Convince me to get the Sony Wireless over Kobo Touch

EscapeVelocity · 12-26-2011, 11:40 PM

or perhaps the Sony PRS-650, if I can save a few bucks buying used or refurb.

So there you have it.

Sony Wireless vs Kobo Touch!

CJJ · 12-27-2011, 09:17 AM

Can't, because I wouldn't buy either. I had the Sony and returned it . Too glitchy for my taste. Using it also made me re-think what features were important to me. For me personally the whole browser ability on e-ink readers is a con job. People don't need it but they've been convinced they do. The only redeeming feature of the Sony that I miss is all the dictionary's. I'm very happy with my iriver Story HD. If I hadn't bought that I would have bought a Kindle keyboard and joined the rest of my family. I also found a touch screen to be annoying. Of course this is years of reading books on my laptop and desktop before that. Nothing about Kobo interests me.

Tony1988 · 12-27-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

or perhaps the Sony PRS-650, if I can save a few bucks buying used or refurb.

So there you have it.

Sony Wireless vs Kobo Touch!

The 650. I have used all three and I still think the feel, quality and look of the 650 is better than the t1 and kobo touch.(the t1 has been plagued with many problems) The interface of the 650 is all far superior IMO to the other two. The only thing the other two has over the 650 besides wifi is more ability to play around with your text. Something you can get on the 650 with prs+.

spindlegirl · 12-27-2011, 09:44 AM

For me, the decision to get the PRS-T1 was entirely based on personal needs - needs which many people may not share. I wanted to be able to borrow library books without the use of Windows software, being a Debian Linux user.

Being able to register my T1 wirelessly and just borrow and return books seamlessly was one of the main things that I craved and was not realized via the Kobo Touch (which my husband now owns).

I also, don't care about "web browser capabilities", or any of the fancy stuff. I browse the web on my PC, and that is enough for me. I simply wanted basic book management and sorting. There are many basic management features (I can tag my own books into whichever self-defined collections I wish) on the T1 which make it easier for me. Also, the T1 recognizes my Calibre news as actual periodicals and sorts it accordingly.

I really don't need anything else. I appreciate the fact that aside from the initial firmware upgrade (which had to be added via windows), I can just use it freely. But the ease of public library usage was the #1 thing. I cannot afford to buy all the books that come out (much like with dtbs when I used the library for that, and still do), so being able to just borrow a book, read it, and return it is pure gold to me.

I am glad I was able to get it. The Kobo Touch is nice, too, and my husband is enjoying it for his own reading needs, but I found the T1 to meet many of my own needs. I actually have found with the firmware upgrades 1.9.14 and up (for the Kobo touch) it's a bit less buggy.

It's all a matter of what your preferences are. But as someone who has owned and used both, I much prefer the T1.

peitsao · 12-27-2011, 10:20 AM

If you read a lot of library ebooks, get the Sony, it makes it so easy to sign into your library account right from the T1 and download a library book. I also like the ability to magnify pages when you come across a picture or map.

EscapeVelocity · 12-27-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony1988

The 650. I have used all three and I still think the feel, quality and look of the 650 is better than the t1 and kobo touch.(the t1 has been plagued with many problems) The interface of the 650 is all far superior IMO to the other two. The only thing the other two has over the 650 besides wifi is more ability to play around with your text. Something you can get on the 650 with prs+.

Thanks! So the Sony 650 with some hacking works a treat

but no WiFi

EscapeVelocity · 12-27-2011, 02:21 PM

Yeah, Im not really looking for web browsing ability. I have my Nook Color for that. I want to try out the eInk though, so am looking to pick something up to try it out.

I just got my Nook Color at the beginning of this month and have downloaded a book from the local library. That is a feature that I will definitely use. Though I suppose I can do that with a laptop and then transfer via SD card. But WiFi and software implementation make it easier, not doubt.

I suppose I cant go too wrong with any of the Kobo Touch or Sony 650 or T1.

tayseidel · 12-27-2011, 02:50 PM

I'd go with a Sony over a Kobo touch any day. I have the PRS-T1 and I love it. I'm not sure about using a color tablet to read. Too much strain on the retinas.

