1st eReader- PRS-T1 or go retro: PRS-650

surfdog · 10-25-2011, 01:19 AM

I've been lurking here at Mobileread the past week or so, and was on the verge of ordering my first Ereader, a white PRS-T1. I am committed to buying something within the Sony line, as I appreciate the openess of its platform and do not want to be locked into anyone's "ecosystem."

But, tonight before pulling the trigger on the PRS-T1, I read through the "T1 crashing/freezing" and the "So how does everyone feel about Sony now?" threads.

I think the PRS-T1 will be reasonably usable for my purpose of just reading books, even though I may occasionally need to reset it, or, it seems, just use the buttons for page turning.

But, questions have come up whether these bugs will or will not be acknowledged or fixed by Sony in the near future, or ever.

Since I do not see wi-fi as a big issue, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just buy a PRS-650 on the Bay for the same price or less, and have a rock solid device?

Is the PRS-T1 screen that much better? Which would you pick for your first Sony eReader?

DoctorOhh · 10-25-2011, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdog

Since I do not see wi-fi as a big issue, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just buy a PRS-650 on the Bay for the same price or less, and have a rock solid device?

If you get a 650 and upgrade it with PRS+ you will be quite happy. I bought a 950 (think 650 with a 7 inch screen) just before the T-1 was announced and I love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdog

Is the PRS-T1 screen that much better?

No the screen is not that much better.

I think I would pick the T-1 just so I could hack it and try different software on it, but for straight up reading you will be more than satisfied with the 650/PRS+ combination.

David58117 · 10-25-2011, 02:30 AM

Wifi is not a big issue? I find being able to browse the books in my local public library straight from the reader itself while I stay home in bed, or browsing and downloading google books an incredibly nifty feature. In fact, that's what kept me away from prior Sony readers. But that's me..

DoctorOhh · 10-25-2011, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David58117

Wifi is not a big issue?

Previously Wifi on most readers was no big deal, since you can easily store 100s of books it would be rare that you had a book Wifi emergency (although it could happen) that required you to grab a book from the device's store.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David58117

I find being able to browse the books in my local public library straight from the reader itself while I stay home in bed, or browsing and downloading google books an incredibly nifty feature.

I agree with you being able to borrow books directly from your public library to your reader is a very nifty feature.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David58117

In fact, that's what kept me away from prior Sony readers.

Since no other reader previously had borrow from your local library on the fly I highly doubt that is what kept you away from Sony readers. After all my PRS-950 is able to grab books from the Sony store, Google books and from my Calibre library via Wifi.

Still the Library feature of the T-1 is very cool.

sabredog · 10-25-2011, 03:23 AM

My PRS-650 out of the box, has been flawless since purchase earlier this year. Coupled with Calibre the combination is very hard to beat.

My incoming T1 is to replace my venerable and much loved PRS-300 for out of home use.

David58117 · 10-25-2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwanthny

Since no other reader previously had borrow from your local library on the fly I highly doubt that is what kept you away from Sony readers. After all my PRS-950 is able to grab books from the Sony store, Google books and from my Calibre library via Wifi.

Yeah, the price was what kept me away from the ones with wifi.

DoctorOhh · 10-25-2011, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David58117

Yeah, the price was what kept me away from the ones with wifi.

Too True, It kept me away from the 950 until I got it for $225 a day before the T-1 was announced. If I had waited a day I might have chose to wait and pickup a T-1.

Tony1988 · 10-25-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdog

I've been lurking here at Mobileread the past week or so, and was on the verge of ordering my first Ereader, a white PRS-T1. I am committed to buying something within the Sony line, as I appreciate the openess of its platform and do not want to be locked into anyone's "ecosystem."

But, tonight before pulling the trigger on the PRS-T1, I read through the "T1 crashing/freezing" and the "So how does everyone feel about Sony now?" threads.

I think the PRS-T1 will be reasonably usable for my purpose of just reading books, even though I may occasionally need to reset it, or, it seems, just use the buttons for page turning.

But, questions have come up whether these bugs will or will not be acknowledged or fixed by Sony in the near future, or ever.

Since I do not see wi-fi as a big issue, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just buy a PRS-650 on the Bay for the same price or less, and have a rock solid device?

Is the PRS-T1 screen that much better? Which would you pick for your first Sony eReader?

I personally have a 650. I love it. Dont need wifi because I sideload everything. I just dont ever see wanting a book badly enough when I am not near my computer.

Other things that T1 users like that the 650 doesnt have is multiple text font and two more size choice. I checked out the T1 at best buy. The additional two sizes did nothing for me and were just a waste IMO and the additional font while nice are not a deal breaker as far as Im concerned when getting a 650.

