Kindle 2 vs PRS 505?

Kypt · 06-23-2009, 05:07 PM

Hi,

I'm currently thinking about getting one of the two. I have a PRS500 that I love however my gf has taken it hostage and I will never see it again until she reads all books that she's interested in...sooo here I am in a quest to either upgrade to the 505 or go for the Kindle.

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with an ebook reader so my exposure to the different devices is limited. I liked the 500 and I've played with the 505 and really like it. However the Amazon store is very nice for those books I wish to pay for. Any pro, cons from Kindle users?

rlparker · 06-23-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi Kypt

I've owned a K1 since Sep last year. I like it a lot!! But before recommending it to you, I'd have to know what you like to read. If it's new stuff only, yeah the Amazon bookstore, including the free samples and download via Whispernet is nice. On the other hand, if you like classics (that you you can download for free from MR) you would get more bang for the buck with a 505. There has been at least 1 recent promotion for the 505 in my area (I think it was at Borders) for USD 200. On the third hand, access to Wikipedia via Whispernet is nice. I frequently use it to get more information about something I'm reading. I'd miss that.

But either way, you'll be looking at an e-ink screen; you'll probably be happy with either one!

weatherman · 06-23-2009, 06:04 PM

As someone who came from the Sony camp (a PRS-500) to the Kindle 2, I'd recommend going with the Kindle. The wireless makes all the difference - from the auto-downloading of subscriptions to periodicals (NY Times without all the Calibre hassle, albeit at a higher price) to being able to browse books, and even more importantly to sample them for free, without having to use a computer makes the whole thing a seamless experience.

I still read books from my own collection that I load via USB or wirelessly to the Kindle, so I still have the same experience on that front. It's just when I want to read something that's brand-new (like my most recent reading - The Strain) I can sample it, order it and get it for $10.

I also think that the K2 is more comfortable in my hands and that the page-turn buttons are better placed for ambidextrous use.

Madam Broshkina · 06-23-2009, 06:39 PM

If you want a new reader I would go with the Kindle 2 instead of the Sony 505 because once your girl friend looks at the difference between the 500 and 505 she will probably ask you to transfer all her books to the 505 and take it hostage. With the Kindle you can say that her Sony Books will not work on the Kindle.

desertgrandma · 06-23-2009, 06:52 PM

Welcome to MobileRead, kypt.

One thing no one has mentioned yet is the built in dictionary on the Kindle. Priceless.

Free books can be downloaded with either device.

Library books are more easily downloaded with the Sony.

Book are more reasonably priced with the Kindle.

Kypt · 06-23-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

If you want a new reader I would go with the Kindle 2 instead of the Sony 505 because once your girl friend looks at the difference between the 500 and 505 she will probably ask you to transfer all her books to the 505 and take it hostage. With the Kindle you can say that her Sony Books will not work on the Kindle.

LOL I think you might have sold me over just on that alone. Anyone knows how hard it is to convert my current PRS500 collection into Kindle format and whether they still look about as good? (No deleted page breaks etc).

susan_cassidy · 06-23-2009, 08:43 PM

There is no way to convert DRMed Sony books to Kindle format.

Talldog · 06-23-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

One thing no one has mentioned yet is the built in dictionary on the Kindle. Priceless.

Not a day goes by that I don't look up a word in a book I'm reading.

Kypt · 06-23-2009, 08:53 PM

Oh I don't mean that, I have them all in LRF format but non DRMd (I converted them myself).

Alisa · 06-23-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

There is no way to convert DRMed Sony books to Kindle format.

Yep. Their .lrx is one of the few ebook DRM schemes that hasn't been broken. Adobe ADE .pdf and .pub, .mobi, .azw, .lit and probably some others I'm missing can all be stripped and converted. The other common one is .azw1/.tpz. This is Amazon's Topaz format. The vast majority of Amazon books are .azw and convertible. I've had two Topaz files in the year and a half I've been buying Amazon books. They're usually back catalog stuff that the publisher didn't want to put much effort into digitizing. It's a quick way to scan and OCR a printed document into an ebook. The quality is often low so it's best to avoid them when you can anyway.

Sporadic · 06-23-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kypt

Oh I don't mean that, I have them all in LRF format but non DRMd (I converted them myself).

You can convert them with calibre to .MOBI

rcrh · 06-24-2009, 09:12 AM

What about the Sony 700? Doesn't it have a dictionary?

grooks · 06-24-2009, 09:26 AM

The Sony 700 does not have a dictionary.

no.guru · 06-24-2009, 09:53 AM

I'm not judging or recommending. My choices and preferences are only my own.

If proprietary formats and controls don't bother you, go with the Kindle. If you want the more open of the two, go with the Sony. You can also compare other readers besides these two.

=X= · 06-24-2009, 10:01 AM

505 owner here and very happy with the product. Features that K2 has over 505

K2
- Kindle Book store
- Dictionary
- Text -to-Speech (TTS)
- Wispernet
- Annotation

What 505 has over the kindle
- Portability (small enough to stash in back pocket)
- Wedge Light accessory
- Collections (Folders)
- ePUB/PDF (includes DRM support)
- expandable memory

This list is not comprehensive, but more of a list that makes a key differences in user experience.