Edit- between the 650 and T1, I'm not sure which one I'd prefer but I'm certain that down the road, the T1 will prove to be the better product because it runs Android. In time, developers will come up with a few neat tricks for a rooted T1.

bibahbuzemann · 12-27-2011, 03:46 PM

My niece got a kobo for christmas and I had a chance to play around with it.

It's really pretty good. Some stuff works even better than on the T1.

The Kobo wasn't available when I got the T1, but now I guess I'd get the Kobo.

Pomtroll · 12-27-2011, 04:36 PM

I have never had a Kobo so I can't compare. Looks like a nice reader to me though. I have the Sony 350 & T1. I originally returned my first 2 T1s in October because of the glitches. I re-ordered one a couple of weeks ago & have had no troubles with it so far after downloading the firmware update. I have read for hours & and at least 3 books now.

I don't find the T1 cheap feeling compared to the 350. But I've had plastic bezeled readers before. I also prefer the dictionaries on the T1 compared to any of the other readers I have.

Like others have said, it depends on what is important to you. I think after careful deliberation you will like any e- reader you decide to purchase. They all have their pluses & minuses.

log · 12-27-2011, 09:11 PM

Get a T1.

Seriously what answer did you expect posting in this forum giving no criteria for what you're looking for.

rashkae · 12-27-2011, 09:12 PM

I own all 3 (and then some), and I would say, for certain, either of the Sony's beat the Kobo hands down. The kobo has some nifty features, and you might be tempted to think it superior on casual examination. It's only after long use that the true horor of Kobo becomes evident. Factory resets, weekly crash of the touch sensor driver, short battery life if you actually read on it long period, seemingly monthly firmware updates that get almost forced to you with all new bugs introduced every time, and tries to force you to tether the device to a pc with their crapware installed. *ahem,* anyhow, not to derail the conversatoin too far, let me just that I've personally become very disenchanted with Kobo. Pity, since I really wanted to support the Canadian product.

As for the Sony's, I prefer the T1. Some people had a few glitches (I never experienced them) that should be resolved with the one firmware update. Probably not revelvent to most books, but the T1 has *much* improved image / picture rendering. And if the epub publisher actually inludes high res images with the epub, pinch zoom and fast scrolling with your figer is something unique to the T1 over all other readers. Great for maps, geneolygy trees, and other such images that often get included in books. Sadly, most epubs are releaed with the images so shrunken, all the detail is lost, and would need CSI style 'enhance' to be useable. I also really like the incrased number of font size steps in the T1. The one thing I would critize Sony for is the poor support for changing fonts. The 650 can't do it at all without hacking the device and writing custom css. The T1 was supposed to have font changing options, but the reader randomly fails to display the text in proper italicized/bold format when you try changing fonts.

spindlegirl · 12-27-2011, 09:22 PM

In response to rashkae above:
That was me with the Kobo Touch, and yes, the constant factory resets and then having to re-do the set up, via software on an operating system I don't have, was a constant annoyance. I liked the things it did when it worked, but it was not a reliable device for my needs. My husband now is keeping it as a gift from me, while I bought the t1.

With my T1, I thankfully never experienced the glitches I had read about, and for me, the device is so self-contained, that I have been enjoying it so much.

EscapeVelocity · 12-27-2011, 10:21 PM

Maybe Sony is the way to go.

monk127 · 12-27-2011, 11:11 PM

I had a Kobo Touch for about a month and then got a PRS-T1. I had both readers for a few days so I had them to compare side by side and ended up selling the Kobo just before Christmas. IMO, the PRS-T1 is the better device. I loaded about 10 additional fonts onto the Kobo in an attempt to make it display as well as the Sony but to my eyes, there was no comparison. The Sony with its default settings had better contrast and sharper font rendering. It could be possible I had a dud Kobo and the two readers use apparently the same hardware screens but there seem to be reports around this forum that the Sony display in general is good. I also found the interface and general operation of the Sony slightly better. The Kobo wasn't a bad device and I wanted to support what was mostly a Canadian undertaking but I kept the Sony.

