Noob comparing sony readers

globalite · 06-29-2011, 03:50 PM

I'm shopping for my first eReader.

From looking around online, I like the look of the Sony readers. Obviously I'd like to handle one before buying, though. I'm also checking ebay and craigslist. I'm seeing a PRS-600 for $100. How does the PRS-600 compare to the PRS-650 and also to the PRS-350? The 650 looks like it's significantly more expensive than the 350. What are the features that account for the higher price?
What are the things that you love and hate about the various models?
I don't think I need wi-fi since I work on a laptop all day and would have no problems downloading books while working. And I'd like it to fit it a purse but not be teeny-tiny. I read pretty quickly and I'm concerned that constant page turns will be annoying.
Thoughts, suggestions and comments are appreciated!

ranma · 06-29-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globalite

I'm shopping for my first eReader.

From looking around online, I like the look of the Sony readers. Obviously I'd like to handle one before buying, though. I'm also checking ebay and craigslist. I'm seeing a PRS-600 for $100. How does the PRS-600 compare to the PRS-650 and also to the PRS-350? The 650 looks like it's significantly more expensive than the 350. What are the features that account for the higher price?
What are the things that you love and hate about the various models?
I don't think I need wi-fi since I work on a laptop all day and would have no problems downloading books while working. And I'd like it to fit it a purse but not be teeny-tiny. I read pretty quickly and I'm concerned that constant page turns will be annoying.
Thoughts, suggestions and comments are appreciated!

PRS-600 has worst screen for the whole sony reader line.
If it is me, I would skip prs-600.

ScalyFreak · 06-29-2011, 04:03 PM

If you have a Borders nearby, they may still have demo models you can play with in the store. I found that was by far the easiest way to get a good feel for screen size and over-all weight and fell of the readers. I ended up with a 950 as a result... I like big pages.

Pomtroll · 06-29-2011, 04:18 PM

Fellow Minnesotan. I think the only Sonys you are going to find are the 350s. I got mine at Best Buy & the last I looked most BB still have the 350s. You probably won't find any other Sony readers in the state. At least I haven't found any. The only other option is to go to Sonystyle outlet & get a refurbished Sony 950 for $189.99 (when you check out that is the price that will come up).

Otherwise you can get some through Amazon but the prices are outrageous & more than Sony was charging in the first place.

I love my 350 & could have gotten a 650 or a 950, but once I got the 350 I felt no need for any other size. Just my personal preference. I do have a Kindle 3 & a Nook Classic so I do know about bigger sizes & being able to buy via the reader. Downloading is quite easy so I don't miss directly buying.

SeaBookGuy · 06-29-2011, 04:26 PM

Agreed - forget about the 600

The 350 is slightly smaller (5" vs. 6"), with a tradeoff that, as I understand it, the screen resolution is slightly better; some say that means that one can read a smaller font better, making a dent in the "smaller means more page turns" assertion. I've not read on a 350, so I don't know firsthand.

Main difference between the units: the 650 has audio capability (mp3 and AAC files), as well as slots for a proprietary Sony storage card and an SD card (regular, not micro). And ... the 650 has a sturdier stylus!

JayB · 06-29-2011, 06:49 PM

I would get the PRS-350. They have them at my local bestbuy for $110.00.

The rest of the models are too expensive right now. Plus, if the speculation is true and Sony releases something great in the Fall you can sell the 350 and only lose about $50. Or just keep the 350 and have the most portable E-ink reader as a second device.

As others have said last generation I looked at the 600 a lot. I just hated how bad the screen was compared to the 300. The x50 line is in a whole different league screen wise.

fafaforza · 06-30-2011, 12:46 PM

You can also hold the 350 sideways, so that the text won't have to be super small. It's a nice little reader. BestBuy might have one to check out.

mgwerner · 07-02-2011, 11:10 AM

I've had a 500, a 550 and now a 650. After handling a 600 I passed, due to the glare when I tried it out at the store.

I love my 650, and due to showing it off to people I work with, have ordered 9 of them for myself, friends and family. Using the 650 and Calibre, there are very few books that I do not read on my reader.

