Kindle, Sony or Pocketbook ?

DonalDuck · 08-01-2011, 07:11 AM

Hey,
First of all, I have no e-book reader, and, of course I want my choice to be the best for me. Here we go:

What I care the most:
Good E-ink, with good contrast (no LCD)
Reasonable PDFs reading (but they all are in landscape mode)
Good battery (long lasting and, even if a bit hard to replace, that´s possible to do so)
Small device (Screen about 6 or 7 inches)
No more then 200 dollars, preferentially

What a care a bit:
Ability to have some apps, specially notepad
Good keyboard, either physical or not (but I prefer physical)
Expandable memory
Ability to have audibooks
Text to speech

What I don´t care that much:
Touch screen, if the e-reader makes up for it. On the other hand, although I could like a touch screen, the e-reader, would seem more fragile. Of course, that I would treat it very well, with case and those kind of things, but a scrach I don´t know how, may "show up" and "kill the screen sensibility".

So far, for me, Kindle is winning the fight. The other competitors are Sony (950) and Poketbook (Pro 603), but they're a bit too expensive.
I'd like to have a e-reader until Christmas, so I can wait to see if Kindle 4 is announced or until pocketbook pro 603 starts selling in US, so that I can read a proper review, and that prices fall a bit.
I didn´t like any other that I saw, like Nook, or those, but I didn´t research that much about them, either. I'm fully open to any suggestion, and although I'm pretty sure that there isn't a perfect e-reader for me out there, I hope you´ll help me do the best choice.

Thanks in advance,

DD

charmian · 08-01-2011, 08:16 AM

I think you should wait until late August/September. By then, we'll have more details on the new Sony reader. Although there has been no word on pricing, it may be over $200, though. If the rumors about the Kindle 4 coming out in October are true, there will probably be an announcement by September. Therefore it probably makes sense to wait until then.

I have a Kindle 3 myself and think that it meets all of your 'must haves,' though.

DonalDuck · 08-01-2011, 08:20 AM

Thanks
Guess I'll wait then

DD

Pinecone · 08-01-2011, 09:35 AM

It looks like you have already convinved yourself to get a Kindle and just want people to validate your choice.

DonalDuck · 08-01-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

It looks like you have already convinved yourself to get a Kindle and just want people to validate your choice.

Well, not really, it's just it's a low price for both that hardware and software. But I would like a slot for a SD or MicroSD card, and I could enjoy a touchscreen.
It´s not really perfect, but after a lot of research, I think kindle would be the best... but I'm not sure: I like the both the pocketbook and sony just as much as kindle.
If a lot of people told me to get, I don´t know, Sony, I'd consider it, maybe I'd even save a little and buy it... kindle is winning, yeah, but I'm here to know your opinions, because I'm really not sure.

DD

polly · 08-01-2011, 06:37 PM

I would throw out a few other things you might want to consider, but haven't mentioned yet. The first is the ergonomics of holding the reader and turning the pages. At the font that I use, it's about three page turns for two pages in a paper book. That translates to about 750 page turns in a 500 page novel. The other is how the reader organizes books. When you have a few hundred books on the reader, being able to find a specific book becomes very important.

I really like the form factor, weight, and ease of page turns with my Sony, but it sounds like you really want the Kindle. If you have the time, I would definitely recommend waiting for the new models to come out this fall.

DonalDuck · 08-01-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polly

I would throw out a few other things you might want to consider, but haven't mentioned yet. The first is the ergonomics of holding the reader and turning the pages. Yeah, that is important, but i reckon that those three devices
(Kindle, sony 950 and pocketbook 603) are lightweight and ease to hold At the font that I use, it's about three page turns for two pages in a paper book. That translates to about 750 page turns in a 500 page novel. Ins´t it possible to customize the fonts in all three? The other is how the reader organizes books. When you have a few hundred books on the reader, being able to find a specific book becomes very important. I could use a bit of organization, but kindle has collections, sony, i don´t know (has it any?) and pocket book folders, right?

If you have the time, I would definitely recommend waiting for the new models to come out this fall. I'll wait until Aug/Sep

I would also like to know a bit more about the pocketbook... because I really like it, but i haven't found a proper review or characteristics, so if anyone could tell me something, i'd appreciate.

Thanks,
DD

jocampo · 08-01-2011, 08:16 PM

The Kindle 3 fulfill most of your needs/requirements :

-Eink
-Reasonable PDFs reading (but they all are in landscape mode)
-Good battery
-Small device (Screen about 6 or 7 inches)
-No more then 200 dollars
-Good keyboard
-Ability to have audibooks
-Text to speech

However, I would not recommend any eink device for PDF reading. There is nothing better than a tablet for that. If the limitations, speed and lack of some features are ok for you, then you will be happy with an eink device.

DonalDuck · 08-02-2011, 08:21 AM

So, should I not consider the Sony Prs 950 or PocketBook Pro 603?

Anyway, I'll be waiting for kindle 4, and is there any change of pocketbook or sony prices get lower?

