First Impressions of the PRS-700

[ronnn]

Please Nate, can I ask you what is the body casing made of, metal or plastic ?

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by ronnn

Please Nate, can I ask you what is the body casing made of, metal or plastic ?

I didn't think to check. But the body casing is probably the same as the 505 and 500- a metal foil on plastic shell.

[dynabook]

Au Contraire!. The end caps of the PRS-500 and 505 are foil over plastic but the main body is extruded aluminum.

I expect the PRS-700 is the same.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

But the body casing is probably the same as the 505 and 500- a metal foil on plastic shell.

Actually, in 505 and 500 the enclosure was extruded aluminum, and not the metal foil on plastic shell. The extruded aluminum enclosures are getting very popular in recent years. For instance, the enclosure of the product my company makes is also made of extruded aluminum. The main board slides in and out of the aluminum enclosure.

[aru]

Dear Nate:

Thank you for your hands-on review.
I am very interested in the PRS-700 having used a 500 and now a 505. The reason for my buying the 505 was the improved display. The 700 has the added benefit of touch screen and front-light, however does the additional layer of the front pane of glass/plastic, which is somewhat distanced from the display to allow for the LEDs, deteriorate the image? Is there a difference in clarity and contrast between the 700 and the 505?

[Nate the great]

That is something I didn't think of. I don't beleive there was a difference, but I didn't do a page by page comparison of the two devices.

[bahz]

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I've been trying to look around for other people's opinion on this (which led me to this forum) but so far I have only found one other person mention this.

Hope that helps. I'd really like to hear more people's opinion on this matter. It would seem to me that for a reader, a better contrast would outweigh a touchscreen and slightly faster page turns.
But I've been waffling back and forth on this issue now. Any other thoughts out there?

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by bahz

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I've been trying to look around for other people's opinion on this (which led me to this forum) but so far I have only found one other person mention this.

Hope that helps. I'd really like to hear more people's opinion on this matter. It would seem to me that for a reader, a better contrast would outweigh a touchscreen and slightly faster page turns.
But I've been waffling back and forth on this issue now. Any other thoughts out there?

How is that possible? They're both suppose to use the same screen technology - Vizplex Eink. Can you take a picture of them side by side?

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

How is that possible? They're both suppose to use the same screen technology - Vizplex Eink. Can you take a picture of them side by side?

If the touch technology is placed above the e-ink display, it might reduce the effective contrast.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

If the touch technology is placed above the e-ink display, it might reduce the effective contrast.

The PRS-700 is presumably using PVI's Touch EPD, which is based on force sensors under the e-paper display.

[bahz]

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by bahz

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

It may be the front light. It could reduce apparent contrast on certain conditions and improve it in others.

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by bahz

Unfortunately I won't be going back for some time, so I won't be able to get you any pictures. Hopefully some other people can get them.

If the sensors are under the display, I can only image that it has something to do with making sure the screen doesn't pick up too many smudges from the touch interface as well as wear and tear from the stylus.

This is worrying. You are the second one to voice this problem. I was going to order the PRS700 as soon as it came out but now I think I'll wait a bit.

[dhbailey]

What is worrying about it? No matter, I've pre-ordered mine so I'll be a guinea pig!

[Tomek]

Originally Posted by bahz

I was at the Sony Style store this Sunday and the first thing I noticed was that the 505 seemed to have better contrast than the 700.
Now looking at the 700 alone, you don't really notice anything, but side by side, the difference is somewhat startling (at least to me)

I have also noticed the difference in contrast when comparing the two side by side in the store - 700's background looked significantly darker. I was almost ready to buy it, but combined with the lack of dictionary support the 700 doesn't seem worth the price. I'm waiting to see what the new Kindle will have to offer...