Which e-reader would you choose and why?

*echrada* · 19-10-2009, 8:07 PM

I have come to the conclusion that I need (read want) an e-reader, now I would like to hear some recommendations, please and thank you!

psikey · 19-10-2009, 8:56 PM

A general comparrison here: eBook Reader 2009 - TopTenREVIEWS

IRobot · 19-10-2009, 9:07 PM

Sony PRS-505, been using one for about a year most days. The free software "Calibre" is great for storing, converting and uploading books to the Sony. Some thoughts in this website:-

Why I purchased the Sony PRS-505 Reader | Thoughts by Ted

Croker · 29-10-2009, 3:20 PM

Another vote for the Sony PRS-505 here. Hugely recommended.

*triplea4uk* · 19-11-2009, 5:22 PM

Kindle 2

BlackBear · 21-11-2009, 3:48 PM

I also have the Sony PRS 505.

Screen is sharper than the new models as it's not touch screen and let's face it, there's no difference in swiping the screen or pressing a button to 'turn' a page.

I love it.

ebiumn · 23-11-2009, 7:56 AM

Pocketbook 360 PocketBook E-Reader

KeithO · 23-11-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebiumn

Pocketbook 360 PocketBook E-Reader

The Pocketbook reader look interesting. How is the build quality?

ebiumn · 23-11-2009, 1:09 PM

PocketBook 360° review - MobileRead Forums

rss · 27-11-2009, 3:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBear

I also have the Sony PRS 505.

Screen is sharper than the new models as it's not touch screen and let's face it, there's no difference in swiping the screen or pressing a button to 'turn' a page.

I love it.

The 505 certainly has the better screen, I upgraded to the 600 and I like the built in dictionary of the 600 and the ability to annotate. But sometimes I really wish I had the 505 again just for the screen!

Synchro · 28-11-2009, 10:33 PM

Interesting thread, as I feel the urgent need to get myself an e-book....

*The_kUrGaN* · 29-11-2009, 2:50 PM

Just bought the Sony 505 from Argos for £169.95 and got a £10 gift voucher in return too. It's a Christmas present for my wife so can't review it just yet.

The Gooner · 04-12-2009, 7:04 PM

Another vote for the Sony 505,
I have been using since April, I use it every day and love it.
Its been on holiday a couple of times with me and is fantastic for the plane and beats having to take 5 books with you, (or was that just me).
With the advantage of using the SD card slot you can get a few hundred books on the reader.

The battery lasts about 3-4 books Obviously dependant on the size of the book and with the AC Charger can be recharged anywhere.

I buy all my books now on E Format. And have about 400 on my laptop now

dejongj · 07-12-2009, 2:17 PM

Sony PRS-600 for me...I don't use it to read novels or the like, mainly for work documents, like big commercial contracts. The dictionary and most importantly the abilities to search and annotate are invaluable...Very impressed...

mrapbp · 07-12-2009, 10:07 PM

What is the availability of e-books?

I like the idea of getting one of these but am concerned that I would be restricted to a small number of books (I am pretty fussy!!)

dejongj · 07-12-2009, 10:14 PM

Take a look here Fiction, Children's books, eBooks, Non-fiction books, textbooks and more at Waterstone's

And then there is the Sony library, Google Library, Amazon, loads and loads...Lots of technical manuals as well...But since we don't know what you like, best to look yourself...

mrapbp · 07-12-2009, 10:24 PM

Considering it is just a very small info download the books are quite expensive. A lot more than buying from Asda or somewhere similar!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejongj

Take a look here Fiction, Children's books, eBooks, Non-fiction books, textbooks and more at Waterstone's

And then there is the Sony library, Google Library, Amazon, loads and loads...Lots of technical manuals as well...But since we don't know what you like, best to look yourself...

dejongj · 07-12-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Considering it is just a very small info download the books are quite expensive. A lot more than buying from Asda or somewhere similar!

Well you don't pay for the byte, you pay for the copyright....

And then there are about 500,000 free books through the Google books website, also accessible through the Sony ebook store...which are totally free...And in ASDA you would pay for them as the value will only be in the paper at the moment...