12-27-2011, 02:21 PM	#7
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Yeah, Im not really looking for web browsing ability. I have my Nook Color for that. I want to try out the eInk though, so am looking to pick something up to try it out. I just got my Nook Color at the beginning of this month and have downloaded a book from the local library. That is a feature that I will definitely use. Though I suppose I can do that with a laptop and then transfer via SD card. But WiFi and software implementation make it easier, not doubt. I suppose I cant go too wrong with any of the Kobo Touch or Sony 650 or T1. Last edited by EscapeVelocity; 12-27-2011 at 02:29 PM.

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12-26-2011, 11:40 PM	#1
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Convince me to get the Sony Wireless over Kobo Touch or perhaps the Sony PRS-650, if I can save a few bucks buying used or refurb. So there you have it. Sony Wireless vs Kobo Touch!

12-27-2011, 09:17 AM	#2
CJJ Zealot Posts: 125 Karma: 189828 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin, USA Device: laptop, iriver Story HD, Galaxy Tab2 10.1	Can't, because I wouldn't buy either. I had the Sony and returned it . Too glitchy for my taste. Using it also made me re-think what features were important to me. For me personally the whole browser ability on e-ink readers is a con job. People don't need it but they've been convinced they do. The only redeeming feature of the Sony that I miss is all the dictionary's. I'm very happy with my iriver Story HD. If I hadn't bought that I would have bought a Kindle keyboard and joined the rest of my family. I also found a touch screen to be annoying. Of course this is years of reading books on my laptop and desktop before that. Nothing about Kobo interests me.

12-27-2011, 09:44 AM	#4
spindlegirl Wizard Posts: 1,594 Karma: 21245891 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra h20, Paperwhite 2017, Phone & Tablet w Moonreader	For me, the decision to get the PRS-T1 was entirely based on personal needs - needs which many people may not share. I wanted to be able to borrow library books without the use of Windows software, being a Debian Linux user. Being able to register my T1 wirelessly and just borrow and return books seamlessly was one of the main things that I craved and was not realized via the Kobo Touch (which my husband now owns). I also, don't care about "web browser capabilities", or any of the fancy stuff. I browse the web on my PC, and that is enough for me. I simply wanted basic book management and sorting. There are many basic management features (I can tag my own books into whichever self-defined collections I wish) on the T1 which make it easier for me. Also, the T1 recognizes my Calibre news as actual periodicals and sorts it accordingly. I really don't need anything else. I appreciate the fact that aside from the initial firmware upgrade (which had to be added via windows), I can just use it freely. But the ease of public library usage was the #1 thing. I cannot afford to buy all the books that come out (much like with dtbs when I used the library for that, and still do), so being able to just borrow a book, read it, and return it is pure gold to me. I am glad I was able to get it. The Kobo Touch is nice, too, and my husband is enjoying it for his own reading needs, but I found the T1 to meet many of my own needs. I actually have found with the firmware upgrades 1.9.14 and up (for the Kobo touch) it's a bit less buggy. It's all a matter of what your preferences are. But as someone who has owned and used both, I much prefer the T1.

12-27-2011, 10:20 AM	#5
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	If you read a lot of library ebooks, get the Sony, it makes it so easy to sign into your library account right from the T1 and download a library book. I also like the ability to magnify pages when you come across a picture or map.

12-27-2011, 02:50 PM	#8
tayseidel Zealot Posts: 146 Karma: 189664 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Glo HD, Aura H20, PRS-T1	I'd go with a Sony over a Kobo touch any day. I have the PRS-T1 and I love it. I'm not sure about using a color tablet to read. Too much strain on the retinas. Edit- between the 650 and T1, I'm not sure which one I'd prefer but I'm certain that down the road, the T1 will prove to be the better product because it runs Android. In time, developers will come up with a few neat tricks for a rooted T1.

