350 Vs 950

vxf · 06-20-2011, 11:42 PM

I have long been in love with my PRS950 - a huge improvement on the 900, thanks to the new screens.

I stumbled in a Best Buy two weeks ago to buy some blank CDs and I say the 350 on sale for $109. I figured... why not, at least I can make sure I always have a backup reader when I travel in case i forget to recharge my 950, or it gets lost or stolen...

I uploaded a couple of the books I was currently reading and noticed right away the better dpi of the 350. I read on it for a couple of night, gotten used to holding it with one hand in bed.

Last night I wanted to read a newspaper in bed and I didn't have it on the 350, so I pulled the 950 out.... it felt big, bulky and awkward to hold with one hand.

I never thought I would prefer it, but now I read all my books on the 350. I have my newspapers on the 950. And magazines on my iPad. I guess I over-specialized a bit...

But that's besides the point. I guess I am trying to say I like my 350 way more than I ever thought I would. I also bought covers with lights for both the 950 and 350 and I must say it works much better on the smaller screen of the 350, as the light is much more uniform.

Ripplinger · 06-21-2011, 12:00 AM

I think most people that actually buy the 350 and try it out for a few days end up liking it better. I know I sure did when I bought mine. It's my first reader, and the 650s were just too high priced for me to justify buying, even though I thought that's the one I really wanted. Then Best Buy had a good sale (not quite as good as yours though) and I bought it thinking I really wouldn't like the small size and would end up returning it for the 650.

Instead I fell in love with the small size, I don't leave the house without it anymore since it can fit in most any pocket. Some people complain that they'd have to turn more pages... really, with just a slight thumb movement to flip the pages, it's not even worth mentioning to me, in fact I don't even notice when I'm flipping pages while reading.

Glad you like it, you got a super deal on it. I'm still tempted to get a 2nd one for myself for when this one dies, but I've resisted so far.

Flip Martian · 06-21-2011, 08:55 AM

I too thought I'd prefer a 650 over the 350 (we don't have 950 in the UK) but I agree with Ripplinger on all points. Interestingly I showed it to people in work yesterday and a colleague pulled out his Kindle. Everyone (him included) thought the 350 the better device, which surprised me (although I know how good it is, most uninformed people here think "if its not a Kindle it must be rubbish").

Pomtroll · 06-21-2011, 11:23 AM

I have larger reading devices too & much prefer the Sony 350. I read on my Kindle last night (have lots of books I still haven't read on it) & found it awkward & heavy. I'm not knocking the Kindle but I definitely prefer my 350 for reading....By the way I have 2 350s. One silver & 1 pink. The pink is my favorite.

Japes · 06-21-2011, 11:33 AM

Not sure what to tell you. I own both and love them both. I also own the PB360+, the new Nook STR and the K3. The gets ZERO time, and, 80% of my reading time is spent on my 350 or 950. The other 20% goes to the STR and PB.

Bottom line is, I love my Sony readers, but couldn't tell you which I prefer.

petercreasey · 06-21-2011, 11:48 AM

There's not an ereader currently available that I would like better than my 950.

pidgeon92 · 06-21-2011, 12:07 PM

I had a 300, and I too really liked the size of the screen..... then I got my 950, and my 300 never got picked up again. I really do prefer reading on a larger screen.

ScalyFreak · 06-21-2011, 01:44 PM

I tried out the 350 in a local Borders over and over, but I just couldn't live with the small screen. I want big pages! Plus, I like having wifi...

Flip Martian · 06-21-2011, 02:33 PM

All these replies are exactly why when anyone says "which to buy" I always say "you need to try them out and see which one suits you best". More so than computers or many other consumer electronics, I think ebook readers really are a very personal choice.

ScalyFreak · 06-21-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flip Martian

All these replies are exactly why when anyone says "which to buy" I always say "you need to try them out and see which one suits you best". More so than computers or many other consumer electronics, I think ebook readers really are a very personal choice.

Could not agree more, though I think it applies to any form of consumer electronics. What is "best" for you is whatever works best for you personally, and fits your circumstances the best. For example, someone said the PRS-350 was a great choice for them because it fits in any pocket. Pocket? Some of us carry a purse that can hold any eREader on the market. Who cares how big or heavy it is?

