eBook newcomer gets new 900

mxgamon · 12-26-2009, 05:53 PM

This is my first eBook, so I can't compare the 900 with the 600, or the Nook, or whatever. Just some initial impressions.

The 900 feels a bit heavy, and I'm fiddling around trying to find a comfortable way to hold it. The design is all screen, which I suppose is good, but it leaves little room to grab onto the side. Folding the cover all the way to the back helps - I can put a finger between the front cover & the back, helps to hold it.

I was initially surprised how dark the screen looks, since I've never used an eBook before. You do need a lot of light, but then you need to fiddle around to minimize the reflections. Gradually I'm getting used to these problems, working around them. I may go ahead & buy a portable reading light, but then that's a whole separate topic.

The software/hardware ecosystem surrounding the 900 seems needlessly complex. The 900, your computer, the Sony Reader Library, and Adobe Digital Editions - 4 items that all have to be on good terms with one another for anything to work. Again, over time I'll learn the proper steps, what works & what doesn't, but it seems like there are a lot of possible pitfalls.

In the first couple days, I've purchased & downloaded a book from the Sony store with the wireless, downloaded a book from my local (Seattle) library with Overdrive, then side loaded onto the 900. Oh yeah, yet another piece of software - at least Overdrive seems pretty smooth.

I've also subscribed to the LA Times just to see if I like getting a paper that way. That has worked as advertised, and reading the news on the 900 may be something I want to do, if they get a much bigger selection to choose from.

Other stuff - I don't think much of the Case Logic cover. I guess it gives a lot of protection if you carry the 900 out of the house a lot, but for me, I much prefer the basic Sony cover. Actually reading a book works great, page turning is plenty quick, all the font sizes and margin adjustments, orientation options - all that seems to be as good as one could ask for.

I'm sure I'll get proficient with the 900, and love loading it up with books. I'm especially happy that I can get a lot of books from the local library, so I won't have to pay for everything I read.

Enough for now - time to get back to reading.

Bremen Cole · 12-26-2009, 06:39 PM

Great post, and sounds like you are going to have a long and happy relationship with your 900

It does take a little while to get used of reading on a reader. I have read ebooks for 10 years, but always on a backlit screen. I did purchase a cheap light at Target, and when I am away from sunlight or lamp, it works great. I have no interest or need in the wireless connection, as I do not buy from the Sony store. But, I would perhaps in a year or so like a bigger screen. The screen size has to be pretty cool on your 900.

And now, I too have to get back to reading

Kolenka · 12-26-2009, 07:35 PM

I will say, the darkness to the screen is a trade-off to get the touch screen. Other readers have screens with less reflectivity (300/505 for example), but honestly, the more I get used to it, the less I mind it.

I needed a reading lamp for the living room anyways which has worked fine for the 900, and something like the Mighty Bright Xtraflex is more than good enough when I don't want to bug the SO in bed.

12-26-2009, 05:53 PM	#1
mxgamon Member Posts: 13 Karma: 22 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Washington state Device: PRS900	eBook newcomer gets new 900 This is my first eBook, so I can't compare the 900 with the 600, or the Nook, or whatever. Just some initial impressions. The 900 feels a bit heavy, and I'm fiddling around trying to find a comfortable way to hold it. The design is all screen, which I suppose is good, but it leaves little room to grab onto the side. Folding the cover all the way to the back helps - I can put a finger between the front cover & the back, helps to hold it. I was initially surprised how dark the screen looks, since I've never used an eBook before. You do need a lot of light, but then you need to fiddle around to minimize the reflections. Gradually I'm getting used to these problems, working around them. I may go ahead & buy a portable reading light, but then that's a whole separate topic. The software/hardware ecosystem surrounding the 900 seems needlessly complex. The 900, your computer, the Sony Reader Library, and Adobe Digital Editions - 4 items that all have to be on good terms with one another for anything to work. Again, over time I'll learn the proper steps, what works & what doesn't, but it seems like there are a lot of possible pitfalls. In the first couple days, I've purchased & downloaded a book from the Sony store with the wireless, downloaded a book from my local (Seattle) library with Overdrive, then side loaded onto the 900. Oh yeah, yet another piece of software - at least Overdrive seems pretty smooth. I've also subscribed to the LA Times just to see if I like getting a paper that way. That has worked as advertised, and reading the news on the 900 may be something I want to do, if they get a much bigger selection to choose from. Other stuff - I don't think much of the Case Logic cover. I guess it gives a lot of protection if you carry the 900 out of the house a lot, but for me, I much prefer the basic Sony cover. Actually reading a book works great, page turning is plenty quick, all the font sizes and margin adjustments, orientation options - all that seems to be as good as one could ask for. I'm sure I'll get proficient with the 900, and love loading it up with books. I'm especially happy that I can get a lot of books from the local library, so I won't have to pay for everything I read. Enough for now - time to get back to reading.

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12-26-2009, 06:39 PM	#2
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	Great post, and sounds like you are going to have a long and happy relationship with your 900 It does take a little while to get used of reading on a reader. I have read ebooks for 10 years, but always on a backlit screen. I did purchase a cheap light at Target, and when I am away from sunlight or lamp, it works great. I have no interest or need in the wireless connection, as I do not buy from the Sony store. But, I would perhaps in a year or so like a bigger screen. The screen size has to be pretty cool on your 900. And now, I too have to get back to reading

12-26-2009, 07:35 PM	#3
Kolenka <Insert Wit Here> Posts: 1,017 Karma: 1275899 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Puget Sound Device: Kindle Oasis, Kobo Forma	I will say, the darkness to the screen is a trade-off to get the touch screen. Other readers have screens with less reflectivity (300/505 for example), but honestly, the more I get used to it, the less I mind it. I needed a reading lamp for the living room anyways which has worked fine for the 900, and something like the Mighty Bright Xtraflex is more than good enough when I don't want to bug the SO in bed.

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