Here is the first official review I could find of Sony's new reader.
See link
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadgets/Sony-Reader-PRS-700.htm
Still undecided whether to buy it or not...

thanks for the link ! very interesting article. i noticed both feedbooks and calibre got a mention :2thumbsup ; mobileread didn't but i have to wonder whether the author might be a member here... :rolleyes:

lots of good info there in any case and it seems like a fairly objective review.

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/image/gadgets/prs700/old_new.jpg

Argh... I didn't know the contrast was that bad... And i've been waiting for
months, wishing sony would launch the ultimate reader (sigh)...

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/image/gadgets/prs700/old_new.jpg

Argh... I didn't know the contrast was that bad... And i've been waiting for
months, wishing sony would launch the ultimate reader (sigh)...

This is a pretty good picture, and accurately represents what the 700 looks like.

For a change an informative and accurate review.

Hi, everyone. I have enjoyed reading your comments on Sony's new reader.
I was planning on making the 700 my first purchase. But after seeing the pics I am not so sure anymore.
I live in Thailand and have only seen e-readers online. Will not being able to compare it to anything make me satisfied with the 700's screen?
I mean it can't be that bad right? I am torn between form over function.

I've read over and over about the less than perfect contrast offered on the 700.

I've been using my 505 for months with the wedge light cover. I like to fold the cover back when I read so I always read through the wedge light, day or night. Is the lack of contrast comparable? I would suspect those of us who read through the plastic of the wedge light already know what to expect from the 700. Am I right?

Katelyn

Good review. Thanks reggaejames!

I've read over and over about the less than perfect contrast offered on the 700.

I've been using my 505 for months with the wedge light cover. I like to fold the cover back when I read so I always read through the wedge light, day or night. Is the lack of contrast comparable? I would suspect those of us who read through the plastic of the wedge light already know what to expect from the 700. Am I right?

Katelyn

Although I don't have that experience, I think that is a good point. I got to compare the PRS-700 side by side with the PRS-505 with the light wedge illuminated, but I didn't try comparing the text of the PRS-505 through the light wedge, without it turned on.:smack: As I don't own either yet, I think that I can say fairly confidently that the PRS-700 still has more features and potential, despite the disappointment in the screen contrast, to push me more in that direction. Thanks for that observation. A comparison pic of that would be interesting to see as well!

I forgot to include my thanks for that review reggaejames!

Although I don't have that experience, I think that is a good point. I got to compare the PRS-700 side by side with the PRS-505 with the light wedge illuminated, but I didn't try comparing the text of the PRS-505 through the light wedge, without it turned on.:smack: As I don't own either yet, I think that I can say fairly confidently that the PRS-700 still has more features and potential, despite the disappointment in the screen contrast, to push me more in that direction. Thanks for that observation. A comparison pic of that would be interesting to see as well!

The lightwedge is still much better then the 700. When I was at the Sony store, I asked the sales guy to show me the lightwedge. He took it out of the package, and hooked up the 505 to it. It still looked crystal clear, compared to the 700.

I seems likely that the PRS-700 has a resistive touch screen, which typically blocks about 25% of the light (best case about 15% of the light). See How do touch-screen monitors know where you're touching? (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question716.htm).

I think I'm in the same boat as several other participants on the 700 threads who are not based in the US or Canada.

I've been waiting patiently for the 700 with all it's new features but horrified that the screen doesn't even match up to the 505. What's worse is that since we're not in North America we can't see it for ourselves in person, which has been the wisest advice on the forums. I've seen a 505 in London and I've seen the screens of the Iliad and Cybook in person in Australia. If the 700 matched up to those screens I would have purchased it even with the price differential.

However, that's not the case. Further the Australian import price (based on today's exchange rate and including shipping) is AUD724, which is 45% more expensive than the 505 (also imported) or the Bebook/Hanlin bought locally.

In these economically challenging times you have to focus on the core value over the bells and whisltes. The core value of any ereader is the ability to read your book collection (in my case a wide collection of .LIT and .TXT novels and newsfeeds) as if it was a real, old world book. On this test alone it's nigh on impossible to take a punt on the 700 based on the first hand feedback of others

Thanks for the review. Is the screen truly as poor as a matte lcd though? Maybe that's just in terms of glare. It isn't shooting light at your eyes, so it should still be easier on the eyes than a laptop, no?

