Any more reviews of PRS-950?

[Bic]

I've narrowed down my choice to a Kindle 3 and the Sony PRS-950. But I can find only a few reviews of the Sony. So far, I've found more reviews for the Nook Color than the Sony 950, and the Nook has only been out a week! It seems that the major tech sites (Gizmodo, Engadget, even NY Times) are all ignoring the Sony. So few people seem to be commenting on it compared to the Kindle or Nook, that I'm concerned it won't be around too long.

What do you users think of it? My concern is if I really need the touch screen. I'd like the 7" size (over the typical 6"), but is it really larger? (Is it just taller or is it as wide or narrower than the Kindle 3?). Is the page-turning as fast and the typeface as crisp as the pearl e-ink screen on the K3? Any comparative reviews would help. Thanks

[varmemester]

Video reviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsW-m9VJEq8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sYTLtYPh90
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vuDOPp8cAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgr_dGNW1sA

Text review:
http://www.the-ebook-reader.com/sony-prs-950.html

User Guide:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/wcsstore/Son...set-236242.pdf

[Bookworm_Girl]

Hello, Bic. Many of the reviews came out several months ago when Sony first unveiled the new models 350/650/950. If you live in the US, then I suggest you should visit a retail store where you can get some hands-on experience. The Sony is at Best Buy, Borders, Sony Style. The Kindle is at Best Buy, Target, Staples. Hopefully you have one of those stores nearby. Best Buy is the best option since you can compare the Sony, Kindle and Nook side-by-side.

Sony makes a great product, and you can tell the quality difference when you hold it in your hands. They have the same Pearl eink screens as the Kindle. They have a large market internationally, which most people don't realize. Their US ereaders have been around since late-2006 (before there was a Kindle to compete with). The touch screen makes it easy to tap on words to access the dictionary and to make quick highlights and notes. And, I like turning the page by swiping the screen better than using buttons. They also have announced iPhone and Android apps coming soon in December to access the Sony Bookstore from your mobile phone.

Engadget has a review here with a video and a very large gallery of photos.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/s...entire-reader/

CNET has a review here.
http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-reade...-34167294.html

[Bic]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Hello, Bic. Many of the reviews came out several months ago when Sony first unveiled the new models 350/650/950.

Engadget has a review here with a video and a very large gallery of photos.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/s...entire-reader/

CNET has a review here.
http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-reade...-34167294.html

Thanks, Bookworm Girl, but these are not for the PRS-950. Other than the EBook Reader review and the ones on YouTube (which I've seen, but thanks varmemester), all the major tech sites seem to be ignoring the 950.

I'm glad to hear about the Android apps (I have Kindle for Android, not bad for my 4.3 inch Sprint Evo screen). I do like the light weight of the K3, don't mind pressing buttons to turn pages (concerned about fingerprints when reading a touchscreen), but do like the idea of 7" screen. When I went to BestBuy they didn't have any demo models of the 950. My other concern is that inkmesh.com (which searches for ebooks and compares prices) claims that Sony books are still more expensive on average than Amazon or B&N and have more problems in getting many ebooks compared to the other two. (see http://goo.gl/2eFXZ). Finally, I worry about Customer Service -- the few times I tried calling Sony to ask some questions, it was a miserable experience. Amazon on the otherhand has been terrific.

so you can see I'm on the fence between K3 and Sony 950 and weighing all factors before I jump in. That's why I was hoping to read some first-hand accounts of the 950 (not the 650 or 350) here, but I'm surprised at how few there are (here and in the tech blogs)

[talaivan]

I like the 950 much more. Its advantages:
1. Touch. This is crucial.
2. No plastic keyboard -- the whole device is the screen.
3. Markup with stylus.
4. Bigger screen, better pdf support.
5. epub is better than mobi -- no jagged margins for justified text; epub is a widely used standard mobi isn't.
6. Easy look-up by just hitting a word with your finger.

The Kindle does have one advantage I can think of: the ability to hear text spoken. This could be very useful while driving. The reading is remarkably natural. But I wasn't interested in this. Also, the Amazon book store seems to be better than Sony's.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Bic

Thanks, Bookworm Girl, but these are not for the PRS-950. Other than the EBook Reader review and the ones on YouTube (which I've seen, but thanks varmemester), all the major tech sites seem to be ignoring the 950.

I think it's hard to find in-depth views of the 950 because it's only been out for a month. The 950 is also known as the Daily Edition. The Engadget review that I linked to covers all 3 models (350/650/950). Keep scrolling to the bottom of the review and there is a paragraph dedicated to the Daily Edition (950). Also check out the photos in the gallery. Photo 31 shows all three models side-by-side so you can get an idea of size (950 is on the right). Photos 44-48 are close-ups of the 950. The CNET link goes to a review of the 950 as well (although it shows photos and discusses the other models too).

