Quote:
Originally Posted by SneakySnake
Hi, and thank you in advance if anyone can help.
I live in Australia.
If anyone has been able to do a direct comparison between the PRS-900 and the Iliad, I would be grateful.
I understand a few points mainly...
The Sony is cheaper ( I think)- have to buy in the US and have sent to OZ
The Iliad has a bigger higher res' screen
Sony has 800mhz (and also far larger memory)and Iliad 400mhz processor
Sony has WiFi and USB. Looks like one or the other with 2 types of Iliad.
Questions- Both have touch screens - it one better?
- Can you write notes on the Sony?
- I am in Australia, is one company more helpful?
- The Sony appear to support more formats but I am a little confused. Do we need ePub?
- Which one will behave better reading technical PDFs etc.
 I would appreciate some help  |
First: I'm a fan of both.
iLiad has been my very first reader (not counting PDAs and smartphones before) and I still love it.
Sony has the best design and very polished UI.
Main difference:
iRex is using WACOM screens. That's the main reason, why they're more expensive. You can't use the touchscreen with your finger, you need a stylus. It has less glare and better contrast than the Sony touchscreen units.
From Sony, I'd go for Sony 900 (still my personal favorite) if you want to have a touchscreen. Without touchscreen, I'd go for the all-time-classic Sony 505 or the newer Sony 300 (5", not 6" - might be a showstopper for you).
iRex 800 right now for me ranks a bit behind Sony 900 (*), but this may change with the upcoming firmware update from iRex, due in about 4 weeks.
(*) iRex 800 doesn't have dictionary yet. No scribbling and no "intelligent" zoom either (yet).
iLiad still can be highly recommended. Some outstanding features, you won't find on any other reader. Did love, changing the book title or author's name, on the fly on the reader.
I'd check the price, but carefully would consider iRex 800. iLiad isn't supported (firmware) anymore, you won't have DRMed ePUB for example.
Concerning your questions:
Both have touch screens - it one better?
As described above: WACOM screens have less glare, better contrast.
I am in Australia, is one company more helpful?
iRex is very active in this forum, best chance of getting direct response. Sony helpdesk is great, similar to Amazon. No personal experience with BeBook's support.
The Sony appear to support more formats but I am a little confused. Do we need ePub?
iRex 800 does support ePUB as well, so does BeBook Neo. It's widely considered the quasi-standard, it's certainly no mistake to cover it.
Which one will behave better reading technical PDFs etc.
For technical PDFs: The bigger the display, the better. I very much prefer the "intelligent" zoom, iRex iLiad did introduce: Marking the area of interest with your stylus and exploding to full screen. This only can be done on iRex iLiad and BeBook Neo. On Sony 900 and Sony 600 it's a bit more complicated and only valid for a single page. On iRex 800 it's not possible (yet?).