Having owned two different CyBooks in the last year, I'd thoroughly recommend it. MobiPocket format, which it supports, is very much a de facto standard, and although other formats can be converted for use with the Sony, it's a lot less hassle to be able to read Mobi books directly.
The screens on the two machines are identical, although the Sony has a different controller, meaning that it can display 8 grey-scales rather than the CyBook's 4. This makes pictures look a little better on the Sony.
The CyBook, however, has many benefits, to my mind, including:
- The ability to load any TrueType or OpenType fonts onto the machine, and read any book using any font.
- A choice of 12 font sizes, compared to 3 on the Sony.
- Support for font "families", meaning that it uses "real" bold and italic fonts, compared to the Sony's "synthesised" italics.
- A user-replaceable battery.
- Dictionary lookup.
- Double the internal memory.
- Support for the Mobi format which means lots of bookstores to choose from.
To my mind, these factors make the CyBook a clear winner.
Buy it from W.H.Smiths if you decide to get it - their package of the CyBook + case for £180 is a bargain. The case is (IMHO) essential.
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