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Sony Reader: should I keep it? -- decided
Vi Monks
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
For Christmas I received one of those electronic book readers -- this particular model made by Sony. Now I know absolutely nothing about these things because, quite frankly, I was never terribly interested in them and the price point always turned me off. But this one was a gift from my mother and she has said, in all sincerity, that she knows I was never sure about them and if I don't want it, I should take it back. At 400 dollars, that's a lot of food I could buy if I took it back.
But I had some questions about it first. I think it's a cool concept but it's hard to say how much use I'll get out of it. I do a good bit of reading, both for pleasure and studies, so having a large number of books in a small, electronic device sounds like a good deal. But one thing I hate is staring at a computer monitor, reading black text on a white background -- it's like staring at a light bulb. I have heard that the Sony Reader is side-lit rather than back-lit -- does this make a big difference? Also, is it possible to change background/text color? That would solve the whole problem on its own.
Anyone want to chime in on whether or not you own one and if it was a good purchase? As I said, part of me likes the convenience, but I also like having a physical book in my hand and on my bookshelf -- especially if I can go buy old editions with fancy covers and what not. And I suppose I still can but it kind of defeats the point. So basically I'm just asking if anyone else can recommend the Reader and why. Because right now, I'm just having trouble justifying the 400 dollars.
But I had some questions about it first. I think it's a cool concept but it's hard to say how much use I'll get out of it. I do a good bit of reading, both for pleasure and studies, so having a large number of books in a small, electronic device sounds like a good deal. But one thing I hate is staring at a computer monitor, reading black text on a white background -- it's like staring at a light bulb. I have heard that the Sony Reader is side-lit rather than back-lit -- does this make a big difference? Also, is it possible to change background/text color? That would solve the whole problem on its own.
Anyone want to chime in on whether or not you own one and if it was a good purchase? As I said, part of me likes the convenience, but I also like having a physical book in my hand and on my bookshelf -- especially if I can go buy old editions with fancy covers and what not. And I suppose I still can but it kind of defeats the point. So basically I'm just asking if anyone else can recommend the Reader and why. Because right now, I'm just having trouble justifying the 400 dollars.
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I held a 700 series, and due to the touch screen nature of it, the screen looked much less crisp and significantly hazier than the 505 counterpart.
With that being said, I love my 505. I've been doing a significant amount of reading lately, and it's so handy to have so many books in one compact package. It's hard to give specific reasons as to why I like it, it's just one of those things where use and tell yourself "Hey, this feels right."
Honestly, the best part is just being able to hold a light portable device with one hand and read.
I'll also throw in that the PRS-505 is $270.
I've never once regretted having mine. I read a lot and travel a lot, though. For something this niche, I think its worth to you depends on how much you'd use what it has to offer. If you think you'll be doing lots of reading while away from your book collection, I think it's worth it.
If you read a lot, you might very well appreciate the device, but I don't think you'll really know until you try it.
Stanza allows you to change text and page colour (so you can fight off painful contrast) and I don't doubt the Sony in question is capable of the same things, just to address that specific concern.
Damn those cavemans and their real paper!
One day they should learn how to be more civilized!