Opinions please!

Ravenna · 12-23-2011, 08:21 AM

Hello,

I stumbled across MobileRead during my hunt for various reviews of different e-book readers. I don't own one yet, but am hoping to buy one, as soon as I can make up my mind regarding which. Hopefully you guys can help me with that.

I want to be able to read books on it, wifi and touch might be nice but not necessary. I have an mp3-player that I love, so getting sound out of it isn't stricktly necessary either. I want to be able to borrow e-books from my library. I'd like to be able to fairly easily find and buy books on the Internet, as well as download the free stuff from Project Gutenberg and such places.

The ones on my Top-3 list at the moment are
Pocketbook pro 602
Cybook Orizon
Sony T1 (since the 650 seems to be off the market)

I really like the look of the PB, but I'm a bit concerned about how tech savvy you have to be to get the most out of it. My husband is a Linux user so I'd be able to get some help from him starting out, but I want to be able to handle my reader on my own.

A lot of people seem to be raving about the T1, so it has to be good - right?

Not sure how much it matters, but I'm left handed and I live in Sweden.

If someone has an opinion on these readers regarding my wants, please share!

no.guru · 12-23-2011, 08:37 AM

After using it for a couple of months and an earlier Sony reader for a couple of years, I'm very pleased with my T1, but I have no experience with PB or Cybook.

Do please learn what DRM is and how it may or may not affect you. You may or may not care about it, but for me it has been one of the most important factors influencing which ereader I use.

In terms of your wants, you can do all of these with the T1, but you may prefer the larger selection of books available for the Kindlle. For me and others here it doesn't matter because there are utilities easily available (calibre) which convert from one format to another as well as remove DRM.

If there is a BestBuy near you, they may have a display of ereaders. My local one has Kindles, Nooks, the Sony T1, and couple of other readers at one kiosk. It's very helpful to see them all side by side.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you enjoy your reader!

mbovenka · 12-23-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no.guru

If there is a BestBuy near you,

Not very likely, as she is in Sweden

Still, there may be a something like it there; here in the Netherlands the Selexyz chain of bookshops sells a number of readers, for instance.

Ravenna · 12-23-2011, 09:26 AM

I did go to a bookshop the other day, hoping to find some on display. But they had like five different Samsung tablets and only two e-book readers, both Sony. And seeing the T1 live kind of put me off it since the frame was so shiny. The IT-admin at work brought his old Cybook in for me to see and I liked that matte finish loads better. But since his is old I don't really know if they look the same now.

I also know of a small tech shop that carries some r-book readers. But those shops are really small and filled with Christmas shoppers. Not the ideal environment to just look at stuff.

robko · 12-23-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenna

I also know of a small tech shop that carries some r-book readers. But those shops are really small and filled with Christmas shoppers. Not the ideal environment to just look at stuff.

Likely worth it to try and check them out anyway. E-readers are a personal experience and what one person likes, the next person hates. If you're left handed you may want a screen that you can tap the left side to go forward (rather than the back that is usually the default), or buttons that can be changed the same way. Size of device and positioning of buttons may influence your decision. One thing to keep in mind is that the display models likely have older firmware, so functionality and functions may not reflect the current state of the device (normally better with new firmware). It's worth taking time to read a bunch on here because there may be things you never thought of that you'd like to have or not.
Don't have any of the devices you're looking for so I can't specifically comment on them.

Asawi · 12-23-2011, 01:38 PM

Unfortunately there is very little opportunities to look and feel eReaders in Sweden. Selection is small (and prices are high).
I haven't tried out any of the 3 models you mention. I love the Sony x50 range, but I'm not sure I'll love the T1 as much. One of the things that is great with the x50 models is the option to run PRS+ on them and be able to customize how you want your page turns (many different options). I don't know if the same will be possible with the T1 at some stage, but I don't think it is right now.
Personally I like both Kobo and Nook a lot, but unfortunately you can't get either of them in Sweden. (At least not without some effort.)
Good luck anyway, and pleas come back and report what you can actually find over here!

Asawi · 12-23-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no.guru

In terms of your wants, you can do all of these with the T1, but you may prefer the larger selection of books available for the Kindlle.

