Sony T3 vs Kobo touch

eethanshire · 01-09-2014, 11:38 AM

Hello all,

With an array of ereaders to choose from, I am having difficulty finding the right one within my budget. I do have my eyes set on two ereaders at bestbuy with the same price tag of $79.99 - the kobo touch and sony t3. Perhaps you would be willing to help with this dilemma. It is important to note that I live in Canada which eliminates kindle and nook altogether as I have plans to borrow the majority of my book from Canadian libraries.

My needs are basic:
- eink tech
- no need for email, web browsing or facebook
- access to libraries and as many ebook stores and formats as possible.

Specifications suggest T3 being the better purchase but I hear so many negative reviews for sony's ereaders. Would it be wise to opt for the kobo despite being 2 years older?

Thanks

soulfuldog · 01-09-2014, 12:09 PM

Plenty of Kobo Touch users are perfectly happy with their Kobo, but a 2-year old device versus one that's just been released? Unless the former is a fair bit cheaper, I'd be snapping up the T3. (Here in the UK the Kobo Touch has been reduced to £30-£50 - at £30 I'd buy it over the £99 T3

), but at the same price, there'd be no contest.

If you aren't interested in a lighted reader (Kobo Glo or Aura?) then I'd take the T3. You will have more font and text customisation options with the Kobo, but the T3 has increased screen resolution & faster processor. Page turns, book selection etc will all feel a lot faster. And if you are borrowing from a library, the Sony's have a slight advantage in that you can browse from your ereader and borrow directly from the library - every other reader you have to borrow library books via your computer then load them onto your reader (only a plus if thats a feature that might interest you).

I'm also not sure what the negative reviews are of the Sony, they have generally been pretty solid, their firmware tends to be a lot more robust than Kobo. The criticism of Sony has been that they don't seem to be putting the same effort into their ereader business, and have lost a lot of ground by not competing with Kobo & Amazon with a lighted reader.

Shopaholic · 01-09-2014, 12:22 PM

If your intention is to primarily read library books then go with the Sony. Hands down. You can actually borrow the books on the device itself which is a wonderful feature. Browsing can be a bit awkward but downloading a book that has just been made available to you after being on a waitlist is an awesome feature.

People complain about everything. It's too sunny. It's too dark. It's too hot. It's too cold. Take what's best for you and go from there. I personally really really dislike Kobo's but I love Sony's. I have my reasons but I don't want to cloud your decision.

Do what works for you. There's a reason why there's 31 flavours of ice cream.

I'd go with the Sony because it's newer, because you can access the library directly on the device - no other reader today can do that, and I personally like the interface better than the Kobo. They're the same price of $80 at Best Buy Canada ending today so act soon!

The Sony's work right out of the box and are pretty much set, solid devices where you can happily read away. I have a massive hate of for a device that isn't solid from the get-go and has to constantly release new updates to fix things that should have worked properly in the first place. cough *Kobo* cough [<-- just my opinion but I'm not the only soul who feels that way!]

eethanshire · 01-09-2014, 01:19 PM

Thank you for your insight, it was very informative. I will purchase the sony T3 this afternoon.

Another question had just occurred to me. Is it possible to purchase ebooks from Amazon, google, BN, Indigo/chapters and port them over to the sony T3 with ease or am I required to convert the ebook format to PDF to allow for compatibility?

meeera · 01-09-2014, 08:24 PM

Don't convert to PDF (ack!) - convert to epub. You will need to remove DRM first from most books from those sources.

Mort1997 · 01-10-2014, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Don't convert to PDF (ack!) - convert to epub. You will need to remove DRM first from most books from those sources.

I'd second that - I find PDF files are horrible to read on Ereaders. Just remember when converting from one format to another that Apprentice Alf and Calibre are very good things to google. As for downloading Kindle files you will need to have kindle for PC.

Coops · 01-10-2014, 01:39 PM

The T3 is great - almost as small as my previous prs-350, and even better screen.

Use Calibre on a PC to manage your library and removing drm from Amazon books etc, convert to ePub etc.

eethanshire · 01-11-2014, 10:49 PM

I went ahead and purchased the t3 at best buy for $80. What a wonderful piece of technology. It exceeds all my expectations, and runs flawlessly. The overdrive app to take out library books is absolutely essential for me, it gives me quick access to any library book available without having to resort to the pc and cable. If the book does not appeal to me, return directly from app and Borrow another. Not entirely sure if this is only found on Sony ereaders at the moment but this feature alone is essential.

In addition to all of this, I am happy this ereader does not have a back light. The simplicity of the t3s core features is exactly what I ' want and need. I highly recommend this device for $80

Thank you for your recommendation fellas. I appreciate your honesty and advice in the matter.
Now if you will excuse me I have some reading to do.

meeera · 01-11-2014, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eethanshire

The overdrive app to take out library books is absolutely essential for me, it gives me quick access to any library book available without having to resort to the pc and cable. If the book does not appeal to me, return directly from app and Borrow another. Not entirely sure if this is only found on Sony ereaders at the moment but this feature alone is essential.

