Switching from a Sony?

[libraryaddict]

My Sony PRS-505 has died. Cracked substrate, apparently, and it will cost more to repair than to replace. I loved it, but it was only two years old, so I'm not terribly impressed with the durability. I'm thinking of switching to a Kindle - partly for the wifi, partly because the screen seems good. BUT

- I have quite a large library of epub and Adobe files. Could I convert it using Calibre? Is it difficult?
- Would the Kindle be any more durable?
- I don't really like the idea of being tied to Amazon as a bookseller

Has anybody here made the switch? Any advice?

Thank you!

(I know Sony has new models coming out in October, but I have a two week holiday in September, and I'd like a new reader before that!)

[pidgeon92]

You can convert your ePubs only if you break the DRM.

The screen on the Kindle is exactly the same as the screen on the current Sonys (except for the lack of touch). It will break in the exact same way. However, Amazon is far more likely to just replace your Kindle if it breaks.

You're going to have to consider what is most important to you..... Myself, I purchase a vast majority of my ebooks from Amazon for use on my Kindle.

[polly]

You can convert the epubs and pdfs if they are not locked with DRM. If they are, you have to strip the DRM first. I'd look closely at the 650s or 350s. They have the same gorgeous screen as the Kindle, the sort of organization you're used to, and a nice display of book covers if you like that sort of thing. No book reader will survive a blow to the screen, but the Sonys have a nice metallic finish and feel very solid. No WiFi, but I don't think that would work well with Calibre anyway.

[issybird]

Why not get a Nook STR or a Kobo? Touch screen, will read all your ePubs without jumping through any hoops, and you're not tied to Amazon.

Unfortunately, all brands are vulnerable to cracked substrates.

[Ditchleyportrait]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

Okay, now I know what you are thinking: they're the same screen! Nope!

The Sony uses a slightly glossier screen. Sort of like the difference between the new generation of laptop screens, coming in either glossy (the Sony) or matte (the Kindle)... not nearly as dramatic as laptops by any means, but that's the difference I see.

The Kindle is "duller" in terms of external reflections, so it's easier to read. You don't see reflections off paper, do you? That's one reason I preferred the Kindle.

Now before I go on, something bears repeating: the difference is very, very slight. If you didn't hold them side-by-side, you wouldn't notice. You may not even if you do have them next to each other. But I was pretty thorough, and everyone else I asked said they could see it too. Again, very slight, but still there.

I also like the Kindle because the font creates greater contrast between the letters and the background. Again, we aren't talking night-and-day here, but it's still a definite advantage. Each iteration of the e-Ink screen has been an improvement; the background becomes a little less "greyish," the "ink" becomes a little darker (aka contrast ratio improves). However, it's been small increments, and the resolution remains unchanged. So anything -- anything -- you can do in software to help... well it shows. And that's why Amazon's font really makes a difference. You can tell it's easier on the eyes. And, personally, I also like the font's style.

If it purely came down to the screen/font, I would certainly pick the Kindle over the Sony. As I said, it's a tad better. But at this point the game, e-Ink is about subtleties, and when you take the Kindle's more "matte" display together with their awesome font, it's the winner.

according to this guy NOT the same screen.

[Pomtroll]

Kindle screens break. The difference is that Amazon usually replaces them without an argument. A friend has only had her Kindle 3 months & the substrate broke on hers. I've had no trouble with mine.

As for other readers, the Nook STR looks nice, but I prefer my Sony 350 to it. I do have a Nook Classic & have had no trouble with it. So it is a choice you will have to make. All readers have problems but not all of us have problems with our readers.

Still you got good usage if your 505 lasted 2 years. Happy hunting.

