PRS-600 PRS-600

[wachuko]

I went to the local SonyStyle store and was able to compare the 505 with the 700...

It must be the first time I don't buy the latest available gadget... I bought the 505.

The difference in the quality of the text was beyond my ability to justify getting the 700 or 600 (based on the video and photos I saw here) for their additional cool features. The glare and lack of crisp text just made it difficult to wait for the 600 or buy the 700. As much as I loved the touch screen I just could not bear reading from it.

Thank you everyone. Now to buy and download a few books, wooohoooo!!!

[doodlydood]

Hello to all. I've spent the evening with the PRS-505 and PRS-600 next to each other. Read the same book on both flipping back and forth under different lighting conditions. Inside, outside, bedroom, throne, office and family room.

I really *want* to like the PRS-600. It's sexier, has better navigation (love the swipe to change pages), is beautifully speedy, and well, it's a new toy.

At the end of the day, though, reading is about clarity. I spend ~1hr/day on my 505; after 20 minutes on the PRS-600 I could see that eye fatigue would be an issue.

[bhs]

Originally Posted by oliverh72

Shoechick, and for those still deciding...
...
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, I'd have to pay more to get a 600 AND then buy a case AND wait for it to arrive.
...
Oliver

As pointed out by Aubbie earlier, there is a US$100 credit offer, which could bring down the cost of 600 for 'some' US residents to $199.99 before tax. Good luck!

[afv011]

I'm on the same boat, I was looking forward to the 600, but I have doubts after the video showing the glare, quite a disappointment. I'll check it at the local SonyStyle this weekend though.

[joe_video]

... just received my PRS-600 yesterday. No regrets !!! I was worried about the screen reflection problem reported on the PRS-700. I found the screen clear and slightly reflective (which is OK and very acceptable for a touch unit - my GPS does the same and my laptop is even worst !). It recognizes my Kingston 16GB SD HC Card, the PDF handling and reflow is excellent. There is no cover but rather a pocket to store the unit. All the features worked has expected except the library software which for some reasons my computer was aborting execution. The problem was easy resolved by downloading the latest version from Sony store. If I had to give a rating, it would be 4.5 stars (on a max of 5). Hope it may help !!!

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by oliverh72

Hi all,

Okay I went and took another look and took some better photos. You can see all the photos here: http://www.positivebias.com/ebooks/ including some taken directly next to the prs700. After seeing them side by side again, I would say that the 600 is better than the 700, marginally. The 300 and 505 are definitely crisper though, and handle glare much better, as you can see in the first 2 photos in the gallery.

I'm also uploading a much longer video which shows the 505, 300 and 600 side by side with a good example of the different colors of the readers as well as how they handle glare.

I was even considering the 300 until I saw that it is plastic all the way along the edge as opposed to shiny metal like all the others. I guess they have to hit a price point somehow, right?

The movie can be found here: http://www.positivebias.com/ebooks/ebookreaders.mov at about 1:30 MST (Central)... sorry, it's still uploading.

I'll field any question I can answer, if people have them.

Oliver

Does ePub have full justification?

[zelda_pinwheel]

i would love to hear how the dictionary works from someone who has gotten a 600.

[rjfarrell]

Folks, let me offer an opinion on the 505 vs 700 screens. I have owned both.

I first bought the 700 because it was the newest model, and I generally go with the latest "bestest" gadget. I remember the moment it arrived at my door, I opened the box, and looked at the screen and I drew a breath. It was soupy green. I was sorely dissappointed. I tried living with it for about 6 months. Just couldnt get past the clarity and brightness. So I bought a 505. Which I totally adore. Perfect device.

I gave the 700 to a gal at work who really reads as much as I do, but as a single mom could never afford to buy one. She LOVES it. She reads without the sidelights on. I could never do that. I asked her if the screen color bothered her, and she looked at me quite quizzically. I did not show her the 505 screen. I do not want her to know the difference.

So in the end, the screen color and clarity will bother many of us. And not others. But I do wish the 600 was not in the same boat. Sort of. Saves me from the incredible urge to buy one! I will be keeping the 505, and praying they clean this up before my next purchase.

[joe_video]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i would love to hear how the dictionary works from someone who has gotten a 600.

... from the user Guide : "In the book page, double-tap the desired word. The pop-up menu appears, in which the headline of the word definition is displayed."

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by joe_video

... from the user Guide : "In the book page, double-tap the desired word. The pop-up menu appears, in which the headline of the word definition is displayed."

thanks joe_video, i did see that already in the guide. i'd be interested to know whether it's fast or slow, how easy it is to browse through, how good the dictionary support seems to be (what happens if you tap a conjugated verb ? does it find it ? what about plural forms of words ? if it doesn't find the word, does it suggest close options ? can you look up a word manually by typing it in ?), maybe a photo of the screen showing a definition...

[joe_video]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

Does ePub have full justification?

Yes, it has reflow capability

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by joe_video

Yes, it has reflow capability

It always had. In the 505 and 700, the mobile ADE (1st gen) didn't have the capability to display ePubs in block justification. The new generation of ADE does have this capability (and reflow, of course).

[informale]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

In the 505 and 700, the mobile ADE (1st gen) didn't have the capability to display ePubs in block justification.

So this means there's no chance Sony will ever fix this in 505 by, say, a firmware update?

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by informale

So this means there's no chance Sony will ever fix this in 505 by, say, a firmware update?

Wait for the Sony press conference (August 25 in NY). I think Sony will announce a FW update then.

[joe_video]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

thanks joe_video, i did see that already in the guide. i'd be interested to know whether it's fast or slow, how easy it is to browse through, how good the dictionary support seems to be (what happens if you tap a conjugated verb ? does it find it ? what about plural forms of words ? if it doesn't find the word, does it suggest close options ? can you look up a word manually by typing it in ?), maybe a photo of the screen showing a definition...

Dictionary Response: Almost immediate
Browsing: Easy. A small definition is given at the bottom of the page. Tapping on it give a full definition with examples.
Conjugated verbs are recognized
Plural also recognized
Dictionary does not suggest option on word(s) not found
Words can be manually searched by using the virtual keyboard
Two choices of dictionary are provided: New Oxford American Dictionary or Oxford Dictionary of English
The dictionary the information like a paper dictionary. That is, Pronunciation, gender, similar words (not synonym), definition, example, etc...