Quote:
Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel
yes, please do ; i'll be interested to hear your opinion taking into consideration the previous accounts.
i aim to please. 
(you aim too, please <--spéciale dédicace joke for natch / pshrynk) |
Ok, I just got back from the Sony Store. Unfortunately, have bad news. Without
any doubt, there is a
huge difference between the PRS-505 and 700 screens.
The 505 is sharp, clear, and has nice contrast, while the 700 appears to be a more diffused, the text lighter, and not anywhere near as enjoyable to read. The only place the reader looked even close to as good as the 505, was in complete, direct sunlight (from one of the windows in the mall) and even then it still wasn't as sharp.
I stood in the store for 15 min., trying to understand how Sony could mess this up so badly. There is most certainly some piece of glass or plastic between you and the e-ink screen, which diffuses what you see, and makes the contrast appear terrible.
I have no doubt that the e-ink screen ont he 700, without the touchscreen covering (or whatever the piece of plastic or glass is that sits in front of the e-ink screen) would be just as sharp as the 505, but
because of this covering, it makes is look woefully inferior to the 505.
The best way I can describe it is It looks like someone put a couple pieces of matte screen protectors over the e-ink screen, and makes the text harder to see, and less sharp.
I asked 2 of the sales people, and they both agreed there was a huge difference, and said they weren't aware of a way to adjust the contrast, and that since they has just gotten the unit in a few weeks ago, it was most likley the production model.
This really makes me mad, because I loved everything else about the 700. But if that is what the 700 is actually like, there is no WAY I would ever purchase it. Mind you I don't own a reader, and was trying to decide between the 505 and 700. Well, the choice was made for me.
Some part of me is still hoping that the actual units that are being shipped to people now will somehow be better, but I just don't see how. I will be anxiously awaiting some impressions from those who have a 505 to compare it to.
John