Japes · 06-21-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Could not agree more, though I think it applies to any form of consumer electronics. What is "best" for you is whatever works best for you personally, and fits your circumstances the best. For example, someone said the PRS-350 was a great choice for them because it fits in any pocket. Pocket? Some of us carry a purse that can hold any eREader on the market. Who cares how big or heavy it is?

Well, I would say that even if you carry a purse big enough to accomodate, MANY people care how big and heavy the reader is, as you don't really want to have it take up your entire purse, just because it's there, do you? Nor do you want it bogging you down if it weighed 5 pounds. So, I don't really buy that argument. Portability is a 350 pro, and a 950 con, regardless of which one you prefer (and I love both of mine).

phenomshel · 06-21-2011, 02:58 PM

Love my 950. The 350 is just too small for me. I carry a denim bag (for several reasons, not the least of which is that it's washable), but the 950 plus Oberon cover fits perfectly and I have lots of room left for other things.
I love the extra screen real estate on the 950. But I can definitely see where the 350 would be nice for portability for those who don't like bigger bags and for the lightness. Even though I've never found my 950 plus cover too heavy. I think it's the ergonomics though, because reading with the iPad in bed is awkward but reading with the 950 with the cover folded back is pure pleasure.

Shopaholic · 06-21-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pomtroll

By the way I have 2 350s. One silver & 1 pink. The pink is my favorite.

teeheehee Me too!! My hubby wasn't pleased that I bought a second one but oh well. lol It's so nice to hear I'm not the only crazy person around.

JayB · 06-21-2011, 10:16 PM

The 350 is an awesome little E-reader. Its unbelievable how small and light it is. The screen also seems a little sharper than my 950.

If Sony offered one more font size between S and M it would make it 100 times better. This is one of the main reasons I wanted a bigger screen. I kept getting stuck between too small and too large on quite a few books.

It still took every bit of willpower I had not to buy one this weekend when I saw them at Best Buy for $110. That is a great price for such a unique E-Reader.

Soul_Est · 06-21-2011, 11:16 PM

It is a choice made up of ergonomics and features when choosing the right Reader for you. I liked the both the PRS-350 and PRS-650 when I tested them out at a SONY Style store last year but ended up buying the PRS-650 for three reasons: 1. Screen size. To quote ScalyFreak, "I want big pages!" 2. Expandability. The amount of extra storage space I could add to the PRS-650 meant that I could store more books than I could ever imagine or use as another backup drive (that the Reader could not access). 3. Color. As much as I liked the PRS-350's sharp display, SONY's decision not to release the PRS-350 and PRS-650 in the same colors meant that if I wanted a non-metallic finish on my Reader (which helps a lot when I read under harsh lighting), the PRS-650 was my only choice as it came in matte black.

06-20-2011, 11:42 PM	#1
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	350 Vs 950 I have long been in love with my PRS950 - a huge improvement on the 900, thanks to the new screens. I stumbled in a Best Buy two weeks ago to buy some blank CDs and I say the 350 on sale for $109. I figured... why not, at least I can make sure I always have a backup reader when I travel in case i forget to recharge my 950, or it gets lost or stolen... I uploaded a couple of the books I was currently reading and noticed right away the better dpi of the 350. I read on it for a couple of night, gotten used to holding it with one hand in bed. Last night I wanted to read a newspaper in bed and I didn't have it on the 350, so I pulled the 950 out.... it felt big, bulky and awkward to hold with one hand. I never thought I would prefer it, but now I read all my books on the 350. I have my newspapers on the 950. And magazines on my iPad. I guess I over-specialized a bit... But that's besides the point. I guess I am trying to say I like my 350 way more than I ever thought I would. I also bought covers with lights for both the 950 and 350 and I must say it works much better on the smaller screen of the 350, as the light is much more uniform.

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06-21-2011, 12:00 AM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I think most people that actually buy the 350 and try it out for a few days end up liking it better. I know I sure did when I bought mine. It's my first reader, and the 650s were just too high priced for me to justify buying, even though I thought that's the one I really wanted. Then Best Buy had a good sale (not quite as good as yours though) and I bought it thinking I really wouldn't like the small size and would end up returning it for the 650. Instead I fell in love with the small size, I don't leave the house without it anymore since it can fit in most any pocket. Some people complain that they'd have to turn more pages... really, with just a slight thumb movement to flip the pages, it's not even worth mentioning to me, in fact I don't even notice when I'm flipping pages while reading. Glad you like it, you got a super deal on it. I'm still tempted to get a 2nd one for myself for when this one dies, but I've resisted so far.

