Bought a Sony PRS-300 today – review to follow
By Paul Biba
I picked up a PRS-300 today. (As some of you may remember I smashed my 505 and replaced it with a Kindle). I did this for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t like being dependent on one supplier, and second, I wanted to see what the smaller form factor felt like.
I unpacked the unit, charged it and connected it to the Sony Ebook Library, running under Mac Snow Leopard. One thing I was very pleased about was that the Sony Ebook Store had retained all my purchases, even though I hadn’t been there in a year or so. Unfortunately, Calibre does not work with Snow Leopard so I was unable to convert a fair number of my books that are in Mobi format. I found replacements for some of them in EPUB and PDF and will be trying out these formats for the first time.
The unit comes with a USB cable and a padded sleeve, but no case or charger. I’ve ordered the case with built-in book light, pictured above, from SonyStyle.
Nice to be back with Sony and I’ll give a full review after a week of use.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I’m using Calibre on Snow Leopard right now. The trick is apparently to start it up with Rosetta. I couldn’t tell you why, but it is working.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I think the smaller screen would be ok unless you ever want to look at images. Images are too small on the 6 inch screen, 5 inches will only make it worse.
So you like sony better than kindle? If so, why?
September 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Christine: Don’t know if I like it better yet. Need to use if for a week or so.
Phil: Thanks, I installed Rosetta and it works now.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Bought a 300 last week and like it the best so far. Now I’m selling my 505 & 700 + the reading light/cover for the 505. Sony got it right with the 300. I can use my iPhone for annotating, etc. Since I live in Canada I’m waiting for a wireless Sony. Or, better yet, give us a Sony eReader app so we can read our ePub books on our phone when we don’t want to carry the Sony eReader.
P.S. Shortcovers is releasing an iPhone app update (whenever Apple finally approves it) + and this is really good news: We will be able to read our Shortcover books on the Sony eReader via ADE!!! Man I can hardly wait. Ciao Kindle you lost your chance.
September 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Paul,
I’d love to see a comparison instead of a plain review. I want to know what sony does better or worse, and what kindle does better or worse. Even with all the reviews out there, somehow I’m still looking for something more than the specs on the sales page.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Christine: that is what I’m going to try to do.
Phil: Calibre stopped working again. I’ll just have to wait until it is updated.
September 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Ok, I have a dumb question. As a new owner of the Sony PS300 (after hours and hours of research) that has yet to arrive, I am now wondering if I made a mistake. Can this model download from librbary sites like Overdrive? I don’t mind buying some books, but was hoping to have access to the librbary sites as well. So far, I can not find info as to whether the 300 is compatible or not. Maybe if I use Adobe?? This is starting to sound complicated. Any advice?
September 29th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
library – i really do know how to spell.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Hey Paul,
Did I miss the review when it was posted or have you not done one yet?