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GlennD · 02-12-2009, 06:16 PM

Go easy on the OP.....I was in the same situation a few months ago, trying to decide which device I liked more. I'd seen and used the original Sony reader for a little bit, and the 700s had just come out.

I'm an IT guy, have been reading ebooks since I had a Palm III, most recently on a Windows mobile device, I'm familiar with file formats and converting files....and I STILL had the impression that the Kindle was more limited than it is with file formats. Amazon hypes the estore so much that they forget to emphasize that you can ALSO transfer books via USB. It took an instruction sheet on the Baen site to make me realize I was mistaken. Blame the marketing people, don't blame the potential customers for a lot of the myths.

The Sony readers and the Kindles are all great devices. I like the size of the Sonys, the light was a big selling point, it supports ePub (which might become one of the ebook standards) and best of all it's available NOW (and wasn't on a waiting list several months ago). The 8 shade greyscale was also a selling point at the time (vs the 4 on the Kindle 1) as I like to read comic books on it. The Kindle 2 went to 16 shades.....but lost the SD port which becomes an issue if you want to move largish comic collections to it.

The Kindle 1 has the form factor going for it. I've never understood why people hate on the looks so much - those big fat page turning bars are awesome, IMO. I read a lot at lunch with a fork in one hand and my book in the other. The Kindle really lends itself to being held and usable in one hand. I'm not sure about the K2, as I haven't held one but from the pictures I think the new form factor may be less attractive to me, personally. And I'm one of those that thinks that removing the SD slot is a mistake. Given the choice between the K1 and K2, I'd lean towards the K1.

In the end, I went with the Sony 700 and it's been a great device. If I'd ordered a Kindle, I'd still be waiting for it and wouldn't be able to tell you what I think. And I'd probably be irate about the change from the device I thought I was getting to ending up with a K2.

02-12-2009, 06:16 PM	#43
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,119 Karma: 17500000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	Go easy on the OP.....I was in the same situation a few months ago, trying to decide which device I liked more. I'd seen and used the original Sony reader for a little bit, and the 700s had just come out. I'm an IT guy, have been reading ebooks since I had a Palm III, most recently on a Windows mobile device, I'm familiar with file formats and converting files....and I STILL had the impression that the Kindle was more limited than it is with file formats. Amazon hypes the estore so much that they forget to emphasize that you can ALSO transfer books via USB. It took an instruction sheet on the Baen site to make me realize I was mistaken. Blame the marketing people, don't blame the potential customers for a lot of the myths. The Sony readers and the Kindles are all great devices. I like the size of the Sonys, the light was a big selling point, it supports ePub (which might become one of the ebook standards) and best of all it's available NOW (and wasn't on a waiting list several months ago). The 8 shade greyscale was also a selling point at the time (vs the 4 on the Kindle 1) as I like to read comic books on it. The Kindle 2 went to 16 shades.....but lost the SD port which becomes an issue if you want to move largish comic collections to it. The Kindle 1 has the form factor going for it. I've never understood why people hate on the looks so much - those big fat page turning bars are awesome, IMO. I read a lot at lunch with a fork in one hand and my book in the other. The Kindle really lends itself to being held and usable in one hand. I'm not sure about the K2, as I haven't held one but from the pictures I think the new form factor may be less attractive to me, personally. And I'm one of those that thinks that removing the SD slot is a mistake. Given the choice between the K1 and K2, I'd lean towards the K1. In the end, I went with the Sony 700 and it's been a great device. If I'd ordered a Kindle, I'd still be waiting for it and wouldn't be able to tell you what I think. And I'd probably be irate about the change from the device I thought I was getting to ending up with a K2.