And just to be on the safe side: The OP probably knows this, but there are approximately zero ebooks in Swedish on Amazon, should that be the language of choice.
An ePub reader is definitely the better option for Scandinavia (even though DRM stripping and converting is possible).

Sweetpea · 12-23-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asawi

And just to be on the safe side: The OP probably knows this, but there are approximately zero ebooks in Swedish on Amazon, should that be the language of choice.
An ePub reader is definitely the better option for Scandinavia (even though DRM stripping and converting is possible).

That's something most North Americans seem to forget, that there is a large group of people out here that doesn't read English natively

and thus, that the Amazon eco-system doesn't need to be a great plus...

To the OP: I don't think it really matters what reader you buy. But don't go for anything less than a Pearl screen... That really makes a difference!

If you read mainly English (don't know how the status of epublishing is in Sweden, but if it looks a bit like here in the Netherlands, it'll be grim), then the Kindle will always be a safe device. Install Calibre and search for some DRM-cleaning tools and you'll even be able to buy any epubs from your local store and read it on a Kindle.

If you read mainly Swedish (or any other European language that isn't English), don't go for the Kindle. Every single book you'll buy will have to be converted to a Kindle format.

Ravenna · 12-23-2011, 05:29 PM

Yes, you are right. I've heard about the zero availability of books in Swedish on Amazon. I do buy mostly books in English, and get the Swedish stuff from the library. Hope to still be able to do it this way with an ereader.

I've been looking at prisjakt.se to see what might be available to me, but most devices seem to be sold only online - unfortunately.

CJJ · 12-23-2011, 09:20 PM

The Sony T1 like other Sony ereaders is a good world ereader platform. Living in the USA that wasn’t really a concern for me but I was very attracted to its features. Convinced that the firmware had addressed many of its initial issues I bought it.

Personally (and many people are very happy with it on this forum) I found it to be glitchy. Uneven word layouts in many of the epub books I looked at. In some pages the words would be evenly spaced and then I turn the page and I would see 1” (2.5 cm) gaps between words. These same files looked perfectly fine on two different readers on my laptop.

I also had the problem where text would seem bolder in different areas of the same page. One could easily live with it, it was subtle, but annoyed me. I also noticed that the bottom line indicating page count would appear slanted. The Library feature worked very well but like web browsers in any ereader it is terribly slow. I would not use either. I did love the dictionaries. Fantastic. I often have words in other languages imbedded in the books I read and this feature alone was almost enough for me to ignore all other idiosyncrasies.

And as others have stated, the Reader software on the computer is utter garbage. And that is the latest version. I even chatted with tech support at Sony because I couldn't believe how bad the organizational scheme worked, IE: “collections”. If you create collections on the computer and sync the reader you can not add or remove books from the collection. So if you buy a book using the device it can not be added to a collection unless you create that collection on the device. I was told that that is just the way it is and I could send feedback to the software people. Absurd. But of course there are plenty of work arounds, Calibre etc.

So this is not meant to dissuade you from the Sony. It has some great features and is light and well laid out. But for me it didn't live up to its potential enough to keep it. I should also add, in disclose, that it was first ereader purchase. I've have been reading digital books for years but on a laptop or desktop computer. E ink and the lightness of the ereaders is very appealing. I might go in the opposite direction and try the iriver Story HD. No features at all so I’ll have nothing to complain about He He.

Ravenna · 12-25-2011, 02:55 AM

Took the plunge and ordered a Sony PRS-350 from Bokus, a Swedish internet book shop. I've been able to see both T1 and 350 for real and of the two greatly prefered the look and feel of the smaller device.

I'm still very much drawn to the Pocketbook pro 602, but I'll start out with Sony. I'll see how I take to this e-reading, and maybe Pb has models with the newer screens when/if I'm ready for my next device.

I've practically been on this forum every time I've been online the last days and I needed to make a decision. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with my choice, whatever it had been.

Asawi · 12-25-2011, 05:01 AM

The 350 is amazing! You'll be very happy with it, I'm sure!
I would suggest loading the PRS+ software to make an excellent device even better!

