PRS-350 WDYT About The Sony PRS350?

MorganM · 05-25-2011, 10:39 PM

I saw that the Sony PRS350 is for sale for $109 at Borders online and I was thinking about getting one. Is it a good eReader or is it to small? What do you the owner think about it?

Pomtroll · 05-25-2011, 10:47 PM

I love my Sony 350. My previous readers are a Nook Classic & a Kindle3. Both are much larger & heavier. I had no difficulty getting used to the 5" screen nor the size of the total reader. I read one handed with it. Plus it is a perfect size for toting around. I carry it everywhere. And the screen doesn't show prints as much as you would think but there are buttons if you prefer. It is pearl ink so that is the same as the Kindle & the new Touches by Kobo & Nook.

Over all I think it is a fine reader & that kind of price is hard to pass up. I got mine for $129 so you are getting a real bargain.

Timoleon · 05-25-2011, 10:51 PM

Great reader --- very easy to get used to. I like it as much as my Kindle 3 and my Sony PRS-505. You can't go wrong at $109! Having said this, I just got an email about the brand new Nook, so you might want to check that out first.

RajS · 05-25-2011, 10:53 PM

Agonised between it and the PRS 950 and actually bought one first. In the end I got the 950 but if I spent any time travelling at all I'd get one. Might get one anyway.

Ripplinger · 05-25-2011, 11:03 PM

I love the 350. When I first bought it, the 650s were out of stock and I figured I'd try it, but thought the screen size would be too small and I'd end up returning it and waiting for the 650. Instead I fell in love with the 350. It's small enough that I take it everywhere with me which means more reading time, and I really don't see any drawback to the 5" screen either. The touchscreen is great too, just the slightest thumb movement flips the page, or you can use the buttons if you prefer. Overall, it's the perfect reader for me. Even if the new Nook was out when I purchased mine, I wouldn't have been interested.

viviena · 05-26-2011, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

I saw that the Sony PRS350 is for sale for $109 at Borders online and I was thinking about getting one. Is it a good eReader or is it to small? What do you the owner think about it?

It's awesome. It has a higher resolution than the 6" ereaders, so even text that would sometimes be uncomfortably small to read is acceptable because the text is sharper. The Sony devices have better organisational capabilities than the current Kobo models. The 350 is a great size and fits easily in a coat pocket or a woman's small handbag -- it's truly very portable and excellent to use on-the-go. It's also light enough to use comfortably one-handed whilst getting rocked about standing on moving buses and trains. That's why I love the 350.

If you can see any of the above factors applying to you, then the 350 at $109 (USD?) is an excellent price. I bought mine for $220 AUD and I still don't regret it. It's had heaps of use since Sept 2010.

paulak39 · 05-26-2011, 06:41 AM

As said above, it's a wonderful reader - perfect for taking along wherever you go. The print is very clear and adjustable. As I've mentioned in other posts, I'm aging and so are my eyes, but I have no problem with the PRS-350. I love it, and at $109, I think it's a bargain.

MorganM · 05-26-2011, 07:21 AM

Thanks for the replies. Are the page turns quick? Also is the slightly smaller screen a issue at any time. I have a Kobo WiFi and that's the only ereader I have ever had so I can't really compare.

I also use a Linux system so would a Sony be ok on that with downloading books etc?

Pomtroll · 05-26-2011, 11:27 AM

Page turns are quick. Smaller screen has never been an issue for me, but I don't read PDFs & it probably would be there.

Are you looking a the Sony because of the price? Why do you want to change from the Kobo? (just curious) And I'm not sure how much it would cost you to have it shipped to Australia. I'm showing my ignorance here, but do you have Borders in Australia?

The new Kobo Touch looks nice & should be in stores by June or July.

From what I read linux & the 350 should be fine. I have Mac computer & it works fine with that. But it wouldn't hurt to research it.

ApK · 05-26-2011, 11:33 AM

I got the 350 together with the lighted case on sale for under $125. I wouldn't have spent more on a second reader, but for my 8-year old, I figured the compact size would make it easy for him to handle and less of a screen surface to risk breaking.
He likes it well, and I think it performs better than the Kobo wifi.
I put PRS+ on it so we could play chess on the touch screen. Very nice.

ApK

viviena · 05-26-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

Are the page turns quick?

Quicker than the original Kobo, though I can't speak for the WiFi. The 350's page turns are quick enough for me, but then again, I don't mind the black page transition flashes.

Quote:

Also is the slightly smaller screen a issue at any time. I have a Kobo WiFi and that's the only ereader I have ever had so I can't really compare.

That depends on you, e.g. how good is your eyesight, do you read complex PDFs. It hasn't been a problem for me.

I will say that the Kobo firmware has nice rendering of fonts and decent font sizes. The font sizes for the 350 tend to differ greatly rather than slightly, and some people don't like the default font on the 350. Not really big issues though, I feel.

Quote:

I also use a Linux system so would a Sony be ok on that with downloading books etc?

