It isn't easy to decide between the Sony Reader and the Amazon Kindle! Both devices have their own ardent fan bases, and the best you can do is to evaluate the facts on both devices before you decide.
The first thing you might be interested in looking at is the price. The price is around the same for both ebook readers. However, Sony's newest model, the PRS700, is priced at just under $400-$40 more than the Kindle which is currently at $359. While neither version is cheap, the Kindle wins out on the price front.
Another very important feature when comparing the Kindle vs. the Sony Reader 700 is the availability of content. In this category, the Kindle beats the Sony Reader hands down. At the time of this writing, there are over 190,000 books available at the Kindle Store as well as today's most popular magazines, newspapers, and blogs. The eBook Store from Sony only has 60,000 titles but that is expected to grow to 100,000 by early 2009. You cannot download newspapers, magazines, or blogs from Sony's store either.
The next thing you're probably concerned about is which one is better visually both to read from and to look at and show off to your friends. The good news here is that both readers use the e-ink technology that makes it look just like regular paper. This reduces the possibility of strain on your eyes and makes you feel more like you're reading a "regular" book.
As far as looks, the Sony Reader is far superior to the Kindle. The thing that most people hate about the Kindle is its dated look. It looks like a product of the '90's, not 2008! In comparison, the Sony Reader 700 has a far more appealing look, similar to that of an iPod. This is more in line with a device marketed in 2008.
Speaking of design, the Sony Reader display is a touch screen while the Kindle is not. While this is a great step forward for ebook readers and would seem to give the Sony the advantage, it seems to have affected the overall quality of the Sony's display. Sony had to add the touch screen layer on top of their e-ink screen layer. This means that some of the contrast and "real book" feel that is noticeable on the Amazon Kindle are missing. That doesn't mean that books are unreadable, it just means that if you were to compare the displays on these two devices side-by-side, you'd probably be able to tell the Kindle has better contrast and is a bit sharper.
You can increase the font size in both of these readers. This is good for those occasions when you have difficulties reading small print. The Sony Reader 700 has a slight edge over the Kindle in that it comes with a LED back-light for reading in low light conditions. While this at first instance sounds great because there is no longer the need for a clip-on light, reviewers have complained that the back light performs poorly and even, at times, makes reading more difficult due to its adverse effects on text contrast and visibility.
Since no one wants to carry around a big, bulky device, you'll also be pleased to know that both units only weigh in at about 10 ounces. That is about the weight of some paperbacks! This makes them easy to travel with and easy to carry while reading. Still, the Sony reader is a little bit smaller than the Kindle, which can be good and bad depending on how you look at it.
One of the more important features for some users is the ease of getting the downloaded content onto your ebook reader. The Kindle blows the Sony Reader out of the water in this respect. The Sony requires you to download the file to the computer then use a USB cable to transfer files to you reader before you can acess them. The Kindle handles the task by itself thanks to the free wireless capabilities. Its as easy as connecting to the store, finding the content you would like, click a few buttons, and then enjoy your reading. The Kindle definitely outshines the Sony Reader in this category.
Storage space is something else that you really need to consider. Both readers offer plenty of storage space for the average user with the ability to store over 200 books. If you tend to buy a lot of books or need to reference many different ones you might want to consider the Sony Reader. It holds more books than the Kindle and it also supports larger external memory cards giving it far more storage capacity than the Kindle.
And finally and most importantly, it is within your great interest to take responsibility for managing the eBook formats you choose to utilize on each device. Although both tools have been designed to work with their own proprietary formats, only the Amazon reader also interfaces with the highly preferred MOBI file format. So if you have MOBI files, your choice of readers is a no-brainer.
Now, the two best ebook readers on the market have been compared. Everybody has different tastes and needs, so when you shop around, be sure to consider all the features. The Amazon Kindle has the capability to become wireless, and is one of the best readers due to the wide variety of content available for it.
The first thing you might be interested in looking at is the price. The price is around the same for both ebook readers. However, Sony's newest model, the PRS700, is priced at just under $400-$40 more than the Kindle which is currently at $359. While neither version is cheap, the Kindle wins out on the price front.
Another very important feature when comparing the Kindle vs. the Sony Reader 700 is the availability of content. In this category, the Kindle beats the Sony Reader hands down. At the time of this writing, there are over 190,000 books available at the Kindle Store as well as today's most popular magazines, newspapers, and blogs. The eBook Store from Sony only has 60,000 titles but that is expected to grow to 100,000 by early 2009. You cannot download newspapers, magazines, or blogs from Sony's store either.
The next thing you're probably concerned about is which one is better visually both to read from and to look at and show off to your friends. The good news here is that both readers use the e-ink technology that makes it look just like regular paper. This reduces the possibility of strain on your eyes and makes you feel more like you're reading a "regular" book.
As far as looks, the Sony Reader is far superior to the Kindle. The thing that most people hate about the Kindle is its dated look. It looks like a product of the '90's, not 2008! In comparison, the Sony Reader 700 has a far more appealing look, similar to that of an iPod. This is more in line with a device marketed in 2008.
Speaking of design, the Sony Reader display is a touch screen while the Kindle is not. While this is a great step forward for ebook readers and would seem to give the Sony the advantage, it seems to have affected the overall quality of the Sony's display. Sony had to add the touch screen layer on top of their e-ink screen layer. This means that some of the contrast and "real book" feel that is noticeable on the Amazon Kindle are missing. That doesn't mean that books are unreadable, it just means that if you were to compare the displays on these two devices side-by-side, you'd probably be able to tell the Kindle has better contrast and is a bit sharper.
You can increase the font size in both of these readers. This is good for those occasions when you have difficulties reading small print. The Sony Reader 700 has a slight edge over the Kindle in that it comes with a LED back-light for reading in low light conditions. While this at first instance sounds great because there is no longer the need for a clip-on light, reviewers have complained that the back light performs poorly and even, at times, makes reading more difficult due to its adverse effects on text contrast and visibility.
Since no one wants to carry around a big, bulky device, you'll also be pleased to know that both units only weigh in at about 10 ounces. That is about the weight of some paperbacks! This makes them easy to travel with and easy to carry while reading. Still, the Sony reader is a little bit smaller than the Kindle, which can be good and bad depending on how you look at it.
One of the more important features for some users is the ease of getting the downloaded content onto your ebook reader. The Kindle blows the Sony Reader out of the water in this respect. The Sony requires you to download the file to the computer then use a USB cable to transfer files to you reader before you can acess them. The Kindle handles the task by itself thanks to the free wireless capabilities. Its as easy as connecting to the store, finding the content you would like, click a few buttons, and then enjoy your reading. The Kindle definitely outshines the Sony Reader in this category.
Storage space is something else that you really need to consider. Both readers offer plenty of storage space for the average user with the ability to store over 200 books. If you tend to buy a lot of books or need to reference many different ones you might want to consider the Sony Reader. It holds more books than the Kindle and it also supports larger external memory cards giving it far more storage capacity than the Kindle.
And finally and most importantly, it is within your great interest to take responsibility for managing the eBook formats you choose to utilize on each device. Although both tools have been designed to work with their own proprietary formats, only the Amazon reader also interfaces with the highly preferred MOBI file format. So if you have MOBI files, your choice of readers is a no-brainer.
Now, the two best ebook readers on the market have been compared. Everybody has different tastes and needs, so when you shop around, be sure to consider all the features. The Amazon Kindle has the capability to become wireless, and is one of the best readers due to the wide variety of content available for it.
About the Author:
Still unsure which of these handheld ebook readers is right for you this year? Check out a side-by-side comparison of the Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader and it will make your shopping decision much easier!
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