Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoob
I'm not sure which one(s) is(are) worth trying to find though ...
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So, let's have a look
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_devices
The first e-ink reader EVER was Sony Librie. Not worth it. Available only in Japan, with Japanese only user interface, originally you couldn't even load your own books, only those *rented* from Sony. I wonder why it wasn't successful ;-).
Next one was PRS-500. It was the first ever e-ink reader available to buyers outside Japan for sane price. - There was iRex Illiad before that, but that was 8" and more expensive than a high-end notebook at the time.
I had PRS-500 and I do not think it is worth owning NOWADAYS. It had a full-metal body and a clip at the back to attach bulky and heavy cover. You had to use LRF format by Sony or rtf format for ebooks. Please note that in comparison to the modern devices these screens have much lower resolution, aren't front-lit and appear much more fuzzy and grey. Plus it is really old now and it will show. When I got a new device (at the time I still owned PRS-500) I was very surprised how much better the new displays looked. Mind you, when I got PRS-500 I was blown away by a quality and legibility of e-ink display in comparison to the other devices available at the time. The device when connected to a PC does not behave like an UMASS USB device, so you need a special program from SONY to connect to it, or an old Calibre. The Calibre software was originally developed so that Kovid could connect his Linux PC to his e-ink reader.
PRS-300 was one of very few 5" models that were ever available on an e-ink reader market. That one might be interesting to buy and try to revive. (*)
PRS-505 was a meh model, I think. It did support e-pub and some other formats.
PRS-700 had touch screen and a very bad front-light, if I remember correctly.
PRS-900 - Daily edition was a 7" with a weird aspect ratio of sides, if I remember correctly. The display had width of a 6" display and was just taller. Not worth getting, IMHO.
(*) please note that many modern 6" devices have smaller overall dimensions than those ancient 5" devices. Look at specs before buying.