Ravenna · 12-25-2011, 12:24 PM

Thanks! I'll certainly take a look at the PRS+ software, and also look into this calibre-thingy that seems very useful as well. I have a few days before the 350 arrives, so I guess I'll be looking at software ... and which books to download first

Pomtroll · 12-25-2011, 03:09 PM

I think you will like the 350. I like mine a lot. I have the T1 too but the 350 is my favorite. The shiny bezel of the T1 hasn't bothered me a lot, though it does show dust more than the 350 series. I may invest in a decal girl skin since I really am not fond of the black bezel. But back to the sony 350, I carry mine in my purse with me all the time (of course it is in a case).

Sigyn · 12-26-2011, 03:43 PM

Curious about how left-handed you are, and how your experience is once you've gotten to play around with it. Some righty things I can use and others are really hard for me and it doesn't seem to follow any rhyme or reason *I* can figure.

12-23-2011, 08:21 AM	#1
Ravenna Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS-350	Opinions please! Hello, I stumbled across MobileRead during my hunt for various reviews of different e-book readers. I don't own one yet, but am hoping to buy one, as soon as I can make up my mind regarding which. Hopefully you guys can help me with that. I want to be able to read books on it, wifi and touch might be nice but not necessary. I have an mp3-player that I love, so getting sound out of it isn't stricktly necessary either. I want to be able to borrow e-books from my library. I'd like to be able to fairly easily find and buy books on the Internet, as well as download the free stuff from Project Gutenberg and such places. The ones on my Top-3 list at the moment are Pocketbook pro 602 Cybook Orizon Sony T1 (since the 650 seems to be off the market) I really like the look of the PB, but I'm a bit concerned about how tech savvy you have to be to get the most out of it. My husband is a Linux user so I'd be able to get some help from him starting out, but I want to be able to handle my reader on my own. A lot of people seem to be raving about the T1, so it has to be good - right? Not sure how much it matters, but I'm left handed and I live in Sweden. If someone has an opinion on these readers regarding my wants, please share!

12-23-2011, 08:37 AM	#2
no.guru Crazy like a Posts: 229 Karma: 2368978 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Sony PRS-T1, Sony PRS-350	After using it for a couple of months and an earlier Sony reader for a couple of years, I'm very pleased with my T1, but I have no experience with PB or Cybook. Do please learn what DRM is and how it may or may not affect you. You may or may not care about it, but for me it has been one of the most important factors influencing which ereader I use. In terms of your wants, you can do all of these with the T1, but you may prefer the larger selection of books available for the Kindlle. For me and others here it doesn't matter because there are utilities easily available (calibre) which convert from one format to another as well as remove DRM. If there is a BestBuy near you, they may have a display of ereaders. My local one has Kindles, Nooks, the Sony T1, and couple of other readers at one kiosk. It's very helpful to see them all side by side. Good luck with your decision and I hope you enjoy your reader! Last edited by no.guru; 12-23-2011 at 08:40 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Opinions about EE and PE	Kynareth	enTourage Archive	17	03-02-2011 05:03 PM
Need Opinions - Have K2, Just Got Nook	disney_mommy	Which one should I buy?	5	10-21-2010 05:34 PM
Your opinions please	Simonm	News	14	12-09-2009 12:43 PM
looking to purchase -- opinions?	damorg	Sony Reader	6	08-17-2009 07:00 AM

12-23-2011, 09:26 AM	#4
Ravenna Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS-350	I did go to a bookshop the other day, hoping to find some on display. But they had like five different Samsung tablets and only two e-book readers, both Sony. And seeing the T1 live kind of put me off it since the frame was so shiny. The IT-admin at work brought his old Cybook in for me to see and I liked that matte finish loads better. But since his is old I don't really know if they look the same now. I also know of a small tech shop that carries some r-book readers. But those shops are really small and filled with Christmas shoppers. Not the ideal environment to just look at stuff.

12-23-2011, 01:38 PM	#6
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,467 Karma: 3865860 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	Unfortunately there is very little opportunities to look and feel eReaders in Sweden. Selection is small (and prices are high). I haven't tried out any of the 3 models you mention. I love the Sony x50 range, but I'm not sure I'll love the T1 as much. One of the things that is great with the x50 models is the option to run PRS+ on them and be able to customize how you want your page turns (many different options). I don't know if the same will be possible with the T1 at some stage, but I don't think it is right now. Personally I like both Kobo and Nook a lot, but unfortunately you can't get either of them in Sweden. (At least not without some effort.) Good luck anyway, and pleas come back and report what you can actually find over here!