06-21-2011, 08:55 AM	#3
Flip Martian Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 45512 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS 350, iPad, Sony PRS-T1	I too thought I'd prefer a 650 over the 350 (we don't have 950 in the UK) but I agree with Ripplinger on all points. Interestingly I showed it to people in work yesterday and a colleague pulled out his Kindle. Everyone (him included) thought the 350 the better device, which surprised me (although I know how good it is, most uninformed people here think "if its not a Kindle it must be rubbish").

06-21-2011, 11:23 AM	#4
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I have larger reading devices too & much prefer the Sony 350. I read on my Kindle last night (have lots of books I still haven't read on it) & found it awkward & heavy. I'm not knocking the Kindle but I definitely prefer my 350 for reading....By the way I have 2 350s. One silver & 1 pink. The pink is my favorite.

06-21-2011, 11:33 AM	#5
Japes Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1033852 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Sony PRS-350,Sony PRS-950,Pocketbook 360+,B&N Nook Simple Touch Reader	Not sure what to tell you. I own both and love them both. I also own the PB360+, the new Nook STR and the K3. The gets ZERO time, and, 80% of my reading time is spent on my 350 or 950. The other 20% goes to the STR and PB. Bottom line is, I love my Sony readers, but couldn't tell you which I prefer.

06-21-2011, 11:48 AM	#6
petercreasey Wizard Posts: 1,188 Karma: 1119516 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony: PRS 950 & T1, Kobo: Aura One & Forma	There's not an ereader currently available that I would like better than my 950.

06-21-2011, 12:07 PM	#7
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I had a 300, and I too really liked the size of the screen..... then I got my 950, and my 300 never got picked up again. I really do prefer reading on a larger screen.

06-21-2011, 01:44 PM	#8
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	I tried out the 350 in a local Borders over and over, but I just couldn't live with the small screen. I want big pages! Plus, I like having wifi...

06-21-2011, 02:33 PM	#9
Flip Martian Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 45512 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS 350, iPad, Sony PRS-T1	All these replies are exactly why when anyone says "which to buy" I always say "you need to try them out and see which one suits you best". More so than computers or many other consumer electronics, I think ebook readers really are a very personal choice.

06-21-2011, 02:58 PM	#12
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Love my 950. The 350 is just too small for me. I carry a denim bag (for several reasons, not the least of which is that it's washable), but the 950 plus Oberon cover fits perfectly and I have lots of room left for other things. I love the extra screen real estate on the 950. But I can definitely see where the 350 would be nice for portability for those who don't like bigger bags and for the lightness. Even though I've never found my 950 plus cover too heavy. I think it's the ergonomics though, because reading with the iPad in bed is awkward but reading with the 950 with the cover folded back is pure pleasure.

06-21-2011, 10:16 PM	#14
JayB Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 257172 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: PRS-950 PRS-300	The 350 is an awesome little E-reader. Its unbelievable how small and light it is. The screen also seems a little sharper than my 950. If Sony offered one more font size between S and M it would make it 100 times better. This is one of the main reasons I wanted a bigger screen. I kept getting stuck between too small and too large on quite a few books. It still took every bit of willpower I had not to buy one this weekend when I saw them at Best Buy for $110. That is a great price for such a unique E-Reader.

06-21-2011, 11:16 PM	#15
Soul_Est Gadgetic Young Man Posts: 58 Karma: 300 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Device: BlackBerry Z30, Sony PRS-650, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1	It is a choice made up of ergonomics and features when choosing the right Reader for you. I liked the both the PRS-350 and PRS-650 when I tested them out at a SONY Style store last year but ended up buying the PRS-650 for three reasons: 1. Screen size. To quote ScalyFreak, "I want big pages!" 2. Expandability. The amount of extra storage space I could add to the PRS-650 meant that I could store more books than I could ever imagine or use as another backup drive (that the Reader could not access). 3. Color. As much as I liked the PRS-350's sharp display, SONY's decision not to release the PRS-350 and PRS-650 in the same colors meant that if I wanted a non-metallic finish on my Reader (which helps a lot when I read under harsh lighting), the PRS-650 was my only choice as it came in matte black.