As for screen. They had a 350 there with the same screen. The T1 looked darker at default contrast. Both seemed the same clarity to me. People who pick nits about screen clarity on an ereader are going a little overboard IMO. Its just text. If its clear and readable that should be good enough. BOTH had the same clarity.

mcrmama · 10-25-2011, 10:09 AM

I have a prs650 and really like it. I use it every day. I do wish it had wifi but a big part of that is that I read while I nurse my son. He actually reminds me that I need my reader now, lol. There have definitely been times where I have finished reading a book and wish I could go download a book from the library or look at a store for a book I'm interested in. Instead I have to wait until we are done, which means, I may not get reading time again for a while that day or have the time to get to my computer since I have 2 other boys that will have been waiting for my attention. It is good in that it forces me to just relax and enjoy but it would be nice to have the option. I do love my 650 though. I rarely read books before I got it and this year, I think I have been through a book per week and it did not stop when my maternity leave was over. I'm really enjoying it. I really like the feel of it and it works, which was not the case with the e-readers I had prior to this one.

ring0_event · 10-25-2011, 10:37 AM

One point to note: if PDF support (with reflow on text PDFs) is important to you, then IMHO consider sticking to 650/950 with PRS+
So far I have not yet had the freezing/page turn issue while browsing EPUBs on my T1.

luvduchovny · 10-25-2011, 10:52 AM

I have a 650 and a T1. I will say the wireless is nice. I am of the old school of 'I don't need wifi' and it's true I don't NEED it, but it's mighty fine to have. I only wish I could download the books I buy from other places as easily through the wifi. (Some stores like Kobobooks I can, but not other stores). I get a download error so I end up downloading it to a computer and loading it on the reader anyway.

But the Public Library thing is fun. For the longest time my town didn't have any public libraries with books to lend online. It was always cities outside of my town, but I discovered my town does now do it. It's nice.

I also find that now I might quickly look up something online while I'm reading so I don't have to put the book down and fire up a pc to check on something.

To be fair with the 650 you can download the library books to your computer and load it on the reader and after the checkout limit expires you can't open the book anymore.

Ripplinger · 10-25-2011, 10:56 AM

I only have a 350, but operation is identical to the 650 (no expansion slot, no sound ability). I was so disappointed with the T1 when it came out, and posts about problems from people just confirmed my initial reaction to it, that I bought a 2nd PRS-350 to have as my backup for when this one dies or I break it (just had my 3rd major drop yesterday on concrete at the lakefront, didn't hurt it at all though). So I'd say go with the 650 if you can find a decent price for one still. You won't be disappointed with it at all.

As far as the screen being better on the T1, they're the same e-ink screens as on the x50 readers. You will notice a variance in brightness and contrast at times between the screens, but it's not because the T1 is in any way superior. On my 2nd 350, the same identical screen is very noticeably brighter with better contrast, background is lighter and text is darker. If you find any T1 screens that look better than a 650, you'll find just as many on 650s that look better than T1s. It's just how e-ink screens are.

Pomtroll · 10-25-2011, 11:22 AM

I have a 350. I also bought the T1. I had problems with it flipping pages & crashing. BUT I loved it when it was working well for me. I think it was my little pink 350 hexing it.

Analogus · 10-25-2011, 02:08 PM

I love my 350 which is very comparable to the 650. Four hours ago I could have hands on the T1 and compared it side by side with the 350:

-Screen contrast was +- identical. The white on the T1 was darker though barely visible and withing the variance of EInk displays. Fonts seemed to be slightly darker.
-Menu on the T1 is slightly more responsive
-Look&feel of the T1 far behind (of course based on my personal impression)
-buttons of the T1 feel slightly cheaper
-frame of T1 glossy which I don't like

Bottom line:

My opinion: If you can get a 650 for the same prize, take it, flash it with PRS+ and enjoy this solid product.

A.

seajewel · 10-25-2011, 02:13 PM

If you don't care about wi-fi go for the 650. Personally I think Wi-Fi is extremely handy. Being able to browse my books on Sugarsync from my iPhone and download them whenever I want without putting hundreds of books on my phone has been super handy. But I have a 505 which doesn't have wi-fi and I manage. It's not a huge deal. Now that I'm used to what wi-fi can do, though, I'm likely going to get an e-reader with wi-fi. Otherwise I'd get the 650 or 350. much more beautiful than the T1 imo

10-25-2011, 01:19 AM	#1
surfdog Commonsewer Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cascadia Device: Sony PRS-T1	1st eReader- PRS-T1 or go retro: PRS-650 I've been lurking here at Mobileread the past week or so, and was on the verge of ordering my first Ereader, a white PRS-T1. I am committed to buying something within the Sony line, as I appreciate the openess of its platform and do not want to be locked into anyone's "ecosystem." But, tonight before pulling the trigger on the PRS-T1, I read through the "T1 crashing/freezing" and the "So how does everyone feel about Sony now?" threads. I think the PRS-T1 will be reasonably usable for my purpose of just reading books, even though I may occasionally need to reset it, or, it seems, just use the buttons for page turning. But, questions have come up whether these bugs will or will not be acknowledged or fixed by Sony in the near future, or ever. Since I do not see wi-fi as a big issue, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just buy a PRS-650 on the Bay for the same price or less, and have a rock solid device? Is the PRS-T1 screen that much better? Which would you pick for your first Sony eReader?

