Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-350

Ok ereader – It's an OK ereader. Given the choice again I would buy another device. It was expensive to buy compared to other kindle devices available at the time. Within the space of a month after purchase, the top handle bit of the stylus snapped off leaving it stuck inside the ereader (NB: I only used the stylus a a few times as I usually just tap on the… Read more

screen with my finger tips). Rang a licensed Sony repair centre and was told that I'd have to send it in and would probably have to purchase a new stylus at the cost of AUD$99. After some time of trying I managed to get the stylus out but have not replaced it. In addition to that, I have found that I've encountered "Page errors" for some epub books which I have transferred from my PC to the ereader. I have no problems reading the content on the Sony library on my PC, but once the book was transferred to the ereader, the ebook would not open. Having researched the internet, it was determined that one of the most likely reasons is due to the limited memory of the Sony ereader which can handle chapters no more than 100k. Some ebooks when published are more than the 100k limit and this is a supposed bug with Adobe Digital Editions. Not sure how to fix this as I've tried everything from doing a hard reset on my ereader and was unsuccessful. Also for some pdf versions of the books with images in the content did not display very well on this ereader. Aside from all that I do love the size and weight of the ereader. A great ereader for travelling. It's small, lightweight, great especially for travelling Expensive to purchase, stylus was flimsy in design. Page errors for ebooks which cannot be resolved due to memory limitations

Good, but I'd recommend a Kindle for most people – Arguably, this is a slightly nicer device than the Kindle, but suffers from two key flaws: Whilst a nice and light, it's uncomfortable to hold with just one hand and too small to hold with two. The overall ecosystem with Sony's Reader is rubbish compared to Amazon's Kindle bookstore. Calibre is a fine alternative, but I've found in general… Read more

the world of ePubs to be a big hassle compared with "your grandmother could use it" simplicity of Amazon. Weight, general build quality Suprisingly annoying size, terrible Sony ecosystem

Good – I really like this product. I think I'll always have an ereader from now on and I would buy a PRS-350 again, which for me says it all, more inquisitive readers please read on! I did quite a lot of online research on ereaders before I purchased the PRS-350 and was sort of set on the Kindle 3. If the Kindle been available at a local store I may… Read more

have got one of those instead of the 350. Having said that, I expect a side-by-side comparison of the Kindle and Sony may still have resulted in me purchasing the latter, it's just so beautifully made and feels really sturdy.

Talking of side-by-side comparisons I did consider the PRS-650 but it felt cumbersome compared to it's little brother and while the 350 fits in my shirt pocket (even with the Sony leather cover attached), the 650 would not. The 650 does have a number of additional features, memory expansion slot and audio playback being the two most obvious but you would really want to have them to offset the 350's size (or lack thereof) benefits.

Using the 350 is very easy, I find everything is well laid out and it's hard to fault the device. The battery lasts well, the e-ink is very easy on the eyes and the built in applications are more than I expected from an ereader. The only minor complaint I have here is that the software "Device Shutdown" would have been better suited in the "Home" menu vice the "Settings" menu but that's really nit-picking.

One of the more important functions is of course changing pages, afterall using the device to read a book is what it's all about right!. There are two main methods to do this, use the buttons on the located at the bottom of the unit, or use the touch screen and simply swipe thumb or finger left or right as required. The thumb method is what I use and I never need to use anything than my right thumb once the book is open, this may seem like a trivial point but when your on a packed train going to work in the morning you really want to leave one hand to hang on! I should point out here that since buying an ereader my train journeys seem so much shorter and are much more enjoyable....and who would have thought I would ever read Sherlock Holmes!