Originally Posted by Bic

I'm glad to hear about the Android apps (I have Kindle for Android, not bad for my 4.3 inch Sprint Evo screen).

You can see more about the apps at this link. I think it is great that Sony is finally introducing mobile apps. However, I doubt they will have the ability to sync your reading spot between your phone and ereader like the Kindle app can.
http://ebookstore.sony.com/rme/

Originally Posted by Bic

I do like the light weight of the K3, don't mind pressing buttons to turn pages (concerned about fingerprints when reading a touchscreen), but do like the idea of 7" screen. When I went to BestBuy they didn't have any demo models of the 950.

Not all Best Buy's have updated their displays yet. If you have seen a 350/650, then it will give you a good idea of the 950. The screen clarity will be the same. The menu structure and user interface is also the same. Most of the reviews you read on the 650 will apply to the 950. The main difference is that the 950 has the extra inch of screen, the web browser and 3G / Wi-fi access to the Sony Store. MobileRead has a hardware matrix where you can compare specs. The 950 and Kindle are about the same size, and I can't really tell the difference in weight between the two models. The 950 is really light-weight as well. Also I was surprised at how well the touchscreen doesn't show fingerprints (much better than my iPhone screen).
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

Originally Posted by Bic

My other concern is that inkmesh.com (which searches for ebooks and compares prices) claims that Sony books are still more expensive on average than Amazon or B&N and have more problems in getting many ebooks compared to the other two.

Inkmesh is one of my favorite sites! I would search your favorite authors on inkmesh to make sure they are not exclusive to Amazon. I have very diverse reading tastes and have never found a lack of ebooks to purchase for my Sony. Also the 950 works with digital libraries so I have access to loads of free books. The Kindle is not compatible with the ebook format that e-libraries use. The great thing about EPUB is you are not locked to the Sony bookstore so you can buy from other stores like Borders, Kobo, fictionwise and booksonboard. You can't buy from B&N since it uses a different DRM-encryption that doesn't work with Sony. Check out the sticky thread at the top of the Sony forum for a long list of alternate bookstores. Also visit the Sony or other ebookstores directly and start clicking around to see if it has the books you are interested in. I put a link below to the Sony store. Since 5 of the big publishers have fixed their pricing, there is less difference between the stores than there used to be.
http://ebookstore.sony.com/

Originally Posted by Bic

Finally, I worry about Customer Service -- the few times I tried calling Sony to ask some questions, it was a miserable experience. Amazon on the otherhand has been terrific.

I think there is no doubt that Amazon has better customer service than Sony from what I've heard. I don't really use either. I mostly come here to MobileRead for help!

Originally Posted by Bic

so you can see I'm on the fence between K3 and Sony 950 and weighing all factors before I jump in. That's why I was hoping to read some first-hand accounts of the 950 (not the 650 or 350) here, but I'm surprised at how few there are (here and in the tech blogs)

I have both the 950 and the K3, and I like them both. I think most buyers could be happy with either one. Why do I have both?

I use the 950 as my primary ereader because I love the extra inch and the touch-screen. I also like the user interface of the Sony better. It has a really excellent collection system for organization, and I like that I can view my book lists as cover images.

I use the K3 for newspapers, magazines and blogs. The Kindle really excels in this area. The selection is much better. Also I have accumulated quite a few promotional free ebooks for the Kindle. Lastly, a handful of authors are exclusive to Amazon so I have the best of both worlds by having both brands.

Good luck with your research!

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

...
I use the 950 as my primary ereader because I love the extra inch and the touch-screen. I also like the user interface of the Sony better. It has a really excellent collection system for organization, and I like that I can view my book lists as cover images.

I use the K3 for newspapers, magazines and blogs. The Kindle really excels in this area. The selection is much better. Also I have accumulated quite a few promotional free ebooks for the Kindle. Lastly, a handful of authors are exclusive to Amazon so I have the best of both worlds by having both brands...

Your detailed post will be helpful to many! Practical use for more than one eReader.

[rhadin]

The problem I have found with the tech reviews at places like Endgadget and CNET are that the reviewers come to the review with a prejudice in favor of some particular device and thus if every feature of their favorite device isn't available on the reviewed device and better, then the reviewed device can't be great.

For example, consider the Sony 505 versus the Kindle (pre-Pearl screen) or Nook. I think most people here on MR would agree that the Sony 505 was the gold standard for screen clarity, which to me was/is the primary important feature of a dedicated reading device. Yet most reviewers, and many MR members, downplayed the 505 because (a) it lacked wireless capability and (b) the Sony bookstore wasn't as large as or as inexpensive as the Kindle store.