The iRex uses a Wacom sensor which is under the screen, alleviating this problem, but also costing more in battery life. Either way a tradeoff. Plus there is the matters of form factor, software, and price.

The lightwedge is still much better then the 700. When I was at the Sony store, I asked the sales guy to show me the lightwedge. He took it out of the package, and hooked up the 505 to it. It still looked crystal clear, compared to the 700.

I wonder if anyone has compared the 700 to a Kindle with a lightwedge.

Thanks for the review. Is the screen truly as poor as a matte lcd though? Maybe that's just in terms of glare. It isn't shooting light at your eyes, so it should still be easier on the eyes than a laptop, no?

The iRex uses a Wacom sensor which is under the screen, alleviating this problem, but also costing more in battery life. Either way a tradeoff. Plus there is the matters of form factor, software, and price.

Under very bright light, the screen is readable, IMO. I wouldn't read a book on aPC screen, but reading close to 200 pages on the 700, with a clip-on light, has not been taxing on my eyesight.

With a clip-on light, glare is not a factor, since I can control the position of the light source.

But if the light is less than optimum, the screen is too dim for my taste. Even with a 70w night light, I don't find it pleasant. It has to be direct and very bright illumination, at least for me.

So, I am fine using it with a bright clip-on light, or under direct sunlight, but not happy using it under any less bright conditions.

The ergonomics and speed are great, and I love the touch screen.

Hope this helps.

P.S. The Wacom touch interface is not what drains the battery on the iLiad. Even the Book edition, which does not have the Wacom screen, still gets 12 or even less hours per charge. The culprit there is apparently badly done/or impossible to do well with the screen/OS combo, power management.

I wonder if anyone has compared the 700 to a Kindle with a lightwedge.

Do you mean that Kindle followed Sony's example and created a special cover with lightwedge?

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/image/gadgets/prs700/old_new.jpg

Argh... I didn't know the contrast was that bad... And i've been waiting for
months, wishing sony would launch the ultimate reader (sigh)...

Bear in mind that this is the PRS500 (not 505) on the left, and the 700 on the right. The 505 is meant to have better contrast than the 500, so the difference between 505 and 700 would be even more striking.

Cnet (http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=502) has an article based on the MobileTech Review with an accompanying video at the end.

Cnet (http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=502) has an article based on the MobileTech Review with an accompanying video at the end.
OMG, that makes me want mine soo bad!!
Oh well, only another couple weeks until I get mine ^_^

OMG, that makes me want mine soo bad!!

me too, actually, despite all the negative reviews....

i might just take my chances.

Personally, I agree with some of the reviews. If I already had a 505, I wouldn't spend the money for the 700. But since I don't have an ebook reader, I am totally going for the 700. I was so sad when they pushed the shipping date back a week here in Canada :(

.

P.S. The Wacom touch interface is not what drains the battery on the iLiad. Even the Book edition, which does not have the Wacom screen, still gets 12 or even less hours per charge. The culprit there is apparently badly done/or impossible to do well with the screen/OS combo, power management.

The Book Edition does have the Wacom screen. It is only missing the Wifi capability. The firmware and user interface on the Book Edition is the same as the regular iLiad.

Dale

Do you mean that Kindle followed Sony's example and created a special cover with lightwedge?

No, just that I have seen the lightwedge, as a third-party product, suggested as a solution to reading in the dark with a Kindle. I have no idea how well it works.

me too, actually, despite all the negative reviews....

i might just take my chances.

A 470€ chance considering the current €/$ rate and the 30%
import duties in France... Think about the Fnac 329€ special offer for the
PRS-505 + Lightwedge :)

A 470€ chance considering the current €/$ rate and the 30%
import duties in France... Think about the Fnac 329€ special offer for the
PRS-505 + Lightwedge :)

yes, but i have a cousin in canada who can get it for me using some dollars i have left over, so actually it's more down to "expensive chance but nonetheless not 'real' money coming out of my bank account". plus the fnac offer is only interesting if 1. you are adhérent (i'm not) and 2. you want the lightwedge (i don't...). however, if i find that the 700 doesn't suit me, i will try to sell it and probably buy a 505 instead.

