Sony 950 vs Pocketbook 902

[Goondu]

Hi

I am looking for an ebook reader. currently I am using a iPAD for reading which is a strain to my eyes after a while.

In choosing an ebook reader, I have narrowed down to either Sony 950 or Pocketbook 902 because I am worried about reading on a smaller 6" device. I read mainly novels, newspaper, magazines and comics. I have quite a few ebooks to read in pdf so I don't know how they will turn out on a 6".

I don't need wireless or browser. I just want a reader wthat can read as many source as possible. And I am quite interested to try the FB2 format on 902. Also I want one that can change font and font size

Questions:-

1) Is the Pocketbook 902 too big to carry around. Is it too heavy for prolonged reading? Looking at the dimension of the Sony 950, it is not that much bigger than the Kindle.

2) Can a ebook in PDF format be rendered properly on a 6 inch ebook reader?

3) Am I worrying too much about reading on a 6" cos I am used to reading on a 9.7" iPad? My eyesight is pretty good.

4) I intend to read my magazine and comics on iPad as it can display colour. Can the larger 902 or 950 make reading magzine and comics feasible?

5) For those who owns both Sony 950 and pocketbook 902, what are your views and recommendations?

Thanks for reading

[vxf]

I own a 950. Some comments...

For PDFs, you will want to use it in landscape mode if you have to keep the original formatting (say, with academic papers or stuff in multiple columns), which displays one third of a page at the time, in 'real size'. Which might be a problem if your reading involves lots of tables and graphs. It's not a problem at all if you are just looking at text... for PDF ebooks, you can just reflow and read in portrait.

Overall, I don't think you are worrying too much. It's a mixed experience and I would recommend trying it out before finalizing your purchase. I prefer an iPad for PDFs, but I read mostly pre-formatted PDFs with tables and graphs... academic papers.

Similar answer for comics... I found them to work in landscape, not in portrait, which is a problem with some comics (where some panels span the whole length of the page, for example). So... it's doable, but it's black and white and it's not going to work well in portrait... I use an iPad for comics...

[Goondu]

Originally Posted by vxf

I own a 950. Some comments...

For PDFs, you will want to use it in landscape mode if you have to keep the original formatting (say, with academic papers or stuff in multiple columns), which displays one third of a page at the time, in 'real size'. Which might be a problem if your reading involves lots of tables and graphs. It's not a problem at all if you are just looking at text... for PDF ebooks, you can just reflow and read in portrait.

Overall, I don't think you are worrying too much. It's a mixed experience and I would recommend trying it out before finalizing your purchase. I prefer an iPad for PDFs, but I read mostly pre-formatted PDFs with tables and graphs... academic papers.

Similar answer for comics... I found them to work in landscape, not in portrait, which is a problem with some comics (where some panels span the whole length of the page, for example). So... it's doable, but it's black and white and it's not going to work well in portrait... I use an iPad for comics...

Thanks for your reply.

My PDF is mainly text so I guess reflow would take care of the issue in potrait. I do read some academic PDF with some tables and graphs.

I got no way of comparing them side to side as these devices are not avialable in my country. I have to base them on revies and users' views

Tha's why I am hoping to get mroe views from people here

Thanks

[hidari]

Originally Posted by Goondu

Thanks for your reply.

My PDF is mainly text so I guess reflow would take care of the issue in potrait. I do read some academic PDF with some tables and graphs.

I got no way of comparing them side to side as these devices are not avialable in my country. I have to base them on revies and users' views

Tha's why I am hoping to get mroe views from people here

Thanks

I'd go for Pocketbook.... 9 inch is Huge for PDFs on an eReader. I have read heaps of pdfs on a 5 inch reader... so 9 inch..no problem.

Pocket book functionality wins out for me...however...as you wish.....

[Marcy]

What country are you in? If your language involves non-Roman characters, i.e. Cyrillic, you're far better off with the pocketbook.

I haven't owned either of the devices you're asking about, but I have had or currently have a PRS-900, PRS-650 and Pocketbook 360.

For text-only pdf's either device should do fine. For comics and graphic intensive pdf's your iPad is a far superior choice to either, as mentioned by others.

Pocketbook:
Super customizable in almost every way
Folders
Support for many languages
Support people from the company that hang out here

Sony:
Pearl display
Only 5 text sizes and I often find S a bit too small, but M a bit too big. Margin cropping does help and usually makes S perfect for me.
Great database
Marginal company support

Sony's database can be a pro or con, depending on what you like. I love the database, because it allows me to have a book in more than one folder (Sony calls them collections) but still only have one copy of the book on the reader. However, it does slow down the reader noticeably when you have a lot of books (I have about 2500). The few second delay is worth it to me to have my books organized exactly the way I want. There is no delay when you're within a book.

Finally, if you are only reading mainly text and have reasonable eyesight, you should do fine with a PRS-650 or one of the 6-inch pocketbook models. I read novel pdfs on my 650 all the time without any problems, despite my middle-aged eyes. I even read them with minimal issues on my 5" Pocketbook 360.

I'd personally go with the Sony, because I love how solidly they are built and the database. The things that are important to you might be very different. One thing you should consider is support. Sony's US support isn't that great and I don't know what their international support is like. Pocketbook is far superior in the customer service area.