Thanks
DD

polly · 08-02-2011, 06:19 PM

It's good to remember that people being who we are, we're all convinced that we each bought the best reader our there. Some of us don't respond as well to suggestions that some other reader is better than ours. For instance, I will never, ever, have a reader with a big cluncky keyboard like the Kindle has. I can introduce you to people who are just as passionately against anything with a touch screen or without WiFi or 3G. It all depends on what you want.

In answer to your questions, yes, all of the readers are light weight and easy to hold. However, I have arthritis in my thumbs. Pushing a button more than once a minute will cause pain to quickly intrude on the reading experience. Also, I like to hold my reader from the bottom, the same as I always held my books. This puts the buttons of the PocketBook 360 or the Kindle in the wrong place for where my thumbs are located. It's not something you think of until you're turning the fiftieth page.

It is possible to customize the fonts on all three. I have Calibre set up to do that automatically for me. The Sony is a bit more difficult because it doesn't ship with firmware that supports different types of fonts. There are very easy work arounds that keep it from being a major obstacle. All of them allow you to adjust font size, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be and something a bit larger than paperback print is most comfortable for me to read.

Sony was the first reader to have collections and still supports them. You can create collections on the reader, but it's much easier to use Calibre and let it do that for you. If you install PRS+ on your reader, you get an add on that provides better font customization, folder support, and some other neat features.

The price for the current collection of Sonys have tended to go down when the new readers are released.

DonalDuck · 08-02-2011, 06:53 PM

Thanks very much polly!
I have two question about touchscreens:
1st: Are they resistant (You know, won't break or scratch easily)
2nd: Are "on screen keyboars" as good and confortable as physicals?

DD

jocampo · 08-02-2011, 06:56 PM

Wait,

I am not so sure, but if Amazon releases a new eink device, there is a small chance that Sony will drop prices.

But below the $200.00 price tag, with landscape and decent PDF support, you won't find a better eink reader than Kindle 3, not at the time of this post.

Pinecone · 08-03-2011, 12:05 PM

I have had my 650 for almost a year, and my 600s (now my wife's) for almost 2 years. No scratches or other problems. They are kept in cases when not being used.

If you need to do a lot of typing, a physical keyboard MAY be better, depending on the key spacing and feel. On screen gives you no tactile feedback, but using the one on my iPhone, you can do quite well with them.

With teh Sony, you can also take hand written notes (no typing required).

DonalDuck · 08-03-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

If you need to do a lot of typing, a physical keyboard MAY be better, depending on the key spacing and feel. On screen gives you no tactile feedback, but using the one on my iPhone, you can do quite well with them.

I'm a student, so I need to do some typing, so a good keyboard is important. I don't really like hand writing in screen, and I think it cannot be very precise. That's why I like kindle's keyboard. On the other hand, I don´t have a "I anyting", so I've never been more than one or two minutes with a on screen keyboard. Is it really comfortable, or something more "to say we have this", but in the end, it's not good?

And I wanted to know if there are any ereaders who can "use" a Bluetooth or Wifi keyboard or if there are plans for one in a close future (the only I know is pocketbook 302, who was discontinued

)? Something who could detect a PS3 keyboard, for example?

One other question: What do you think about pocketbook? is it touch screen as good as sony's?

Thanks for the inputs,
DD

polly · 08-03-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonalDuck

Thanks very much polly!
I have two question about touchscreens:
1st: Are they resistant (You know, won't break or scratch easily)
2nd: Are "on screen keyboars" as good and confortable as physicals?

DD

These touchscreens have an infrared grid over them, so that touch is very precise but there's nothing on the screen to blur the text. They have the same chance of breaking or scratching as non-touchscreens. My Sony feels solidly built without any flex that might encourage a screen to scratch. I think it feels more solid than a Kindle, but Amazon is reported to replace readers with broken screens. My PocketPro suffered a cracked screen, but it was in a jacket pocket and probably hit something solid when I took the jacket off and started carrying it.

I've never felt a need to type on one of my readers, so don't have a strong opinion. The on screen keyboard is fine for occasionally searching for a word, but I wouldn't try to take notes on any of them.

08-01-2011, 07:11 AM	#1
DonalDuck The Changer Posts: 69 Karma: 864 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: None	Kindle, Sony or Pocketbook ? Hey, First of all, I have no e-book reader, and, of course I want my choice to be the best for me. Here we go: What I care the most: Good E-ink, with good contrast (no LCD) Reasonable PDFs reading (but they all are in landscape mode) Good battery (long lasting and, even if a bit hard to replace, that´s possible to do so) Small device (Screen about 6 or 7 inches) No more then 200 dollars, preferentially What a care a bit: Ability to have some apps, specially notepad Good keyboard, either physical or not (but I prefer physical) Expandable memory Ability to have audibooks Text to speech What I don´t care that much: Touch screen, if the e-reader makes up for it. On the other hand, although I could like a touch screen, the e-reader, would seem more fragile. Of course, that I would treat it very well, with case and those kind of things, but a scrach I don´t know how, may "show up" and "kill the screen sensibility". So far, for me, Kindle is winning the fight. The other competitors are Sony (950) and Poketbook (Pro 603), but they're a bit too expensive. I'd like to have a e-reader until Christmas, so I can wait to see if Kindle 4 is announced or until pocketbook pro 603 starts selling in US, so that I can read a proper review, and that prices fall a bit. I didn´t like any other that I saw, like Nook, or those, but I didn´t research that much about them, either. I'm fully open to any suggestion, and although I'm pretty sure that there isn't a perfect e-reader for me out there, I hope you´ll help me do the best choice. Thanks in advance, DD Last edited by DonalDuck; 08-01-2011 at 01:03 PM.

