kindle or sony 505

[nutttmegg]

i have a sony prs 505 right now and like it; however, because i have a mac, i don't know how to download ebooks or anything to it. i tried calibre but i don't know how to do it. should i just buy a a kindle or stick with the 505? it's so much more expensive, but is it worth it?

i like to read both indoors and outdoors. i don't do anything fancy with PDF but don't really know how to change one format to another. WHAT SHOULD I GET?!?!

[pdurrant]

Many people with Macs are perfectly happy with their Sonys. You can use Calibre to convert most non-DRM formats to LRF. Then use "Send To Device", I think.

You'll probably get more help asking in the Sony forum.

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=100

Originally Posted by nutttmegg

i have a sony prs 505 right now and like it; however, because i have a mac, i don't know how to download ebooks or anything to it. i tried calibre but i don't know how to do it. should i just buy a a kindle or stick with the 505? it's so much more expensive, but is it worth it?

i like to read both indoors and outdoors. i don't do anything fancy with PDF but don't really know how to change one format to another. WHAT SHOULD I GET?!?!

[toomanybooks]

The Sony PRS-505 acts like a portable drive. You can download any LRF, PDF and EPUB files directly onto the Sony or to a file on your computer. If you download them to a file on your computer, you can drag and drop them if Mac does that. I've never used a Mac.

If you want to use Calibre, save any DRM free ebooks into a location on your computer and import them into Calibre which can convert them to another format and send them to your device.

[dordale]

Also, except for the Kindle DX, the Kindles don't have native support for PDF files. The files need to be converted to a format the Kindle can read.

dordale

[angelad]

Sony seems more flexible, but I think kindle is a bit kinder on the eyes

[Elsi]

kindle or sony 505?

Yes.

Actually, the eInk screen is the same on both devices. The controller is different and so is the default font. I prefer reading on my Kindle than on the Sony -- I think the main reason is that it is easier for me to hold the device with only one hand and turn the pages easily. I find that with the Sony, I can hold it in my left hand, but have to reach over with my right hand for each page turn -- which means if I'm reading while eating, I have to keep putting my fork down!

Since you already have the Sony reader, it seems like you only need to learn a little bit about how to put books onto it -- and where to shop other than the Sony store. But, if that's intimidating, the Kindle is a great device.

There's no one perfect device. You're likely to find things you like about either one. Today, a new 505 is less expensive than a new Kindle, but if you can find a used Kindle, that will make the prices just about the same. Most of the time, for new releases, the same book is $2 cheaper at Amazon. ... but it's going to take a lot of $2 savings to cover the initial cost of a new reader. There are a lot of free books available for both devices.

Here at MobileRead you'll find advocates for both devices -- rabid fans in some cases. You can take a look at the device comparison matrix in our Wiki; that might help you make a decision.

Good luck. In the meantime take time to tell us what kind of books you like to read.