-Marcy

[Goondu]

Originally Posted by hidari

I'd go for Pocketbook.... 9 inch is Huge for PDFs on an eReader. I have read heaps of pdfs on a 5 inch reader... so 9 inch..no problem.

Pocket book functionality wins out for me...however...as you wish.....

I am just worry about the portability of a 9.7" ebook reader (Pocketbook 902). And would a 9.7" be too big for a text reading. Heard that they are more uited for students who take notes

[Goondu]

Originally Posted by Marcy

What country are you in? If your language involves non-Roman characters, i.e. Cyrillic, you're far better off with the pocketbook.

I haven't owned either of the devices you're asking about, but I have had or currently have a PRS-900, PRS-650 and Pocketbook 360.

For text-only pdf's either device should do fine. For comics and graphic intensive pdf's your iPad is a far superior choice to either, as mentioned by others.

Pocketbook:
Super customizable in almost every way
Folders
Support for many languages
Support people from the company that hang out here

Sony:
Pearl display
Only 5 text sizes and I often find S a bit too small, but M a bit too big. Margin cropping does help and usually makes S perfect for me.
Great database
Marginal company support

Sony's database can be a pro or con, depending on what you like. I love the database, because it allows me to have a book in more than one folder (Sony calls them collections) but still only have one copy of the book on the reader. However, it does slow down the reader noticeably when you have a lot of books (I have about 2500). The few second delay is worth it to me to have my books organized exactly the way I want. There is no delay when you're within a book.

Finally, if you are only reading mainly text and have reasonable eyesight, you should do fine with a PRS-650 or one of the 6-inch pocketbook models. I read novel pdfs on my 650 all the time without any problems, despite my middle-aged eyes. I even read them with minimal issues on my 5" Pocketbook 360.

I'd personally go with the Sony, because I love how solidly they are built and the database. The things that are important to you might be very different. One thing you should consider is support. Sony's US support isn't that great and I don't know what their international support is like. Pocketbook is far superior in the customer service area.

-Marcy

Thanks

I love the size of sony 950. Is the extra 1" screen make any difference?
The 950 size is acceptable to me in terms of portability. Just wondering if the extra 1" is worth the extra $$$$.

Sony 950 and Pocketbook 902 are about the same price. I would have buy the Pocketbook 902 in a heartbeat if not for the size. I am just worried about the size and its portabilty. Plus whether the 9.7" is an overkill for just reading text. I am not a student but I do read acaemdic PDF (with graphs) on & off.

I want to get a Sony 950 but I am worried that I will regret not getting a bigger screen and more customisiblity the 902 comes with

Help!

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by Goondu

Thanks

I love the size of sony 950. Is the extra 1" screen make any difference?
The 950 size is acceptable to me in terms of portability. Just wondering if the extra 1" is worth the extra $$$$.

Sony 950 and Pocketbook 902 are about the same price. I would have buy the Pocketbook 902 in a heartbeat if not for the size. I am just worried about the size and its portabilty. Plus whether the 9.7" is an overkill for just reading text. I am not a student but I do read acaemdic PDF (with graphs) on & off.

I want to get a Sony 950 but I am worried that I will regret not getting a bigger screen and more customisiblity the 902 comes with

Help!

For text-only reading, the extra 1" is totally unimportant *unless* you have bad vision and are using very large font sizes.

If you have an iPad I would stick to that for academic pdfs. Since you already have the iPad I would strongly consider a PRS-650 or a Pocket 6xx model for portability. You can always use the iPad for anything you find the 6" screen too small for.

-Marcy

[tommylander]

I'll beg to differ here. I looked over the 650 and liked it but ultimately went with the 950 for the bigger screen, and I'm mighty glad that I did. The larger screen allows for the two-column landscape mode which has become my mode of choice. Also, it may not be a whole lot, but having fewer page turns per book is going to help your battery level in the end.

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by tommylander

I'll beg to differ here. I looked over the 650 and liked it but ultimately went with the 950 for the bigger screen, and I'm mighty glad that I did. The larger screen allows for the two-column landscape mode which has become my mode of choice. Also, it may not be a whole lot, but having fewer page turns per book is going to help your battery level in the end.

Different strokes and all that. I had a PRS-900 and never liked 2 page landscape. And any page real estate benefit you get from the extra 1" of the 950 is totally lost once you use 2-page landscape mode, due to the extra margins you've just added.

The page turn/battery charge thing is a non-issue unless you plan on being without electricity for weeks at a time. I charge my 650 less than once a week and it has never gone below 2 bars except for the first day when it had to index my loads of books. I've read over 50 books since I got it (was on a 2-week vacation at the beach!) so it's not like I'm not charging because of low usage.

I did get my Dad a PRS-950 because he needs to read at larger font sizes. For him the extra 1" does make a significant difference for page turns.

-Marcy

[Goondu]

Thanks for the replies and views

I gone for the 950 and ordered one online. Reckon that since I have an ipad, I can use it for PDF and comics. I will use the 950 for prolonged novel reading

Can't wait!

Thanks again

[Readerlover2011]

Well, why not have a try with these two devices in your local eletronics shops. It is easy for your to figure out which one is better for u.

[SkyDream]

No need to do so.
Looking at the current availability and firmware (lots of bugs, missing functionality) PRS-950 is way better.