[jgray]

After using a PRS-350 for a while and finally getting my PRS-650, I have a few observations. First, both readers are much better than previous generations, both the screens and the functionality.

As others have commented and even posted pictures/videos, the Pearl screen is noticeably better in terms of contrast. It is still far from the contrast of real paper, but it is finally good enough for my eyes.

I still have a few nits to pick about the firmware, but overall, the feature set is far better than other readers I have tried. The IR touchscreen is a great solution to the problems inherent in other touchscreens, which obscure the display. The built-in dictionaries are high quality and very much appreciated. The only thing I could wish for here is more dictionaries that I could download to the reader.

As for the differences between the 350 and the 650, that extra inch of screen on the 650 makes a huge difference in readability. I didn't like the silver color of the 350. Even though it is a a matte silver, I found it too reflective. I much prefer the matte black of the 650. You can still get some reflections off of the shiny trim, but most of the time it isn't an issue.

The 650 adds card slots for SD and Memory Stick, but with so much internal memory, I don't know if I'll ever use them. Still, it's nice to have the option.

Other than a few small areas where I think the firmware needs improvement, I think that these new Sony readers are worth the extra money, compared to the competition. Not that I wouldn't have liked a lower price. Although Sony has been known to make a few large blunders with products in the past, these new readers continue the tradition of quality-built Sony products that we have come to expect.

Speaking of the competition, there is one reader that I did not even consider, even though it also has the Pearl screen. That is the Kindle. Why? Because I don't like Amazon's attempted vendor lock-in and other practices. I also didn't want to be stuck with a dying ebook format that has been around far too long. Everyone but Amazon supports epub. This gives me more choice.

I did have some problems with Sony over the order. I won't go into details, but I feel that Sony should have let me know that they thought there was a problem with the order, rather than shipping the cover and not shipping the reader. They just silently cancelled the second half of the order without notifying me. The reader had to be reordered later. When asked about this, they basically shrugged their shoulders and disclaimed any responsibility, other than finally sending the reader. Poor customer service, good product.

One final observation. I like the lighted cover that I got for my 650 very much (I got a red one for my black reader). However, with the lighter weight of the new readers, the cover seems to weigh as much as the reader. It makes a very noticeable difference when reading with and without the cover.

Joe