Sony eBook Reader Overview
By Mike Tait
Sony has been in the portable ebook reader market since 2004 with their Sony LIBRIé which was discontinued in 2005. The LIBRIé was a Japanese language version only but computer savvy people have managed to convert the interface to English using certain files found online and uploading them through a USB cable to the device.
The Sony eBook Reader Device
However, it was in 2006 that the Sony ebook reader line came out and Sony managed to dominate the international ebook reader market (well, at least until the Kindle arrived.) There have been 9 Sony Readers since 2006; the first ones were the PRS models, which stand for Portable Reader System, and they were the Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-700, Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-600, and the Sony PRS-900.
Click Here to Check Out All The Sony Ebook Readers Available From Amazon
The Latest Sony Readers
All the above Sony eBook Readers have been discontinued, although you can still buy them from places like eBay and Amazon. The next series of Sony Reader models were the Sony Pocket Edition PRS-350, the Sony Touch Edition PRS-650, and the Sony Daily Edition PRS-950. As of June 2011, all the current models are in short supply, with all but one listed as “out of stock” even at the Sony online store.
There is some speculation as to the reason for the out of stock Readers. Some say it is because a new version will be coming out soon, while others say that there is a shortage of the e-ink pearl screens due to increased demand. Also, the only Sony eBook Reader that has Wi-Fi connectivity is the PRS-950, and some people are speculating that the reason the PRS-650 is currently out of stock is because Sony will be adding Wi-Fi to it.
Whatever the truth, it seems that Sony will continue with their current 3 models; the 5 inch Daily Edition, the 6 inch Touch Edition, and the 7 inch Daily Edition. No doubt there will be updated versions in the future but it is my guess that they will keep the 3 size format.
Sony eBook Reader UPDATE 2011/2012
Well, it seems that I was wrong about my assumption that Sony would keep the three different sizes when they introduce their new reader. On August 31st 2011, Sony introduced just one model to replace their three previous models. The new reader is called the Sony PRS-T1 or the Sony Reader Wi-Fi.
The Sony PRS T1 is a 6 inch reader that Sony is touting as the lightest 6 inch reader in the world. It weighs 5.9 oz and the dimensions are 6 7/8 x 4 3/8 x 3/8 inches which is comparable with the new Kindle 4 in weight and size but it is a lot lighter than the Kindle Touch.
With a list price of $129.99 it is slightly cheaper than the Kindle Touch (the ad free version) and slightly more expensive than the Barnes and Noble Touch. I will write a full review on a separate page for the Sony PRS T1 but here is a quick summary:
The Sony Reader PRS T1 offers similar features and price to its two main rivals, the Nook Touch and the Kindle Touch. The main difference is that as well as the touchscreen function there is also a row of buttons at the bottom for convenient navigation. Finally, Sony has developed an ebook reader that can compete with regards to price and features, not to mention style.
Comparison of Features Between the Different Sony Reader Models
Sony Pocket Edition PRS-350 |
Sony Touch Edition PRS-650 |
Sony Daily Edition PRS-950 |
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| Weight | 5.47 Ounces | 7.58 Ounces | 9.6 Ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.71 x 4.11 x 0.33 Inches | 6.61 x 4.68 x 0.38 Inches | 7.87 x 5.04 x 0.38 Inches |
| Display | 5 Inch E-Ink Pearl Display 16 Level Gray Scale 600 x 800 Resolution Anti-Glare Touchscreen |
6 Inch E-Ink Pearl Display 16 Level Gray Scale 600 x 800 Resolution Anti-Glare Touchscreen |
7 Inch E-Ink Pearl Display 16 Level Gray Scale 600 x 1024 Resolution Anti-Glare Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | N/A | N/A | Wi-Fi and 3G |
| Memory | 2 GB Internal No Expandable Memory |
2 GB Internal 32 GB Expandable Memory |
2 GB Internal 32 GB Expandable Memory |
| Battery | Up To 14 Days | Up To 14 Days | Up To 22 Days |
| File Types | EPUB, PDF, Microsoft Word, TXT, RTF, BBeB | EPUB, PDF, Microsoft Word, TXT, RTF, BBeB, MP3, ACC | EPUB, PDF, Microsoft Word, TXT, RTF, BBeB, MP3, ACC |
| Advanced Functions | Bookmark + Highlight Freehand notes with stylus Intelligent zoom Periodical navigation options 10 Translation Dictionaries PDF Reflow |
Bookmark + Highlight Freehand notes with stylus Intelligent zoom Periodical navigation options 10 Translation Dictionaries PDF Reflow |
Bookmark + Highlight Freehand notes with stylus Intelligent zoom Periodical navigation options 10 Translation Dictionaries PDF Reflow |
Sony Pocket Edition PRS-350
As the name implies, the Pocket Edition is the ideal portable ebook reader for slipping into your pocket or purse. The 5 inch e-reader is the smallest size in the market, although there are other brands that offer a 5 inch display, including the Samsung Papyrus, the Bookeen Cybook Opus, and the Hanvon.
