PRS 300 vs 600

raffir · 06-06-2010, 02:03 AM

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a PRS 300 or 600 tomorrow, what with the student discount.

A friend has a PRS 600. For some reason I found small text readable on the PRS 300 I saw in stores while I really find I need Medium on hers.

With the academic discount, looks like it's 152 for the 300 vs 180 for the 600.

I'd like to do two things:
1. Read books (including possibly medical textbooks).
2. Export PowerPoint slides to PDFs and scroll through them one by one.

Notetaking would be nice, but I can't really see using it.

Thoughts?

Thank you very much,
- Raffi.

HarryT · 06-06-2010, 03:51 AM

The 600 is an enormously more capable device. Memory card support, annotation, dictionary lookup, searching, etc. If you can live with the image degradation caused by the 600's touch screen, I'd go for it without a doubt.

raffir · 06-06-2010, 11:20 PM

My concerns with the 600:

- It's more expensive (the 300 seems to have dropped to $134 with the student discount now).
- It's heavier, larger and a bit harder to use one-handed, I think. The 300 seems to actually be pocketable in a large jeans pocket or lab coat pocket.

I don't think I need any of the editing functionality; I think the memory on the 300 should be enough. I definitely don't need another MP3 player. I agree, though, that the contrast on the 600 can be adapted to.

raffir · 06-07-2010, 12:46 AM

Another way of putting my question:

If you have both, which do you find yourself using more often? Why?

Which do you use when, and why?

rahulm · 06-09-2010, 06:03 PM

whoa whoa whoa, academic discount?

didn't even know sony had something like this

dorino · 06-09-2010, 06:11 PM

PRS-600 is all together a better device. It is also more expensive.

If you can afford it, get it.
If you can't, get the PRS-300. It's also great.

Side by side with the 300, the PRS-600's contrast problem is visible. In use by itself, it's great.
I love my PRS-600. It's not top heavy, one-handed use is pleasant.

Dreamnine · 06-09-2010, 06:44 PM

I had a good look at both devices before buying the PRS-600. For me, the bigger screen, expandability and annotation was a nobrainer.

rahulm · 06-09-2010, 06:55 PM

I've seen HarryT talk about the PRS505's inferior handling of epub files. Is the 600 any better?

raffir · 06-09-2010, 10:47 PM

How pocketable is the PRS 600?

Is it really worth an extra $50 if all I want to do is read?

maxbookworm · 06-10-2010, 04:05 PM

I wouldn't call the 600 pocketable, while the 300 seems more so (although I have to admit, I wouldn't put a reader in my pocket). It may not be worth the extra $50, but it does have a faster processor, so it may do better with the pdf Powerpoints slides. I just did somewhat of a compare and contrast here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86531

SandyBrooks · 06-10-2010, 04:27 PM

I have the 300, and wouldn't buy the 600 unless it was like $100 'cause the screen is really inferior. From other people's responses though I guess it doesn't bother some people. If you haven't looked at them side by side, I would suggest that. The target near me has both of them on display.

chainring · 06-11-2010, 10:58 AM

I have the 600 and wouldn't have traded everything it offers above and beyond the 300 just for the sake of a better screen. The 600's screen, while not as clear as the 300, is perfectly fine for me. In just about any situation with a reader (read: non-lit), you're going to have to adjust position or seek out more, or friendlier, light. I've found that in most situations, just a slight tilt and everything is good, and it encourages me to not be so stagnant, just like moving and readjusting while at a computer...it's needed!

dorino · 06-11-2010, 11:11 AM

"really inferior" is an overstatement if there ever was one. Try them yourself, make your judgements that way. I like the screen, and the speed improvement over the 300 makes up for any faults by itself.

raffir · 06-17-2010, 11:01 AM

So, I've been borrowing a PRS 600, and I really love the features, but find the screen pretty hard on the eyes (low contrast, glare). I took a look at a Kobo and the comparison blew me away: the Kobo, by comparison, was like reading a printed page.

As far as I can tell, in terms of features:
1. PRS-600.
2. PRS-300.
3. Kobo.

But in terms of screen:
1. Kobo.
2. PRS-300.
3. PRS-600.

Tough call.

Wordcrasher · 06-23-2010, 05:53 PM

I bought a PRS-600 after I destroyed my PRS-505 and I have mixed feelings. The features of the 600 are superior, but I really don't like the screen. Now that the Kindle 2's price dropped I think I'll sell the 600 on eBay and buy a K2.
The 300 has the same screen my 505 had (just smaller). I'd go for it unless you really need the inline dictionary the 600 come with.