Non-DRMed files are no problem. Just copy and paste via Nautilus or some other Linux file manager, or use Calibre. If you mean downloading books via the Sony Reader Library software, just a note that Aussies can't buy any ebooks from the Sony Reader Store, so the software is good for us to organise our books and transfer DRMed ebooks only. Dunno about the software's Linux compatibility.

barium · 05-26-2011, 12:03 PM

I think it's an excellent reader. One of the best things about it is that it's very narrow, so holding it in one hand is easy.

The touchscreen sets it apart from most of the competition, too. It makes navigating complex documents and larger libraries a breeze, and double-tapping words to look them up works nicely (the device comes preloaded with two English language dictionaries and dictionaries for several other languages).

But since there are so few hardware buttons, completing some tasks can take longer than you'd like (for example, going "back" after you've clicked on a footnote or run a search or accessing the table of contents).

It can be hard to find accessories for it: I've had mine for months and have yet to find a cheap cover and light for it that I like. For more popular readers, there are many more inexpensive accessory options.

Displaying books just the way you like them can be difficult, too. Changing the default font, for example, requires that you fiddle with every book you put on the device or that you install third party firmware. You can't configure the device to open every book with the same view settings (e.g., "always cut margins.") PDF viewing could be much better. I don't have experience with other readers, though, so Sony may be as good or better on all these fronts than its competitors. I think few other readers have a "PDF reflow" feature, which I find indispensable.

The size of the device makes text display options important. You can't fit much text on a single page at the default font and with the default spacing. But I don't find the small size to be that annoying, especially now that I've managed to adjust some of the page display settings.

Overall, it's a great device, and I'm glad I bought it a few months ago. I bet I'd be happy with nearly any ebook reader, though - they're all very similar, when it comes down to it.

ilovejedd · 05-26-2011, 02:32 PM

I just got mine last week (from Best Buy) and so far, I like it better than I expected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Just picked up my PRS-350, some first impressions:

Smaller than I expected. I guess the one I played with previously was an older version (perhaps the PRS-505?). I remember it not having a touch screen. Still, the screen on the PRS-350 is around the same size as a bunko and just a little smaller than mass market paperbacks so I find it quite acceptable. Being pocketable is a big plus.
Solid construction. Despite its lightweight, the PRS-350 feels very well made. I'm also really liking the somewhat rubbery grip on the back.
Font sizes. Big jump from S to XS with no size in between. I find the S too big, but the XS is just a little bit too small for my eyes. Between the two, though, I prefer XS. Text is very clear even at XS. No noticeable pixels.
The flashing/transition screen seems a lot shorter than on the older versions. I found this somewhat distracting so I'm glad it's not as noticeable on the PRS-350.
Readable in bright sunlight. On the iPhone, I usually have to turn up brightness pretty high so I can read in bright sunlight which inevitably gives me headaches. There's also the issue with glare and reflections. I was trying out the PRS-350 this afternoon while in the car (parking lot) waiting for my mom and it's been really comfortable to use.

Overall, I'm really liking my first foray into e-ink readers. At $120, the PRS-350 was a good purchase.

Of course, I did come from using an iPhone so the small screen size is no bother. Text isn't quite as sharp as the iPhone 4 comparing them side by side but it's close enough. I had an original iPhone 16GB that I was using as back-up reader but after using the iPhone 4, I just couldn't go back to reading on the iPhone's pixelated display so I bought the PRS-350 for use as a back-up reader for when I'm charging my phone, etc. Liked it so much the iPhone has now been delegated to back-up reader duties. Now, I only use the iPhone for "on-demand" content (basically impulse ebook purchases while away from the PC and newly updated fanfics) and night-time/low-light reading.

I just installed PRS+ on my PRS-350 and so far, it's made the user experience much better. It's very convenient being able to browse books by folder. I still need to figure out how to change the font scaling but so far so good.

Latinandgreek · 05-26-2011, 02:52 PM

I love my PRS-350 and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

elizilla · 05-26-2011, 04:22 PM

I have several readers and I love the PRS-350. It might be the best of the bunch, in spite of its smaller screen. Very comfortable to hold, the screen is the easiest on the eyes, etc. I'm so fond of it, that I'm tempted to buy another to hoard, at this new lower price!

05-25-2011, 10:39 PM	#1
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	WDYT About The Sony PRS350? I saw that the Sony PRS350 is for sale for $109 at Borders online and I was thinking about getting one. Is it a good eReader or is it to small? What do you the owner think about it?

05-25-2011, 10:53 PM	#4
RajS Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 21298 Join Date: May 2011 Device: PRS-950	It's really very good indeed. Highly recommended. Agonised between it and the PRS 950 and actually bought one first. In the end I got the 950 but if I spent any time travelling at all I'd get one. Might get one anyway.

