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Sony PRS-600 Reader Touch Edition Review – a bargain revisit

I never thought I would say it, but the Apple iPad can't quite do everything as well as I want. I love the iBook store, but the backlit LCD display is hard on the eyes when reading text over many hours. There is certainly a market for Ebook Readers because the E-Ink technology is fantastic, giving a sharpness and stability you just don't get with a standard panel.

Battery Life is extraordinary because the E-Ink display only needs to draw the image initially, not to keep it displayed on the screen. This means the manufacturers rate their products on Page turns and this one is rated at 7,500. Playing music will sap it faster however we still managed to get a week out of it, when used for playing music and reading books.

Sony haven't supplied a charger as standard so you need a computer USB port to charge, although we know you can buy a plug socket on ebay for a few quid, which accepts a USB connector. It seems a bit frugal that Sony didn't supply this with the product as we would assume many people might not always have access to a PC for a charge, especially if away on vacation for many weeks.

Negatively, the screen does give a slight reflection, although after using the iPad it was hardly noticeable and certainly didn't cause me any issues. It is noticeable however especially after using the latest Kindle.

The build quailty sets the Sony product apart because no corner has been cut – this is built from aluminum, not plastic. The differences are clearly seen (and felt) and we always like to see a manufacturer ensuring that something they build is going to last many years. It is the best built Reader on the market.

When this product was released it was selling for £270, you can now buy it online for £160 inc vat and with free delivery – thats a 40% price reduction in a year. If you waited a while before buying an e-reader then we can see no better time … unless of course you are waiting for stock of the Amazon Kindle 3. Kitguru will have a hands on with this device in the near future.

KitGuru says: If you haven't tried an E-Ink display and love books, then head over to your local dealer and get a hands on demo, we think you will be pleasantly surprised at the stunning display quality.


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Rating: 8.5.

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10 comments

  1. Freaky, I was looking at one of these in PC world yesterday and they wouldnt give me a hands on demo. useless bunch of cocks 🙁 looks great. im tempted, especially at the play.com price.

  2. I have used this and its great, but the touch screen causes slight reflectivity which is offputing for me personally. id go with another model for a dull screen.

  3. fantastic, I love these products. I have a cheaper one I bought online and it just died, I might reinvest for a quality one this time. 40% drop in price over a year, thats brilliant, and I love when they bring out a new model 🙂

  4. sony are always expensive, the new kindle 3 without 3g is 105 quid including vat. brand new model …….. still it wont be made as good as this sony product.

  5. 155 with 3g seems the better option to me. for the kindle anyway

  6. I never really understood why you need 3g or wireless with a reader. wireless maybe, but it kills battery life. 3g? to buy a book on a bus? whats the point do it from home.

  7. I wonder who will come up with a dual layered screen first? LED LCD for gaming then it can switch to this for books.

  8. Sony make a quality product

  9. These are great devices for free time and holidays

  10. That’s a substantial drop, I looked at one of these Sony devices at the start of the year and it was almost 300