[spec2]

After much self-debate I ordered a K2 b/c in my head Wispernet was da bomb. I rec'd my K2 yesterday and, well, meh.

I know there are a lot of prospective eReader buyers asking "K2 or 505?" Hopefully this well help them in their decision.

The K2 is a fantastic reader as many have reported this week. And if you don't have a smartphone, it's not too expensive either given the lifetime Wispernet. However, as much as I loved the concept, I don't see it really benefiting me all that much now that I've used it. I have an iPhone that I'd much rather use to go online when I'm away from the computer.

As for being able to download books on the fly, that is a great convenience, but it's really not a huge bother to plug in a USB cable. I've read people praising the Kindle b/c you can download a book where ever you are, but realistically, I always plan my reading ahead of time. I know when I'm near the end of a book it's time to buy a new one. This is quite different than being on the street and suddenly getting a song in your head and having to download it right then and there.

On to the dictionary. Again, nice feature, but I'm fairly educated, as I would think all eReader fans would be. I know I can figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word based on the context of the sentence like I've been doing for years. So again, not a killer feature for me. And if it's a truly puzzling work I'll probably remember to look it up when I do get near a dictionary or computer. Similarly, annotations, etc. Great for school or work, but I don't use my eReader for either.

Then you get down to usability. I think Sony has the Kindle here. The Sony's menus are right there when you turn the machine on. No need to toggle or do a deep drill down. The K2's menu/home system is way more complex than needs be and not all that intuitive. To me the 505's buttons also feel smoother and easier to use even though they only have icons, not written labels.

But the piece de resistance of the 505 to me is it's compact size and top-notch build quality, down to the ridge for your thumb to rest. It's only slightly wider than a typical paperback and fits in the hand almost perfectly. Both the backwards and forwards buttons are right at your thumbs, regardless of which hand you favor. The K2 feels top heavy to me, and the buttons don't fit the hand, that hand has to fit them. I'm also not a huge fan of having the back button only on the left side. In the end, it's about usability and while the K2 makes it easier to buy books I find it easier to read books with the 505.

The 505 isn't perfect. I do have my issues with it, like its lack of native Mac support, and the overpriced book store, but it fits my own needs in a reader more than the K2.

And also while I'm sticking with the 50, if I were given an eReader as a gift I probably would choose the K2. The K2 would be perfect for my parents or sister who are somewhat computerphobic, and are terrified of plugging anything into their computer or using new software. Being able to fully use their reader w/o a computer would be more than ideal for them where as I'm betting they'd never bother with the 505. They are the perfect demo for the K2.