12-27-2011, 03:46 PM	#9
bibahbuzemann Addict Posts: 217 Karma: 28060 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: FRG Device: PRS-T1	My niece got a kobo for christmas and I had a chance to play around with it. It's really pretty good. Some stuff works even better than on the T1. The Kobo wasn't available when I got the T1, but now I guess I'd get the Kobo.

12-27-2011, 04:36 PM	#10
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I have never had a Kobo so I can't compare. Looks like a nice reader to me though. I have the Sony 350 & T1. I originally returned my first 2 T1s in October because of the glitches. I re-ordered one a couple of weeks ago & have had no troubles with it so far after downloading the firmware update. I have read for hours & and at least 3 books now. I don't find the T1 cheap feeling compared to the 350. But I've had plastic bezeled readers before. I also prefer the dictionaries on the T1 compared to any of the other readers I have. Like others have said, it depends on what is important to you. I think after careful deliberation you will like any e- reader you decide to purchase. They all have their pluses & minuses.

12-27-2011, 09:11 PM	#11
log ... Posts: 226 Karma: 514506 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Sony PRS-T1	Get a T1. Seriously what answer did you expect posting in this forum giving no criteria for what you're looking for.

12-27-2011, 09:12 PM	#12
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,274 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	I own all 3 (and then some), and I would say, for certain, either of the Sony's beat the Kobo hands down. The kobo has some nifty features, and you might be tempted to think it superior on casual examination. It's only after long use that the true horor of Kobo becomes evident. Factory resets, weekly crash of the touch sensor driver, short battery life if you actually read on it long period, seemingly monthly firmware updates that get almost forced to you with all new bugs introduced every time, and tries to force you to tether the device to a pc with their crapware installed. ahem, anyhow, not to derail the conversatoin too far, let me just that I've personally become very disenchanted with Kobo. Pity, since I really wanted to support the Canadian product. As for the Sony's, I prefer the T1. Some people had a few glitches (I never experienced them) that should be resolved with the one firmware update. Probably not revelvent to most books, but the T1 has much improved image / picture rendering. And if the epub publisher actually inludes high res images with the epub, pinch zoom and fast scrolling with your figer is something unique to the T1 over all other readers. Great for maps, geneolygy trees, and other such images that often get included in books. Sadly, most epubs are releaed with the images so shrunken, all the detail is lost, and would need CSI style 'enhance' to be useable. I also really like the incrased number of font size steps in the T1. The one thing I would critize Sony for is the poor support for changing fonts. The 650 can't do it at all without hacking the device and writing custom css. The T1 was supposed to have font changing options, but the reader randomly fails to display the text in proper italicized/bold format when you try changing fonts.

12-27-2011, 09:22 PM	#13
spindlegirl Wizard Posts: 1,594 Karma: 21245891 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra h20, Paperwhite 2017, Phone & Tablet w Moonreader	In response to rashkae above: That was me with the Kobo Touch, and yes, the constant factory resets and then having to re-do the set up, via software on an operating system I don't have, was a constant annoyance. I liked the things it did when it worked, but it was not a reliable device for my needs. My husband now is keeping it as a gift from me, while I bought the t1. With my T1, I thankfully never experienced the glitches I had read about, and for me, the device is so self-contained, that I have been enjoying it so much.

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12-27-2011, 10:21 PM	#14
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Maybe Sony is the way to go.

12-27-2011, 11:11 PM	#15
monk127 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 208 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Sony PRS-T1	I had a Kobo Touch for about a month and then got a PRS-T1. I had both readers for a few days so I had them to compare side by side and ended up selling the Kobo just before Christmas. IMO, the PRS-T1 is the better device. I loaded about 10 additional fonts onto the Kobo in an attempt to make it display as well as the Sony but to my eyes, there was no comparison. The Sony with its default settings had better contrast and sharper font rendering. It could be possible I had a dud Kobo and the two readers use apparently the same hardware screens but there seem to be reports around this forum that the Sony display in general is good. I also found the interface and general operation of the Sony slightly better. The Kobo wasn't a bad device and I wanted to support what was mostly a Canadian undertaking but I kept the Sony.