MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

Brian M · 01-16-2022, 02:50 PM

Short version:

I have owned/used the same Sony PRS950 for 11 years, it's starting to physically fail (fall apart) so I'm looking into options. I don't have any other reason for replacement.

I'm a book-only reader (no magazines, cartoons, or PDFs)

Suggestions must offer page buttons
I'd like to stay in the 7~8" size range
I'd prefer longer battery life to "features" (android, bluetooth, wifi, etc..)
no "store" necessary (I sideload everything with calibre)

And now the wordy version:

So, I've had my PRS950 for over a decade and it looks it. Still functions fine, but the slider switch for the power is getting harder and harder to use (used to have plastic nubs on top, they're gone). I can almost certainly "fix" that issue myself, and may, unless there's a good reason and option to upgrade.

Hard for me to part with money as I have very little, but I know that some things are worth the cost. I don't keep on top of the e-reader developments so I'm not sure if there's anything game changing that I should consider. Hoping that those of you reading might know the differences and be able to tell me about them. About the only "might be nice" I've noticed are the lit screens... but after 11 years without, I'm clearly fine without.

I only read books, so no format issues with magazines, cartoons/comics or PDF files... though I have read a book or two in pdf on the Sony.

So, *must haves* ~
buttons
at least a 7" screen (probably keep it smaller than 10")
outstanding standby/reading time.

*Nice to have*
disable touchscreen or with stylus only, maybe an ability to Drastically turn down sensitivity... I find that when camping, any little piece of trash or bug that happens to land on my Sony screen will make it go nuts. Happens if a hair falls on the screen too... just too sensitive.

I sideload everything with Calibre, so no need (or want) for wifi, bluetooth, cellular. I can turn those off with the Sony, so no power draw. I also source my own books, so no need for a store of any sort.

*ABSOLUTELY NO AMAZON PRODUCTS*
Seriously, my wife had the K3 (keyboard version) which functioned fine but was too small for me. She has a newer version of some kind or another and it freezes, or reboots, with too much frequency (more in a month than mine has in its life with me). She hates that she traded away the better product and I simply don't like Amazon as a company. To put a finer point to this, I have the same dislike of McDonalds and haven't given them 1 cent since about 1988, and Levi Strauss/Dockers has been sharing their company since about 1994...

I'm a very frugal person, have zero issues buying used and like I said above, I'm currently looking to buy a less used PRS950 if I can get it at the right price. Might try and see about "fixing" my power button (needs some texture, perhaps superglue and a little sand

). After replacing the battery, taking the power switch/slider out to try and fix will be a non-issue...

The 2 companies I know make a product that might match are PocketBook and Kobo. Do they really offer anything that's a HUGE change over my PRS950 beyond the light? Or is it just minor changes.. 15:1 contrast instead of 10:1, 200 grams instead of 240 grams? Since I use Calibre/USB for all book loading, any differences there are unimportant (loading over wifi, if it has wifi I *must* be able to turn it off for power savings).

I'm in a situation where I have an old reliable, something I like, fits my needs and is just a little worn. Trying to decide if spending money on something new is worth it for me.... mostly leaning towards no, but want to get some impressions on what's changes and is out there now.

Thanks. Especially for reading (sorry if it's rambling, snow in GA today and I opted for hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps as a treat... might be impacting me a touch as I don't normally imbibe). But thanks for any insight you might be willing to offer too.

01-16-2022, 02:50 PM	#1
Brian M Member Posts: 23 Karma: 46336 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SE Subtropics Device: PRS-950	Time to upgrade? Sony PRS950 to...??? Short version: I have owned/used the same Sony PRS950 for 11 years, it's starting to physically fail (fall apart) so I'm looking into options. I don't have any other reason for replacement. I'm a book-only reader (no magazines, cartoons, or PDFs) Suggestions must offer page buttons I'd like to stay in the 7~8" size range I'd prefer longer battery life to "features" (android, bluetooth, wifi, etc..) no "store" necessary (I sideload everything with calibre) And now the wordy version: So, I've had my PRS950 for over a decade and it looks it. Still functions fine, but the slider switch for the power is getting harder and harder to use (used to have plastic nubs on top, they're gone). I can almost certainly "fix" that issue myself, and may, unless there's a good reason and option to upgrade. Hard for me to part with money as I have very little, but I know that some things are worth the cost. I don't keep on top of the e-reader developments so I'm not sure if there's anything game changing that I should consider. Hoping that those of you reading might know the differences and be able to tell me about them. About the only "might be nice" I've noticed are the lit screens... but after 11 years without, I'm clearly fine without. I only read books, so no format issues with magazines, cartoons/comics or PDF files... though I have read a book or two in pdf on the Sony. So, must haves ~ buttons at least a 7" screen (probably keep it smaller than 10") outstanding standby/reading time. Nice to have disable touchscreen or with stylus only, maybe an ability to Drastically turn down sensitivity... I find that when camping, any little piece of trash or bug that happens to land on my Sony screen will make it go nuts. Happens if a hair falls on the screen too... just too sensitive. I sideload everything with Calibre, so no need (or want) for wifi, bluetooth, cellular. I can turn those off with the Sony, so no power draw. I also source my own books, so no need for a store of any sort. ABSOLUTELY NO AMAZON PRODUCTS Seriously, my wife had the K3 (keyboard version) which functioned fine but was too small for me. She has a newer version of some kind or another and it freezes, or reboots, with too much frequency (more in a month than mine has in its life with me). She hates that she traded away the better product and I simply don't like Amazon as a company. To put a finer point to this, I have the same dislike of McDonalds and haven't given them 1 cent since about 1988, and Levi Strauss/Dockers has been sharing their company since about 1994... I'm a very frugal person, have zero issues buying used and like I said above, I'm currently looking to buy a less used PRS950 if I can get it at the right price. Might try and see about "fixing" my power button (needs some texture, perhaps superglue and a little sand ). After replacing the battery, taking the power switch/slider out to try and fix will be a non-issue... The 2 companies I know make a product that might match are PocketBook and Kobo. Do they really offer anything that's a HUGE change over my PRS950 beyond the light? Or is it just minor changes.. 15:1 contrast instead of 10:1, 200 grams instead of 240 grams? Since I use Calibre/USB for all book loading, any differences there are unimportant (loading over wifi, if it has wifi I must be able to turn it off for power savings). I'm in a situation where I have an old reliable, something I like, fits my needs and is just a little worn. Trying to decide if spending money on something new is worth it for me.... mostly leaning towards no, but want to get some impressions on what's changes and is out there now. Thanks. Especially for reading (sorry if it's rambling, snow in GA today and I opted for hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps as a treat... might be impacting me a touch as I don't normally imbibe). But thanks for any insight you might be willing to offer too.