06-06-2010, 02:03 AM	#1
raffir Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	PRS 300 vs 600 Hi, I'm planning to buy a PRS 300 or 600 tomorrow, what with the student discount. A friend has a PRS 600. For some reason I found small text readable on the PRS 300 I saw in stores while I really find I need Medium on hers. With the academic discount, looks like it's 152 for the 300 vs 180 for the 600. I'd like to do two things: 1. Read books (including possibly medical textbooks). 2. Export PowerPoint slides to PDFs and scroll through them one by one. Notetaking would be nice, but I can't really see using it. Thoughts? Thank you very much, - Raffi.

06-09-2010, 06:03 PM	#5
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	whoa whoa whoa, academic discount? didn't even know sony had something like this Last edited by rahulm; 06-09-2010 at 06:09 PM.

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06-06-2010, 03:51 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The 600 is an enormously more capable device. Memory card support, annotation, dictionary lookup, searching, etc. If you can live with the image degradation caused by the 600's touch screen, I'd go for it without a doubt.

06-06-2010, 11:20 PM	#3
raffir Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	My concerns with the 600: - It's more expensive (the 300 seems to have dropped to $134 with the student discount now). - It's heavier, larger and a bit harder to use one-handed, I think. The 300 seems to actually be pocketable in a large jeans pocket or lab coat pocket. I don't think I need any of the editing functionality; I think the memory on the 300 should be enough. I definitely don't need another MP3 player. I agree, though, that the contrast on the 600 can be adapted to.

06-07-2010, 12:46 AM	#4
raffir Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	Another way of putting my question: If you have both, which do you find yourself using more often? Why? Which do you use when, and why?

06-09-2010, 06:11 PM	#6
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	PRS-600 is all together a better device. It is also more expensive. If you can afford it, get it. If you can't, get the PRS-300. It's also great. Side by side with the 300, the PRS-600's contrast problem is visible. In use by itself, it's great. I love my PRS-600. It's not top heavy, one-handed use is pleasant.

06-09-2010, 06:44 PM	#7
Dreamnine Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 471232 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Nexus 7, iPod Touch 5	I had a good look at both devices before buying the PRS-600. For me, the bigger screen, expandability and annotation was a nobrainer.

06-09-2010, 06:55 PM	#8
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	I've seen HarryT talk about the PRS505's inferior handling of epub files. Is the 600 any better?

06-09-2010, 10:47 PM	#9
raffir Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	How pocketable is the PRS 600? Is it really worth an extra $50 if all I want to do is read?

06-10-2010, 04:05 PM	#10
maxbookworm Addict Posts: 372 Karma: 1122865 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage, Galaxy Note 2	I wouldn't call the 600 pocketable, while the 300 seems more so (although I have to admit, I wouldn't put a reader in my pocket). It may not be worth the extra $50, but it does have a faster processor, so it may do better with the pdf Powerpoints slides. I just did somewhat of a compare and contrast here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86531

06-10-2010, 04:27 PM	#11
SandyBrooks Member Posts: 24 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Device: Sony pocket	I have the 300, and wouldn't buy the 600 unless it was like $100 'cause the screen is really inferior. From other people's responses though I guess it doesn't bother some people. If you haven't looked at them side by side, I would suggest that. The target near me has both of them on display.

06-11-2010, 10:58 AM	#12
chainring Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 1000659 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Device: Kindle Voyage, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650 (black), Kindle 3G	I have the 600 and wouldn't have traded everything it offers above and beyond the 300 just for the sake of a better screen. The 600's screen, while not as clear as the 300, is perfectly fine for me. In just about any situation with a reader (read: non-lit), you're going to have to adjust position or seek out more, or friendlier, light. I've found that in most situations, just a slight tilt and everything is good, and it encourages me to not be so stagnant, just like moving and readjusting while at a computer...it's needed!

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06-11-2010, 11:11 AM	#13
dorino I'm odd. Take note. Posts: 325 Karma: 779 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Device: deceased PRS-600, Nook STR	"really inferior" is an overstatement if there ever was one. Try them yourself, make your judgements that way. I like the screen, and the speed improvement over the 300 makes up for any faults by itself.

06-17-2010, 11:01 AM	#14
raffir Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: none	So, I've been borrowing a PRS 600, and I really love the features, but find the screen pretty hard on the eyes (low contrast, glare). I took a look at a Kobo and the comparison blew me away: the Kobo, by comparison, was like reading a printed page. As far as I can tell, in terms of features: 1. PRS-600. 2. PRS-300. 3. Kobo. But in terms of screen: 1. Kobo. 2. PRS-300. 3. PRS-600. Tough call.

06-23-2010, 05:53 PM	#15
Wordcrasher Addict Posts: 253 Karma: 1246 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vicenza, Italy Device: Kindle Fire 2015, Kindle Paperwhite	I bought a PRS-600 after I destroyed my PRS-505 and I have mixed feelings. The features of the 600 are superior, but I really don't like the screen. Now that the Kindle 2's price dropped I think I'll sell the 600 on eBay and buy a K2. The 300 has the same screen my 505 had (just smaller). I'd go for it unless you really need the inline dictionary the 600 come with.