Back to the 350, lets look at some negatives. Well to start it would have been nice to have a proper charger included, it does come with a USB cable but when using this you can't use the ereader itself (it goes into a charging mode) and what would it cost Sony to include a charger (a few bucks). The Sony leather cover (PRSA-SC35) is well made and is really a necessity if you are going to use the ereader as intendend (chucked in your bag for those daily train journeys for example) but it's expensive for what it is. The 100 free e-books that I was told were available from the Sony website on purchasing the 350 were never available, the web page simply does not exist and my email to Sony customer support fell on deaf ears unfortunately....dissapointing but nothing I'll lose sleep over. The real negative for me is the Sony "Reader Library" software, it's overly complicated and reminds me very much of Apples iTunes software (which put me off buying an iPod). The positives however far outweigh the negatives and they would not stop me purchasing a 350 again.

If your venturing into ereaders for the first time I highly recommend you testdrive the 350 yourself.

GC Very well made, touch-screen, easy to read, good battery life, really fits in a pocket (even with the Sony Leather protector fitted). No charger or cover supplied, Sony "Reader Library" software, can not use the device for reading while charging via the supplied USB cable.

Perfect reader for ePub – I just bought this product a few days ago and I love it. The screen quality is far better than the cheaper reader you can find in electronics shops. The menus and touch screen are very clear and easy to use. I didn't have any problem uploading ebooks to my new reader. It has no wifi or bluetooth which means you have to plug it into your… Read more

computer. But that is how you recharge the battery anyway so I don't think it's an issue.

It is more expensive than the Kindle (which is also of good quality) but I chose the Sony reader over the Kindle because it can read ePub and because it is lighter (250 gr). The fact that this can read ePub is a big plus for me. It means you can buy books in any store and in any language. To upload your purchased book, you have to install a program which looks a bit like iTunes. You just drag and drop your files and keep your folders organised easily.

Bought it at Myer with the blue cover which seemed to be pretty difficult to find (only seen the pink one at the Sony Centre)!

Overall a very good reader if you are after something light, of good quality with a very nice screen (my eyes are not tired or strained even after hours of reading). Reads ePub, light and small, excellent quality screen, easy to buy books online and transfer onto the reader quite expensive

Good – One of the best things I have bought this year! Great all rounder, a few cons, but nothing other eReaders don't suffer also Sony software is rubbish (no surprise here) "Calibre - E-book management" is free, faster and open source, works perfectly with the reader. No wall charger provided, if you have a computer and don't mind charging it… Read more

once a fortnight then this is not a problem, otherwise a charger is available separately

Such a pretty thing, you don't want to scratch it!! No cover provided but Sony brand cover available separately

If you read anything more then 1500 books in between connecting this to a computer then its probably not for you. 2Gb memory not expandable, sorry PRICE! under $200 in some stores! Great Size + Weight, Super battery life, Perfect Pearl screen. Solid Chassis, Touch screen very accurate and comes with stylus, perfect eInk contrast. Great screen size. Built in dictionary in several languages. Did I mention GREAT battery life? Sony software, no wall charger, no cover, no memory expansion

Excellent – I love this reader. A bit more expensive than some other ereaders, but worth every cent. I also got the reader cover, and it even feels a bit like reading the book. Highly recommended. Easy to hold and use. The touch screen is great, so good for setting up the book and the buttons are well placed for turning pages. I had a previous reader that… Read more

was larger and actually prefer to read from this one. There is no ghosting when you turn the page. Fast page turns too. Battery life is great. I read the first three Harry Potter books and did quite a bit of testing and demonstrating it all on one charge.

Many different book formats, which gives you lots of options for free and purchased books. no capacity for audio books. I can't say I have missed this feature. I think the Reader Touch edition has it if that is what you want.

Excellent – I got my Pocket edition for Christmas, and I love it! Can't put it down, and I have already read 6 books and haven't even had to charge the battery yet. The e-ink screen is even clearer than paper, especially when reading outside in daylight. It is easier to hold than a book, and alot lighter to carry about. The ebooks are priced much better than… Read more

paper or hardbacks too; I have bought 8 ebooks from Angus and Robertson and Borders, and already saved over $100 compared to buying the paperback at Borders. Only downside is that some books are not available on ebook format in Australia, and it was a bit confusing at first trying to upload them onto the reader. Looks like I can sell that bookcase now! Quality, screen clarity, battery life Can be a bit conusing to upload books at first