The first Pocket Edition, the PRS-300, came out on August 5, 2009 and was replaced on September, 2010 with the updated PRS-350. The newer model had 16-level grey scale instead of 8, the new e-ink Pearl screen, 2 GB internal memory instead of 512 MB, and 6 font sizes instead of 3, amongst other changes.
Apart from being ultra portable, the Pocket Edition was designed to be an entry-level e-reader priced below the competition at $150. To accomplish this price point, the Pocket Edition has no wireless network, no expandable memory, and no MP3 audio.
Compared to many other e-readers with their plastic frames, the Sony Reader is solidly built with its aluminum frame. Considering its price and size, the new PRS-350 comes with several features that are not included in the Kindle or Nook; full touch anti-glare screen, stylus for freehand note taking, 10 translation dictionaries, and adjustable content brightness.
Some of the shortcomings include the relatively small battery life on a single charge of 14 days compared to the 31 days for the Kindle 3, the zoom level could be improved with an extra level between medium and large, and the lack of changeable fonts. Also, the Pocket Edition comes with the bare minimum; you have to buy separately a cover and an AC adapter.
Sony Touch Edition PRS-650
The first Touch Edition, the PRS-600, came out on August 5, 2009 and was replaced on September, 2010 with the updated PRS-650. The 600 series was a direct replacement of the previous PRS-700 model. The PRS-600 was often criticized for its reflective touch-screen; however, the newer PRS-650 now has an improved anti-glare touch-screen making it a lot easier to read from.
Improvements over the PRS-600 include 16-level grey scale instead of 8, the new e-ink Pearl screen, 2 GB internal memory instead of 512 MB, and 6 font sizes instead of 5. Unlike the smaller PRS-350, the PRS-650 has expandable memory (up to 32 GB) and MP3 audio.
The PRS-650 is lighter and smaller than the Kindle, weighing in at only 7.58 ounces compared to the Kindle’s 8.5 ounces. The fact that the Touch Edition is so sturdy with its solid aluminum case yet weighs so little is definitely a favorite feature of many Sony eBook Reader fans.
The same as the PRS-350, the PRS-650 does not have Wi-Fi or other wireless connectivity. This is a feature that would make the Touch Edition reader more desirable for some but it is not indispensable unless you do not have a computer. With a computer, you can easily download e-books and quickly upload them to your Sony Reader via the USB cable.
The only issue that some people have with the Sony Touch Edition is the price. It is double the price of the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, both of which are 6 inch readers yet with Wi-Fi. However, the Sony is probably the most complete e-book reader available at the moment.
Sony Daily Edition PRS-950
Lastly, from the Sony Ebook Reader line-up is the 7 inch Daily Edition. This is the largest of the Sony Readers and it is supposed to compete with the Kindle DX. However, the Kindle DX has a 9.7 inch display which is a whole lot bigger than the Sony’s 7 inches. On the other hand, the Daily Edition is also a lot lighter than the DX – 9.6 oz compared to the DX’s 18.9 oz.
The Sony Daily Edition is for you if you find 6 inch readers too small and if you read a lot of PDF documents. The larger 7 inch screen of 600 × 1024 pixels makes for a more PDF appropriate aspect ratio, and the PDF reflow is a fantastic feature. Without PDF reflow, one PDF page will fill the screen of a 6 inch screen, so to read it, you will have to zoom and pan. With PDF reflow, you change the font size and the PDF reflows within the page making reading PDF documents a lot easier.
The PRS-950 shares many of the features of the PRS-650 and PRS-350; 16-level grey scale, new e-ink Pearl screen, 2 GB internal memory, 6 font sizes, EPUB, PDF, Microsoft Word, TXT, RTF, and BBeB supported e-book formats. Unlike the smaller PRS-350, the PRS-950 has expandable memory (up to 32 GB) and MP3 audio and unlike both the PRS-350 and PRS-650, the PRS-950 has wireless connectivity – both Wi-Fi and 3G.
The battery life on a single charge is improved over the two smaller Sony Readers with wireless off but slightly less when using wireless. Like the Kindle, it has a simple web browser which is a waste of time, in my opinion, except for maybe referencing wiki pages.
There is a lot to like about the PRS-950 and only a few small negatives. Every other ebook reader on the market also has negatives, but the Sony Reader Daily Edition is as about perfect as any ebook reader on the market.
Which Sony Ebook Reader is Right for You?
- PRS-350
- PRS-650
- PRS-950
All the latest Sony eBook Readers have now got much improved anti-glare touch-screens, e-ink Pearl technology displays, a handy stylus for freehand notes, bookmark and highlights, supported epub open format, built-in dictionary with 10 translation dictionaries, adjustable content brightness, and are sturdy with their aluminum design material frames.
Click Here to Check Out All The Sony Ebook Readers Available From Amazon
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