MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - PRS-350 To buy or not to buy (at $120 on Best Buy)?

ilovejedd · 05-17-2011, 09:30 PM

Just picked up my PRS-350, some first impressions:

Smaller than I expected. I guess the one I played with previously was an older version (perhaps the PRS-505?). I remember it not having a touch screen. Still, the screen on the PRS-350 is around the same size as a bunko and just a little smaller than mass market paperbacks so I find it quite acceptable. Being pocketable is a big plus.
Solid construction. Despite its lightweight, the PRS-350 feels very well made. I'm also really liking the somewhat rubbery grip on the back.
Font sizes. Big jump from S to XS with no size in between. I find the S too big, but the XS is just a little bit too small for my eyes. Between the two, though, I prefer XS. Text is very clear even at XS. No noticeable pixels.
The flashing/transition screen seems a lot shorter than on the older versions. I found this somewhat distracting so I'm glad it's not as noticeable on the PRS-350.
Readable in bright sunlight. On the iPhone, I usually have to turn up brightness pretty high so I can read in bright sunlight which inevitably gives me headaches. There's also the issue with glare and reflections. I was trying out the PRS-350 this afternoon while in the car (parking lot) waiting for my mom and it's been really comfortable to use.

Overall, I'm really liking my first foray into e-ink readers. At $120, the PRS-350 was a good purchase. I might upgrade to a PRS-650 eventually, but I'd definitely want to have some hands-on experience before I buy one (unless I find it online for $150 or less).

Thank you everyone for all the feedback. They've been really helpful when I was making a decision.

05-17-2011, 09:30 PM	#37
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,110 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Just picked up my PRS-350, some first impressions: Smaller than I expected. I guess the one I played with previously was an older version (perhaps the PRS-505?). I remember it not having a touch screen. Still, the screen on the PRS-350 is around the same size as a bunko and just a little smaller than mass market paperbacks so I find it quite acceptable. Being pocketable is a big plus. Solid construction. Despite its lightweight, the PRS-350 feels very well made. I'm also really liking the somewhat rubbery grip on the back. Font sizes. Big jump from S to XS with no size in between. I find the S too big, but the XS is just a little bit too small for my eyes. Between the two, though, I prefer XS. Text is very clear even at XS. No noticeable pixels. The flashing/transition screen seems a lot shorter than on the older versions. I found this somewhat distracting so I'm glad it's not as noticeable on the PRS-350. Readable in bright sunlight. On the iPhone, I usually have to turn up brightness pretty high so I can read in bright sunlight which inevitably gives me headaches. There's also the issue with glare and reflections. I was trying out the PRS-350 this afternoon while in the car (parking lot) waiting for my mom and it's been really comfortable to use. Overall, I'm really liking my first foray into e-ink readers. At $120, the PRS-350 was a good purchase. I might upgrade to a PRS-650 eventually, but I'd definitely want to have some hands-on experience before I buy one (unless I find it online for $150 or less). Thank you everyone for all the feedback. They've been really helpful when I was making a decision.