages). I also do not think that the speed of the unit is an issue. I only open a new book about once a day and it is no problem for me to wait a little. Yet, in previous posts a few people declared PRS-500 unuseable because of its speed.

I was fancying buying a new reader, but I will have to wait until I see PRS-700 in person. That might be a problem, because at the moment I live in the Central Europe. If I was in the USA, I would simply go to the shop with my trusty 500 in my hand and a card containing a book or two formatted the way I like it in my pocket and compare the units.

If the 700 contained folder support and an indication (or sorting) of the books based on where in the book you are just reading (page 1 - bold name of the book, last page - grey title, middle of the book - a little icon indicating where you are) I would probably buy it without seeing it.

(**) Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji, Latin - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_writing_system

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...

Ok, now it's a conspiracy? I've said it before, I'll say it again... it's a piece of electronic gear... lighten up. Tons of people like the 700 (not just the people on this forum). Just because someone likes it, they must be a Sony employee spy bent on spreading lies throughout a simple public forum? Seriously, dood... lighten the hell up.

Ok, now it's a conspiracy? I've said it before, I'll say it again... it's a piece of electronic gear... lighten up. Tons of people like the 700 (not just the people on this forum). Just because someone likes it, they must be a Sony employee spy bent on spreading lies throughout a simple public forum? Seriously, dood... lighten the hell up.


Listen, there are no world outside my world :P
I overexaggerated with my post of course. I do not think that the poster is one of sony's employees, I just wanted to mention that the 700 is (imho) not a killer gadget to buy...

[snip]I just wanted to mention that the 700 is (imho) not a killer gadget to buy...

Which is fine -- not everybody will like it. But it's also important to note that those of us who do like it should not be looked on as having some hidden agenda.

Well, actually I do have an agenda in all my postings about how much I like the 700 -- I want to help counteract all the negative postings, so that a person who is investigating these devices for the first time can see that there are people who actually like the 700 a lot, as compared to those who don't like it and have been pretty vehement in their postings to that effect.:)

Which is fine -- not everybody will like it. But it's also important to note that those of us who do like it should not be looked on as having some hidden agenda.

Well, actually I do have an agenda in all my postings about how much I like the 700 -- I want to help counteract all the negative postings, so that a person who is investigating these devices for the first time can see that there are people who actually like the 700 a lot, as compared to those who don't like it and have been pretty vehement in their postings to that effect.:)

Agreed with the first statement. For the second, I sort of agree too, though I think that the best way to settle the doubt is to see and play with the gadget.

I know that sadly many people do not have this opportunity so they base a part of their decision on reports here and everywhere, so I am happy to add my voice to the ones that love the 700.

But if you want a 700, are in doubt and have a US Sony store within reasonable distance, just go and check it out.

Several years ago someone mentioned the 770 here on this forum in connection with e-books and it piqued my interest though I did not like the PocketPC/Palm devices and was happy with the Ebk1150. But next day I went to see the 770 in a CompUSA store close to my house, and the moment I saw the 770 in store, I knew it is the device for me, so I bought it on the spot.

When the Sony 500 appeared I was very excited but the store demo left me cold and I bought it months later just because it was almost free.

When the Kindle appeared, I could not form an opinion because I could not test it and there was nothing special to excite me in comparison to the 500, since wireless is unimportant for me and I hate small external keyboards, much prefer the stylus/touch based ones as in the Ebk1150, 770, iTouch or 700.

When the 505 appeared, again I was somewhat excited, but again the store test left me cold.

When the 700 appeared, I did not expect to like it so much, but I was so impressed with the store model that I *had* to buy it the same I knew with the 770.

So in many ways, finding the right device is a quite personal choice and things that make someone say blaa, are big positives for someone else, things that are ok to indifferent for someone, are deal-breakers for others and so on...

It's time to lighten up, folks.

We can disagree/agree on the merits of the 700 vs. 505 controversy.

Opinions can vary - as they certainly do - but this is not a forum for attacks.

Please have fun. :)


Don
(Moderator)

they have a grey background, are bw, and are slow to refresh.

The paper in an ordinary paperback is not white either but more grey. In direct sunligth my Cybook can be whiter than a book. And to much whiteness is sometimes bad since it will be harder to read especially in direct sunligt.

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...

DerHund, no I am not a Sony employee. "Judging from the posting frequency" -- well, that was my first response ever. Judging from your response, maybe that was a mistake. As I stated in my post, I prefer the 505 screen but I can live with the 700 screen. The extra speed, the ability to highlight, make notes, search and the built-in sidelights have won me over. There, a second post but don't look for a lot of posts from me; I'm busy reading on my PRS-700.

As I stated in my post, I prefer the 505 screen but I can live with the 700 screen. The extra speed, the ability to highlight, make notes, search and the built-in sidelights have won me over. There, a second post but don't look for a lot of posts from me; I'm busy reading on my PRS-700.Hey, I meant to reply to your previous post, but got a bit distracted... :rolleyes: I totally understand & agree with what you're saying. For you, because of what you're reading & how you're reading, the features of the 700 are more important than the screen quality. Totally, totally makes sense. For me, I'm mostly just reading, whenever & wherever I find the time, so the screen quality is more important. It's really down to personal preference & needs.

Sayhello

DerHund, no I am not a Sony employee. "Judging from the posting frequency" -- well, that was my first response ever. Judging from your response, maybe that was a mistake. As I stated in my post, I prefer the 505 screen but I can live with the 700 screen. The extra speed, the ability to highlight, make notes, search and the built-in sidelights have won me over. There, a second post but don't look for a lot of posts from me; I'm busy reading on my PRS-700.

PDF files are very important to me and have been my major frustration with my Kindle.

With the PRS-700 touch screen, has this improved the ability to zoom into a PDF graphic and slide it around for better viewing?

People have been complaining about the reduced screen contrast, but has the new PRS-700 improved the ability to read graphic intensive PDF files?

This was my hope, and why I ordered a PRS-700 this week.

Judging from the posting frequency of abermp, it could also be an sony employee justifying a buy for the 700.
Having seen the 700 screen in comparision to the 505, I really cannot understand why anybody would buy a 700...
Sony, you just screwed up on this device...So, you have a total of 12 posts in your 10 days here, all critical of the PRS-700, and you cast aspersions on someone with 2 posts who isn't critical?

Wow. :rolleyes:

I'll second that BuddyBoy

Bow Wow :chinscratch: