Sony's PRS700 offers more features than the original model
It’s been about a year since Sony released its first eBook Reader to the Canadian market. Now the company has released a 2nd revamped edition with even more features than the first.
The PRS700 is elegantly designed. It’s bound in leather to give you that “real book” feel. It’s light weight and very user friendly.
Setup is simple. Just install the Sony software on your computer, then click and drag your electronic books onto the device through the user interface. Not only will the PRS700 displays books, it will allows you to load your own photos, even music onto the device (you can listen to tunes while you read).
The screen is very easy to read. It uses Sony’s E Ink technology. Basically it looks like you’re reading an actual book rather than a computer screen. Very easy on the eyes! This newer model also has an LED light which illuminates the screen so you can read in the dark. It’s not backlit. The light illuminates the screen from the side so the display remains easy on the eyes. You know where I’m coming from if you’ve ever done any reading on a laptop in the dark!
Battery life is quite impressive. One charge will give you up to 7500 page turns. This is courtesy of the new E Ink technology which is very energy efficient. Of course battery life is shortened when you use the built-in light (but it’s LED so you still get a lot of usage out of a single charge even while using the light)
Another new feature on this model is the touch screen display. Now to turn a page you simply swipe your finger across the screen. I must say this gives the eReader more of a “book” feel. I can’t tell you how many times I would try and flip the pages on the original model only to flip the unit over and remember…this is not an actual book. The swipe feature gives a more satisfying feel…just like reading an actual book. You can also set bookmarks and search for keywords or phrases using the onscreen keyboard.
So where do you get the books? Well Sony has launched it’s own online store. The older unit ONLY allowed you to read book purchased from Sony’s store. The PRS700 now accepts eBook from other vendors, a nice change! You can cram about 350 books onto the devices internal memory. There is also a slot for memory cards to add even more books if you wish.
There are a few areas I feel could be improved. I wish the unit was wireless. The Amazon Kindle (Amazon’s eBook reader) has Wi-Fi built-in so you can download books from any wireless hotspot. You can not do that with this unit. You must connect to a pc or laptop to get new content on the device. The price is also a bit hefty. At $399 the device is priced for early adopters rather than the mass market. Those looking for a bargain will have to settle for last years model which is now selling for $299.
Overall I’m quite impressed with the PRS700. It almost feels like your reading a real book, not a downloaded copy. If only it was cheaper…
The Good:
Great design
Touchscreen
Built-in reading light
Good battery life
Now supports eBooks from other vendors
The Bad:
Pricey at $399
No Wi-Fi
I have last year’s version – got it for Christmas before the new one was announced. I can’t get an adaptor to charge it. Sony says they are showing a deficit of more that 700 ac adaptors for Canada. That’s frustrating because I want to take my book on vacation but the battery will die before vacation is over & I will not be taking my computer with me. Any suggestions? Will some other adaptor work?? Thanks
January 14th, 2009 at 1:06 pmBrenda, you should be able to charge the eBook reader with a USB cable. I have seen some generic chargers that are compatible with the Sony eReaders on eBay. You can try there. I know you can also buy generic ac chargers with different volatges at stores like The Source.
January 14th, 2009 at 3:13 pmMy 10 year old daughter is IN LOVE with her Sony eBook!
She has everything (and more) downloaded onto her book, no need for Wi-Fi.
After all Mike, do we need access at all waking hours to Wi-Fi?
For devote readers, this eBook is the Best Invention Ever!
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:17 pmI have a Sony PSP charger that works perfectly for charging the PRS700. The voltage and amperage are fine and the connector is the same. The PSP is a handheld video game system so you should be able to get the charger any place that you’d expect to find those (I.E. Futureshop, Bestbuy, EB Games, etc.).
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 pmI love my book. I haven’t read more than two print books in as many years recently, but since New Year’s when it came I’ve read SEVEN. I’m still going. It would been more if my husband hadn’t blasted through ELEVEN already.
I ordered the charger online with “next-in-line” and, while it was promised in a month, it arrived at my door in 14 days. Well worth it.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:50 pmdoes it work with apple os X
February 5th, 2009 at 5:52 pmSony eBook Library is not officially supported on Mac OS X or Linux based systems, although when the device is connected it grants access to its internal flash memory as though it were a USB Mass Storage device (on the 505 and 700 only) allowing the user to transfer files directly.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:26 pmI got the new PRS 700 as a Xmas gift this year. It was ordered from the US and with it I got a card that entitles me to 1 hour of free lessons on how to use it (this must be for the technologically challenged people like me). The one thing I am very disappointed in is that none of the Sonystyle stores in my area (Sarnia/London) will honour this coupon. I have to go into the US in order to take advantage of it.
