MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Finally broke my PRS-500

rooster3888 · 12-05-2010, 02:20 PM

A couple of weeks ago I finally did some real damage to my PRS-500. I've had that thing since 2006. Bought it when I was in the military, so it has been all over the world with me including in some pretty rough places, and I have knocked the heck out of it, and it has never had any issues. It's somewhat ironic that I finally broke it it by stepping on it on my carpeted bedroom floor (even then, it still works... I just damaged about an inch of the lower left portion of the screen). In any event, I've been very happy with the durability and quality of the Sony. It's been a real workhorse. But now I need to get a new reader. Probably owing more to media hype, I was pretty positive that I would get a Kindle or Nook and that Sony had little to offer, but after reading around, it does sound like they still have some very high quality readers. (In the meantime, I've been reading on my iPhone which I never thought in a million years I would like... but it actually isn't half bad, but I still want an eInk reader.)

I've played with all 3 of them in the store and still can't make up my mind.

On the Kindle: I didn't much care for the Kindle's aesthetic... I know it's meant to be really light, but it felt cheap rather than "svelte," like I could snap it in half in my bare hands. But I did like its fast page turns (the Sony seems slower than the Kindle and Nook in that regard). And I like the international support (since I travel a decent amount), and that is syncs easily with the books on my iPhone.

On the Nook: Wasn't bad overall. Like the rubber backing and that it is a bit heavier. Felt more substantial than the Kindle. I liked the color touch screen in principle, but less so in practice... might just need to get used to it. Liked the integration with B&N since we live very near one and visit often. Overall it is nice but feels a bit less "polished" than either the Sony or Kindle.

On the Sony: I still like the aluminum outer shell. It feels like the toughest of the bunch (which is was my experience with my PRS-500). I definitely liked the touch screen. I didn't get to play with the integrated Sony bookstore, so I am curious about the shopping experience. I should get the $75 credit for trading in my PRS-500, but the Sony is still awfully pricey. Sony also seems to do less with software updates and the like.

So I have a few questions that maybe folks on this forum could help out with:
- Is the extra price for the PRS-950 over the Kindle and Nook worth it? If so, why? (I am only interested in the 950 since the others don't have wireless). I have a definite "soft spot" for the Sony, but the price is putting me off.
- Any durability issues w/ the Nook or Kindle (or new Sonys for that matter)? I don't think this reader well get quite as roughed up as my last one, but I do want something that will last a while.

Any other suggestions / comments about the three? I've read quite a bit on them, including on this forum, but wanted to get a couple direct opinions. Thanks!

12-05-2010, 02:20 PM	#1
rooster3888 Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: none	Finally broke my PRS-500 - Do I stick with Sony or switch? A couple of weeks ago I finally did some real damage to my PRS-500. I've had that thing since 2006. Bought it when I was in the military, so it has been all over the world with me including in some pretty rough places, and I have knocked the heck out of it, and it has never had any issues. It's somewhat ironic that I finally broke it it by stepping on it on my carpeted bedroom floor (even then, it still works... I just damaged about an inch of the lower left portion of the screen). In any event, I've been very happy with the durability and quality of the Sony. It's been a real workhorse. But now I need to get a new reader. Probably owing more to media hype, I was pretty positive that I would get a Kindle or Nook and that Sony had little to offer, but after reading around, it does sound like they still have some very high quality readers. (In the meantime, I've been reading on my iPhone which I never thought in a million years I would like... but it actually isn't half bad, but I still want an eInk reader.) I've played with all 3 of them in the store and still can't make up my mind. On the Kindle: I didn't much care for the Kindle's aesthetic... I know it's meant to be really light, but it felt cheap rather than "svelte," like I could snap it in half in my bare hands. But I did like its fast page turns (the Sony seems slower than the Kindle and Nook in that regard). And I like the international support (since I travel a decent amount), and that is syncs easily with the books on my iPhone. On the Nook: Wasn't bad overall. Like the rubber backing and that it is a bit heavier. Felt more substantial than the Kindle. I liked the color touch screen in principle, but less so in practice... might just need to get used to it. Liked the integration with B&N since we live very near one and visit often. Overall it is nice but feels a bit less "polished" than either the Sony or Kindle. On the Sony: I still like the aluminum outer shell. It feels like the toughest of the bunch (which is was my experience with my PRS-500). I definitely liked the touch screen. I didn't get to play with the integrated Sony bookstore, so I am curious about the shopping experience. I should get the $75 credit for trading in my PRS-500, but the Sony is still awfully pricey. Sony also seems to do less with software updates and the like. So I have a few questions that maybe folks on this forum could help out with: - Is the extra price for the PRS-950 over the Kindle and Nook worth it? If so, why? (I am only interested in the 950 since the others don't have wireless). I have a definite "soft spot" for the Sony, but the price is putting me off. - Any durability issues w/ the Nook or Kindle (or new Sonys for that matter)? I don't think this reader well get quite as roughed up as my last one, but I do want something that will last a while. Any other suggestions / comments about the three? I've read quite a bit on them, including on this forum, but wanted to get a couple direct opinions. Thanks!