JC2009 · 10-12-2009, 2:27 PM

Microsoft Ereader on any windows mobile device, i am a big fan of reading ebooks, and have a collection of over a 1000, the HTC Touch HD is the best device I have used so far.

chrisbaker42 · 10-12-2009, 4:39 PM

Tried them all and the sony prs 505 is by far the best, I have been using it continuously since last christmas. The screen is excellent and is supposed to be better than the newer versions with the glossy screen. I cannot praise this reader highly enough.

davidm_uk · 16-12-2009, 4:08 PM

Does the 505 have a bookmark function, so I can return to the page I was reading? Or maybe more than one bookmark, so I can mark pages in several books if I'm "channel hopping?

What's the difference between the 505 and 505S, or are they one and the same?

chrisbaker42 · 23-12-2009, 11:40 AM

The 505 will return to the last page you viewed on any book so you could have several books on the go at any one time and still go back to the page you were on and that is not even using the bookmark function which it also has.

ebiumn · 23-12-2009, 12:19 PM

The pocketbook 360 will also return to each book you are reading in the same place you left it without a bookmark, although it also has bookmarks. It also has dictionaries and language conversion included, also the zoom is not limited to just 5 settings, it is as small or large as you want, also you can set the margin right up to the edge so you can get more text on screen, you can load whatever fonts you want, plus loads more, oh did i mention that the cover is part of the design and is very good. it also has suduko and chess inc, and reads many more formats than the sony

davidm_uk · 27-12-2009, 2:29 PM

Done it - bought the Sony 505 this morning. Just getting it charged up and reading all the bits of paper. I've also downloaded the Calibre software, and had a quick look at their forums - looks quite good.

A quick question, should I bother (do I need) to install the supplied Sony eReader software if I decide to use Calibre instead? I thought I read somewhere that installing the Sony stuff wasn't undoable if I decide to not use it. Their instruction read as if the reader won't work with protected material unless I install their software.

Sorry if the question's a bit basic, I'm only just starting on this particular branch technology!

dejongj · 27-12-2009, 3:13 PM

Yes install it, it will probably warn you of a firmware upgrade that is required since the 505 is getting on now....

I can't stand Calibre, whilst technically clever, the UI is, well lets be nice for the time of year...For techies done by techies and not intuitive at all...

*echrada* · 28-12-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Considering it is just a very small info download the books are quite expensive. A lot more than buying from Asda or somewhere similar!

First off thanks to everybody for their recommendations, after many hints received a Sony PRS-600 for Xmas. Very happy with it. Will review later.

mrapbp, if you share ebooks like we do dvd's, cd's and hard copy books, it is actually a very good thing and not so very expensive. In our family we have decided that everyone with an ebook (and there is quite a few) will get a turn to buy books and share.

*echrada* · 28-12-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidm_uk

Done it - bought the Sony 505 this morning. Just getting it charged up and reading all the bits of paper. I've also downloaded the Calibre software, and had a quick look at their forums - looks quite good.

A quick question, should I bother (do I need) to install the supplied Sony eReader software if I decide to use Calibre instead? I thought I read somewhere that installing the Sony stuff wasn't undoable if I decide to not use it. Their instruction read as if the reader won't work with protected material unless I install their software.

Sorry if the question's a bit basic, I'm only just starting on this particular branch technology!

I wouldn't install the Sony software if I was only going to use Calibre, although you can remove the sony software if you so wish.

zziplexi · 29-12-2009, 11:08 AM

Can anyone who has the PRS 600 help me as mine seems to be the most hateful thing ever.
It took me over 2 days to get a connection to the Sony site to download the software and when i did it took over 4 hours.
Then when trying one of the example dooks (Hitch-hikers Guide ) the touch screen part seems incapable of turning the pages right.
If i press the left hand side of the screen the page goes backwards but if i press the right it can either back or forward randomly.
It works fine using the buttons just not the touch screen.

Crocodile · 29-12-2009, 1:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zziplexi

Can anyone who has the PRS 600 help me as mine seems to be the most hateful thing ever.

I set up the missus 600 last night. The library software is on the device & installs from there, doesn't need downloading.

The method for changing pages is a "swipe" to the left or right starting in the middle. Check the Gesture setting (under settings) & also re-run screen calibration.

The Sony site just doesn't seem to be able to cope with the post-Christmas demand. Took ages to register the device last night at midnight. I've tried getting on today to download the manual & getting nowhere.

Side issue, the library software seems a bit pants. Will have a proper look at Calibre.

Edit
The USA site seems a bit more responsive. Here's a link to the manual.

dejongj · 29-12-2009, 5:46 PM

As he said...The software is on the device...

Turning a page is not pressing the screen, unless you mean the buttons below it...But a swipe, quite hard push unlike the iPhone...And you can change the direction in settings....