Thinking of Buying a Sony PRS 950. Right Device? Right timing?

NewbieReader · 07-14-2011, 04:25 AM

Hi,
I currently don't have an e-reader but was looking for one to use primarily for reading PDFs. After reading a number of threads, it appears that the 950 might be the best e-reader for viewing PDFs. However, I noticed that some mentioned that there were font problems and scaling problems and that Sony does not release firmware updates. Are these resolved using the PRS+ firmware? Do you think that I should buy the 950 if all I do is read PDFs, especially considering that Sony might very well leave the US market soon and might not have this option soon? Thanks.

pidgeon92 · 07-14-2011, 02:10 PM

I have a 950, and I quite like it. For PDFs, it's OK, not great. No eink reader is great at PDFs yet. However, the bigger the screen, the better.

The real problem with the 950 is finding one available for sale. Most places are out of stock, and have been for months already. The speculation is that new Sonys will be released soon.

kennyc · 07-14-2011, 02:24 PM

I've yet to see an e-ink reader that worked well with PDFs. My Xoom works great, but not is sunlight. I don't know about the Kindle DX but it might be better than the other E-ink readers. I would strongly suggest going with an Android Tablet if what you do is mostly read PDFs and if it is not in bright sunlight.

boswd · 07-14-2011, 03:09 PM

what type of PDF's? are they just novels that are just in PDF form? If so as long as you can adjust the font size most eink readers will be just fine and you won't have to only consider a Sony 950. I have about 75 books in PDF form that render realy well on my nook classic.

Now if it's techinical heavey, graphs, maps, charts etc then I agree with Kenny C either a Kindle DX or a tablet.

NewbieReader · 07-14-2011, 05:04 PM

The pdfs that I read are typically technical documents, not just novels. It's really surprising that no company has managed to pull off an e-reader with good PDF support. Foxit tried this almost 2 years ago and it looks like they failed.

Anyway, if I was going to go the tablet road, which would you recommend? Are all their screens basically the same or can any specific one provide me with an experience closer to e-ink or easier on the eyes? Thanks.

boswd · 07-14-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewbieReader

The pdfs that I read are typically technical documents, not just novels. It's really surprising that no company has managed to pull off an e-reader with good PDF support. Foxit tried this almost 2 years ago and it looks like they failed.

Anyway, if I was going to go the tablet road, which would you recommend? Are all their screens basically the same or can any specific one provide me with an experience closer to e-ink or easier on the eyes? Thanks.

I would recommend the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, gorgous IPS screen and at a killer $399 price tag. It has huge underground cult following.

kennyc · 07-14-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

I would recommend the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, gorgous IPS screen and at a killer $399 price tag. It has huge underground cult following.

So how come it's not called the Asus Eee Pad Mushroom?

Poppaea · 07-14-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

So how come it's not called the Asus Eee Pad Mushroom?

Because it does not reproduce like a mushroom. But there soon will be an app that does so

kennyc · 07-14-2011, 06:48 PM

Maybe it's a Lilly-Pad?

vxf · 07-17-2011, 03:47 PM

For technical PDFs, nothing beats an iPad - yet.

kennyc · 07-17-2011, 03:49 PM

Well except an android tablet - Xoom, Acer, Toshiba....

Higher resolution, better rendering, no walled-garden...

carpetmojo · 07-18-2011, 03:27 AM

Right timing - buy a 650 now, and you have a design icon - that works

( You could always "upgrade" to a new "Potter" model if it is any advance on the present - which it will be, surely. And dependent on finance, of course ! )

Then you'll be in the best of all worlds..............

07-14-2011, 04:25 AM	#1
NewbieReader Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	Thinking of Buying a Sony PRS 950. Right Device? Right timing? Hi, I currently don't have an e-reader but was looking for one to use primarily for reading PDFs. After reading a number of threads, it appears that the 950 might be the best e-reader for viewing PDFs. However, I noticed that some mentioned that there were font problems and scaling problems and that Sony does not release firmware updates. Are these resolved using the PRS+ firmware? Do you think that I should buy the 950 if all I do is read PDFs, especially considering that Sony might very well leave the US market soon and might not have this option soon? Thanks.

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07-14-2011, 02:10 PM	#2
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I have a 950, and I quite like it. For PDFs, it's OK, not great. No eink reader is great at PDFs yet. However, the bigger the screen, the better. The real problem with the 950 is finding one available for sale. Most places are out of stock, and have been for months already. The speculation is that new Sonys will be released soon.

07-14-2011, 02:24 PM	#3
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I've yet to see an e-ink reader that worked well with PDFs. My Xoom works great, but not is sunlight. I don't know about the Kindle DX but it might be better than the other E-ink readers. I would strongly suggest going with an Android Tablet if what you do is mostly read PDFs and if it is not in bright sunlight.

07-14-2011, 03:09 PM	#4
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	what type of PDF's? are they just novels that are just in PDF form? If so as long as you can adjust the font size most eink readers will be just fine and you won't have to only consider a Sony 950. I have about 75 books in PDF form that render realy well on my nook classic. Now if it's techinical heavey, graphs, maps, charts etc then I agree with Kenny C either a Kindle DX or a tablet.

07-14-2011, 05:04 PM	#5
NewbieReader Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	The pdfs that I read are typically technical documents, not just novels. It's really surprising that no company has managed to pull off an e-reader with good PDF support. Foxit tried this almost 2 years ago and it looks like they failed. Anyway, if I was going to go the tablet road, which would you recommend? Are all their screens basically the same or can any specific one provide me with an experience closer to e-ink or easier on the eyes? Thanks.

07-14-2011, 06:48 PM	#9
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Maybe it's a Lilly-Pad?

07-17-2011, 03:47 PM	#10
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	For technical PDFs, nothing beats an iPad - yet.

07-17-2011, 03:49 PM	#11
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Well except an android tablet - Xoom, Acer, Toshiba.... Higher resolution, better rendering, no walled-garden...

07-18-2011, 03:27 AM	#12
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Right timing - buy a 650 now, and you have a design icon - that works ( You could always "upgrade" to a new "Potter" model if it is any advance on the present - which it will be, surely. And dependent on finance, of course ! ) Then you'll be in the best of all worlds..............

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