I think you can get an Overdrive app for some tablets, but as far as I know the Sony/Overdrive partnership is unique among eink devices. If this is your killer app, you definitely bought the right device.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eethanshire

Thank you for your recommendation fellas.

Nope, but cheers anyway. Happy reading.

soulfuldog · 01-12-2014, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eethanshire

Thank you for your recommendation fellas. I appreciate your honesty and advice in the matter.
Now if you will excuse me I have some reading to do.

Another nope from me too for this bit.... but happy reading anyway

eethanshire · 01-12-2014, 11:44 AM

Sorry ladies. Did not mean to exclude you from the deserved thanks. Thanks!

01-09-2014, 11:38 AM	#1
eethanshire Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: none	Sony T3 vs Kobo touch Hello all, With an array of ereaders to choose from, I am having difficulty finding the right one within my budget. I do have my eyes set on two ereaders at bestbuy with the same price tag of $79.99 - the kobo touch and sony t3. Perhaps you would be willing to help with this dilemma. It is important to note that I live in Canada which eliminates kindle and nook altogether as I have plans to borrow the majority of my book from Canadian libraries. My needs are basic: - eink tech - no need for email, web browsing or facebook - access to libraries and as many ebook stores and formats as possible. Specifications suggest T3 being the better purchase but I hear so many negative reviews for sony's ereaders. Would it be wise to opt for the kobo despite being 2 years older? Thanks

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01-09-2014, 12:09 PM	#2
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	Plenty of Kobo Touch users are perfectly happy with their Kobo, but a 2-year old device versus one that's just been released? Unless the former is a fair bit cheaper, I'd be snapping up the T3. (Here in the UK the Kobo Touch has been reduced to £30-£50 - at £30 I'd buy it over the £99 T3 ), but at the same price, there'd be no contest. If you aren't interested in a lighted reader (Kobo Glo or Aura?) then I'd take the T3. You will have more font and text customisation options with the Kobo, but the T3 has increased screen resolution & faster processor. Page turns, book selection etc will all feel a lot faster. And if you are borrowing from a library, the Sony's have a slight advantage in that you can browse from your ereader and borrow directly from the library - every other reader you have to borrow library books via your computer then load them onto your reader (only a plus if thats a feature that might interest you). I'm also not sure what the negative reviews are of the Sony, they have generally been pretty solid, their firmware tends to be a lot more robust than Kobo. The criticism of Sony has been that they don't seem to be putting the same effort into their ereader business, and have lost a lot of ground by not competing with Kobo & Amazon with a lighted reader.

01-09-2014, 12:22 PM	#3
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	If your intention is to primarily read library books then go with the Sony. Hands down. You can actually borrow the books on the device itself which is a wonderful feature. Browsing can be a bit awkward but downloading a book that has just been made available to you after being on a waitlist is an awesome feature. People complain about everything. It's too sunny. It's too dark. It's too hot. It's too cold. Take what's best for you and go from there. I personally really really dislike Kobo's but I love Sony's. I have my reasons but I don't want to cloud your decision. Do what works for you. There's a reason why there's 31 flavours of ice cream. I'd go with the Sony because it's newer, because you can access the library directly on the device - no other reader today can do that, and I personally like the interface better than the Kobo. They're the same price of $80 at Best Buy Canada ending today so act soon! The Sony's work right out of the box and are pretty much set, solid devices where you can happily read away. I have a massive hate of for a device that isn't solid from the get-go and has to constantly release new updates to fix things that should have worked properly in the first place. cough Kobo cough [<-- just my opinion but I'm not the only soul who feels that way!]

01-09-2014, 01:19 PM	#4
eethanshire Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: none	Thank you for your insight, it was very informative. I will purchase the sony T3 this afternoon. Another question had just occurred to me. Is it possible to purchase ebooks from Amazon, google, BN, Indigo/chapters and port them over to the sony T3 with ease or am I required to convert the ebook format to PDF to allow for compatibility?

01-09-2014, 08:24 PM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,659 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Don't convert to PDF (ack!) - convert to epub. You will need to remove DRM first from most books from those sources.

01-10-2014, 01:39 PM	#7
Coops Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 77756 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis, Sony T3 backup	The T3 is great - almost as small as my previous prs-350, and even better screen. Use Calibre on a PC to manage your library and removing drm from Amazon books etc, convert to ePub etc.

01-11-2014, 10:49 PM	#8
eethanshire Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: none	I went ahead and purchased the t3 at best buy for $80. What a wonderful piece of technology. It exceeds all my expectations, and runs flawlessly. The overdrive app to take out library books is absolutely essential for me, it gives me quick access to any library book available without having to resort to the pc and cable. If the book does not appeal to me, return directly from app and Borrow another. Not entirely sure if this is only found on Sony ereaders at the moment but this feature alone is essential. In addition to all of this, I am happy this ereader does not have a back light. The simplicity of the t3s core features is exactly what I ' want and need. I highly recommend this device for $80 Thank you for your recommendation fellas. I appreciate your honesty and advice in the matter. Now if you will excuse me I have some reading to do.

01-12-2014, 11:44 AM	#11
eethanshire Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: none	Sorry ladies. Did not mean to exclude you from the deserved thanks. Thanks!