The expense is a bit more, but the unit is high quality and solid, and I have had no problems (other than battery replacement with the 500 after 2 years of use) with any of the units I have owned.

My only complaint has been the dearth of covers for the unit. I do not like the fact that the unit comes without a cover, and have looked at several, settling on a Tuff Luv cover. It bulks up the unit, but protects it nicely.

06-29-2011, 03:50 PM	#1
globalite Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Minnesota Device: none	Noob comparing sony readers I'm shopping for my first eReader. From looking around online, I like the look of the Sony readers. Obviously I'd like to handle one before buying, though. I'm also checking ebay and craigslist. I'm seeing a PRS-600 for $100. How does the PRS-600 compare to the PRS-650 and also to the PRS-350? The 650 looks like it's significantly more expensive than the 350. What are the features that account for the higher price? What are the things that you love and hate about the various models? I don't think I need wi-fi since I work on a laptop all day and would have no problems downloading books while working. And I'd like it to fit it a purse but not be teeny-tiny. I read pretty quickly and I'm concerned that constant page turns will be annoying. Thoughts, suggestions and comments are appreciated!

06-29-2011, 04:18 PM	#4
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	Fellow Minnesotan. I think the only Sonys you are going to find are the 350s. I got mine at Best Buy & the last I looked most BB still have the 350s. You probably won't find any other Sony readers in the state. At least I haven't found any. The only other option is to go to Sonystyle outlet & get a refurbished Sony 950 for $189.99 (when you check out that is the price that will come up). Otherwise you can get some through Amazon but the prices are outrageous & more than Sony was charging in the first place. I love my 350 & could have gotten a 650 or a 950, but once I got the 350 I felt no need for any other size. Just my personal preference. I do have a Kindle 3 & a Nook Classic so I do know about bigger sizes & being able to buy via the reader. Downloading is quite easy so I don't miss directly buying. Last edited by Pomtroll; 06-29-2011 at 07:41 PM.

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06-29-2011, 04:03 PM	#3
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	If you have a Borders nearby, they may still have demo models you can play with in the store. I found that was by far the easiest way to get a good feel for screen size and over-all weight and fell of the readers. I ended up with a 950 as a result... I like big pages.

06-29-2011, 04:26 PM	#5
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	Agreed - forget about the 600 The 350 is slightly smaller (5" vs. 6"), with a tradeoff that, as I understand it, the screen resolution is slightly better; some say that means that one can read a smaller font better, making a dent in the "smaller means more page turns" assertion. I've not read on a 350, so I don't know firsthand. Main difference between the units: the 650 has audio capability (mp3 and AAC files), as well as slots for a proprietary Sony storage card and an SD card (regular, not micro). And ... the 650 has a sturdier stylus!

06-29-2011, 06:49 PM	#6
JayB Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 257172 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: PRS-950 PRS-300	I would get the PRS-350. They have them at my local bestbuy for $110.00. The rest of the models are too expensive right now. Plus, if the speculation is true and Sony releases something great in the Fall you can sell the 350 and only lose about $50. Or just keep the 350 and have the most portable E-ink reader as a second device. As others have said last generation I looked at the 600 a lot. I just hated how bad the screen was compared to the 300. The x50 line is in a whole different league screen wise.

06-30-2011, 12:46 PM	#7
fafaforza Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 26780 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Device: Aura ONE	You can also hold the 350 sideways, so that the text won't have to be super small. It's a nice little reader. BestBuy might have one to check out.

07-02-2011, 11:10 AM	#8
mgwerner Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 546 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: PRS-500	I've had a 500, a 550 and now a 650. After handling a 600 I passed, due to the glare when I tried it out at the store. I love my 650, and due to showing it off to people I work with, have ordered 9 of them for myself, friends and family. Using the 650 and Calibre, there are very few books that I do not read on my reader. The expense is a bit more, but the unit is high quality and solid, and I have had no problems (other than battery replacement with the 500 after 2 years of use) with any of the units I have owned. My only complaint has been the dearth of covers for the unit. I do not like the fact that the unit comes without a cover, and have looked at several, settling on a Tuff Luv cover. It bulks up the unit, but protects it nicely.

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