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Sony PRS-505 Portable Digital e-Reader System (Silver)
Brand | Sony |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Screen Size | 6 Inches |
Memory Storage Capacity | 192 MB |
Display resolution | 6" |
Color | silver |
Product Dimensions | 6.89"L x 4.8"W x 0.31"Th |
Item Weight | 9 ounces |
Supported File Format | jpeg,mp3 |
Compatible Devices | windows |
About this item
- displays eBooks purchased from the CONNECT eBook online store
- displays Adobe PDFs, plus TXT, RTF, BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG and Microsoft Word files
- plays MP3 and AAC files (protected files not supported)
- internal 192MB memory
- memory slot holds an SD Memory Card (up to 2GB capacity) and Memory Stick Duo media (up to 8GB capacity)
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This Item Sony PRS-505 Portable Digital e-Reader System (Silver) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | — | $109.99$109.99 | $139.99$139.99 | $106.95$106.95 | $189.99$189.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it Apr 12 - May 3 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 |
Customer Ratings | |||||
Easy to read | — | 4.3 | 4.6 | — | 4.6 |
Battery life | — | 4.2 | 4.6 | — | 4.5 |
Touch Screen | — | 4.0 | 4.2 | — | 4.3 |
Sold By | — | BlueProton | BlueProton | Tienda Siglo 21 | BlueProton |
display size | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 7 inches |
display technology | — | Electronic Ink | Electronic Ink | Electronic Ink | Electronic Ink |
memory capacity | 192 MB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 32 GB |
connectivity tech | USB | — | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth |
input interface | buttons | touch screen | touch screen | touch screen, buttons | touch screen |
bluetooth technology | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
weight | 0.56 pounds | 5.9 ounces | 171 grams | — | 215 grams |
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 4.8 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 9 ounces |
Manufacturer | Sony |
ASIN | B000WPXQ2M |
Item model number | PRS505SC |
Customer Reviews |
3.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #229,509 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #296 in eBook Readers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
Date First Available | October 6, 2007 |
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Product Description
Experience the joy of reading a variety of your favorite books all stored digitally in one compact device. The slimmer, redesigned Digital eBook Reader lets you carry a stack of books in one hand. The Digital eBook Reader holds about 160 eBooks or hundreds more with Optional removable Memory cards. Its portable size makes it the perfect travel companion, allowing you to read a variety of books whenever and wherever you want. With thousands of eBook titles available at The eBook Store from Sony, you can choose to Download new releases, classics and popular book titles as well as view other document formats such as Adobe PDF10, RTF, TXT, BBeB and Microsoft Word. Its long Battery life lasts up to 7,500 continuous page turns, and the amazing paper-like screen technology is easy on the eyes. Offers a unique, on-the-go reading experience and is the perfect travel companion. With a compact and lightweight design, you can take it almost anywhere and read your books whenever and wherever you want. More compact than many paperbacks, it weighs about 9 ounces (without cover), is 1/3" thin, and holds up to 160 eBooks. You can easily hold it in one hand, and with its rechargeable battery, you can turn up to 7,500 continuous pages on a single charge. Up to 7,500 page turns on full charge Audio and picture playback Dual SD Card and Memory Stick Pro Duo Expansion Slot Mountable USB Drive Charges via USB Unit Dimensions (Approx.) - 6.9 x 4.8 x 0.3 (175 x 122 x 8mm) / Weighs 9 ounces Includes Soft Case, USB Cable, Quick Start Guide, CD-ROM Limited Warranty - Labor- 90 days from the date of purchase; Parts- 1 Year from the date of purchase Windows compatible only
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, readability, ease of use, and quality of the handheld. For example, they mention it works well, has a great screen, and is easy to download books and files. Some appreciate the value, and size.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the device. They say it's an excellent device, it works very well, and is a useful product. They also mention that it'll be an efficient tool and that the e-book library does its job without crashes. Customers also say that it works on all systems, is easy to use, and provides reformatting.
"...sony e-book library is basic and does its job without crashes (had one hang). Again, I like the drag and drop built into it...." Read more
"...This works great, but is a pain and would be yet more expense if you need to buy Acrobat (maybe there are opensource PDF converters out there)...." Read more
"...This product functions extremely well doing what it is designed to do...provide books in an electronic format...." Read more
"...It works on all systems, it is easy to use, and it provides reformatting features right in the program! Oh - and it does work for 505s...." Read more
Customers find the product very readable, perfect for reading on the go, and has a great screen for reading. They say it has enhaced the PDF reading capability so it doesn't have to be turned sideways to get the content. Readers also mention that it's designed for reading books, and can read it at the park, at the pool, and everywhere. They find that they can read longer with almost no eye strain.