05-26-2011, 07:21 AM	#8
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	Thanks for the replies. Are the page turns quick? Also is the slightly smaller screen a issue at any time. I have a Kobo WiFi and that's the only ereader I have ever had so I can't really compare. I also use a Linux system so would a Sony be ok on that with downloading books etc? Last edited by MorganM; 05-26-2011 at 09:59 AM.

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05-25-2011, 10:47 PM	#2
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I love my Sony 350. My previous readers are a Nook Classic & a Kindle3. Both are much larger & heavier. I had no difficulty getting used to the 5" screen nor the size of the total reader. I read one handed with it. Plus it is a perfect size for toting around. I carry it everywhere. And the screen doesn't show prints as much as you would think but there are buttons if you prefer. It is pearl ink so that is the same as the Kindle & the new Touches by Kobo & Nook. Over all I think it is a fine reader & that kind of price is hard to pass up. I got mine for $129 so you are getting a real bargain.

05-25-2011, 10:51 PM	#3
Timoleon Time Enough at Last Posts: 387 Karma: 1151316 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New England Device: iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle 3, Fire, Sony PRS-350	Great reader --- very easy to get used to. I like it as much as my Kindle 3 and my Sony PRS-505. You can't go wrong at $109! Having said this, I just got an email about the brand new Nook, so you might want to check that out first.

05-25-2011, 11:03 PM	#5
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I love the 350. When I first bought it, the 650s were out of stock and I figured I'd try it, but thought the screen size would be too small and I'd end up returning it and waiting for the 650. Instead I fell in love with the 350. It's small enough that I take it everywhere with me which means more reading time, and I really don't see any drawback to the 5" screen either. The touchscreen is great too, just the slightest thumb movement flips the page, or you can use the buttons if you prefer. Overall, it's the perfect reader for me. Even if the new Nook was out when I purchased mine, I wouldn't have been interested.

05-26-2011, 06:41 AM	#7
paulak39 Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 368 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York State Device: IpadAir; IpadMini2; FireHDX8.9; Kindle Voyage	As said above, it's a wonderful reader - perfect for taking along wherever you go. The print is very clear and adjustable. As I've mentioned in other posts, I'm aging and so are my eyes, but I have no problem with the PRS-350. I love it, and at $109, I think it's a bargain.

05-26-2011, 11:27 AM	#9
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	Page turns are quick. Smaller screen has never been an issue for me, but I don't read PDFs & it probably would be there. Are you looking a the Sony because of the price? Why do you want to change from the Kobo? (just curious) And I'm not sure how much it would cost you to have it shipped to Australia. I'm showing my ignorance here, but do you have Borders in Australia? The new Kobo Touch looks nice & should be in stores by June or July. From what I read linux & the 350 should be fine. I have Mac computer & it works fine with that. But it wouldn't hurt to research it.

05-26-2011, 11:33 AM	#10
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,384 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I got the 350 together with the lighted case on sale for under $125. I wouldn't have spent more on a second reader, but for my 8-year old, I figured the compact size would make it easy for him to handle and less of a screen surface to risk breaking. He likes it well, and I think it performs better than the Kobo wifi. I put PRS+ on it so we could play chess on the touch screen. Very nice. ApK

05-26-2011, 12:03 PM	#12
barium Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 20572 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: None	I think it's an excellent reader. One of the best things about it is that it's very narrow, so holding it in one hand is easy. The touchscreen sets it apart from most of the competition, too. It makes navigating complex documents and larger libraries a breeze, and double-tapping words to look them up works nicely (the device comes preloaded with two English language dictionaries and dictionaries for several other languages). But since there are so few hardware buttons, completing some tasks can take longer than you'd like (for example, going "back" after you've clicked on a footnote or run a search or accessing the table of contents). It can be hard to find accessories for it: I've had mine for months and have yet to find a cheap cover and light for it that I like. For more popular readers, there are many more inexpensive accessory options. Displaying books just the way you like them can be difficult, too. Changing the default font, for example, requires that you fiddle with every book you put on the device or that you install third party firmware. You can't configure the device to open every book with the same view settings (e.g., "always cut margins.") PDF viewing could be much better. I don't have experience with other readers, though, so Sony may be as good or better on all these fronts than its competitors. I think few other readers have a "PDF reflow" feature, which I find indispensable. The size of the device makes text display options important. You can't fit much text on a single page at the default font and with the default spacing. But I don't find the small size to be that annoying, especially now that I've managed to adjust some of the page display settings. Overall, it's a great device, and I'm glad I bought it a few months ago. I bet I'd be happy with nearly any ebook reader, though - they're all very similar, when it comes down to it.

05-26-2011, 02:52 PM	#14
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I love my PRS-350 and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

05-26-2011, 04:22 PM	#15
elizilla Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Sage, others	I have several readers and I love the PRS-350. It might be the best of the bunch, in spite of its smaller screen. Very comfortable to hold, the screen is the easiest on the eyes, etc. I'm so fond of it, that I'm tempted to buy another to hoard, at this new lower price!

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