Quote:
Originally Posted by rolof
costs 120$ to get sony to replace your battery
$59 for kindle
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Kindle customer support is excellent, I won't let my distaste of the Kindle's software prevent me from giving credit where credit is due, but the point I was making is that the battery is NOT user replaceable any more than it is for the Sony.
In fact, the ONLY mass-market eReader that was listed that does have a user replaceable battery was the old original eInk Nooks, and I don't think this was retained as a feature on the just released newer Touch Nook models.
In the case of my Sony, I found the
full service manual here on Mobileread, so I can see EXACTLY what is involved in replacing the battery, and am confident that I can handle battery replacement when and if it is ever needed (The batteries for all the older sonys are available online for about 40 to 50 dollars, so I am confident I will be able to find one for my 650 if needed).
When I looked at one of the newer Touch Nooks for about 15 minutes, I did not notice any excessive ghosting issues.
Right now, both the new Nook STR and Kobo Touch devices do use a very quick screen update to minimize the annoying eInk flash common to the current Kindles, Sony's etc. This is great, but there is some concern about whether this will cause unacceptable levels of ghosting. In the end, if it does prove in the least bit objectionably, I am sure that Kobo and B&N will update their software to alter the screen refresh.
So far, my own personal experience, and what I have seen in reports by MORE EXPERENCED users, indicate that it's not really that bad.
I think that often folks who have limited experience with eInk devices freak out the first time they see even a tiny level of ghosting, because they assume that it means something is 'broken'.
This is not the case. Ghosting is something that I have occasionally seen on Kindles and Sonys as well. For example, I have found that nearly ALL eInk devices will show some temporary ghosting issues when the reader is subjected to sudden wide temperature changes.
So far as screen quality goes - I was the one who reported that my 650 screen just doesn't quite have as white of whites, and as black of blacks, as some of the newer Nooks, Kindles, Kobo's etc. but then again my reader was purchased just after the 650s hit the market, and things seem to have improved a bit since then.
Sorry I brought this up now, but of course it is a little anoying seeing readers that cost 100 dollers LESS than I paid with better Pearl screens.
Sony needs to understand that when you charge a premium price, you better deliver a premium product.
But from what I have seen lately, the screen quality situation seems to have improved, and if you get one you don't like you can certainly return it.
With the Sonys now on clearance at MUCH LOWER PRICES, I think they have become quite a bargain - IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.
I will say that, other than very slightly sub-par contrast on my Pearl screen, in all other respects, my PRS-650 has been absolutely a JOY.
I have over 1500 books loaded, and reliablity and performance has been really solid. It lets me read EPUBs from a dozen sources around the web flawlessly, and does a much better job with PDFs than the Kindles, Nooks, and Kobos that I have seen.
A Sony 950 at a good price would be just about perfect in meeting nearly every single one of the OP's requirements, and given the clearance prices I have seen, would be a very good match.
If he or she can live without WiFi the 650 should also be considered.