Mac user interested in the Sony 505

mclumber1 · 10-13-2007, 08:47 PM

I've been interested in an e-ink type gadget for awhile now. Recently, the Sony Reader 505 caught my eye. The reviews I've read about the device seem very favorable. Being a Mac user (Macbook) myself, will I run into problems if I purchased the 505? From what I've read, the syncing software only works with windows based pc's. Also, I know certain book formats can be converted to the Sony format and then put on the reader, however will these file converters work on a mac? Much appreciated for your assistance.

JSWolf · 10-13-2007, 08:53 PM

The Sony Reader PRS505 will work with your MAC. It shows up as a mass storage device so you can get the books onto your 505. In order to purchase books from the Connect store, you do need Windows to be able to run Ebook Library 2.0.

As for content conversion, you can use libprs500 on your MAC to convert content to LRF for use with the 505. The only thing you cannot do yet is use libprs500 to transfer content to and from your 505 as it's for the 500. kovidgoyal (the author) will be getting a 505 and hopefully can come up with a 505 version for moving content to/from the 505.

So yes, a 505 will work nicely on your MAC. And you can use Parallels to run Windows to install Ebook Library 2.0 in order to purchase ebooks from the Connect Store. But, DO NOT use Parallels to update the firmware on the 505. You need to use a full blown Windows system for that. Other then that, have fun.

Cogito · 10-15-2007, 11:15 AM

Mclumber,
I have the older prs-500 and I’ve only ever owned macs. I use the sony connect store, and have had no trouble updating firmware on the 500 and I see no reason why it wouldn’t also work on the newer 505. To do this, you don’t need to buy a copy of parallels, but you do need a copy of windows, which you would have to buy in addition to parallels anyway. (newegg.com Windows XP home edition - $90)
If you go this way, download a free copy of “bootcamp” from apple.com which when installed makes your computer a dual-boot machine, just hold down the option key at startup and pick “windows” and you’re in.
But here’s the catch: bootcamp is considered beta software by apple, and is set to expire when the new operating system, leopard, is released later this month. At that point you would either have to buy the new version of bootcamp (I believe about $40) or, if you’re like me, you’ll be updating to leopard anyway, in which case the new bootcamp is included.
Good luck with the new sony reader,
Craig

Cogito · 10-15-2007, 10:02 PM

I looked into the apple bootcamp thing today. Turns out the version which is available for free right now will continue to work after the new mac system software comes out. You just won’t be able to reformat your hard-drive with it to make a new windows partition. I've not done so in the year that I’ve been running windows on my macbook. So mclumber, It’ll only cost you $90 to run Sony Connect software natively on your mac.

Sorry about the misinformation,
Craig

KDawg · 10-16-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

...

So yes, a 505 will work nicely on your MAC. And you can use Parallels to run Windows to install Ebook Library 2.0 in order to purchase ebooks from the Connect Store. But, DO NOT use Parallels to update the firmware on the 505. You need to use a full blown Windows system for that. Other then that, have fun.

Jon,

Could you be more specific on the problem with updating the 505 firmware under Parallels? Is this a problem unique to the 505? I have updated my 500 firmware under Parallels with no problem so did something change or did I get lucky?

igorsk · 10-16-2007, 09:47 AM

Several people had problems updating firmware under Parallels. So we don't recommend doing it.

HarryT · 10-16-2007, 09:47 AM

You got lucky. It's generally unwise to update firmware in an emulated environment such as parallels; the timings can go wrong and mess up the updater. It would be much safer either to use Bootcamp, or do it from a genuine Windows PC.

JSWolf · 10-16-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDawg

Jon,

Could you be more specific on the problem with updating the 505 firmware under Parallels? Is this a problem unique to the 505? I have updated my 500 firmware under Parallels with no problem so did something change or did I get lucky?

The problem is because you are emulating a Windows environment, you are in a sense sharing the USB port. If your emulator loses control of the USB port during the time critical updating of the firmware, the update won't work and you could brick your reader. As HarryT said, you are safest to use Bootcamp or a Windows machine.

monkeywrench · 10-16-2007, 11:11 PM

Here is another thread that discusses bricking your reader by updating the firmware while using parallels. Just in case anyone needed proof that things can go wrong. Jon also posts the link for unbricking within that thread. The thread is set as sticky in the Reader Troubleshooting forum for quick reference.

KDawg · 10-17-2007, 10:59 AM

Actually, I misremembered. I remember now that I updated my 500 firmware on my wife's PC before I moved everything over to Parallels. Thanks for the warnings.

Bren423 · 10-21-2007, 12:11 AM

JSWolf,

Newbie here and I'm thinking of getting the Sony 505 and I am a Mac user. I have a Mac mini at home and at work so I will need to transfer my ebooks that are in Word, RTF or PDF's into the Sony 505.

You said it will work with a Mac and it will show as a USB storage device. Does it come with a cable to do so? Will it recognize it right away or do I need to do some complicated settings? The sales guy at the computer shop told me that that I need to use the SD cards to transfer data to the reader from my mac. But he seemed quite unsure, probably because he sounds like he's a Windows guy and not too familiar with Macs.

Thanks.

Bren

HarryT · 10-21-2007, 04:15 AM

It is supplied with a USB cable and will show up as a mass storage device automatically when you plug in the cable.