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/image/gadgets/prs700/old_new.jpg

Argh... I didn't know the contrast was that bad... And i've been waiting for
months, wishing sony would launch the ultimate reader (sigh)...

Is that really a comparison between a PRS-505 and a 700? From the colour of the screen background, and the screen surround, the image on the left looks more like the old PRS-500!

Is that really a comparison between a PRS-505 and a 700? From the colour of the screen background, and the screen surround, the image on the left looks more like the old PRS-500!

It is the PRS-500, not the PRS-505!

Is that really a comparison between a PRS-505 and a 700? From the colour of the screen background, and the screen surround, the image on the left looks more like the old PRS-500!

It is a PRS-500 on the left. The caption to the picture in the article (http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadgets/Sony-Reader-PRS-700.htm) states:

"The Sony Reader PRS-500 at the left and the PRS-700 on the right. Note the much higher contrast on the 500. The Sony Reader PRS-505 has even higher contrast, and is the best display in terms of being book-like and easy on the eyes."

Cheers,
Marc

me too, actually, despite all the negative reviews....

i might just take my chances.
Yep, looking at the video review, it seems like a very good product.
Maybe if it had come earlier I might have bought it instead of my Cybook.
Now, after getting used to a crystal clear screen, I don't think I would make the jump without some extensive testing first.

Yep, looking at the video review, it seems like a very good product.
Maybe if it had come earlier I might have bought it instead of my Cybook.
Now, after getting used to a crystal clear screen, I don't think I would make the jump without some extensive testing first.

i confess i'm a bit worried about the screen... and worried also that sony will make a 705 only one year from now with all the good features of the 700, plus the screen of the 505... :rolleyes: but i think the ergonomy is really important in a liseuse as well and that plus the other added features of the 700 bring it much closer to my eb1150 (which i love, despite its flaws) than any other current model. this is why i think i'll take the chance... i hope i'm not too disappointed !

if i get it, i'll show it to you at the next apéro in january. ;)

Given the fact that Sony have released a new device every autumn for the last three years, the expectation that there will another one next autumn too is a very reasonable one :).

i confess i'm a bit worried about the screen... and worried also that sony will make a 705 only one year from now with all the good features of the 700, plus the screen of the 505... :rolleyes: but i think the ergonomy is really important in a liseuse as well and that plus the other added features of the 700 bring it much closer to my eb1150 (which i love, despite its flaws) than any other current model. this is why i think i'll take the chance... i hope i'm not too disappointed !

if i get it, i'll show it to you at the next apéro in january. ;)

Actually as a former very satified owner of Ebk1150 - I just moved on to the 770, but my father in law still loves the Ebk :) - I have to say that yes, the 700 can be viewed as a much improved version. It is almost as fast and the touch has more options, though I miss the previous book button

It is very nice outside - I read 2 hours easily outside, true, winter and all, so the sun was not that strong so I cannot say how it will look in the summer but I expect to be nice. Did not really notice glare - it may be some, but not annoying so far at least .

In bright indoor light it looks also very nice, while in dimmer light it needs the sidelights, but I love those, they give an "eerie" feeling to reading which at night is quite nice.

I cannot say that there are conditions in which I can comfortably read a paper book without light and not read on the 700 without light. True in dim light, paper is crisper, but it's still not that comfortable to read at least for me, so I would still some bright light.

It's hard to say after all the people trashing the 700, but personally I think that the difference in speed/ergonomics between the 700 and 505 is so huge and for me having paper-like display is not that important since after all I still can and do read print books happily.

Actually as a former very satified owner of Ebk1150 - I just moved on to the 770, but my father in law still loves the Ebk :) - I have to say that yes, the 700 can be viewed as a much improved version. It is almost as fast and the touch has more options, though I miss the previous book button

It is very nice outside - I read 2 hours easily outside, true, winter and all, so the sun was not that strong so I cannot say how it will look in the summer but I expect to be nice. Did not really notice glare - it may be some, but not annoying so far at least .

