[polly]

Originally Posted by RonF

Sony PRS-300 fits most but not all of your wants. It does not offer the dictionary. Sony and Nook are the only 2 to do local library checkout right now, afaik..

Any reader that supports ADE ePubs or PDFs will handle local library checkouts.

Originally Posted by Davimee

Also, I've also seen online the Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro for $199. That one is not listed on the ebook reader matrix. How would that compare to the Sony 300 or PocketBook 360?

Thanks.

I wouldn't be too impressed by the offers of free books. Those are almost always free books from Project Gutenburg. You can find better stuff right here on MobileRead.

I've used both the PocketPro and Sony 505 extensively. You should be aware that the PP and Sony 300 both have the same screen. The PP has a 400 mHz processor and the Sony has a 200 mHz processor, so the PP has more computing power.

IMHO, the PP is easier to use because it uses a folder system. As far as your computer is concerned, it's just another flash drive, so put files where you like. The PP reads more file formats, but it doesn't read all of the gracefully. The Sony uses metadata, so if the author or title metadata isn't entered right, the book doesn't end up where you expect. The actual name of the file has no meaning to the Sony.

Also important to a person on a budget is that the PP is much better equipped out of the box. Mine came with the USB cable, a wall adapter to charge from the wall, a 2GB SD card loaded with books, ear buds, a decent leatherish case, and a wrist strap. They even threw in a little screwdriver for the battery case. Compare that to the 300, which just comes with a case sleeve and USB cable.

Form factor is also important. Sony has always had good aesthetics. The PP is more homely, but the rubberized coating prevents fingerprints. I find that I really like the rocker switch on the side for page turns. The 505 and 300 both aggravate my arthritis when I turn pages. I would look at how they feel in your hands and where the buttons are in relationship to how you want to hold it. You'll be turning pages a lot, so it's good to have something comfortable.

My PP has a very solid feel and I have no problems with the font steps. The ePubs that I generally use have five steps. Some of the other formats have as many as ten.

You don't say how soon you want/need this, but you should be aware that several new readers were just announced or previewed at CES, so there will be a lot more choices over the next few months. Cool-er, Boox, and Astak have all announced new readers with touch screens that are expected to sell in the $250 range. The touch screen would certainly make dictionary support, notes, and highlighting easier.