I'm not suggesting that those weren't important considerations; they certainly needed to be taken into consideration when making a decision as to which device to buy. But I think they were overplayed. One needs to look at the books one buys and see if they are available and at what price where, and also how often one needs wireless to buy a book. I found that all the books I was interested in were available at either Sony, Fictionwise (before B&N took over), or Smashwords and that I tended to buy several books at a time so that sideloading them rather than wireless was an occasional issue (i.e., I would load the books onto my Sony once or twice a month, not daily).

Yet for the "independent" reviewers, these were critical matters.

My experience is that the day-to-day use given by MR members with their specific devices is a much better indicator of the true quality of a device. I bought my 505 because of the consistent comments here on MR about the quality of the screen, and I in 3 years of using the 505, I never once regretted that decision.

A few weeks ago, based on what I was reading and my experience with the 505, I preordered the 950 from Sony. The big inducements were the 7-inch screen, the touch screen, dictionary support, and the Pearl screen. I have had the device and been using it for nearly a month, and I love the device. In that time, I have used the wireless twice. The wireless was nice when I bought a book from the Sony store but if it lacked the wireless, it wouldn't have mattered.

OK, I've been long-winded, but the points I'm trying to stress are that the best reviews are the experiences of MR members and that you should not give excessive weight to features that you either will rarely use or that are not important to your reading experience.

[jackinca]

Accolades to Bookworm Girl.

[advocate2]

Having started with the 505, moved to a 600, then the 900, I was happy with the Sony side of things. I liked the Kindle DX and with the new pearl screens I upgraded to the DXG. I became addicted to the pearl screen. I use the DX around the house, but on the road, it is too large to carry along with my laptop. Hence the need for a Sony for travel.

I always disliked Amazon d-pad navigation rather than Sony's touch pad. Moving the cursor around a page on a Kindle drives me nuts. Also, my public library has over 7,000 e-titles which is another negative for Kindle but major advantage for Sony.

I purchased the 650 on a special with cover from Borders, then I saw the 950. My heart melted. Speaking with the SonyStyle store techies pushed me over the edge. I returned the 650 to Borders, traded in my daughters 600 for credit on the 950 and gave my daughter my 900.

Bottom line, I love the 950. Having seen the rapid evolution of e-readers, I am in Heaven. Around the house I use the DXG. Out of the house, the 950 meets all my needs.

Did I mention that I read fiction far more than I had for years? If I am line waiting someplace, I'll read a book. If I had to choose between one of my readers, ......drum role...... it would be the 950. Screen navigation and library access tip the scale.

[christr]

I just got the 950 a week ago and love it. Your best bet is to find a Best Buy near you that has it to look at. I was debating this or a Kindle DX or Kindle 3. Saw a DX in person and decided that I really didn't want the weight (even tho it was going to spend most time on my desk). Then I went to Best Buy and got to play with the Kindle 3 & 950 side by side. In reality the 950 didn't feel any heavier then the K3. Nor did it even feel any larger. The extra inch on screen size, the touch screen and the better PDF handling is really what sold me on the 950.

Only downside to the 950 that drives me bonkers is that you can't d/l from the web browser. My hope was that I could setup a Calibre server to keep books and news feeds on and I could sync it from the 950 over Wifi. Nope.. can't do it. Can only do Sony & Google books over the air. Anything else you need to plug in for.

--Chris

[rem736]

for those that own the prs-950, does it feel more like plastic to you? or maybe they are using a thinner metal for the bezel than in the 505. that's why it feels lighter than the 505? what's your experience?

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by rem736

for those that own the prs-950, does it feel more like plastic to you? or maybe they are using a thinner metal for the bezel than in the 505. that's why it feels lighter than the 505? what's your experience?

E, I loved my 505. I adore my 950 even more...no equivocation whatsoever.

[Bookworm_Girl]

I just accidentally stumbled upon this 950 review so I thought I would add it to this old thread. It's one of the few detailed reviews out there and also includes a link to a 10 minute video review.

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadg...on-PRS-950.htm

[mtpaper]

I have questions about the Sony 950 and its 3G-abilities....

1. I do not plan to surf the web via the 3G, but I would like to know if I can use it in the car to check gmail. I do not expect to respond by email using 950; I just want to check incoming emails (and this is only about once a month)

2. Can my daughter access facebook via the 950? Again, not to post anything; just to read new posts.

3. I do not have WiFi in the house and that will not change. Is it reasonable to think I can use the 950's browser to access the public library for downloads, or for reading newspapers?

4. I have read that the 3g-ability is limited to only accessing the Sony Store.... is that true?

Thank you -