1st eReader- PRS-T1 or go retro: PRS-650

[surfdog]

First, I would like to say, how welcomed I feel in this forum. This was my first post and I am highly gratified by all the thoughtful responses! I have joined several other similar forums for my music/guitar avocations, and have never received so many responses to any post!

I find it interesting that NO ONE so far has recommended that I go for the T1. Quite a few people have recommended the benefits of wi-fi, but not the T1 specifically.

As several people have mentioned, I cannot imagine that I will ever have a real NEED to instantly download a book by wi-fi, because, even when I am traveling, my laptop is close at hand. And, based on the backlog of audiobooks I have collected, I am guessing I will always have a healthy queue of books on the device.

Still, I am tracking a couple of 950s (besides looking for 650s). Can't say I wouldn't like the larger size. I always want the best of everything, and it appears the 950 is Sony's zenith to date.

[seajewel]

well to give you a perspective on why hooking up a reader can be annoying: my 505 is old and that is probably why, but once I hook it up to the computer, it takes about 5mins+ for the reader to work again once I disconnect it. After that it's all fine, but even that can be an annoyance. Compare that to my phone, where I can instantly browse to my entire library, plus feedbooks, Project Gutenberg, soforth, and download a book whenever I'm connected to wi-fi, without having to turn on my computer, hook up the device, soforth. It sounds minor and I am fine with my 505, but honestly, it's really nice to be able to do all that without connecting my reader to the computer. If you keep your entire library on your reader it won't matter much but I prefer to keep my books in my cloud storage and then download once in a while, and keep my reader relatively free (probably because it's a 505 and I suspect that some of the slow-down issues have to do with keeping hundreds of books on it).

As for recommending the T1 itself, I don't have it so I cannot. I'm thinking I'll wait for the next Generation of Sony readers though. if anything I'll get a refurbished Nook. The T1 looks nice but I don't like the glossy bezel or the reported problems.

[rashkae]

Just 2 more text sizes seems like a small thing, but having one between Small and Medium makes a *big* difference to me. Back when I was reading with the 650, I was actually using Calibre to scale fonts on books to get a comfortable e-ink reading size. I don't miss those days

The T1 Zoom feature is also very very nice if you have books with high quality images, such as maps, or geneolgy trees, as comon examples. Alas, most publishers shrink the image sizes until all detail is lost.

I also use my T1 as just a book reader, and have never suffered a crash or needed to reset the device. However it's obvious to me that the software was rushed out the door in an an unfinished state... If you try to select a range of text that extends near the bottom of the screen, you quikcly realize how little actual testing was done. Not to mention that actually trying to use those new optional fonts is.. quirky at best. (And Sony knew this when they put the product out, they even mentioned it in the manual somewhere.)

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by surfdog

I find it interesting that NO ONE so far has recommended that I go for the T1.

I always want the best of everything, and it appears the 950 is Sony's zenith to date.

S, Yes, the 950 would probably please you more than the 650...assuming you got one that is in good shape for a reasonable price.

I love my 950 and don't plan to upgrade at this point. However, even as much as I love my 950, knowing what I know now, if I were buying my first ereader at this point, I would surely opt for the T1. It is: (i) current; (ii) under warranty; (iii) at a good price; and (iv) has some nice additional features.

[Robert22]

I have a 350 and the T1 and would definitely recommend the T1. The glare from the frame that I thought I would hate before I got the unit did not turn out to be very bad in actual use.

I love how light weight it is. The screen was a lot better than my 350 (YMMV).

The WiFi is nice for a little browsing but a feature that I really like, is when you tap on a word while reading, you have the option of looking up that word on wikipedia and google search along with the built-in dictionaries.

It is also much more responsive in general and while drawing. In addition someone has also rooted it after it was out for 2 weeks and when this becomes available there are going to be a lot of functionality added to the T1.

My 2 cents.

[jersysman]

I won't recommend which of these to get as I feel that is a personal choice. I can tell you that I love my T1. It's the best reader I could have gotten for the price point where it is at. For me, I love the WiFi, you might not need to use it all the time, but one time it will come in handy and it is nice to know that it is there. The screen is great and the font selection is good. I've never had it crash on me, but others have, and I suspect that they will need to update their software. Borrowing from the library straight to the device is a great feature as well. This reader just unties your hands in lots of ways. The other readers all have their good points as well. I just wanted to point out what I like about the T1. YMMV and the choice is yours.

[advocate2]

I have a 350 Aand 950 and was thinking of picking up a six incher. I would go with the construction quality of the 650, but in getting a used one I have a concern that a year of the battery life is now gone. I can't find a cheap and easy solution to replace the battery once in dies.

[Rizla]

I'd go for the T1, and I have a 650. Rooted Android goodness--Yum!

I'd watch out for the reports of instability though.