PRS-300 Have the 600, considering switching to 300

flyash · 06-21-2010, 11:10 AM

The Sony 600 is my first e-reader, and I've had it for a couple of weeks now, and I find it causes a bit of eye strain (I don't know if it's the contrast or the glare). I just ordered an LED light, so maybe that will resolve the issue.

If it doesn't, I'm thinking of switching to the 300. I don't care so much that I'll lose external memory slots, dictionary, touchscreen, or pdf zoom.

But I am worried about diminished pdf readability, since much of my reading content is in pdf form. I view many of my pdfs in landscape mode on the 600, which after cropping the pdfs, works pretty well without having to resort to resizing the text. When playing around with the 300 briefly at the store, I didn't see a landscape option - is there one?

Are there any drawbacks to the 300 relative to the 600 that I'm missing?

kartu · 06-21-2010, 01:12 PM

flyash

Quote:

Are there any drawbacks to the 300 relative to the 600 that I'm missing?

Screen size.

8 (eight) prs 300 screens would fit on A4 page. Fold it 3 times and you'll get the idea.

flyash · 06-21-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartu

flyash

Screen size.

LOL, yes of course I'm aware that the screen is a bit smaller on the 300.

dorino · 06-21-2010, 01:57 PM

It's not just "a bit" smaller. It's 17% smaller than your current screen, by diagonal. The 300 is the worst PDF reader I've ever used. It's great with everything else, and the screen is flipping wonderful, size excluded.

flyash · 06-21-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorino

The 300 is the worst PDF reader I've ever used.

Ouch. Does it have a landscape mode?

Maybe I need to consider the Nook, especially now that the Nook wifi is available for $150. Plus the screen on the Nook looked great compared to the Sony 600, when I checked it out at the store.

dorino · 06-21-2010, 02:06 PM

I'm personally not a fan of the Nook, I found the LCD touch screen distracting. (Though the 150 dollar price tag is impressive!)

Because of the touch screen and the ability to pan and zoom with relative ease, the PRS-600 is easily one of the best PDF readers.

The 300 does have landscape mode, but it will still do a poorer job at reading PDFs.

grizedale · 06-21-2010, 02:14 PM

The quality is amazing (epub shown) but agree PDF's are a no-no

flyash · 06-21-2010, 02:32 PM

Other than zoom (which I don't use on my 600) and smaller screen, is there any difference in pdf functionality between the 300 and the 600?

dorino · 06-21-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyash

Other than zoom (which I don't use on my 600) and smaller screen, is there any difference in pdf functionality between the 300 and the 600?

I believe reflow is worse as a result of the smaller screen.

You might consider the new 150 dollar nook, if you like it.

akito38 · 06-21-2010, 04:05 PM

You can always convert your PDF's using Rasterfarian or Calibre to make them Sony E reader compatible. you might want to give that a shot. Because the books look a hell of a lot better after the conversion.

flyash · 06-21-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akito38

You can always convert your PDF's using Rasterfarian or Calibre to make them Sony E reader compatible. you might want to give that a shot. Because the books look a hell of a lot better after the conversion.

I use Calibre, but haven't bothered converting PDFs. What would I convert them to for best results? ePub?

kartu · 06-21-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyash

LOL, yes of course I'm aware that the screen is a bit smaller on the 300.

I also was away, that it was smaller, yet it was surprising, how small it actually is...

dorino · 06-21-2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyash

I use Calibre, but haven't bothered converting PDFs. What would I convert them to for best results? ePub?

If they're image-less, anything through calibre would do.

If they have images, good luck! Damn hard to convert a complex pdf book well with images intact...

jotekman · 06-22-2010, 05:31 AM

I bought both the 600 and 300 at a Sony Style store that was going out of business.... and promptly took the 600 back the next day (the 300 was for my fiancee). The screen on the 300 just blew the 600 away imho. And you are right, the 600 was more difficult to read in slightly lower light, while the 300 was just fine. Try the Nook, although when I tested that, I hated the refresh rate and the screen isnt all that much better than the 600. I agree that you should try Calibre to convert to ePub. Anyone try converting to LRF? Haven't used that file type yet, as I only go convert to ePubs.

KayakerNC · 06-22-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyash

Are there any drawbacks to the 300 relative to the 600 that I'm missing?

The 600 has a bigger screen.
The 600 has a "Touch" screen (if you would rather not read through fingerprints, this may not be an advantage).
The 600 has extra storage using SD card or Stick.
The 600 has a built in dictionary.
The 600 can do notes, not just the bookmark.

06-21-2010, 11:10 AM	#1
flyash Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1003498 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	Have the 600, considering switching to 300 The Sony 600 is my first e-reader, and I've had it for a couple of weeks now, and I find it causes a bit of eye strain (I don't know if it's the contrast or the glare). I just ordered an LED light, so maybe that will resolve the issue. If it doesn't, I'm thinking of switching to the 300. I don't care so much that I'll lose external memory slots, dictionary, touchscreen, or pdf zoom. But I am worried about diminished pdf readability, since much of my reading content is in pdf form. I view many of my pdfs in landscape mode on the 600, which after cropping the pdfs, works pretty well without having to resort to resizing the text. When playing around with the 300 briefly at the store, I didn't see a landscape option - is there one? Are there any drawbacks to the 300 relative to the 600 that I'm missing?

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06-21-2010, 01:57 PM	#4
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	It's not just "a bit" smaller. It's 17% smaller than your current screen, by diagonal. The 300 is the worst PDF reader I've ever used. It's great with everything else, and the screen is flipping wonderful, size excluded.

06-21-2010, 02:06 PM	#6
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	I'm personally not a fan of the Nook, I found the LCD touch screen distracting. (Though the 150 dollar price tag is impressive!) Because of the touch screen and the ability to pan and zoom with relative ease, the PRS-600 is easily one of the best PDF readers. The 300 does have landscape mode, but it will still do a poorer job at reading PDFs.

06-21-2010, 02:14 PM	#7
grizedale kindle Convert Posts: 204 Karma: 5628 Join Date: May 2010 Location: UK, County Durham Device: kindle Scribe	The quality is amazing (epub shown) but agree PDF's are a no-no

06-21-2010, 02:32 PM	#8
flyash Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1003498 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	Other than zoom (which I don't use on my 600) and smaller screen, is there any difference in pdf functionality between the 300 and the 600?

06-21-2010, 04:05 PM	#10
akito38 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony PRS - 600 touch edition	You can always convert your PDF's using Rasterfarian or Calibre to make them Sony E reader compatible. you might want to give that a shot. Because the books look a hell of a lot better after the conversion.

06-22-2010, 05:31 AM	#14
jotekman Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 52 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Device: Sony PRS-300	I bought both the 600 and 300 at a Sony Style store that was going out of business.... and promptly took the 600 back the next day (the 300 was for my fiancee). The screen on the 300 just blew the 600 away imho. And you are right, the 600 was more difficult to read in slightly lower light, while the 300 was just fine. Try the Nook, although when I tested that, I hated the refresh rate and the screen isnt all that much better than the 600. I agree that you should try Calibre to convert to ePub. Anyone try converting to LRF? Haven't used that file type yet, as I only go convert to ePubs.