"...On printed paper, every letter is smooth. On the e-reader, while the font on e-books (MS-WORD is 96% ok, PDF 90% ok - my own arbitrary scaling!)..." Read more
"Very slick looking device. It's nice to hold and easy on the eyes...." Read more
"...extremely well doing what it is designed to do...provide books in an electronic format...." Read more
"...The reader is fine - I have been able to view almost all of my documents (including most PDF's) with adequate usefulness...." Read more
Customers like the ease of use of the handheld. They mention that it's easy to download books, transfer books and files, and load books. They also say that adding books is easy in Windows Explorer or with the Calibre freeware. Customers also appreciate the history feature and the ease with which they can use the reader. They say the menus are easy to navigate and the text is plenty big.
"...Files transfer quickly (std USB 2.0 i/f?).6) book selection is not great, but then it is not a problem limited to the sony library...." Read more
"...It's relatively easy to transfer books and files, but once on the reader, there is no way to delete or rename or annotate the material...." Read more
"...It works on all systems, it is easy to use, and it provides reformatting features right in the program! Oh - and it does work for 505s...." Read more
"...screen all day...and second, backlighting makes it impossible to read the screen in strong light, or with some types of polarized sunglasses on...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the handheld. They mention it's well-made, stands up to normal wear, and has a solid metal construction. Some say it'll be the very best model ever made. It's soft on the eyes and quite rigid, but does not crash or hang up. Customers also say it provides a nice firm holding space.
"...sleek and just about right to hold and read. Anything thinner would need support...." Read more
"Very slick looking device. It's nice to hold and easy on the eyes...." Read more
"...for over a month, and it has none of the USB issues, it does not crash or hang up, it does not tell you "do not disconnect."..." Read more
"...Easier to hold and positive page turns as well as a better menu/navigation system made it my preferred reader...." Read more
Customers like the battery life of the handheld. They mention that even after 4 years the battery is still acceptable and they've had no issues with it.
"...It holds a lot of books.It's easy on the eyes, battery lasts about 2 weeks with daily use, and its easy to use...." Read more
"...-Nice battery life. I can read for several hours a day for 3 days without having to recharge...." Read more
"...Even after 4 years the battery life is still acceptable and I've had no issues with the device." Read more
"...the battery seems to drop even when I had it powered off for a few days. The 3 bar fell to two in 2-3 days...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the handheld. They mention that the rendering was amazing, the screen is great, and well-made. They appreciate the high contrast, fantastic pictures, and inconspicuous design. Customers also mention that it has a better technology (8 grays instead of 4).
"...Landscape rendering is as good as portrait.10) metallic construction feels 'solid'. The leather (pseudo?)..." Read more
"...It's nice to hold and easy on the eyes.The resolution on the screen is awesome- but not different from the Kindle...." Read more
"...other than that its small lightweight great screen for reading. looks great and feels great...." Read more
"...screen is better technology(8 grays instead of 4) and it is stylish, cute, inconspicuous (when closed, with its leather like cover)...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the e-reader. Some mention that it has easily saved them thousands of dollars, has tons of free books available, and is relatively cheap. However, others say that it's a little pricey for a reader that doesn't have wifi and that it is difficult to buy new book releases.
"...find that a Sony PSP travel charger works with it and they are relatively cheap...." Read more
"...That said, the book prices are absolutely murderous when compared to Kindle prices...." Read more
"...At $300, it may seem pricy, but when I think of the three awkward, non really for reading books PDAs I wore out, it seems a lot cheaper.*..." Read more
"...It's a good bit cheaper than the other best-known alternate, the Kindle.Plenty of room for expansion with add-in media cards if needed...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the handheld. Some mention that the three text sizes is a welcome feature, as they can adapt the text size to their environment. They also say the text is plenty big for them and the PDF print size can be enlarged. That said, some say the price is great and the device is handy. However, others say that the device has limitations on font size and consistency of text, making it unreadable small.
"...They have made the font smoother and above all else, the text is much much bigger and completely readable now!..." Read more
"...The fact that there are three text sizes is a welcome feature, as you can adapt the text size to your environment: reading while riding in a taxi or..." Read more
"...The menus are easy to navigate and the text is plenty big for us... I don't bother with the zoom feature, but it works if you need it...." Read more
"...two: PDF files (particularly your non-secure PDF books) do not have large enough font sizes to read...." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Update as of Jun 21, 2009
Only pdf's that have no formatting can be read on this e-reader.
