Engadget in love with Sony Reader PRS-505

Bob Russell · 10-12-2007, 06:00 PM

What a difference a generation makes. The second generation PRS-505 (actually, if you include the Librie, it's a third generation e-ink device) is apparently enough to really impress the folks at Engadget. They even go so far as to make the comparison with early mp3 players from the 90's.

Some of the improvements mentioned are:
* Numerous display improvements, with no more ghosting and better contrast
* USB mass-storage mode
* Internal memory has increased from 64MB to 192MB
* Far thinner and flatter
* Better button locations
* New leather case (actually it's faux leather, but it's nice)

So why isn't it for everyone already? It's still a bit expensive at $300.

Fugubot · 10-12-2007, 06:52 PM

I really like the improvements especially

* USB Mass Storage mode
* New Button placement
* More file system options (which didn't seem to make Engadget's list)

Having said that, its NOT enough for me to upgrade to the new model. My reader works fine. Of course, I'd kill for a firmware upgrade to get us old users closer to parity with the new model.

Nate the great · 10-12-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fugubot

I really like the improvements especially

* USB Mass Storage mode
* New Button placement
* More file system options (which didn't seem to make Engadget's list)

Having said that, its NOT enough for me to upgrade to the new model. My reader works fine. Of course, I'd kill for a firmware upgrade to get us old users closer to parity with the new model.

Be patient. Igorsk has one and Kovid has one. It's just a matter of time.

JSWolf · 10-12-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Be patient. Igorsk has one and Kovid has one. It's just a matter of time.

Kovid is due to get his on Wed October 17, 2007. So not yet for him.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-12-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

So why isn't it for everyone already? It's still a bit expensive at $300.

Hear, hear.

Monk · 10-13-2007, 10:22 AM

Hello all. I’ve been lurking here for some time but decided to wait til I received my new prs-505 before posting. I really love this thing. The e-ink screen and long battery life are tailor made for my use as a frequent business traveler.

No longer do I need to stuff my briefcase to the brim carrying extra reading material. I’ll just load up my Reader for the week’s travel. I’ll still carry my most important business information on paper. Some info is better left in that format. But much of the rest will go on the Reader. Ever try fumbling with your briefcase/laptop while sitting in a cramped airplane seat? Reading on a laptop is difficult and made worse when the person in front of you leans their chair back. The PRS-505 will change all that for me. Can’t wait to fly next week.

The hardware is supurb and I think the WOW factor can’t be underestimated. Its very cool. The prs-500 was a good prototype, but the 505 is a high quality retail grade product.

I spent quite a bit of time playing with the 500 at a local Borders store and would have bought it if the 505 had not come out. But the 505 is worth waiting for.

Regarding the price. I think $300 is worth it. With the Sony CC deal I got mine for $200. Either price is worth the convienance of this gadget. As soon as Sony and other e-Reader producers figure out their best market is the business traveler, they’ll do just fine with this little jewel, not to mention all the inevitable improvements; color screens, faster page turns, better menu access, etc.

DrMoze · 10-14-2007, 12:18 AM

The 505 has a slightly better screen and a few tweaks. But I wouldn't call the 500 a "prototype"!

It is a polished product that works fine and is built well (so far...)

JSWolf · 10-14-2007, 12:26 AM

Sony did have the LIBRe before the 500. So if anything, that would be more of the test unit then the 500.

Hamza · 10-18-2007, 11:49 AM

Longtime lurker, first-time poster here.

I haven't noticed anyone mention the 505's speed yet! I was a big fan of the original 500, which is what got me into e-readers, but I didn't buy one because it seemed sluggish and unresponsive. The 505 that I tested at Borders blazed in comparison.

I plan to pick one up shortly. Now if only they would better support PDFs...

JSWolf · 10-18-2007, 11:51 AM

They might support PDF better with the release of Digital Editions. We just don't know for sure yet.

Hadrien · 10-18-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

They might support PDF better with the release of Digital Editions. We just don't know for sure yet.

PDF support is a lot better on Adobe Acrobat Reader than on Adobe Digital Editions. For example, the font rendering is much better on Acrobat Reader.

Epub support should be very sweet with Adobe DE on the PRS, but don't expect too much from the PDF capabilities of DE. They might add a way to display A4 PDFs on multiple pages though.

DrMoze · 10-18-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamza

Longtime lurker, first-time poster here.

I haven't noticed anyone mention the 505's speed yet! I was a big fan of the original 500, which is what got me into e-readers, but I didn't buy one because it seemed sluggish and unresponsive. The 505 that I tested at Borders blazed in comparison.

I plan to pick one up shortly. Now if only they would better support PDFs...

Page switching on the 500 is no slower than turning a physical page in any book I've ever read. So "speed" is not an issue for me. I never even notice it when actually reading books on the Reader.

hamh · 10-18-2007, 05:27 PM

I guess if you are migrating from a pda ebook software to e-ink reader, then you'll see the difference and think that is slow.

