Sony PRS-505 ebook reader - Anyone bought one?

[Kevin]

Just wondering if anyone splashed out this week and bout one of the new Sony Ebook readers? I did, and am so far very pleased with it, and I wonder what others think of it.

I initially thought it was a little expensive purchasing the ebooks from the Waterstones site, but I (eventually) managed to sort out a way to log into the US sony ebook site and purchase my ebooks from their. Much cheaper, and it is good to have an established source for ebooks as the US has had ebook readers, and been selling ebooks for quite a while now.

I bought it as a pressie for my wife, and she is not normally that impressed with my gadget purchases, but this one did actually turn her head.

Kevin.

[Ono]

To be honest, the thing looks very low tech and at £199 doesn't come across as much of a bargain. I understand why it is only monochrome and basic (battery life and weight) but I'd rather buy a mini notebook for that price and watch the movie version of the book whilst commuting

[Kryten]

Originally Posted by Ono

but I'd rather buy a mini notebook for that price and watch the movie version of the book whilst commuting

I think you have hit the nail on the head there. The kind of person these are really aimed at for now (geeks) would just by a UMPC instead of which there are loads about all at that same kind of price.

Unless you spend a long time away from home I can't really see the point, and even then it still costs far too much. Just carry a book or two with you

And how on earth can an ebook cost more than an actual book?

[nigel_williams]

I saw one yesterday in Tottenham Court Road and the screen was pretty good, very easy to read. But I don't get time to read that many books so it wouldn't be worth my while. Besides I see most commuters stuffing paperbacks into pockets/bags etc so I think I'd be worried about durability.

I have used ebook readers on my PDA and they can be quite useful on longer trips where you inevitably spend an evening in the hotel restaurant. Think I'll stick with my new netbook.

To take off, prices really need to drop by at least 10% compared to the actual paperback. For new hardback releases, are they making the ebook version the same price?

[Kevin]

Looks like I'm alone in liking it then

Admittedly, I did get it for £130, rather than £199, so that had a bearing on purchasing it, and the book my wife just wanted isn't out here in the UK unti January, but we got it off the US ebook site for £7 ($12).

I also see a use for it when we go on holiday. We usually take 3 or 4 books each, so that will save a lot on baggage.

I don't think it is a good, or fair comparison to pit it against a notebook (a notebook for £130 ?), but it does what it is designed to do, and does it well. I guess it is really intended for people who read quite a lot....maybe that's a dying breed.

Kevin

[Tob]

Was tempted to get one...does it do images? Or PDFs?

[NicolaUK]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I also see a use for it when we go on holiday. We usually take 3 or 4 books each, so that will save a lot on baggage.

So wouldn't you need two?

[statto]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I guess it is really intended for people who read quite a lot....maybe that's a dying breed.

I read a stack of stuff, and I really can't see the point of these at the moment. When e-books become significantly cheaper than their paper counterparts and when the cost of one drops to less than £100, and when their capacity increases significantly* I could start to see the point, but there is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands.





*I like the idea of carrying around the whole of Project Gutenberg, The Encyclopedia Britannica, and the contents of Wikipedia in my back pocket.

[Evil Badoshix]

I bought one of these from ebay US a while back, and I got rid a couple of months later. As always the bundled Sony software is rubbish, and support for A4 pdf's is awful. Thankfully there are open source alternatives to the software.

It's great for regular books/novels, and for that it really can't be faulted. The text is really crisp, and is in another league to palmtops etc. I was working abroad at the time, and it was great to have all my favourite books available on hand. So i guess it's ideal for people who love to read, and spend alot of time away from home. Otherwise you're better off with a regular paperback.

[roddy]

My problem with these is that unless ALL you want to do is read a book, they're miserable value for money compared with a smartphone or PDA. I do a lot of ebook reading, but I'm trying to reduce the number of gadgets I carry around, not increase it. The screen on my smartphone might be smaller and less comfortable to read, but it's usable.

The upcoming (but when?) rollable screens look fun though. They might change my mind.

[driver8]

yes, the whole idea seems about 10 years too late to me, and 100% overpriced - I can't see these going mainstream at a time when more products are doing everything.

as for travelling, then a single paperback plus an EEE would be a far better option for me.

[Mars]

Been using PDA's and more recently my Nokia N95 to read ebooks and have to say that although the screen on them (N95) especially is small they are very handy.

Was considering the Kindle but cant justify another device for what I can do on my phone at the moment.

Mars

[Hex]

If they could sell them for under £50 a throw and be able to handle text/word files/pdf i could see them taking off otherwise i think they'll always stay a niche market

When the idea was first banded about god knows how many years ago i couldn't wait for them to arrive but now they are here the functionality is so limited for the price i can't bring myself to get one.

[Ono]

The other thing is, don't people collect books? ie. like to have the hardback on their shelves after reading. This thing defeats that whole objective.

If it was colour, able to display photos, surf the net, play movies and the odd game I'd buy one

[Guest 4904]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Looks like I'm alone in liking it then
Admittedly, I did get it for £130, rather than £199, so that had a bearing on purchasing it, and the book my wife just wanted isn't out here in the UK unti January, but we got it off the US ebook site for £7 ($12).

My wife really wants one - where did you get it from for £130?!

[dataloss]

The prices will come down over the next 5 years e-ink is still first gen tech. considering until recently some other readers available in europe were 3 or 4 times that amount.

[Guest 23929]

Originally Posted by statto

*I like the idea of carrying around the whole of Project Gutenberg, The Encyclopedia Britannica, and the contents of Wikipedia in my back pocket.

You can do that at the moment on your phone, if you have internet access. As phone screens get larger and larger, I can't see these things taking off much.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by WildWayz

My wife really wants one - where did you get it from for £130?!

Unfortunately, I doubt if it is available anymore for that price.

I used a 20% off coupon from Waterstones, which took it down to £160, then I bought £160 worth of Waterstones gift cards off Ebay for £130, and paid for it with them.

Plus, I also ended up with £11 worth of Waterstones loyalty points to spend on anything instore or on on their website.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Kevin.

[Guest 35611]

Can you borrow brand new ebooks? For free? Like you can borrow books from a library?

If you could put a new book on there for free, for three weeks (loan at my local library), I might think about it.