Quote:
Originally Posted by charadeur
I have been reading for two days and I have it narrowed down to the two most popular models. Kindle or Sony 505. What I think I have learned so far:
Sony
Pro: - Open format allows for most file types to be used.
- Ergonomics are better.
- Design is more aesthetically pleasing
Con: - Available content is not as good as Amazon
- You must own a Kindle and do some questionably legal things to get Amazon content on your Kindle.
Kindle
Pro: Easy download of Amazon content.
Con: - Poor ergonomics
- Bigger and heavier
- Requires running pearl scrips and much screwing around to get content purchased elsewhere onto the Kindle.
Is this a fair summery? Features seem to no be debated much between the two. I really like the Sony better but the content thing is holding me back. Can anyone convince me that anything I can get for the Kindle is available somewhere for the Sony? Or perhaps convince me that the Kindle is not all that ergonomically bad or such an ugly duckling?  |
No it is not a fair summary:
1) weight: Kindle = 10.3 oz , Sony = 9 oz (if you can tell the difference than...)
2) Ergonomics: You have to try both before you can say that. I prefer the ergonomics of the Kindle.
3) Asthetics: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
4) Content: Amazon wins with depth of catalog and price
5) Conversions: Since the Kindle catalog is so deep, there is rarely need to convert anything because it's in the store. Those times when a Kindle owner wants to buy something outside of Amazon, there are tools which are easy to use to help with the conversion.
On the Sony side, the Sony store is not yet up to speed as far as content. I don't know that it will ever compete on price. conversion comes into play when a Sony owner wants to read something not in it's native formats. Luckily, Kovid took it upon himself to create Calibre to make that task easier.
On the whole it is no more of a pain to convert content for the Kindle than it is for the Sony, the exception, IMO, is pdf's which contain complex graphs and tables (things I don't need as a usual part of my reading).
My impression from your post is that you really want to buy the Sony and you just need validation that you are making the right choice. You should buy it. I think you'll be happy with your choice.