PRS-505: my conclusion after a week of usage

[bazzz]

Hi,


first off: when I bought the PRS-505 in germany (firmware 1.4) a week ago, I knew that it wouldn't be the perfect device for me... but I was just too curious

I'm a software developer / IT consultant. I read PDF documents (technical stuff) only... Many of them each week. Until now on my tablet (TC-1000) or directly on the laptop which both works... well... not that well.

What I really like about the reader:

1. Fit and finish: this is the best made electronic device I've seen in ages (perhaps besides the current unibody macbooks). Look and feel is superb.
2. PDF rendering quality: works a whole lot better than expected, absolutely sufficient
3. Page turn speed: also better than expected, sufficient for me
4. User Interface: well dony, Sony! Like it.

What I'd like to see improved in the next version

1. 8/9 inch display... Please the fonts are sooo tiny (even with cropped margins in PDF docs). Same case design please, but slightly bigger!
2. Higher screen resolution: Required, really Sony, please!
3. Bigger page-turn buttons: Easy with a bigger device, isn't it
4. Ability to control mp3 playback during reading (this sucks a bit)
5. Lighter background: this is a tad too dark/grey imho... if possible please make it more white. Ok?


Perhaps there's some other people out there with the same requirements

I really love my reader, but it needs some improvements to be my dream machine.

[kelly1010]

Very interesting opinion, as I have had my e-reader about a week too. I've used it quite a bit, but I'm still finishing up some library books that need to go back.

I can't think of any complaints so far. I guess the only one would be the glare of my booklight on the screen, but I'm thinking that might have more to do with the booklight, and I plan to get the lightwedge anyway. (something the Kindle DOES NOT offer, ONE MORE reason I'm happy I went with the sony). I LOVE the way this feels in my hands though and I like the larger print. I hadn't really tried listening to mp3s on the 505, so thats good to know that you can't control them while reading.

Hope you continue to enjoy your 505!

[lovemov]

Originally Posted by bazzz

1. 8/9 inch display... Please the fonts are sooo tiny (even with cropped margins in PDF docs). Same case design please, but slightly bigger!
2. Higher screen resolution: Required, really Sony, please!

Yes, Yes!
And, as thin as 505

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by bazzz

1. 8/9 inch display... Please the fonts are sooo tiny (even with cropped margins in PDF docs). Same case design please, but slightly bigger!
2. Higher screen resolution: Required, really Sony, please!

You want a bigger screen to enlarge the letters. Say 9" diagonal.

But you want higher resolution, say 896 x 1195 (as opposed to the current 600 x 800).

Well, that gives you exactly the same size letters. What you've gotten is more screen real estate, which gives you wider margins and more text on a page.

But saying "higher resolution" implies you want more than just the same proportionally for the expanded size device. That would give you even smaller letters.

So I'm not sure what you're asking for. Is it #5, better contrast? And remove #2? Or better font smoothing/smoother fonts? Or more font size choices up to XXXXL?

[bazzz]

Originally Posted by jj2me

You want a bigger screen to enlarge the letters. Say 9" diagonal.

But you want higher resolution, say 896 x 1195 (as opposed to the current 600 x 800).

Well, that gives you exactly the same size letters. What you've gotten is more screen real estate, which gives you wider margins and more text on a page.

No. Not really. When displaying a PDF document (the amount of content on one page is fixed) it gives you larger text and graphics that are even more finegrained.

Make a simple test: display a page in word/pdf/whatever at a screen resolution of 800x600 on a 17" or 1920x1200 on a 24" monitor. Which one will look better and be better readable?

That's what I'm (we?) are asking for!

[HarryT]

Sony can only use the screens (made by PVI in Taiwan) which are out there. I'm sure we'd all like to have screens at a higher resolution than the 166dpi which we currently have, but the simple fact is that such screens are not commercially available, and Sony can't make them magically appear out of thin air . Yes, an 8" 600dpi screen would be wonderful, but I think that such a screen is still several years away.

[bazzz]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sony can only use the screens (made by PVI in Taiwan) which are out there. I'm sure we'd all like to have screens at a higher resolution than the 166dpi which we currently have, but the simple fact is that such screens are not commercially available, and Sony can't make them magically appear out of thin air . Yes, an 8" 600dpi screen would be wonderful, but I think that such a screen is still several years away.

I'm aware of these facts, but one can have wishes, no?

Larger + higher res screens should be available from PVI this year, right? Won't the 9" Astak and Hanlin v9 (if that's not pure vaporware) also use their 9" screens?

What about those screens Irex uses, couldn't Sony (in theory) also use these?

We'll have Plasticlogic readers next year, also bigger and - I suppose - higher res than the current 800x600 of the Sony Reader.