08-01-2011, 08:16 PM	#8
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	The Kindle 3 fulfill most of your needs/requirements : -Eink -Reasonable PDFs reading (but they all are in landscape mode) -Good battery -Small device (Screen about 6 or 7 inches) -No more then 200 dollars -Good keyboard -Ability to have audibooks -Text to speech However, I would not recommend any eink device for PDF reading. There is nothing better than a tablet for that. If the limitations, speed and lack of some features are ok for you, then you will be happy with an eink device. Last edited by jocampo; 08-02-2011 at 03:24 PM. Reason: Fixing some typos

08-02-2011, 06:53 PM	#11
DonalDuck The Changer Posts: 69 Karma: 864 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: None	Thanks very much polly! I have two question about touchscreens: 1st: Are they resistant (You know, won't break or scratch easily) 2nd: Are "on screen keyboars" as good and confortable as physicals? DD Last edited by DonalDuck; 08-02-2011 at 06:57 PM.

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08-01-2011, 08:16 AM	#2
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	I think you should wait until late August/September. By then, we'll have more details on the new Sony reader. Although there has been no word on pricing, it may be over $200, though. If the rumors about the Kindle 4 coming out in October are true, there will probably be an announcement by September. Therefore it probably makes sense to wait until then. I have a Kindle 3 myself and think that it meets all of your 'must haves,' though.

08-01-2011, 08:20 AM	#3
DonalDuck The Changer Posts: 69 Karma: 864 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: None	Thanks Guess I'll wait then DD

08-01-2011, 09:35 AM	#4
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	It looks like you have already convinved yourself to get a Kindle and just want people to validate your choice.

08-01-2011, 06:37 PM	#6
polly Evangelist Posts: 454 Karma: 270240 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3	I would throw out a few other things you might want to consider, but haven't mentioned yet. The first is the ergonomics of holding the reader and turning the pages. At the font that I use, it's about three page turns for two pages in a paper book. That translates to about 750 page turns in a 500 page novel. The other is how the reader organizes books. When you have a few hundred books on the reader, being able to find a specific book becomes very important. I really like the form factor, weight, and ease of page turns with my Sony, but it sounds like you really want the Kindle. If you have the time, I would definitely recommend waiting for the new models to come out this fall.

08-02-2011, 08:21 AM	#9
DonalDuck The Changer Posts: 69 Karma: 864 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: None	So, should I not consider the Sony Prs 950 or PocketBook Pro 603? Anyway, I'll be waiting for kindle 4, and is there any change of pocketbook or sony prices get lower? Thanks DD

08-02-2011, 06:19 PM	#10
polly Evangelist Posts: 454 Karma: 270240 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3	It's good to remember that people being who we are, we're all convinced that we each bought the best reader our there. Some of us don't respond as well to suggestions that some other reader is better than ours. For instance, I will never, ever, have a reader with a big cluncky keyboard like the Kindle has. I can introduce you to people who are just as passionately against anything with a touch screen or without WiFi or 3G. It all depends on what you want. In answer to your questions, yes, all of the readers are light weight and easy to hold. However, I have arthritis in my thumbs. Pushing a button more than once a minute will cause pain to quickly intrude on the reading experience. Also, I like to hold my reader from the bottom, the same as I always held my books. This puts the buttons of the PocketBook 360 or the Kindle in the wrong place for where my thumbs are located. It's not something you think of until you're turning the fiftieth page. It is possible to customize the fonts on all three. I have Calibre set up to do that automatically for me. The Sony is a bit more difficult because it doesn't ship with firmware that supports different types of fonts. There are very easy work arounds that keep it from being a major obstacle. All of them allow you to adjust font size, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be and something a bit larger than paperback print is most comfortable for me to read. Sony was the first reader to have collections and still supports them. You can create collections on the reader, but it's much easier to use Calibre and let it do that for you. If you install PRS+ on your reader, you get an add on that provides better font customization, folder support, and some other neat features. The price for the current collection of Sonys have tended to go down when the new readers are released.

08-02-2011, 06:56 PM	#12
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Wait, I am not so sure, but if Amazon releases a new eink device, there is a small chance that Sony will drop prices. But below the $200.00 price tag, with landscape and decent PDF support, you won't find a better eink reader than Kindle 3, not at the time of this post.

08-03-2011, 12:05 PM	#13
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	I have had my 650 for almost a year, and my 600s (now my wife's) for almost 2 years. No scratches or other problems. They are kept in cases when not being used. If you need to do a lot of typing, a physical keyboard MAY be better, depending on the key spacing and feel. On screen gives you no tactile feedback, but using the one on my iPhone, you can do quite well with them. With teh Sony, you can also take hand written notes (no typing required).

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