5" or 6"?

[Baldrake]

So I finally go to try out a CyBook Gen III. I was quite surprised how cheap and plasticy it felt for such an expensive device. However, the positive thing that I learned is that I think I'll be quite happy with a 5" reader. The CyBook seemed considerably larger than my needs. I guess all this time reading on my PDA has made any real ebook reader seem positively huge.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'm actually wondering the same, should I get a 5" (BeBook Mini) or a 6" (Sony 600) (or others...)

So far, I'm leaning on both... I like the small size of the 5" (I'm used to a 3.8" screen and I have that 7" screen too) but I like the touchscreen of the Sony 600...

I've got the Cybook Opus for 5 weeks now.
If you check the pics https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=145 you see: The difference between Sony 505 and Sony 300, just as an example, really is minimal.
It's about 1/2 inch in width and in height. Does this really increase mobility or portability?
Okay, the smaller the easier to hold in 1 hand. I see that myself when using the Kindle app on my iPhone.
But I can't imagine any situation, where this 1/2 inch actually might be crucial.
To me, the 5" units are at the limit. I can read on iPhone as well. But I do it for maybe 1 hour, but certainly not for 5 hours.
So, if it's going to be your sole reader and you intend to read quite intensively (> 90 minutes) personally I'd always recommend one of the 6" units.
5" to me is "second source", not sole unit.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by hike_gc

I was really hoping to purchase a 6 or 7-inch screen model but there are no good options right now in the US. I do want something portable and not just to read at home but am concerned the 5-inch screens are too small. I am also concerned the touch screen technology still has a ways to go. Since you own both a 5 and 6 inch model, is there really not that much difference in reading on the smaller screen?

No good options in the US? You certainly shouldn't move to "old Europe". It's way less options here. But on the other side, it's way more expensive...

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I've got the Cybook Opus for 5 weeks now.
If you check the pics https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=145 you see: The difference between Sony 505 and Sony 300, just as an example, really is minimal.
It's about 1/2 inch in width and in height. Does this really increase mobility or portability?
Okay, the smaller the easier to hold in 1 hand. I see that myself when using the Kindle app on my iPhone.
But I can't imagine any situation, where this 1/2 inch actually might be crucial.

That size difference is actually critical. At least for guys. This is from first-hand experience, not from looking at pictures. I have been using a 505 for almost 2 years. Great ebook device. Got a 300 recently.And I can slip it in my front pants pocket. Very easy to take along, and I don't know it's there.The 505 needed an overcoat pocket or backpack (or thigh pocket on cargo pants) to come along with me. The 300 slides in my jeans pocket (in the pouch, of course).

I've read about 4 books on the 300 so far. Very similar reading experience as the 505. Very different from the Palm and (more recently) blackberry on-screen reading. Totally comfortable when reading for hours on end (which I have done!). It's my daily, go-to ebook device now. (Even at home, I haven't felt the urge to pick up the 505 instead, although I could!)

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

That size difference is actually critical. At least for guys. This is from first-hand experience, not from looking at pictures. I have been using a 505 for almost 2 years. Great ebook device. Got a 300 recently.And I can slip it in my front pants pocket. Very easy to take along, and I don't know it's there.The 505 needed an overcoat pocket or backpack (or thigh pocket on cargo pants) to come along with me. The 300 slides in my jeans pocket (in the pouch, of course).

The 300 slips into your jeans front pocket? And no problems when you are sitting down, etc? Since even 3.6" phones are a tight fit for me, my question is, are you as tall as a professional basketball player?

[Baldrake]

All depends on how tight you wear your jeans, Hans.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I've got the Cybook Opus for 5 weeks now.
If you check the pics https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=145 you see: The difference between Sony 505 and Sony 300, just as an example, really is minimal.
It's about 1/2 inch in width and in height. Does this really increase mobility or portability?
Okay, the smaller the easier to hold in 1 hand. I see that myself when using the Kindle app on my iPhone.
But I can't imagine any situation, where this 1/2 inch actually might be crucial.
To me, the 5" units are at the limit. I can read on iPhone as well. But I do it for maybe 1 hour, but certainly not for 5 hours.
So, if it's going to be your sole reader and you intend to read quite intensively (> 90 minutes) personally I'd always recommend one of the 6" units.
5" to me is "second source", not sole unit.

