Going to buy first ebook device, help needed.

[HorridRedDog]

Same here, no problem with my PRS-360. I love the style and the interface.

But I am considering a PocketBook 360. Price: $239.00

It seems to have a "hard" removable cover, and that may be more important to you than to me.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by GrouchoM

I'm in Pakistan right now ... Buying books from amazon and even locally is way too expensive ...

What I need in the device.

Dictionary - A dictionary is a must.

PDF support - I will be reading pdfs mostly

Reliability - Like I said im in Pakistan ... so I need something that won't break down on me after a month since getting it back to the US willbe costly.

Price - $160 to $250

(Quote shortened internally)

Does the Sony support a dictionary within your pdf files? (These are text based pdfs, not image files, right?) If so, that seems a deal maker to me. But the Sony doesn't actually come with a dictionary, does it? That's a great function on the Kindle 2 ... but it doesn't work within pdfs. The Kindle 2 is $259 delivered in the US; you're friend will be schlepping it to PK, that's pretty close to your price range. And the screen is bigger than the Sony PRS 300 series.

[GrouchoM]

Even if its an image based pdf, can't you just look up a word using onscreen keyboard?

[Ea]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Does the Sony support a dictionary within your pdf files? (These are text based pdfs, not image files, right?) If so, that seems a deal maker to me. But the Sony doesn't actually come with a dictionary, does it? That's a great function on the Kindle 2 ... but it doesn't work within pdfs. The Kindle 2 is $259 delivered in the US; you're friend will be schlepping it to PK, that's pretty close to your price range. And the screen is bigger than the Sony PRS 300 series.

I was thinking about whether dictionary lookup would work in PDFs too? No-one seems to have addressed this (I'm afraid I don't know).

I would not recommend the Kindle 2 for PDFs; dictionary lookup does not work, and the general implementation of PDF in Kindle 2 is very 'basic' - i.e. only really usable for PDFs created for a 6" screen size. I don't know if it's better on Kindle DX??

[GrouchoM]

can anyone with a prs 600 take a screen of a book I'm going to send? Its a pdf

[angelad]

Originally Posted by Ea

I was thinking about whether dictionary lookup would work in PDFs too? No-one seems to have addressed this (I'm afraid I don't know).

I would not recommend the Kindle 2 for PDFs; dictionary lookup does not work, and the general implementation of PDF in Kindle 2 is very 'basic' - i.e. only really usable for PDFs created for a 6" screen size. I don't know if it's better on Kindle DX??

Its better on KDX, much better.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by angelad

Its better on KDX, much better.

In what way? For example, do you mean you can look up words in the dictionary or set zoom level? In what ways is it better than the Kindle 2? I think the OP is better served if you explain why it is much better

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Ea

In what way? For example, do you mean you can look up words in the dictionary or set zoom level? In what ways is it better than the Kindle 2? I think the OP is better served if you explain why it is much better

I suspect it's mostly better because of screen size--letter/A4 sized PDFs are readable, if a bit small, on a DX. Smaller-than-full-page PDFs, like many journals and novels, can show up full-sized.

I believe the software functions are the same; the bigger screen eliminates the need for zoom/reflow on some files.

[MAT160]

I have a PRS-600 and I'm very happy with it.
I've used daily since Dec. 24, 2009 for several hours a day without a problem.
Hope this helps!

[jabberwock_11]

There is a lot to e said for both the Sony line of readers and the Neo/Boox.

The Sony line of readers is very user friendly, supports a wide variety of formats, and is well designed and sturdy. On the down side, the Sony Readers do have a difficult time with PDF and can be a bit slow to refresh after being linked to a computer.

The Neo/Boox have WiFi for over the air downloading, is very customizable, reads PDF fairly well, refreshes insanely fast, and also supports a wide variety of formats. On the downside, the Neo/Boox has a lower level of contrast (looks a bit grey rather than a sharp black), isn't quite as sturdy, has less battery storage, and has fewer accessories currently available for it.

I am a big fan of both of these devices (I own a Sony PRS-505 and a BeBook Neo) and would recommend either as a first time ebook reader.

[pboss]

Good summary. I know how easy it is to become paralyzed by choices. Whatever e-reader you end up with this time, it certainly won't be your last.