Sony ebook reader
 

Anyone actually using one of these things?

Love to hear about battery life; readability outdoors; availability of ebooks; ability to mark text etc.

If you're a compulsive reader, this looks like a great way to reduce luggage when traveling.

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I gave one to my wife for Christmas she loves it she has the 7somthing model the batteries last for ever as long as you don't use the built in back light that comes with the 7 model.

I have the Amazon Kindle on order. Much preferred the design of the Sony device but wasn't willing to give up the wireless connectivity and access to periodicals that the Kindle offers. Rumor has it that by the time mine ships it should be version 2.0 which should have an improved form factor.

Dottore,

I have exactly that Sony Reader.

So far it has been great. I use it daily for about 30 min. in bed before sleep. Batteries last me about a month before needing charge. Charging is through USB or you can buy an external charger. The screen is not illuminated so you need some kind of external light. I do not think outdoors reading should be a problem since it is more like a book than a computer screen.

There are a lot of books without (or expired) copyright through Project Gutemberg (www.gutemberg.org). Also you can convert any txt or Word document and most pdfs into Sony Reader format using conversion software (don't recall which one I am using). You can find current books and book collections over the internet in txt, Word or pdf format, although there are copyright issues...

You can choose between 3 font sizes and can bookmark pages, but nor take notes or highlight passages.

The greatest drawback for me so fat is that there are few books in Sony Reader format so I need to get the txt, Word or pdf and convert it (it takes just 1 minute but would rather not have to do it). Also there are minor conversion errors and/or mistakes in the downloaded files.

I think I paid $300 at Borders last august for mine. And yes, I am a compulsive reader, and this is a great way to reduce luggage when traveling (usually pack 5-6 books for 1 week trips to the beach).

Do not hesitate to ask me if you need more info.

Maybe consider an alternative. I just ordered the Dell mini 9 an just a tick over 2 lbs. Starting at $299

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I last looked at these about 6 months ago. My problem is that most books I'd want to read are still not available as eBooks.

I just did another check, randomly thought of books I'd grab and toss in a suitcase for beach reading on vacation, Googled the author + "eBook"

John Gierach - 1 title
John Keegan - 3 titles, none of the older ones
Georges Simenon - 6 titles, but $11 each
Bernard Mandelbrot - none
Dashiel Hammett - lots of titles
Lonely Planet guidebooks - can download PDFs, not sure about ebooks
Robert Heinlein - a handful of lesser novels

Not great coverage, though getting better. Maybe could find more if use BitTorrent to grab illegal copies, but that stuff is blocked here at work.

But I'm sure that for recent best-sellers, you could get them all in eBook form.

Suggest you do a similar exercise for your reading tastes.

Trout Bum!

My wife got me a Kindle for Christmas. It has completely changed my reading habits! I now read on the bike at the gym, I am discovering all sorts of new books and authors thanks to Amazons free book downloads, and I can read faster because of an optimized screen layout and there is no page turning. I can't say enough good things about it!! I have heard rumors about the second generation Kindle being announced this month so keep an eye out for it

Good luck,
Michael

The Kindle looks amazing.

The fact that you can access Amazon and get various magazines "delivered" seems an amazing plus.

Has anyone compared these Kindle to the Sony??

Here's a pretty good review of the Sony PRS-505. http://tinyurl.com/d3wkr5 I think for the simple fact that you have free 3Gweb access and the ability to download books via wireless the Kindle is a winner! If you're in the LA area you're welcome to check mine out.

Good luck,
Michael

I gave my wife the Sony for Xmas, and she LOVES it. Has not put it down. Batteries last for weeks and the user interface is just like iTunes.

I got the Sony for Xmas, it has been great.

I use it outside no problems, it is better than a book in low light situation, old eyes. Great on an airplane.

Battery seems to last a long time. I think I read 4 books on one charge while on a trip and sill not down.

More books seem to be coming all the time.