My point is: I love the reader, it has the perfect fit and finish. I'll be buying a new reader - for sure - next year. 8, 9 or 10 inch display, higher resolution. If Sony wants my money the should build one.

bye!

[HarryT]

If you mean "higher resolution" in terms of "more pixels per inch", then no, I'm not aware of any plans to produce such screens in the near future.

If you mean "more pixels because the screen is physically larger" then yes, there are a number of alternatives - eg the iRex devices.

However, having owned an iLiad myself in the past, I found personally that the 8" screen was too big to conveniently carry around with me all the time, as one can so easily do with 6" devices. I think it's no coincidence that these device have been made roughly the size of a paperback book - it's a size that "works" for convenient portability. There obviously is a market for devices with larger screens, but I think it's a different market to that for the 6" devices.

[Arapito]

As this thread seems to be for those who have owned their Reader for about a week and mine arrived a week ago today, I'll add my thoughts.

Page turn speed: This was the one thing that had been putting me off the 505 but, guess what, it isn't a problem at all. The "nearly one second" comments I'd been reading must have been either exaggerations or else my perception of that time is off but I press the page turn button and by the time my eyes return to the top of the page the screen has refreshed. Just as fast if not faster than turning the page on a pbook.

Design: Beautiful, isn't it. I echo the earlier comment about this being one of the best looking gadgets on the market at the moment.

Feel: Also great. It fits my hand better than a paperback - well, better than a thick paperback.

Calibre: Great software, love the "Fetch News" functionality in particular.

Not so great? Finding a site that will sell ebooks to a NZ credit card - thanks to those who pointed me to ebooks.com but I've still got to post-process the files

Hard to get used to? The way Sony lists Authors by first name; I'll probably have to relabel them all in Calibre to get the last name first.

Cheers
Arapito

[Stitchawl]

I fall into this group as well, and my sentiments almost match those of Arapito's exactly.

My biggest concern 'had been' page-turn speed, but I think the 505 turns pages faster than I use to with conventional books. When I read while riding a train, standing, I'm turning the pages with the same hand that is holding the book, fighting to turn the page with just my thumb. MUCH slower than with the simple button push of the 505.

The design is elegant (being silver,) functional, and simple. The memory certainly much more than I really need. (Right now I have 118 books loaded.) The device seems robust enough for the hazards of daily carry inside my shoulder bag, jacket pocket, or tucked into my camera bag. The screen is certainly clear enough with good contrast to make it easy on the eyes. I'm happy with the cover that came with it, but will make another out of better leather just because I enjoy leather working.

If there was one single thing that I'd change/add etc., it would be easier navigation between books being read at the same time. Perhaps I simply need to make them into a single collection, adding or deleting as needed.

Overall, I don't see myself switching brands in the near future. With the ease of Calibre and the overwhelming numbers of books out there, this is a wonderful addition to my lifestyle.

Stitchawl

[bazzz]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There obviously is a market for devices with larger screens, but I think it's a different market to that for the 6" devices.

Yes there is. IRex and Plasticlogic believe in that. Business users, reading A4/Letter PDFs (like me).

I've been carrying around a tablet fot that until recently, weighting nearly 5lbs

[Juggle4Evr]

Some of my thoughts after several months of usage:

- most important thing for me would be a firmware update to support Mobipocket format (non-DRM would be ok for me)
- some kind of dictionary word lookup would be nice (like in Mobipocket), though I have no idea how this should be done on the 505 without touchscreen.
- speed is ok for me, docs take some time to open/zoom for the first time but after that, it's ok
- screen size and resolution are sufficient for me
- I would like to see an "ultra-mobile" version of the 505: same display size but with smaller frame around the screen and buttons mostly on the sides. Reader should be max. 0,5" lager around each side than the display to fit into jacket pockets. No problem for me if it would be a bit thicker.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Juggle4Evr

- some kind of dictionary word lookup would be nice (like in Mobipocket), though I have no idea how this should be done on the 505 without touchscreen.

Here in the forums, all you have to do is ask...
Check out the dictionary in this thread;
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43645
I put it into my 505 and it works great! Very easy to navigate!

Stitchawl

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

If there was one single thing that I'd change/add etc., it would be easier navigation between books being read at the same time. Perhaps I simply need to make them into a single collection, adding or deleting as needed.

Bookmarks! Make a bookmark to save your position in book 1, switch to book 2 & read. When you want to switch to book 1, bookmark your position again & then press & hold the bookmark key, which will take you straight to the bookmark menu, where you can choose which bookmark of all your saved bookmarks to jump to.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by gwynevans

Bookmarks! Make a bookmark to save your position in book 1, switch to book 2 & read. When you want to switch to book 1, bookmark your position again & then press & hold the bookmark key, which will take you straight to the bookmark menu, where you can choose which bookmark of all your saved bookmarks to jump to.

10-Q veddy much!


Stitchawl