The PRS-505 eBook Reader is another well built, well designed gadget from Sony. It is slim, elegant and does have a resemblance to a PDA but only larger in size. It is minimalist in design and comes in a leather like case that gives it an exclusive look. The reader is available in a few different colors including grey and red. The red as you would expect does stand out, I would therefore be a little bit wary using it in a public place as it may attract unwanted attention. The PRS-505 reader is about the size of a thin paperback book and weights about 9 oz which makes it quite portable.
Like most eBook readers on the market, the Sony PRS-505 uses ‘E-Ink’ technology which makes the letters and words appear as though they were printed just like in a book or news paper. The screen is clear, crisp and easy to read, and thanks to the E-ink technology it does feel a bit like reading from a paper media. That said, the device is smaller than the pages of most books so you will have to be turning pages more frequently electronically than you would with a normal book. Also the reader does not have a back light which means you would not be able to read it in the dark, but I guess that is no different to reading a normal book.
The controls are good and well thought out. Buttons run along the right side and at the bottom of the device. These buttons are quite responsive and allow you to bring up the menu, select menu items including choosing a book to read, access bookmarks, access audio and picture files and much more.
One of the biggest selling points of an ebook reader is the ability to store and transport a large number of books in a single device. And with a 192MB built in memory the Sony PRS-505 will store around 160 books. Should that not be enough for you, you could expand the memory by inserting 16GB memory card which could basically hold an entire library of books.
The PRS-505 reader comes with a CD containing a number of free books but further books can be downloaded from the Web particularly from the Sony Connect Store. However, unlike the Amazon Kindle that lets you download directly without the need for a computer. The PRS-505 downloads will have to be done via your PC.
Overall, this is an excellent ebook reader. If you are in the market for one, the PRS-505 is one of the cheapest and with Sony technology, long battery life – 7,500 continuous page turns, excellent build quality and features, it offers excellent value.
