Quote:
Originally Posted by Zapped
Types of content supported - I don't initially see myself wanting to buy DRM-locked books. I'd like to read free classics and possibly free & legal books from other sources like the Baen Free Sci-Fi Library.
Loading content - I'm an engineer & comfortable using the USB connection to upload to the Sony. I do realize the Kindle makes that easier, but I don't believe it would be any easier to upload my own free ebooks to a Kindle. I'm also comfortable using software to reformat pdfs, or convert text to pdf, etc.
Resolution - I definitely want at least the current 800x600 rez of E-Ink's latest displays, which I believe the PRS-505 provides. I like a larger screen but don't think I can find one for anywhere near the price of a Sony PRS-505.
Aesthetics - a friend has a Kindle and I actually object mildly to the full QWERTY keyboard taking up so much real estate. The Sony design is more pleasing to my eye, and I'm not particularly a Sony fanboy.
Size/weight - The Sony Reader is marginally smaller and lighter than the Kindle. This is important to me.
Cost effectiveness - I'm "frugal" (cheap?) so this is a big factor too. $200 for the PRS-505 from sonystyle.com if I apply for and use a SONY Visa, vs $359 for the Kindle. A minor point is that the Sony includes a cover but the Kindle doesn't. Also a resale consideration: if a significantly better technology comes out soon I would imagine I could sell the Sony at a small loss - $50 to $75, but the Kindle has a much higher starting price and I wonder how it would hold that value if, say, Amazon decided to start subsidizing the purchase price of a newer Kindle.
I'm not listing battery performance as a significant factor, since either the Sony or Kindle should be fine. Same with built-in storage, and I know I can add SDHC cards to the Sony if I chose to.
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You forgot metal. Otherwise, it's like you're the sales manager for the 505.
Size/weight, cost, aesthetics, you don't buy so many books and don't mind USB. Yeah, you're that rare buyer whose requirements point you clearly in one direction.
I am also, uh, thrifty, and chose the 505 for many of the same reasons. A couple of times I wished for a dictionary, and search and notes seem like they would be nice, but nah. As Lilly points out you'd give up some organization capabilities, and the page go-to capabilities and bookmarks and history are quite enough for most navigation purposes. And if you become a big Calibre free magazine/newspaper devotee, you'd need USB anyway. I'm very happy with the 505.