I downloaded some pdf files (Algorithms in Java, CCNA etc) and except at the smallest magnification, the formatting breaks down at M and L fonts (even M strains the eye; only L is practically readable for pdfs). So I guess I am going to limit reading only fiction and MS word files on this e-reader. I am looking at the Kindle DX for PDF files, but it seems the DX does not let you zoom in. I think that may be a deal-breaker for the DX. I have never been able to read pdfs at exactly 100% magnification. Even on my 20" LCD monitor, I tend to read at 135%. So until there is a reader the size of DX that allows zooming, it may be better to wait and just use the PC to read pdfs).
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I bought the PRS-505 through an Amazon re-seller about a month ago (blazing fast delivery as usual). Some pros and cons of the reader.
Pros:
1) sleek and just about right to hold and read. Anything thinner would need support. Anything bigger (wider/taller) would make it hard to read holding up with one hand.
2) text appears sharper than LCD. e-ink results in almost no strain to the eye.
3) power button positioned on top, so it doesn't accidentally trip on. Other buttons are stiff and, again, will not get pushed accidentally.
4) the reader mounts as a drive on XP/Wink2K. Easy to drag and drop encrypted books, and by extension, easy to back up and restore your books if you were to move PCs or change flash cards.
5) sony e-book library is basic and does its job without crashes (had one hang). Again, I like the drag and drop built into it. Buy a book, drag it to the library and/or drag it to the e-reader. Files transfer quickly (std USB 2.0 i/f?).
6) book selection is not great, but then it is not a problem limited to the sony library. I couldn't find some older popular books on Amazon kindle either (eg: Chaos by James Gleick, none of the books by Ayn Rand or daphne du maurier, very limited Roald Dahl selection, very limited Frederick Forsythe collection etc etc etc). 99% of the books you would 'typically' want to read are available on both. I guess more and more books are getting digitized as we speak.
7) pictures are fantastic on the available grayscale. Good if you are reading technical books with illustrations.
8) This is the item that actually prompted me to write this review today. When I bought the reader I was horribly disappointed with the pdf rendering. The only available magnifications were S and M, and M was still unreadably small. Yesterday when I hooked up the PRS-505 to my PC, it downloaded some firmware updates, including some for pdf rendering. When I re-loaded my pdfs (these are computer books, with code samples in Courier font), the rendering was amazing - like night and day. They have made the font smoother and above all else, the text is much much bigger and completely readable now! Very happy about this (since a lot of text books are now available in pdf format).
9)Page transitions, orientation changes (landscape to portrait) happen fairly fast. Landscape rendering is as good as portrait.
10) metallic construction feels 'solid'. The leather (pseudo?) cover that ships by default is nice.
Cons:
1) the battery seems to drop even when I had it powered off for a few days. The 3 bar fell to two in 2-3 days. Not sure if this is expected.
2) the page buttons should've been bigger. Even though I am right handed, I tend to use the left page buttons as they are bigger.
3) response times are slow when you are moving around the menu. Sometimes you think you did not press a button, press it again, only to find the menu jump ahead. There is a little 'wait-cursor' at the bottom, but its not obvious when its 'working'.
4) not limited to the sony e-reader, e-ink is still not the same as paper. On printed paper, every letter is smooth. On the e-reader, while the font on e-books (MS-WORD is 96% ok, PDF 90% ok - my own arbitrary scaling!) is pretty good, the ones on RSS feeds feels scrappy - you can see some letter-thickening and 'steps' (jaggedness) around curves. Another con is that the screen surface, although dull, does reflect light and at times I find myself holding it away at an angle.
Overall strongly recommended.
The resolution on the screen is awesome- but not different from the Kindle. It's relatively easy to transfer books and files, but once on the reader, there is no way to delete or rename or annotate the material. You have to plug it back in and use the (Windows only) transfer application to remove files. Also, you cannot use the device while it's plugged in.
The slowness of the refresh is much commented on and a valid concern, but it doesn't irk me as badly as it does other reviewers. I am confident future evolutions will be much improved in speed, though this make take some time to develop since apparently it's the screen technology, not necessarily a lack of processing horsepower.
The device can read PDFs- but you won't be able to. That is- the zoom factor is not nearly enough to read most PDFs. The only way I am able to actually read a PDF is to open up Acrobat Professional (not free) and export it as RTF (rich text format). This works great, but is a pain and would be yet more expense if you need to buy Acrobat (maybe there are opensource PDF converters out there).