In bright indoor light it looks also very nice, while in dimmer light it needs the sidelights, but I love those, they give an "eerie" feeling to reading which at night is quite nice.

I cannot say that there are conditions in which I can comfortably read a paper book without light and not read on the 700 without light. True in dim light, paper is crisper, but it's still not that comfortable to read at least for me, so I would still some bright light.

It's hard to say after all the people trashing the 700, but personally I think that the difference in speed/ergonomics between the 700 and 505 is so huge and for me having paper-like display is not that important since after all I still can and do read print books happily.

thank you so much for that information !!! it's the first time i hear a direct comparison between the eb1150 and the sony 700 (not surprising, right ? why would somebody compare two such different liseuses ? :rolleyes:) and i feel really much more encouraged now. i do place a lot of importance on the display and i am disappointed that the 700 is inferior to the 550 for that, but i've really noticed that despite the terrible screen of my eb1150 i still find it very comfortable and agreeable to use, because of the ergonomy. this seems to be a somewhat neglected factor sometimes !

so, i think i've made up my mind. :)

probably, if sony does make a 750 next year with a better display, i'll try to sell my 700 and buy the new one. but i'll be glad to have it for this year, i think.

however, if i find that the 700 doesn't suit me, i will try to sell it and probably buy a 505 instead.

Wait.. am I reading this right? Miss Zelda is getting a 700? I thought you were seduced by that free CyBook you had.

BOb

Wait.. am I reading this right? Miss Zelda is getting a 700? I thought you were seduced by that free CyBook you had.

BOb
it's only free until i have to give it back. ;) and actually i really do like it, and i think bookeen is going to continue to do some really great things. but the new features on the sony 700 bring it much closer to my eb1150, which is naturally my gold standard for liseuses. :rolleyes: also, i can get the sony in dollars (in fact, i *have* to get it in dollars), of which i have some left over from previous travel, which are not worth being changed into euros (very bad exchange rate at the moment). this means i can get it without spending any "real" money, whereas if i bought (for example) a cybook, i would have to spend actual real euros from my bank account which could technically be spent on food and rent and such. you see the dilemma.

of course, i might still change my mind. i'm notoriously indecisive. :rolleyes:

but the new features on the sony 700 bring it much closer to my eb1150, which is naturally my gold standard for liseuses.

Many people complain about the screen of the 700 and I agree that compared to 505 it is not so crisp - though to my mind it preserves the eink feel and characteristics - but if you used the Ebk1150, you will have a hard time to use a machine so comparatively slow as the 505.

Many people complain about the screen of the 700 and I agree that compared to 505 it is not so crisp - though to my mind it preserves the eink feel and characteristics - but if you used the Ebk1150, you will have a hard time to use a machine so comparatively slow as the 505.

honestly, i've used the cybook, which i imagine is about the same speed as the 505, and i don't mind the comparative slowness very much when reading (maybe a bit more when navigating in my library...). it's more a question of ergonomy, and features which i use on my eb1150 which aren't available on another liseuse (search, annotation, etc.).

liseuse
?:chinscratch:?

?:chinscratch:?

liseuse (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20697) : generic term for an electronic reading device. prettier than "device". less controversial than "ereader" (or rather, possibly equally controversial, depending on who you ask, but in a different way).

liseuse (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20697) : generic term for an electronic reading device. prettier than "device". less controversial than "ereader" (or rather, possibly equally controversial, depending on who you ask, but in a different way).

It is not in English, is it?
It is not web/geek slang.

Yes, it's zelda-speek.

Yes, it's zelda-speek.

I thought so :D

technically it's french. :rolleyes:

liseuse (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20697) : generic term for an electronic reading device. prettier than "device". less controversial than "ereader" (or rather, possibly equally controversial, depending on who you ask, but in a different way).

Heh, just wait until GW starts pronouncing it as "lais:uz":rofl:

Heh, just wait until GW starts pronouncing it as "lais:uz":rofl:
pretty soon it won't matter what he pronounces how. :rolleyes: