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| | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 14 customer reviews )
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17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
The reader is mostly wonderful; its computer software is frustrating but you don't need it anyway Nov 15, 2011
By Jaylia3
I had a rough honeymoon with this new ereader, but ultimately I've come to love it when I'm using it for its most important purpose, reading. The touch screen is very sensitive, it's beautiful and light weight, there are multiple fonts and text sizes to choose from, and the wifi feature, especially the ability to connect directly with my local libraries to borrow books, is a mostly wonderful option.
Maybe because this reader can do so many things, it's more finicky than my Sony 350 which is a generation older than the PRS-T1. I have never had my 350 freeze, but in the short time that I've had the PRS-T1 I've had to reset it 4 times. Usually it has happened when I'm flicking the "pages", something that works perfectly most of the time, which somehow sets off wild unstoppable page turning ultimately freezing the device.
If you are used to earlier Sony readers, this one requires a tap, tap-hold-for-2-seconds instead of a quick double tap to highlight or call up dictionary definitions, which was a little hard for me to get the hang of at first. The good news is that the new tap, tap-hold-for-2-seconds also calls up a menu with options for text word search, google, wikipedia and note taking--it's very exciting to be able to google or wikipedia right from the reader. The bad news is that if you are used to how a tablet can access the internet, the PRS-T1 will seem slow and clunky. There are multiple negative-to-positive page flashes when navigating down a page or sometimes even when typing, which is distracting and annoying. Also the stylus is much bigger on this model and doesn't slide into the reader the way the 350 stylus does. I'm afraid of losing it so I keep it in a safe place which means I never have it on hand when I'm using the reader so my tapping is all done by fingernail which so far has worked just fine.
Books from your local library and free books from sites like Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks can be downloaded directly onto the reader when there is available wifi, but books bought from Google, Smashwords, or any site other than Sony need to be added via a USB link from a computer. There is new Sony software for the computer to use with this reader, but for me it has been unreliable, buggy and ultimately a nonfunctioning drag. After sort of working some of the time it now crashes every time it opens itself up on my computer--it comes alive automatically whenever the reader is connected to the computer. Fortunately books can be added directly to the reader through My Computer, a method the Sony User Guide describes but doesn't recommend--it's worked perfectly for me, unlike the Sony software.
Another problem with the new Sony computer software is that each time you connect it to your reader it syncs everything, which is time consuming and just gives the software more reasons to choke and stop responding. It's not possible to drag and drop a single book onto the reader they way you could with the older version of the software. Also, if you organize your books into collections on your computer using the Sony software, you cannot then move the books around on your reader, it will only be possible to delete books or move them in or out of collections using the Sony computer software and then re-syncing your entire collection. It seems a strange choice to me, creating new software with less options and less flexibility. I ditched the software and do everything right on the reader, which functions much more smoothly.
Early on I was having so much trouble getting everything set up and working--the biggest problem was trying (and ultimately failing) to get the new Sony computer software to work with my 350 reader--that I spent hours on the phone with Sony help personnel. They meant well, but maybe because the PRS-T1 reader was brand new then they didn't completely know what they were doing and their help caused me to lose the User Guide that came pre-loaded on the PRS-T1 (fortunately I had already read it and it can also be accessed on line) as well as all of the highlighting and notes I'd done on my 350. Even worse, all of the 350's 200-some books were tossed out of their well-organized folders into one mass list--a time consuming mess.
Now that the early problems are in the past I absolutely love this reader. I don't use the Sony computer software, but it's not necessary anyway. The new Kindles also have touch screens and the ability to borrow library books making them a good choice too, with any ereader 600 page books weigh only ounces and a massive collection of reading material can fit in a pocket or purse. For now I prefer the aesthetic of the Sony.
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 Great e-reader Oct 30, 2011
By Malboo
Bought this e-reader 3 days ago and have found it to be everything I needed very clear screen wi-fi easy to set up, using the browser isn't that great not very clear but I didn't buy it to surf the web mp3 nice and clear sound.
When loading books make sure your tags are correct to make it easier to keeps books in order.
Pages turn nicely,also bought the book cover with light works well but havn't really needed it.
Very light to hold and books converted from PDF and mobi to the epub format works very well using softare called Calibre which is a free e-book management programme.
I like the buttons too at the bottom of the e-reader so you can choose what to turn your pages with,best of both worlds.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
The Best of its Class Dec 09, 2011
By T_Squared
I looked at all of the e-readers in this price range (the new Kindles, the Nook Simple and the Kobo). I had the Sony PRS600 before and really like the additional features (i.e. Notes, Audio). This new Wi-Fi version offers that in a smaller, lighter package and now that the price is down to $99 it was a no brainer.
Physically, the Reader Wi-Fi is very lightweight but easy to hold thanks to the matte finish along the back. The screen is much more readable & crisper (with no glare) than my old PRS600. The frame around the screen is a little glossy but this does not bother me as much as some people have commented. (I have the red version.)
I especially like the multiple fonts and font size selections that are now included. The older Sonys' font choices were either too large or too small. The additional options for handling PDF's also looks like it will make reading those much easier. The "pinch to zoom" feature works well in conjunction with this.
I would say that the greatest upgrade is the Wi-Fi feature. The browser works well and I was able to use it to log into my local library very easily to download books without the use of the computer. I was also able to download books directly from such websites as feedbooks.com.
The only problem I have had so far is that the USB/charging port for the new Wi-Fi is a different size than my older PRS600 so I cannot use my older cables with the new device. The new Wi-Fi seems to use a "micro" USB port vs. a "mini" USB port that the older Sony used.
So far, in the short time I have had it in my hands, I have really enjoyed it.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
LOVE IT Dec 16, 2011
By Paul Kenworthy
Having tried out this little cute ebook reader for a while, I finally plunged myself to buy two (one for my wife, and may be more for my children).
Things I like:
1) light and handy cool look with buttons and touch screen settings well designed;
2) the assisting "Calibre" (which has to be downloaded separately) helps to read Chinese and read pdb format (with additional CSS and pluggins);
3) clear and glare-free screen (haven't tried a protector to test the touch screen responsiveness), which enables a more user-friendly condition to save your eyes from being bombarded by the LCD/LED light electrons;
4) the font size arrangement; and
5) the notes adding, mp3, and books downloading from local libraries features are wonderful.
Things I wish more:
1) the RAM for net surfing is not enough (double or triple more is appreciated); and
2) cannot read word document directly.
This little cute ebook reader can beat much more expensive ipads, tablets, laptops, and net books in ebook reading. The e-pearl ink feature helps a lot in keeping your eyes to read more story books and files.
Finally, the price is great, compared to other ebook readers.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Nice Improvement! Nov 04, 2011
By KAS
This is a replacement for a PRS 505 (died a timely death, so no complaints). The WiFi worked great and the previously purchased books from Sony transferred flawlessly. Purchased the Sony cover with this and find the reader fits well (has room for the stylus which is a plus because there is no storage on the reader itself). The "EInk" has improved quite a bit over the years making the books much easier to read. Since we've had to use clip lights in the past, the flashlight feature in the cover is pretty impressive. Sony still has their $99 replacement offer, but at $149 the logical thing for us was to upgrade to the new one. Haven't used the browser and really have no need for it, so cannot comment. We also have a Sony pocket reader and find the biggest change is the WiFi making it so much easier to purchase books and not have to be attached to the computer. Yes....we would purchase again.
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