So, some of you may have followed, my exploration of several different readers (PRS-300, PB360, Astak Mentor). Surprisingly, even to myself, the PRS-600 has emerged as the best reader for me. The thing that allowed it to become my favorite was my asking, “Really, really, how good does the screen readability of my reader need to be?” As we all know, the 600 screen is not as clear or high-contrast as non-touch screens. I was constantly holding it up next to the 300 or my husband’s 505 (or the PB, or the Mentor, lol), and being disappointed. But then I started carrying it around with me, and using it daily, and realized that, you know what? Maybe it’s not as clear as other screens, but it’s perfectly readable in almost any situation in which I use it (true, sometimes I’m reading through a fuzzy relection of myself, or the light source behind me, but still, readable). And when it’s not all that readable, it’s in situations where I probably shouldn’t be reading anyway (low light, etc.)
The other thing that turned me into a PRS-600 user was the thought that I could use it not just for leisure reading, but for work. I’m currently in a job where I need to learn a ton, and fast. I do this mostly through reading through documents, FAQ’s, memos, etc. How cool is it that I can output these as pdf’s (I use pdf’s because there are graphs and charts on these docs), read them perfectly well in landscape on my reader, highlight and make notes, and then use my notes as ‘study guides’ to help me remember key points? Plus, I save all those trees by not printing out hard copies, and I have all this reference material, in searchable format, with me at all times, without having to carry the binder from hell. Awesome!
Some unexpected advantages:
- my 600 can also be entertaining in the rare instances when I’m sick of reading. I can play Sudoku (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86393), or even a quick round of hangman with my kids
- despite my conviction that I would never use the dictionary, I use the dictionary. I just learned what a “concertina” is this past week (kinda like an accordion, as far as I can tell)
- I can use it as a productivity tool (see my tip here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...t=85010&page=3 (post #44) ). Also, I could potentially start using it for taking quick notes or making jotting down to-do lists, instead of using my usual 3x5 cards, but we’ll see about that
- I actually prefer navigating through my book list without the interference of folders (like on the PB or Mentor). And I think tags are better than folders since a single book can have multiple tags
So yes, my 600 is with me all day. I wake up in the morning, take it from the nightstand, plug it in to my laptop downstairs to download the NYT. I read this over breakfast and on the bus on the way to work. I generally pack lunch and eat it outside, while reading whatever novel I’m into. As mentioned above, I use it during work to read reference documents. Then I read some more on the bus ride home. There usually follow several hours when I am unable to read since I’m actually interacting with my family and such
But once the kids are in bed, I read some more, then bring the 600 up to bed so I can catch a few pages of Jeeves and Wooster stories before lights out.
If Sony announces an updated 600 with Pearl screen and (dare we hope) a non-reflective touchscreen, I am going to be *all* over it. In the meantime, I am a happy camper with my 600