If you stick with Sony's format books, this thing rocks... once you actually open the book and start reading. Overall, I'd buy it again- hopefully the price will continue down to something a little more affordable.
As far as the downsides, yep, this device struggles with PDF's, but in reality, the primary job of this reader was to function as an electronic library. If you are going to be dealing with 1,000's of PDF documents or 100+ page PDF documents like some of the reviewers...save up and get a small laptop. This product functions extremely well doing what it is designed to do...provide books in an electronic format. I love the fact that I don't have to continually enlarge my library, especially with the small paperbacks that only seem to get read once or twice, then take up shelf space. I also like that I am cutting down on paper use and disposal space.
The only downside so far is the Sony proprietary issue. Much like iTunes, they really do favor their own format for e-books, and that can be annoying when you want a book, it is available in an e-format, but cannot just be downloaded to the reader. There are softwares and techniques that others more qualified than me have covered, so I will not rehash them here...just know that some books may take a little more work than just downloading them. Also, it would be nice if they had a WiFi connection ability...so that books could be directly downloaded...it would be very handy on the road...so, hopefully the next generation will.
Overall, I would recommend it to anyone that loves to read and would like the ability to carry a large number of books with them all the time...and be a tad more environmentally friendly to boot.
Update* 01/27/08* - While I still stand by my review and my four-star rating, I do have to mention a couple annoying issues. First, why the heck didn't they include at least one A/C plug? I hate leaving stuff plugged in my computer all the time and if it sits unplugged for more than a week or so, it has to be recharged. I did find that a Sony PSP travel charger works with it and they are relatively cheap. I bought three of them, one for work, one that I keep in my electronic travel kit, and one at home next to the cell charger. So, not a huge deal, but get the PSP chargers, they are cheaper. The second issue has been mentioned by others, but it takes a while to get used to the Sony site. I really wish they would do a redesign....
Update #2 August 19, 2008 - I still take this device everywhere with me and stand by the 4 star rating. That said, I would highly recommend spending the extra money on the Kindle. I am still very frustrated with the lack of a quality website by Sony in addition to having less material available. I would love to be able to get newspapers, magazines, and books delivered while I am on the bus or at the airport. There have been a couple times that I have ended a book mid-transit and would have killed to be able to download the next in the series without having to wait until after work to get home and search for it on my computer. If I could redo it, I would look past the Kindle's odd surface appearance and go with the convenience of being able to download files on the fly. I hope that Sony realizes their mistake and corrects it in the next version. If you don't mind having to search a website for books to download then have to attach them, I would save the money and go with the e-reader. If, however, you read the large number of books each year that I do, you may want to review the Kindle. I am afraid though, how much money I could accidentally spend if any book were only a button-click away.
Top reviews from other countries
Additional functions: An SD card slot to add as much storage as you want, the potential to plug in headphones and listen to music while you read. I put music on my SD card and keep the reader for the books. Great!
1.The physical page-size of the portrait mode is not very big. Certainly MUCH smaller than a real paperback book of standard size. The landscape mode which allows you to turn the book sideways feels unatural and awkward.
2 You cannot change the text size (as far as I can make out) which is a real pain! Maybe you can though, as I may have missed the menu. Anyway if what I am saying is correct then its a major fault, especially for those with weak eyesight.Perhaps someone would check this out?
3 The built-in modus operandi is so clunky and slow I gave up on it after just a few minutes. The menu system is, well,awfully old fashioned, and the way it works is efficient but somehow gives me a sense that it wasn't very well thought out.
4 I was very disappointed with this reader and if something does not impress me after ten minutes of handling the device I'm just not interested.
5 Give me a real book any day. A real book that you've gone out to choose and buy,can turn real pages,and feel proper paper under your fingers.
6 I have noticed that other people read on holiday and they say they can reduce the weight of their luggage by taking a reader with them instead of taking real books with them. That's a load of rubbish unless of course you intend to read instead of enjoying your holiday. If you read on the plane ok! If you read on the beach ok. But how many books can you get through in an average 10 days or so? Certainly not as many that would justify buying the Sony reader.
I am pleased to say that it is one of the best purchases I have made, ideal for holidays, commuting and reading in bed, reasonably light weight and handbag sized too. It is so easy to use that my ten year old uses it quite a lot on car journeys. Would recommend that anyone purchasing this also purchases the cover with built in light and plug in power supply (as it only comes with usb power supply which was a bit disappointing). On the whole wonderful bit of kit.