10-13-2007, 08:47 PM	#1
mclumber1 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Sony reader	Mac user interested in the Sony 505 I've been interested in an e-ink type gadget for awhile now. Recently, the Sony Reader 505 caught my eye. The reviews I've read about the device seem very favorable. Being a Mac user (Macbook) myself, will I run into problems if I purchased the 505? From what I've read, the syncing software only works with windows based pc's. Also, I know certain book formats can be converted to the Sony format and then put on the reader, however will these file converters work on a mac? Much appreciated for your assistance.

10-15-2007, 10:02 PM	#4
Cogito Reader Posts: 25 Karma: 34 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Device: Sony 505, 500	Correction I looked into the apple bootcamp thing today. Turns out the version which is available for free right now will continue to work after the new mac system software comes out. You just won’t be able to reformat your hard-drive with it to make a new windows partition. I've not done so in the year that I’ve been running windows on my macbook. So mclumber, It’ll only cost you $90 to run Sony Connect software natively on your mac. Sorry about the misinformation, Craig

10-21-2007, 12:11 AM	#11
Bren423 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Sony PRS 505 & iPod Touch	Sony 505 Reader & Mac JSWolf, Newbie here and I'm thinking of getting the Sony 505 and I am a Mac user. I have a Mac mini at home and at work so I will need to transfer my ebooks that are in Word, RTF or PDF's into the Sony 505. You said it will work with a Mac and it will show as a USB storage device. Does it come with a cable to do so? Will it recognize it right away or do I need to do some complicated settings? The sales guy at the computer shop told me that that I need to use the SD cards to transfer data to the reader from my mac. But he seemed quite unsure, probably because he sounds like he's a Windows guy and not too familiar with Macs. Thanks. Bren

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New (Mac) 505 user	amjbrown	Sony Reader	2	02-12-2009 10:11 AM
I'm a mac user and just got the PRS-505. help me!	cdenes	Calibre	31	02-05-2009 09:01 AM
new user of sony prs 505	karo02	Introduce Yourself	5	12-15-2008 06:17 PM
PRS-505 just arrived! (Mac user)	cjschmidt	Sony Reader	6	01-09-2008 04:10 PM
Hello from a New Sony PRS-505 User	OldEEng	Introduce Yourself	2	12-26-2007 08:40 PM

10-13-2007, 08:53 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,249 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The Sony Reader PRS505 will work with your MAC. It shows up as a mass storage device so you can get the books onto your 505. In order to purchase books from the Connect store, you do need Windows to be able to run Ebook Library 2.0. As for content conversion, you can use libprs500 on your MAC to convert content to LRF for use with the 505. The only thing you cannot do yet is use libprs500 to transfer content to and from your 505 as it's for the 500. kovidgoyal (the author) will be getting a 505 and hopefully can come up with a 505 version for moving content to/from the 505. So yes, a 505 will work nicely on your MAC. And you can use Parallels to run Windows to install Ebook Library 2.0 in order to purchase ebooks from the Connect Store. But, DO NOT use Parallels to update the firmware on the 505. You need to use a full blown Windows system for that. Other then that, have fun.

10-15-2007, 11:15 AM	#3
Cogito Reader Posts: 25 Karma: 34 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Device: Sony 505, 500	Mclumber, I have the older prs-500 and I’ve only ever owned macs. I use the sony connect store, and have had no trouble updating firmware on the 500 and I see no reason why it wouldn’t also work on the newer 505. To do this, you don’t need to buy a copy of parallels, but you do need a copy of windows, which you would have to buy in addition to parallels anyway. (newegg.com Windows XP home edition - $90) If you go this way, download a free copy of “bootcamp” from apple.com which when installed makes your computer a dual-boot machine, just hold down the option key at startup and pick “windows” and you’re in. But here’s the catch: bootcamp is considered beta software by apple, and is set to expire when the new operating system, leopard, is released later this month. At that point you would either have to buy the new version of bootcamp (I believe about $40) or, if you’re like me, you’ll be updating to leopard anyway, in which case the new bootcamp is included. Good luck with the new sony reader, Craig

10-16-2007, 09:47 AM	#6
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Several people had problems updating firmware under Parallels. So we don't recommend doing it.

10-16-2007, 09:47 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You got lucky. It's generally unwise to update firmware in an emulated environment such as parallels; the timings can go wrong and mess up the updater. It would be much safer either to use Bootcamp, or do it from a genuine Windows PC.

10-16-2007, 11:11 PM	#9
monkeywrench Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 42 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, Kindle Keyboard	Here is another thread that discusses bricking your reader by updating the firmware while using parallels. Just in case anyone needed proof that things can go wrong. Jon also posts the link for unbricking within that thread. The thread is set as sticky in the Reader Troubleshooting forum for quick reference.

10-17-2007, 10:59 AM	#10
KDawg Junior Senior Posts: 94 Karma: 81 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: nookColor, nook, PRS-900, PRS-505, PRS-500, Kindle PW, Kindle Oasis	Actually, I misremembered. I remember now that I updated my 500 firmware on my wife's PC before I moved everything over to Parallels. Thanks for the warnings.

10-21-2007, 04:15 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It is supplied with a USB cable and will show up as a mass storage device automatically when you plug in the cable.

Advert

Advert