The one thing that has kept my interest in the kindle was the bookstore. They still have the biggest selection at the best prices. However if you counter the price advantage by utilizing Fictionwise or BooksOnBoad with their outrageous promos. That leaves the selection Kindle still leads the market here.

However when it comes to usability (debatable i know) I think the 505 comes out ahead. The use of collections and the form factor make the 505 easier to navigate and easier much more portable.

=X=

06-23-2009, 05:07 PM	#1
Kypt Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 30 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: nook, Kindle 3	Kindle 2 vs PRS 505? Hi, I'm currently thinking about getting one of the two. I have a PRS500 that I love however my gf has taken it hostage and I will never see it again until she reads all books that she's interested in...sooo here I am in a quest to either upgrade to the 505 or go for the Kindle. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with an ebook reader so my exposure to the different devices is limited. I liked the 500 and I've played with the 505 and really like it. However the Amazon store is very nice for those books I wish to pay for. Any pro, cons from Kindle users?

06-23-2009, 06:39 PM	#4
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	If you want a new reader I would go with the Kindle 2 instead of the Sony 505 because once your girl friend looks at the difference between the 500 and 505 she will probably ask you to transfer all her books to the 505 and take it hostage. With the Kindle you can say that her Sony Books will not work on the Kindle. Last edited by Madam Broshkina; 06-23-2009 at 06:48 PM.

06-24-2009, 10:01 AM	#15
=X= Wizard Posts: 3,671 Karma: 12205348 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7	505 owner here and very happy with the product. Features that K2 has over 505 K2 - Kindle Book store - Dictionary - Text -to-Speech (TTS) - Wispernet - Annotation What 505 has over the kindle - Portability (small enough to stash in back pocket) - Wedge Light accessory - Collections (Folders) - ePUB/PDF (includes DRM support) - expandable memory This list is not comprehensive, but more of a list that makes a key differences in user experience. The one thing that has kept my interest in the kindle was the bookstore. They still have the biggest selection at the best prices. However if you counter the price advantage by utilizing Fictionwise or BooksOnBoad with their outrageous promos. That leaves the selection Kindle still leads the market here. However when it comes to usability (debatable i know) I think the 505 comes out ahead. The use of collections and the form factor make the 505 easier to navigate and easier much more portable. =X= Last edited by =X=; 06-24-2009 at 10:04 AM.

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06-23-2009, 05:58 PM	#2
rlparker Ars longa Posts: 1,179 Karma: 17404 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: north carolina, usa Device: Kindle K1, K3 wifi	Hi Kypt I've owned a K1 since Sep last year. I like it a lot!! But before recommending it to you, I'd have to know what you like to read. If it's new stuff only, yeah the Amazon bookstore, including the free samples and download via Whispernet is nice. On the other hand, if you like classics (that you you can download for free from MR) you would get more bang for the buck with a 505. There has been at least 1 recent promotion for the 505 in my area (I think it was at Borders) for USD 200. On the third hand, access to Wikipedia via Whispernet is nice. I frequently use it to get more information about something I'm reading. I'd miss that. But either way, you'll be looking at an e-ink screen; you'll probably be happy with either one!

06-23-2009, 06:04 PM	#3
weatherman Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 1010052 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: (previous: Kindle 2, Kindle Fire) Kindle 4 WiFi, K3K, KPW	As someone who came from the Sony camp (a PRS-500) to the Kindle 2, I'd recommend going with the Kindle. The wireless makes all the difference - from the auto-downloading of subscriptions to periodicals (NY Times without all the Calibre hassle, albeit at a higher price) to being able to browse books, and even more importantly to sample them for free, without having to use a computer makes the whole thing a seamless experience. I still read books from my own collection that I load via USB or wirelessly to the Kindle, so I still have the same experience on that front. It's just when I want to read something that's brand-new (like my most recent reading - The Strain) I can sample it, order it and get it for $10. I also think that the K2 is more comfortable in my hands and that the page-turn buttons are better placed for ambidextrous use.

06-23-2009, 06:52 PM	#5
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MobileRead, kypt. One thing no one has mentioned yet is the built in dictionary on the Kindle. Priceless. Free books can be downloaded with either device. Library books are more easily downloaded with the Sony. Book are more reasonably priced with the Kindle.

06-23-2009, 08:43 PM	#7
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	There is no way to convert DRMed Sony books to Kindle format.

06-23-2009, 08:53 PM	#9
Kypt Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 30 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: nook, Kindle 3	Oh I don't mean that, I have them all in LRF format but non DRMd (I converted them myself).

06-24-2009, 09:12 AM	#12
rcrh Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	What about the Sony 700? Doesn't it have a dictionary?

06-24-2009, 09:26 AM	#13
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	The Sony 700 does not have a dictionary.

06-24-2009, 09:53 AM	#14
no.guru Crazy like a Posts: 229 Karma: 2368978 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Sony PRS-T1, Sony PRS-350	I'm not judging or recommending. My choices and preferences are only my own. If proprietary formats and controls don't bother you, go with the Kindle. If you want the more open of the two, go with the Sony. You can also compare other readers besides these two.

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