[chas0039]

Be aware, if you consider touch screens, they have lower contrast than the Kindle. Especially the nook touch which also can have after image problems. Since nook lovers will jump all over me, here is the link ahead of time.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by libraryaddict

- I have quite a large library of epub and Adobe files. Could I convert it using Calibre? Is it difficult?
- Would the Kindle be any more durable?
- I don't really like the idea of being tied to Amazon as a bookseller

* Your ePub files can be converted, and your PDF files can be read on the Kindle anyway. But only if they don't have DRM applied. Google for Apprentice Alf if you're happy to remove the DRM. If you're not happy to remove the DRM, you're stuck using Adobe-compatible ePub readers.
* Current e-ink screens all use a brittle glass substrate. The Kindle screen seems to be fairly well cushioned, but they still break. But most of the time Kindle Customer Service will quickly ship you a replacement kindle. See here for my recent experience.
* Any non-DRM mobipocket ebook will work on the Kindle. There are lots of ebook stores selling DRM-free kindle-compatible books.


I haven't used any of the recent Sony touch screen ebook readers. I have used Bookeen CyBook and Kindle 2 and 3. I'd recommend a Kindle 3.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by Ditchleyportrait

according to this guy NOT the same screen.

There may be subtle differences in the way the screens work, but they all break the same way. Pin-point pressure will break the substrate.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by Ditchleyportrait

according to this guy NOT the same screen.

I own both devices, use them regularly and have no idea what he's on about. Consider the possibility he might be wrong (or I might be myopic).

Perhaps there have been slightly different iterations of the same screen and our friend bought each device at a different point in the life cycle (is he talking about a PRS-generation Sony?). Or perhaps he installed a glossy screen protector and forgot about it.

I own a PRS-350 and a 950 and the major display differences between those and the Kindle seem to be the fonts and margins.

It's also possible our learnéd colleague could be talking about a filter or coating applied to the K's Pearl screen.

(A last irrelevant question: How do we know that EatingPie is male?)

[Ditchleyportrait]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I own both devices, use them regularly and have no idea what he's on about. Consider the possibility he might be wrong (or I might be myopic).

Perhaps there have been slightly different iterations of the same screen and our friend bought each device at a different point in the life cycle (is he talking about a PRS-generation Sony?). Or perhaps he installed a glossy screen protector and forgot about it.

I own a PRS-350 and a 950 and the major display differences between those and the Kindle seem to be the fonts and margins.

It's also possible our learnéd colleague could be talking about a filter or coating applied to the K's Pearl screen.

(A last irrelevant question: How do we know that EatingPie is male?)

ah good point. i thought another user (hermes) was male until i checked the user profile. i think i referred to her as a him. strange how i inferred maleness there. well if you have both and you say they're the same i'll believe you. it's difficult to filter through all the information on here.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by chas0039

Be aware, if you consider touch screens, they have lower contrast than the Kindle. Especially the nook touch which also can have after image problems. Since nook lovers will jump all over me, here is the link ahead of time.

That is incorrect. Earlier touchscreen devices (Sony) had an additional layer for the touch, which reduced contrast and created glare. Nowadays, the touch layer is via infrared, so nothing is added to the screen, you get exactly the same contrast/glare on a nook touch/kobo touch/sony 650 as you do on non-touch devices.

[Nanopr]

I have a prs-600. I got a Kobo Touch as a father's day gift. The KT gets the job done and reads all my Sony Reader Store ePubs. I'm very satisfied with the device. I have not used my prs-600 since I got the KT.

[Ditchleyportrait]

ah, that's the solution right there. Kobo Touch. they have kobo people on the forum, too. Kobo or go home.

[chas0039]

Originally Posted by afv011

That is incorrect. Earlier touchscreen devices (Sony) had an additional layer for the touch, which reduced contrast and created glare. Nowadays, the touch layer is via infrared, so nothing is added to the screen, you get exactly the same contrast/glare on a nook touch/kobo touch/sony 650 as you do on non-touch devices.

You can have your opinion, but you are wrong. I have looked at both and my judgement is backed up by reviewers here and here and here and here and here.