Sony 600, 300, or 505? I've finally decided!

Ziguezon · 09-23-2009, 01:46 PM

I've been thinking about which reader to buy for the longest time, and I've finally chosen one that I believe to be the best fit for me.

Here are the questions I asked myself over and over again while trying to make this difficult decision.

600
===
Q: Do I really need the faster processor and touch screen for reading technical documents?
A: It would be nice, but I suppose I can try to manage without it.
Q: Is the added glare from the touch screen, which is an issue for some but not others, likely to bother me?
A: Probably, since I do most of my reading in a dimly lit room, with a small bedside lamp over my shoulder. Note: I don't want to use a clip on reading light.
Q: Is it worth the $399 Canadian price tag for touch screen, speed, and a built in dictionary? (note: I am not interested in the annotation feature)
A: I think not. When you add a case and sales tax to that, the total approaches $500 Canadian. Ouch!
Verdict: Looks good. If only the price was lower...

300
===
Q: Do I care about the missing features?
A: Not really.
Q: Do I care about portability?
A: Nope.
Q: Will a 5" screen be big enough?
A: I don't think so.
Q: Does the 300 have any real advantage over the 505?
A: None that I can think of.
Verdict: Doesn't seem to be the right reader for me.

505
===
Q: Will I be able to read technical docs?
A: If they're properly formatted and are mostly text based, I can probably manage. If not, then I'll just wait another year or two and see what larger screen readers are available. Maybe I'll be rich by then...
Q: Does the current price of $275 Canadian from shoprbc.com work for me?
A: Yes. With $10 shipping and tax it comes to a total of $301 Canadian. The 300 plus a cover is more expensive than that. If I wait any longer for the price to come down, there might not be any more 505's to be had. Also, I've noticed that people rarely have anything bad to say about the 505. It seems to be already considered a classic in the ebook reader world, and I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to experience owning and using one for myself.
Verdict: Ding Ding Ding... We have a winner! I ordered my 505 yesterday!

lilac_jive · 09-23-2009, 02:41 PM

Ooh congrats! Good choice

dreams · 09-23-2009, 03:41 PM

Good choice!!
**says the lady with the 505**

I like how you made your decision.

I take my 505 everywhere with me and use it everyday. Not as much in the summer (only about 3-4 hours a day during the week - longer on days off), but I plan on reading much more this winter.

I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine. Have fun.

Ziguezon · 09-23-2009, 03:52 PM

I've been working on this decision for a good 3 years. When I first started thinking about it, the question was "which one should I buy, the PRS-500 or the Irex Iliad?".

I'm happy to have finally made up my mind after all this time.

09-23-2009, 01:46 PM	#1
Ziguezon Ogg Vorbis Posts: 145 Karma: 292661 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Sony 600, 300, or 505? I've finally decided! I've been thinking about which reader to buy for the longest time, and I've finally chosen one that I believe to be the best fit for me. Here are the questions I asked myself over and over again while trying to make this difficult decision. 600 === Q: Do I really need the faster processor and touch screen for reading technical documents? A: It would be nice, but I suppose I can try to manage without it. Q: Is the added glare from the touch screen, which is an issue for some but not others, likely to bother me? A: Probably, since I do most of my reading in a dimly lit room, with a small bedside lamp over my shoulder. Note: I don't want to use a clip on reading light. Q: Is it worth the $399 Canadian price tag for touch screen, speed, and a built in dictionary? (note: I am not interested in the annotation feature) A: I think not. When you add a case and sales tax to that, the total approaches $500 Canadian. Ouch! Verdict: Looks good. If only the price was lower... 300 === Q: Do I care about the missing features? A: Not really. Q: Do I care about portability? A: Nope. Q: Will a 5" screen be big enough? A: I don't think so. Q: Does the 300 have any real advantage over the 505? A: None that I can think of. Verdict: Doesn't seem to be the right reader for me. 505 === Q: Will I be able to read technical docs? A: If they're properly formatted and are mostly text based, I can probably manage. If not, then I'll just wait another year or two and see what larger screen readers are available. Maybe I'll be rich by then... Q: Does the current price of $275 Canadian from shoprbc.com work for me? A: Yes. With $10 shipping and tax it comes to a total of $301 Canadian. The 300 plus a cover is more expensive than that. If I wait any longer for the price to come down, there might not be any more 505's to be had. Also, I've noticed that people rarely have anything bad to say about the 505. It seems to be already considered a classic in the ebook reader world, and I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to experience owning and using one for myself. Verdict: Ding Ding Ding... We have a winner! I ordered my 505 yesterday!

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09-23-2009, 02:41 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Ooh congrats! Good choice

09-23-2009, 03:41 PM	#3
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,110 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	Good choice!! says the lady with the 505 I like how you made your decision. I take my 505 everywhere with me and use it everyday. Not as much in the summer (only about 3-4 hours a day during the week - longer on days off), but I plan on reading much more this winter. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine. Have fun.

09-23-2009, 03:52 PM	#4
Ziguezon Ogg Vorbis Posts: 145 Karma: 292661 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	I've been working on this decision for a good 3 years. When I first started thinking about it, the question was "which one should I buy, the PRS-500 or the Irex Iliad?". I'm happy to have finally made up my mind after all this time.

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