12-23-2011, 05:29 PM	#9
Ravenna Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS-350	Yes, you are right. I've heard about the zero availability of books in Swedish on Amazon. I do buy mostly books in English, and get the Swedish stuff from the library. Hope to still be able to do it this way with an ereader. I've been looking at prisjakt.se to see what might be available to me, but most devices seem to be sold only online - unfortunately.

12-23-2011, 09:20 PM	#10
CJJ Zealot Posts: 125 Karma: 189828 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin, USA Device: laptop, iriver Story HD, Galaxy Tab2 10.1	The Sony T1 like other Sony ereaders is a good world ereader platform. Living in the USA that wasn’t really a concern for me but I was very attracted to its features. Convinced that the firmware had addressed many of its initial issues I bought it. Personally (and many people are very happy with it on this forum) I found it to be glitchy. Uneven word layouts in many of the epub books I looked at. In some pages the words would be evenly spaced and then I turn the page and I would see 1” (2.5 cm) gaps between words. These same files looked perfectly fine on two different readers on my laptop. I also had the problem where text would seem bolder in different areas of the same page. One could easily live with it, it was subtle, but annoyed me. I also noticed that the bottom line indicating page count would appear slanted. The Library feature worked very well but like web browsers in any ereader it is terribly slow. I would not use either. I did love the dictionaries. Fantastic. I often have words in other languages imbedded in the books I read and this feature alone was almost enough for me to ignore all other idiosyncrasies. And as others have stated, the Reader software on the computer is utter garbage. And that is the latest version. I even chatted with tech support at Sony because I couldn't believe how bad the organizational scheme worked, IE: “collections”. If you create collections on the computer and sync the reader you can not add or remove books from the collection. So if you buy a book using the device it can not be added to a collection unless you create that collection on the device. I was told that that is just the way it is and I could send feedback to the software people. Absurd. But of course there are plenty of work arounds, Calibre etc. So this is not meant to dissuade you from the Sony. It has some great features and is light and well laid out. But for me it didn't live up to its potential enough to keep it. I should also add, in disclose, that it was first ereader purchase. I've have been reading digital books for years but on a laptop or desktop computer. E ink and the lightness of the ereaders is very appealing. I might go in the opposite direction and try the iriver Story HD. No features at all so I’ll have nothing to complain about He He.

12-25-2011, 02:55 AM	#11
Ravenna Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS-350	Took the plunge and ordered a Sony PRS-350 from Bokus, a Swedish internet book shop. I've been able to see both T1 and 350 for real and of the two greatly prefered the look and feel of the smaller device. I'm still very much drawn to the Pocketbook pro 602, but I'll start out with Sony. I'll see how I take to this e-reading, and maybe Pb has models with the newer screens when/if I'm ready for my next device. I've practically been on this forum every time I've been online the last days and I needed to make a decision. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with my choice, whatever it had been.

12-25-2011, 05:01 AM	#12
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,467 Karma: 3865860 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	The 350 is amazing! You'll be very happy with it, I'm sure! I would suggest loading the PRS+ software to make an excellent device even better!

12-25-2011, 12:24 PM	#13
Ravenna Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS-350	Thanks! I'll certainly take a look at the PRS+ software, and also look into this calibre-thingy that seems very useful as well. I have a few days before the 350 arrives, so I guess I'll be looking at software ... and which books to download first

12-25-2011, 03:09 PM	#14
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I think you will like the 350. I like mine a lot. I have the T1 too but the 350 is my favorite. The shiny bezel of the T1 hasn't bothered me a lot, though it does show dust more than the 350 series. I may invest in a decal girl skin since I really am not fond of the black bezel. But back to the sony 350, I carry mine in my purse with me all the time (of course it is in a case).

12-26-2011, 03:43 PM	#15
Sigyn Junior Junior Member Posts: 87 Karma: 32996 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: none	Curious about how left-handed you are, and how your experience is once you've gotten to play around with it. Some righty things I can use and others are really hard for me and it doesn't seem to follow any rhyme or reason I can figure.

Advert

Advert