February 13th, 2009 at 10:22 amWell no one can beat you in writing posts. I really love your posts every time.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:37 pmI have had my PRS700 for a few months now. It is great for commuting on the LRT (even when standing!) – a nice slim package.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pmOne problem I’ve found: If I haven’t used it for several days, I find that the battery drains down significantly. My last ebook was about 1200 pages (at the smallest print display) and I had to charge the Reader at least three times – and I did not use the light. I suppose this could be a problem with only my unit.
Not having Wifi access is not an issue. How instantaneously do we need a new book? I’d rather browse on-line with a proper computer screen, read some book reviews first and then make my choices.
I’ve had the second generation Reader since before November and also got one for my Husband in December. We really enjoy them as we are both big readers. In fact when he left on his last trip he forgot his at home and was very disappointed.
March 21st, 2009 at 5:23 pmI found that you have to hold the power switch for 4 or 5 seconds just like an ipod touch. Than when it asks you are you sure you want to shut down answer yes. This way the battery doesn’t drain.
Is the Sony reader capable of downloading newspapers or magazines?.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:03 pmDear Anyone,
April 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pmI am interested in buying an e-reader for my mother, who has poor eye-sight. Are the font sizes variable, and where can I look at one in Calgary? Thank you. Mat Copas
Hello Mike,
April 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pmCan you tell if the e-book has variable font size, and where I can buy one? Thank you. Mat.
The reader can display text from very small up to very big. Any SonyStyle store should have them
April 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pmYes, you can change the font size! You should be able to buy one at any Sony store. Or go online to http://www.sonystyle.ca
April 16th, 2009 at 10:54 am“The older unit ONLY allowed you to read book purchased from Sony’s store.”
Umm… totally NOT true. I can and do download epub books from my library here in Ottawa let alone a competitor to the Sony Book Store. I purchase and use epub books from Fictionwise.com and many, other ebook vendors. In fact I rarely purchase a book from the Sony Book Store as their collection leaves a lot to be desired. I’m using a Sony PRS-505 and I can only assume that Mike Yawney, when he mentioned “older Unit” was referring to the PRS-500 which does not support epub format.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pmnow I’ll stay tuned..
May 4th, 2009 at 4:33 amThe reviewer’s comment on WiFi access on the Kindle is at best misleading … since it is basically wrong.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pmThe wireless access is through the Sprint high-speed data network (EVDO) and not any sort of WiFi ‘hotspot’ service. ‘Free’ as such, when you buy a book from Amazon. Also, I suspect that the reviewer really has not spent much quality time using the reader. I have personally found that I can load up the Sony (we have 3 in the family) with more content than I can read for months! Perhaps if I was using it to read periodicals, instant access would be nice. But, content with graphics and ‘letter’ size or A4 page layouts are not really eBook friendly in this form factor. This really counts out most magazines and periodicals that are in fixed format PDF.
Will the new Sony 700 allow the Zinio file format? A lot of the weekly and monthly magazines are now in this format, and I read them on my laptop with great enjoyment. Also, if I were able to download various newspapers
May 16th, 2009 at 11:01 pmand journals onto a E-Book Reader, then I am going to have to get one of these. If E-Books don’t or won’t allow
universal file format utilization, then it will have limited appeal and perhaps wither on the vine. Hopefully, all developers will be working towards a final file format that is not proprietary.
I have been interested in purchasing the ebook (Sony 700) however I have checked it out at a Sony store near me. I have one concern. The page flickers when you change it. I found it very irritating after only 5 pages. Do you get used to this or am I the only person who s bothered by it? I wanted to buy one last year, but every time I look at it in the store I change my mind. Does anyone know if it bothers your seatmates on an airplane? I will be taking a flight that takes 10 hours in the fall & I really want something before I go.
June 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pmI thought that ebooks would be more affordable, but I find the sony ebook selection to be pretty pricey, and I’m not sure where else I can buy books in Canada that are compatible with the Sony Reader. I had hoped to donate my dusty old books to Goodwill and replace them with ebooks but at these prices I can’t do it, and the selection at the Sony ebook store is not good… I can’t find many of the titles I want..
July 8th, 2009 at 6:26 pm