Sony Digital Reader PRS600BC Touch Edition

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition Black PRS600BC

The Reader Touch Edition features a 6″display with simple, easy-to-use touchscreen navigation. Turn pages with the swipe of a finger and enjoy fast and intuitive navigation of your favorite books. Take freehand notes and highlight sections of text you want to revisit later, just as you would in a real book, using the included stylus. If you prefer, a virtual keyboard is also available for entering quick notes or searching your eBooks. If you want, you can even export your notes to your computer using the eBook Library software. Enjoy access to a wider number of books from a wider number of places. By supporting both industry standard formats, ePub and PDF, you can access books at Sony’s eBookstore, check out books from public libraries, access over 500,000 free public domain titles from Google, as well as sharing sites, online aggregators and personal publishers (Internet access is required). Not sure which books to bring on your trip? With the Reader Touch Edition, you will never have to make that choice again. 512MB of onboard memory lets you carry up to 350 of your favorite books at a time. Whether you’re venturing across town or across the country, the Reader Touch Edition makes an ideal travelling companion. Measuring just 0.4″ thin and weighing less than 9 ounces, the Reader Touch Edition is thinner and more lightweight than almost any book, and even many magazines. The Reader Touch Edition utilizes E-Ink screen technology to deliver an amazing, paper-like display that’s more like ink on paper and fully readable in direct sunlight. Enjoy up to two full weeks of reading (7,500 continuous page turns) on a single battery charge. Paper-like display for easy, natural reading Two full weeks of reading on a single battery charge; Built-in Oxford American English eDictionary; Intuitive eBook Library software for PC and Mac 5 adjustable font sizes to customize your

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Why Sony?
I have been following the e-book readers for some time, and I wanted several things for me to “jump on the bandwagon.”

1) I have a number of PDF reference books, so a Reader needs to handle these well. Since my books are text, these reflow well on the Sony.

2) Because I will use (and now am using) the Reader for reference books, it was important that I be able to access my notes directly from my computer to use in other documents. I actually began using the software on my desktop several months before I purchased the 600, and was pleased with its capabilities.

3) I enjoy the free epub books from my library. The Sony accesses these easily. There are also a number of locations besides Sony selling the epub or Adobe digital books (usable by the Sony Touch) giving me more choice in my decision.

4) The Touch handles my regular documents well – as a public speaker, I love having my speeches available to study on the reader, without having to print them out!

If you would like to see a 10-minute video of the Sony, it is accessible at mobiletechreview dot com, along with great photos.

But for those looking for the points I already love (thus the 5 stars)

1) I love having the touch turn capability, just a brush of my thumb!

2) I enjoy the sideways and zoom features for PDFs that you want to keep “standard”

3) After only a couple of minutes, I forgot I was even using a reader and I got involved in the book.

*** I live in an isolated area – so neither Whispernet for the Kindle nor the upcoming 3G connection on the more expensive Daily model would be helpful – I’m just as happy to order my books “in advance” and carry them with me.

I enjoy the feel of the Reader by itself, but since I will be carrying this “library” with me, and I was worried about protection, I purchased the M-edge Executive Jacket for Sony Reader PRS-505 (Genuine Leather–Pebbled Grey w/ Black) – SALE! which fits it perfectly.

I also purchased the Sony AC Charger for PRS505SC and PRS505LC to ensure that I can charge up my reader when my computer isn’t around.

If you haven’t made the jump into e-reading, you might want to check this one out!

Edited after reading 10 books and using for 2 weeks.

Some people have mentioned the glare – since my previous reading was on my laptop – this isn’t an issue for me. I keep my lighting at my side, and it is not a problem at all. It is more noticeable in a dark room with a single light source.

Another issue I have encountered isn’t with the reader – but with the interaction between Windows and the software. It is pretty touchy. I have learned to be careful of some PDF documents which have caused problems.

It is also important that when importing books that aren’t loaded through the reader that you “maintain” the link by not moving them once they are imported. Like Powerpoint and other programs, the desktop ebook reader doesn’t store the book in the program – it links to it on your computer. Breaking the link means it can’t find the book – and it can’t upload the book.

*** A special touch for a “Grandma” is the ability to be able to load photos of my granddaughter to carry with me. There is even a feature that permits showing the photos as a slide show. While the photos are in black and white, they are very sharp and it is a nice touch when I travel.

4 Stars Excellent purchase
First digital book I’ve owned and I am blown away. I’ve already torn through two books and have downloaded several free books that I was delighted to find. Amazed out how easy it is to use and read. Glare is a bit bothersome but i’ve adapted and don’t really notice it so much. In full sunlight the contrast is the best. Will this replace real books in my life? No, but it does make reading and carrying multiple literary items around much more convenient!

3 Stars No read-to-me? No wireless?
No read-to-me. No wireless. Same price as Kindle2. I thought this reader was meant to compete against it…

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