Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition - Black (PRS600BC)

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R388A106YPC7QU The video includes a few of my favorite features on the Sony, but misses things like the dictionary and audio options - since you can use up to a 16g SD chip - it is also possible to carry some of your albums with you, permitting the reader to substitute as an mpg player as well.

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!

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.

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. My favorite reading location is outdoors.

Another issue I have encountered isn't with the reader - but with the interaction between Windows and the software. It is pretty touchy, and I have had to use Sony Support to adjust settings on Windows to make it work correctly.

*** Edited after 2 months -
A recent update in the software has removed some of the software connection problems I originally experienced. So, that's a plus!

However, I have recently added some PDF files that did NOT flow the same way as my original "professional" files reflowed. After checking with those more knowledgeable, I have been told that the problem is not with the Sony, but with the way the PDF files have been set up. The PDF is supposed to include "tags" that will help the pages to reflow correctly. My recommendation is that anyone with PDFs they need to carry on the reader download the free computer software and attempt to read them using this software. If it works on your computer, it will reflow correctly on the Sony. If it does not - then it will not do so on the Reader either.

Nothing is perfect and this reader is no exception.
Pros
What I like is that I can get any book I want from Google library or internet and I can read any of my 2000 pdf's easily. When you open pdf it allows you to increase and decrease font. If you increase font from small to large all pictures go away, but you can always go back to small font and even zoom in on pictures. I don't have to convert text files or MS Word documents on this thing. It allows you to add SD card(I have 2000 plus books and magazines on it now). This thing is fast and software that Sony created for it is very easy to use(I was surprised by that). Now, with all these books I don't need wireless :)
It's shorter than Kindle 2 by two fingers.
Screen is readable outside and I actually like the black letters against gray background as it's not as blinding as a real book on the very sunny day, but there are cons, see below.

Cons
Compare to Kindle 2 that my friend has at work it has more glare, because of the touch screen. Is it a showstopper? Not sure as adjusting the angle resolves the issue, but you do have to adjust the angle. Also, I find that contrast is not as good as a real book, but it is comparable to Kindle 2.


Verdict, I am keeping it for another 3-4 days to see if the glare gets to me, I will post an update if it does. Also, I think I do like it better than Kindle 2, because of the open format and expandable memory.

Update: Decided to keep it. It really grew on me. Surprisingly the glare is less of an issue outside and inside slight adjustments to the angle resolves it. Also, I like how it's built like a tank. I am really not afraid of breaking it.

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!

I've had my Sony eReader Touch for just over a week now and love it! I was debating for a long time about whether to go the Kindle or Sony eReader Touch route. What won me over was the diversity of the Sony eReader and how I'm able to put rich text files, PDFs and Word Documents on it. As a Mac User I wasn't sure how well the software would be and whether I would have to use something like Calibre to drag and drop books/files into the reader. The Sony software worked well on my Macbook Pro (running Snow Leopard) and the Sony software looks a lot like iTunes. No real learning curve there!

As far as the different file formats go, I found that besides Sony's .epub format, the Word Docs come out pretty nice. The PDFs look good as well, but if you adjust the font size it can adjust a little strange, but not enough that it bothered me. I've heard people complain about the cost of the Sony ebooks, it seems reasonable for a $7-15 price range. I've been reading The Lost Symbol and its been worth $9.99 to me.

One of the great features is double clicking with the stylus on a word and then a dictionary pops up with the definition. Great handy tool there. Also, I like the option of highlighting and writing on the pages and then those notes getting exported in an easily accessible way. I do own an iPhone, but reading on these is much better. You can't really compare the two, because they serve two different purposes. The eReader is meant for reading and even listening to music. I have hard time when people try to compare both of them. The eReader has a long battery life, I don't have to worry about it turning off or dimming if I've been reading the same page for a while. With the touch screen I still like swiping my finger across it to change the page. The design is very slick and a very convenient reader.

Because of the touch screen there is a little bit of a reflection, but I hardly notice it now. It comes with a USB cable to charge through your computer, a neoprene sleeve and a tiny instruction booklet. I love that Sony has two options of expanding the 512mb internal memory with Memory Stick Pro Duo slot and an SD Slot-- with books being 2mb or less, there is room to grow!

I seriously recommend this device above all others. I travel for long periods of time and this fits my needs very well. I've caught myself pulling it out and reading in my spare time or when I have a few minutes here or there-- so it's not always for traveling. Certainly a great purchase.

I have been using a PRS-505 since Jan 09 and I loved it. My wife has wanted a reader as well so I figured I'd give her mine (mint condition) and upgrade. I really like the 600, it boasts a lot of new features that were missing from my 505. The built in dictionary is very handy and saves me time from having to look up words from time to time. Simply double tap a word and there's your definition. The new design is very sexy and I like the feel of the matte finish on the back of the device.

Pros:
The touchscreen is pretty handy and rather responsive. A quick swipe to the left or right changes the page for you. I find it to be more convenient, but there is still a button page turn, if that's what you prefer.

The interface is pretty nice. You can view your library by title or by cover art. Included in the right spine is a stylus. With this you can draw notes on pages or you can freehand drawings in a separate application (you can also use your finger for this).

The internal memory has been bumped up a 100mbs to 350, and I believe you now store 250 books internally. The device also has two slots for external memory (SD card and Sony's Memory Stick Pro Duo).

There is a built in MP3 player, but I have yet to use this feature on my old 505 or my current 600

Added also is a search feature which you can use with the on-screen keyboard.

CONS:
Readability is slightly hindered due to the extra layer for the touchscreen. Its not dramatic, but my 505 is noticeably more legible in most lighting conditions. Also due to the touchscreen, the screen is much more reflective and gives off a glare when held in certain positions.

It's bit heavier than my 505. But honestly I don't consider this a con really. I like my devices to feel like they cost a bit of money. If it were too light I think it would feel cheap.

I have the black unit and its a slight fingerprint magnet on the front. Now some may disagree, but I like it to look flawless at all time and I can notice them. Nothing a soft cloth can't fix.


All and all I'm glad I upgraded. It's a lovely reader and I like having something different than all those Kindle users out there. I'm very pleased.