My primary time to read is in bed, at night. And I'll always use a backlit LCD screen for that (so, the JE100). But I want something to replace my PDA (as the JE100 doesn't have a transflective screen, it can't be used outside and other well-lit areas and I still use my PDA there). So, I need to have it portable.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

My primary time to read is in bed, at night. And I'll always use a backlit LCD screen for that (so, the JE100). But I want something to replace my PDA (as the JE100 doesn't have a transflective screen, it can't be used outside and other well-lit areas and I still use my PDA there). So, I need to have it portable.

But if you compare measurements, it's about 1/2 inch in height and another 1/2 inch in width. Does this really decide about portability or not? I actually was surprised, how small a difference there is between Sony 505 and Cybook Opus or Sony300.
When discussion about 5" started (eInk, not PDAs, SmartPhones or Jetbook), I've expected some change in UI, to further increase compactness.
Something like "Highest comfort = lots of buttons and space for holding the unit" for 6" vs. "mainly the the display itself and wasting as little of additional space as possible" on 5".
Looking at Sony 300, it's more or less identical to its "predecessor" Sony 505. It's really just 1" for the screen (=diagonal) = less than 1" in height and width.
In my opinion, there certainly would be options, to further increase compactness.
Just an example: For turning pages, Sony 300 has buttons on the bottom, Cybook Opus on the right of the display.
Theoretically, those could be on the back. When holding you unit in your palm, you easily could press buttons on the back. Might increase depth of the unit by some millimeters, but further decrease height and width. Of course, one would have to consider how to handle such an option when having the unit in its cover. I'm not going for a patent here ;-), just to briefly describe my thoughts...

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

But if you compare measurements, it's about 1/2 inch in height and another 1/2 inch in width. Does this really decide about portability or not? I actually was surprised, how small a difference there is between Sony 505 and Cybook Opus or Sony300.

If the 1/2" is the difference between the unit fitting in your pants or shirt pocket or not, then yes, it really would make a difference regarding portability.

To my mind, there are different levels of portability. At one extreme, there is carry and ignore portability which PDAs, mobile phones and smart phones can achieve; they are so small, that you don't really notice them unless you are using them. At the other end, are devices that are transportable, but not something you are going to willingly bring with you without a very good reason; 17" laptops would be an example of this end of the spectrum.

For men at least, the difference between the 5" and 6" screen may well be a treshhold. I know my 5" jetbook fits in my loose fitting jeans or kahkis. My Wife's 6" PRS505 simply doesn't. Which am I more likely to bring with me?

When discussion about 5" started (eInk, not PDAs, SmartPhones or Jetbook), I've expected some change in UI, to further increase compactness.
Something like "Highest comfort = lots of buttons and space for holding the unit" for 6" vs. "mainly the the display itself and wasting as little of additional space as possible" on 5".
Looking at Sony 300, it's more or less identical to its "predecessor" Sony 505. It's really just 1" for the screen (=diagonal) = less than 1" in height and width.
In my opinion, there certainly would be options, to further increase compactness.
Just an example: For turning pages, Sony 300 has buttons on the bottom, Cybook Opus on the right of the display.
Theoretically, those could be on the back. When holding you unit in your palm, you easily could press buttons on the back. Might increase depth of the unit by some millimeters, but further decrease height and width. Of course, one would have to consider how to handle such an option when having the unit in its cover. I'm not going for a patent here ;-), just to briefly describe my thoughts...

I am not sure why you don't include the Jetbook... after all, it is a dedicated reader . Anyway, I see where you are going, but I am not sure controls on the back of the unit are a great idea. I agree that they could make the unit more compact, but at I suspect that unless you always kept your hand in the same location, it would be too easy to hit the wrong button.