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10-25-2011, 02:30 AM	#3
David58117 Groupie Posts: 165 Karma: 1020558 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T1, K4NT (To Wife), Nook ST, NSTG	Wifi is not a big issue? I find being able to browse the books in my local public library straight from the reader itself while I stay home in bed, or browsing and downloading google books an incredibly nifty feature. In fact, that's what kept me away from prior Sony readers. But that's me..

10-25-2011, 03:23 AM	#5
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	My PRS-650 out of the box, has been flawless since purchase earlier this year. Coupled with Calibre the combination is very hard to beat. My incoming T1 is to replace my venerable and much loved PRS-300 for out of home use.

10-25-2011, 10:09 AM	#9
mcrmama Addict Posts: 239 Karma: 16806 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo Aura One	I have a prs650 and really like it. I use it every day. I do wish it had wifi but a big part of that is that I read while I nurse my son. He actually reminds me that I need my reader now, lol. There have definitely been times where I have finished reading a book and wish I could go download a book from the library or look at a store for a book I'm interested in. Instead I have to wait until we are done, which means, I may not get reading time again for a while that day or have the time to get to my computer since I have 2 other boys that will have been waiting for my attention. It is good in that it forces me to just relax and enjoy but it would be nice to have the option. I do love my 650 though. I rarely read books before I got it and this year, I think I have been through a book per week and it did not stop when my maternity leave was over. I'm really enjoying it. I really like the feel of it and it works, which was not the case with the e-readers I had prior to this one.

10-25-2011, 10:37 AM	#10
ring0_event Zealot Posts: 142 Karma: 39918 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle3 (3G), PRS-950 (x2), PRS-T1	One point to note: if PDF support (with reflow on text PDFs) is important to you, then IMHO consider sticking to 650/950 with PRS+ So far I have not yet had the freezing/page turn issue while browsing EPUBs on my T1.

10-25-2011, 10:52 AM	#11
luvduchovny Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 137186 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500, PRS-600, PRS-650, PRS-T1, PRS-T3	I have a 650 and a T1. I will say the wireless is nice. I am of the old school of 'I don't need wifi' and it's true I don't NEED it, but it's mighty fine to have. I only wish I could download the books I buy from other places as easily through the wifi. (Some stores like Kobobooks I can, but not other stores). I get a download error so I end up downloading it to a computer and loading it on the reader anyway. But the Public Library thing is fun. For the longest time my town didn't have any public libraries with books to lend online. It was always cities outside of my town, but I discovered my town does now do it. It's nice. I also find that now I might quickly look up something online while I'm reading so I don't have to put the book down and fire up a pc to check on something. To be fair with the 650 you can download the library books to your computer and load it on the reader and after the checkout limit expires you can't open the book anymore.

10-25-2011, 10:56 AM	#12
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I only have a 350, but operation is identical to the 650 (no expansion slot, no sound ability). I was so disappointed with the T1 when it came out, and posts about problems from people just confirmed my initial reaction to it, that I bought a 2nd PRS-350 to have as my backup for when this one dies or I break it (just had my 3rd major drop yesterday on concrete at the lakefront, didn't hurt it at all though). So I'd say go with the 650 if you can find a decent price for one still. You won't be disappointed with it at all. As far as the screen being better on the T1, they're the same e-ink screens as on the x50 readers. You will notice a variance in brightness and contrast at times between the screens, but it's not because the T1 is in any way superior. On my 2nd 350, the same identical screen is very noticeably brighter with better contrast, background is lighter and text is darker. If you find any T1 screens that look better than a 650, you'll find just as many on 650s that look better than T1s. It's just how e-ink screens are.

10-25-2011, 11:22 AM	#13
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I have a 350. I also bought the T1. I had problems with it flipping pages & crashing. BUT I loved it when it was working well for me. I think it was my little pink 350 hexing it.

10-25-2011, 02:08 PM	#14
Analogus Fanatic Posts: 568 Karma: 2170348 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: 2x Sony PRS-350; PRS-300 (†), Paperwhite (†), Voyage	I love my 350 which is very comparable to the 650. Four hours ago I could have hands on the T1 and compared it side by side with the 350: -Screen contrast was +- identical. The white on the T1 was darker though barely visible and withing the variance of EInk displays. Fonts seemed to be slightly darker. -Menu on the T1 is slightly more responsive -Look&feel of the T1 far behind (of course based on my personal impression) -buttons of the T1 feel slightly cheaper -frame of T1 glossy which I don't like Bottom line: My opinion: If you can get a 650 for the same prize, take it, flash it with PRS+ and enjoy this solid product. A.

10-25-2011, 02:13 PM	#15
seajewel Fanatic Posts: 589 Karma: 1451235 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-950	If you don't care about wi-fi go for the 650. Personally I think Wi-Fi is extremely handy. Being able to browse my books on Sugarsync from my iPhone and download them whenever I want without putting hundreds of books on my phone has been super handy. But I have a 505 which doesn't have wi-fi and I manage. It's not a huge deal. Now that I'm used to what wi-fi can do, though, I'm likely going to get an e-reader with wi-fi. Otherwise I'd get the 650 or 350. much more beautiful than the T1 imo

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