Quote:
Originally Posted by lmarie
I'm researching this site to try to ascertain the actual significant differences between the Cybook and the Sony 505. I'm planning to get one or the other, but this thread has seemed to wander off to a discussion of a pdf format. So, a few questions (maybe I should have started a new thread?):
Has anyone compared the number of (actual) problem issues between the two devices? (I've read and reread the wiki and the matrix several times, btw.)
I've been reading about screen blackout problems, button pressing and placement problems, warranty problems, cover problems, support problems, library listing problems, saved page problems, etc. Because I'm in the US, it might be "safer" to get a Sony, but then again, reading another long thread about support problems with Sony leads me to believe that may not be true either.
Is one or the other more "update-able"?
Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.
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I think it depends a lot on what you consider to be "significant differences". For me, the Cybook is the only one I'd buy. From what I've read, it has the features I want.
Cybook reads many file types without having to convert them. Mobipocket books are available from many sources, and can be read on your desktop if you have Windows. Mobipocket isn't connected to the Cybook, it will work on other readers, giving you options for the future rather than forcing you to buy another Cybook if you want to keep reading your books. I read the Sony has three font sizes - small, med, large. Cybook has 12 font size options. And I can add any font I want to the Cybook. I can't list all the differences I've read about, but the Cybook seems to me the most flexible, and to me that is important.
I think button placement is irrrelevent unless it's really poorly designed. You're going to get used to the buttons no matter where they're placed. I don't have any problems with the buttons on the Cybook.
I had a problem one time with my page not being saved, so now I save bookmarks often.
I don't have any problems with the Cybook's library. Author information has to be put into the book file's metadata to show up, that is an issue with the book file, not the device. Sorting could be improved, and Bookeen may do something about that. But I don't have a problem with that either since I don't intend to keep 5000 books on the device. It's easy to manage if you keep the book number low. There are other ways of managing it too. You can use folders and then sort by file path. You can keep just one type of book per sd card (which will keep the number of books on the device at one time lower too). Whatever. I'm sure there are many ways.
The Cybook can be updated if and when the company decides to release an update. It should be as easy as downloading the file and putting it on the Cybook. Drag and drop or copy and paste, like moving any file anywhere.
Bookeen's customer support leaves me extremely unimpressed, and their website has absolutely no troubleshooting information on it. Some people have posted here that they have had good service from them with problems.
I feel like buying any of these devices is a huge risk, the support seems to be lacking, the cost is stupidly high. How much are you going to invest in DRM'd books that eventually you will probably lose the ability to read? I think it's a personal decision based on what you're planning to do with the reader, what features are important to you, etc.
I wouldn't have bought any of the others. If I hadn't bought a Cybook, I'd have waited a few more years to see what new developments take place.