Now a 5" device with a touch screen could be the best over all choice for making a unit as compact as possible while at the same time making it easy to use. In fact, I imagine you might be able to make a 6" unit small enough to fit into many pants pockets... as long as you could make the unit robust enough to survive the occasional fall.

--
Bill

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

But if you compare measurements, it's about 1/2 inch in height and another 1/2 inch in width. Does this really decide about portability or not? I actually was surprised, how small a difference there is between Sony 505 and Cybook Opus or Sony300.

When I first saw the 300, I thought it could be smaller. The same with the Opus. Too much non-screen material (especially on the sides of the screen). Right now, I'm mostly divided between the Sony 600 and the BeBook Mini (Hanlin V5). If we win the state lottery tomorrow, I'll be buying both, but I'm not counting on that

[sian]

we were reading ebooks on a pocket pc rx31155 but it decided to mess up. plus we need a tts which we can install now as the pda is old (no longer supported) so i got a kindle 2 for my birthday.

but i also been on the astak ezreader site (which i lost the link for).
the kindle dont do all the formats i want so i brought my parner a pocket pro which does all the formats i want and tts and sd card.

just wished i could get myself a ezreader too

[gpsygirl]

I, like sweetpea, am trying to decide between the new pocket pro and the Sony 600. I've read so much helpful information from everyone here and want to express my gratitude for all that you share. My biggest issue between the two is the TTS on the PP vs. the highlighting and annotations on the 600, both of which would be of great value to me.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by gpsygirl

I, like sweetpea, am trying to decide between the new pocket pro and the Sony 600. I've read so much helpful information from everyone here and want to express my gratitude for all that you share. My biggest issue between the two is the TTS on the PP vs. the highlighting and annotations on the 600, both of which would be of great value to me.

The best thing to do is to prioritize. Make a list of Necessities and a list of Usefuls.

If touchscreen and highlight is mandatory, the 600 should be your choice. If multiple format or TTS is more important, then choose the PEZ.

But also look into support. The Sony is well-known and as such, has a history of support behind the name. Astak is relatively unknown, as they are new to the scene, however, just in the last month alone there have been 3-4 firmware updates, and another on the way, addressing certain issues, as well as another format support due very soon.

I honestly cannot supply information on Sony's firmware updates, as I am not following any of the threads. Perhaps someone else can elucidate me on that.

Anyway, suffice to say that the ebook reader market is a smörgåsbord of different devices for different readers. Good luck finding yours.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

But also look into support. The Sony is well-known and as such, has a history of support behind the name. Astak is relatively unknown, as they are new to the scene, however, just in the last month alone there have been 3-4 firmware updates, and another on the way, addressing certain issues, as well as another format support due very soon.

I honestly cannot supply information on Sony's firmware updates, as I am not following any of the threads. Perhaps someone else can elucidate me on that.

Jinke (Astak) is one of the few (only?) supplying regular updates to its firmware. In addition, the Jinke device is supported by the third-party open source team at OpenInkpot.

I love Jinke's update process, but honesty forces me to note it may not be to everyone's taste. Arguably, the initial release had many rough edges. Jinke then listed to its customers and quickly polished the biggest issues. They have continued to re-release the software -- each time improving in areas requested by customers. I prefer this rapid development approach that is guided by customer feedback.

In contrast, Sony and Amazon have released much more polished products. With these two companies you may disagree with how the software works, but it is less arguable that the software is unfinished. On the other hand, history has indicated that it is unlikely you will see new releases with substantial revisions. Customers on Amazon have been asking for folders since day one, and even when new software came out for the K2 and the DX there were no steps in this direction.

I do recognize, however, that many people prefer the latter release approach.

[frozennorth]

Originally Posted by gpsygirl

I, like sweetpea, am trying to decide between the new pocket pro and the Sony 600. I've read so much helpful information from everyone here and want to express my gratitude for all that you share. My biggest issue between the two is the TTS on the PP vs. the highlighting and annotations on the 600, both of which would be of great value to me.

Check here for more info on TTS on the Pocket Pro. There is even a link to a voice sample.