Mobile Tech Reviews the PRS 700

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by nathany

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.

[astra]

Originally Posted by starrigger

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?

[ShellShock]

Originally Posted by guguy

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.

[daffy4u]

Cnet has an article based on the MobileTech Review with an accompanying video at the end.

[sarah7700]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Cnet 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 ^_^

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by sarah7700

OMG, that makes me want mine soo bad!!

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

i might just take my chances.

[sarah7700]

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

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Sonist

.

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

[starrigger]

Originally Posted by astra

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.

[guguy]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

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

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by guguy

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.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by guguy

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!

[DerHund]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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!

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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 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

[Gaurnim]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

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.