PRS-505 still expensive :(

[Coops]

Still enjoying my Sony 505 - and i've never read one book on it that hasn't been fully justified (although this has meant i've had to convert the format).... ragged right edge just looks wrong to me.

This does mean epub is out, unfortunately (the 505 will read epub, but not fully justified) - so i usually convert to LRF, or else often convert to my own PDF template with Fontin as my font (with font size set so i don't ever need to zoom etc).


Coops

[mike_bike_kite]

Originally Posted by darknessangel

[PRS-505]Not the best for all, but for me personally yes.

I'm sure the PRS-505 suits you perfectly but the forum is called "Which one should I buy?" and personally I'd feel wrong to recommend a unit which is no longer produced, has less features (whether initially required or not) and costs more 2nd hand than the latest units do new. The big selling point of the PRS-505 was the screen which everyone said was brilliant but most people here say the new Kindle screens are even better.

The Sony does have more formats but I use Calibre to convert files before putting them on my Kindle so it doesn't matter to me. The card slots are also neat on the Sony but the new K3 has 4GB which is still an awful lot of reading. The design is a matter of taste but I'd agree Sony has the edge here.

Any ereader will appear like magic to someone who has only ever read paper books before so whatever the OP gets then I'm sure they'll love it.

EDIT: I was being an idiot and not reading the 1st post - didn't realise he wanted something exactly like a PRS-505 and didn't like kindles. I'd agree that the Pocketbook 360 is fairly close. I'd still look at the K3 though as it offers a lot for the money

[coeus]

You guys are right. The nook doesn't have a newer e-Ink technology, I should have said higher grey levels than the PRS-505.

@mike_bike_kite: Ya, I just don't like the Kindle devices. I don't see why I'd need a keyboard, I don't really care much for having internet on the device. I already have internet at home and when it comes to books, it's not much of a hassle for me to purchase the book at home on my desktop/laptop, then transfer it to my ereader. I can actually do it directly from the nook since it has wifi, but overall internet capabilities on ereaders is not a deal breaker for me. I mainly care about the screen, picture quality, and the size of the device overall. PRS-505 was great. I'm going with the Nook though, because it's cheaper and has a very nice display from what I hear.

[mike_bike_kite]

Originally Posted by coeus

I'm going with the Nook though, because it's cheaper and has a very nice display from what I hear.

Enjoy your Nook - I'm sure it's a great machine and I do like the way the book covers scroll across the bottom in colour but I will point out that the Kindle 3 Wifi is $10 cheaper than the Nook and has the best e-ink display currently available.

PS I found this comparison between the two devices. Obviously if you don't like the keyboard then that's the end of the matter but it's probably worthwhile reading.

[Noah98]

Originally Posted by mike_bike_kite

Enjoy your Nook - I'm sure it's a great machine and I do like the way the book covers scroll across the bottom in colour but I will point out that the Kindle 3 Wifi is $10 cheaper than the Nook and has the best e-ink display currently available.

PS I found this comparison between the two devices. Obviously if you don't like the keyboard then that's the end of the matter but it's probably worthwhile reading.

I think you can't go wrong with either the Kindle 3 or the nook. I think for most people, the Kindle 3 is the best deal. It has the best specs, design, and features for general reading. For some though, the Library checkout, epub support, and color screen of the nook might be more desirable.

[Mare of Earth]

@Elfwreck - Go for PRS+. It is easy to install, and the folder system makes the 505 closer to perfect.


I only use my 505 to read books. I don't care about dictionaries or games, I just want it to read books, the most file formats that it does well, the better, however, since many of my ebook files are fanfic that are just plain TXT files, I am not known to be visually picky. I just want it readable. I have never used collections - the times I tried it just didn't work correctly, and if something isn't fast and simple, I won't use it.

I joined my local library that has an ebook collection yesterday, and last night checked out and downloaded 3 ebooks to my 505 - 2 epub and 1 pdf. The 1st epub, Dewey, renders well - my only peeve with it is that it has several pictures, which seem kind of pointless on a greyscale screen.

The 505 would be perfect if it came stock with file system browsing, was able to read books from Sony, Amazon, B&N, Borders, Smashwords, Kobo, whoever-wants-to-sell-an-ebook, etc.. I just want it to read books no matter where I buy them, thus encouraging more competition when it comes to prices, just like brick and mortar book stores.

I wonder if a case could be made for ebook stores and ereader manufacturers attempting to create a monopoly with proprietary formats....

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Mare of Earth

my only peeve with it is that it has several pictures, which seem kind of pointless on a greyscale screen.

I'm a little puzzled by that, Mare. What on earth is wrong with greyscale pictures? You say that you're actually ANNOYED that the book has pictures?

[coeus]

Originally Posted by Noah98

I think you can't go wrong with either the Kindle 3 or the nook. I think for most people, the Kindle 3 is the best deal. It has the best specs, design, and features for general reading. For some though, the Library checkout, epub support, and color screen of the nook might be more desirable.

My issue with the Kindle 3, as mentioned before, is that it is way too bulky. It includes a keyboard that I don't care for. I'm not sure what you mean by the best specs? What specs does it have, regarding readibilty, that the Nook doesn't have.

Lack of ePub support is definitely another issue for me.

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by coeus

My issue with the Kindle 3, as mentioned before, is that it is way too bulky.

???

Especially "way too bulky"?

Kindle 3 has the same dimensions as a Sony 505 except being ~1/2 inch taller.

Kindle 3 has approximately the same dimensions as a Nook.

In inches and ounces:

Kindle 3 / Sony 505 / Nook
height: 7.5 / 6.9 / 7.7
width: 4.8 / 4.8 / 4.9
depth: 0.34 / 0.3 / 0.5
weight: 8.7 / 9 / 11.6

[ProfCrash]

The K3 is smaller then the Nook and I believe smaller then the Kobo. So if the K3 is too bulky then you are not going to find an ereader that is not too bulky.

The K3 has, the new Pearl screen for 50% better contrast. It also has the Text To Speech which some folks love.

I really need to create a macro that quickly types: there are many ways to put an EPub book on the Kindle using Calibre and other programs.

[coeus]

@ProfCrash:

You're right, when looking for Kindle specs I kept getting the dimensions of K2, assuming it was K3. I admit, looking at the K3 now it looks pretty impressive. I just the keyboard as a waste of space. However, I understand that some like it, so to each his own.

[ProfCrash]

I don't use the keyboard all that frequently but it doesn't bother me. It is a personal preference.