DrMoze · 10-19-2007, 12:22 AM

Ah, fair enough. I never used pda's or laptops/computer screens for 'regular' reading. (Although I stare at a screen enough for work assignments!) I tend to compare the Rader to regular books. The one thing that sometimes bugs me about the 500 is the contrast could be better. (Sometimes I read in less-than-bright light.) But the speed seems fine for my 'leisure' reading activities.

hamh · 10-19-2007, 01:56 AM

yea, I used to read with my pda that has a vga screen, so resolution is good, plus refresh rate is instant. That's why I even I purposely went to a sony store twice for the reader, I still couldn't adjust myself to spend 300 bucks for it...

10-12-2007, 06:00 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Engadget in love with Sony Reader PRS-505 What a difference a generation makes. The second generation PRS-505 (actually, if you include the Librie, it's a third generation e-ink device) is apparently enough to really impress the folks at Engadget. They even go so far as to make the comparison with early mp3 players from the 90's. Some of the improvements mentioned are: * Numerous display improvements, with no more ghosting and better contrast * USB mass-storage mode * Internal memory has increased from 64MB to 192MB * Far thinner and flatter * Better button locations * New leather case (actually it's faux leather, but it's nice) So why isn't it for everyone already? It's still a bit expensive at $300.

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10-12-2007, 06:52 PM	#2
Fugubot Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 10558 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony Reader	I really like the improvements especially * USB Mass Storage mode * New Button placement * More file system options (which didn't seem to make Engadget's list) Having said that, its NOT enough for me to upgrade to the new model. My reader works fine. Of course, I'd kill for a firmware upgrade to get us old users closer to parity with the new model.

10-13-2007, 10:22 AM	#6
Monk Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas City Device: PRS-505	Hello all. I’ve been lurking here for some time but decided to wait til I received my new prs-505 before posting. I really love this thing. The e-ink screen and long battery life are tailor made for my use as a frequent business traveler. No longer do I need to stuff my briefcase to the brim carrying extra reading material. I’ll just load up my Reader for the week’s travel. I’ll still carry my most important business information on paper. Some info is better left in that format. But much of the rest will go on the Reader. Ever try fumbling with your briefcase/laptop while sitting in a cramped airplane seat? Reading on a laptop is difficult and made worse when the person in front of you leans their chair back. The PRS-505 will change all that for me. Can’t wait to fly next week. The hardware is supurb and I think the WOW factor can’t be underestimated. Its very cool. The prs-500 was a good prototype, but the 505 is a high quality retail grade product. I spent quite a bit of time playing with the 500 at a local Borders store and would have bought it if the 505 had not come out. But the 505 is worth waiting for. Regarding the price. I think $300 is worth it. With the Sony CC deal I got mine for $200. Either price is worth the convienance of this gadget. As soon as Sony and other e-Reader producers figure out their best market is the business traveler, they’ll do just fine with this little jewel, not to mention all the inevitable improvements; color screens, faster page turns, better menu access, etc.

10-14-2007, 12:18 AM	#7
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 858 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	The 505 has a slightly better screen and a few tweaks. But I wouldn't call the 500 a "prototype"! It is a polished product that works fine and is built well (so far...)

10-14-2007, 12:26 AM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,227 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Sony did have the LIBRe before the 500. So if anything, that would be more of the test unit then the 500.

10-18-2007, 11:49 AM	#9
Hamza Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: None Yet	Longtime lurker, first-time poster here. I haven't noticed anyone mention the 505's speed yet! I was a big fan of the original 500, which is what got me into e-readers, but I didn't buy one because it seemed sluggish and unresponsive. The 505 that I tested at Borders blazed in comparison. I plan to pick one up shortly. Now if only they would better support PDFs...

10-18-2007, 11:51 AM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,227 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	They might support PDF better with the release of Digital Editions. We just don't know for sure yet.

10-18-2007, 05:27 PM	#13
hamh Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Device: iPhone 3G / Milestone / 505 / iPad 3G	I guess if you are migrating from a pda ebook software to e-ink reader, then you'll see the difference and think that is slow.

10-19-2007, 12:22 AM	#14
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 858 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	Ah, fair enough. I never used pda's or laptops/computer screens for 'regular' reading. (Although I stare at a screen enough for work assignments!) I tend to compare the Rader to regular books. The one thing that sometimes bugs me about the 500 is the contrast could be better. (Sometimes I read in less-than-bright light.) But the speed seems fine for my 'leisure' reading activities.

10-19-2007, 01:56 AM	#15
hamh Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Device: iPhone 3G / Milestone / 505 / iPad 3G	yea, I used to read with my pda that has a vga screen, so resolution is good, plus refresh rate is instant. That's why I even I purposely went to a sony store twice for the reader, I still couldn't adjust myself to spend 300 bucks for it...

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