UPDATE
I've decided and have ordered the Kindle 3. I do love the touchscreen tech on Sony's new Readers, but I think I'm getting more for my money with the current Kindle. Hopefully I haven't overlooked anything! Thanks for helping me think things through.
Original Post:
Hiya everyone. It's been a while since I did more than lurk around here.
I'm back to ask some advice on a new ebook device.
I've had the Sony 505 for a few years and it's been great to me (along with the PRS+ custom firmware of course!) I still read on it nearly every day and while it works about as good as ever, it's showing its age when compared to newer devices. I played around with a friend's Kindle 3 and was pretty depressed at how much faster the whole experience was. The e-ink Pearl screen was very nice, too. So I'm thinking of upgrading!
After doing my research I still came back to Sony. The PRS-650 Touch Edition seems like the logical replacement for my 505. Yeah it's a lot more expensive than the competition, but I love the Sony reader hardware. Unfortunately I'm seeing that the 650 is *really* hard to find right now. There are only 2 places I've managed to find any - one through Amazon sellers at ridiculous prices (starting at $339 on up to $500) and the 2nd place would be through ebay, again for prices much higher than I'd ever consider.
I've read 2 threads here about this situation:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=111626
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118181
So at least I know I'm not the only one running into this problem, but I'm not sure where that leaves me. Is there word on Sony supplying more 650 readers or are they solely focused on moving to their next gen devices?
With what's going on in Sony-land what might people here suggest as an upgrade to my beloved Sony PRS-505?
My goals for this upgrade:
- More responsive device & faster page turns
- Improved screen contrast
- Improved/Updated GUI
- Needs to still be comfortable to read & hold for long sessions
- Would prefer ePub support, but Calibre can of course convert if necessary
Other features:
- WiFi is not necessary - would probably use it, but don't need it.
- Internet access (such as the Kindle 3G) totally not necessary.
- Having a keyboard feels like it would just be in my way more than it would get used.
- Touch screen is not a requirement.
Other than Sony, is the Kindle WiFi @ $139 the best pearl screen option in the 6" device category? Do I just go with that, convert my ePub books as necessary and mostly just ignore that keyboard that makes the devices bigger than I feel it should be?
tl;dr Want to upgrade from my Sony 505, but the 650 is unavailable. What should I get or should I wait for a while?
Thanks everyone!
~ Shadowplay ~
p.s. - sorry for the long-winded "What should I buy?" After typing this up and thinking it through as I went I'm leaning towards the Kindle Wifi, but would still love some discussion here to see what others think.