Evaluation of the Sony PRS-350 Compact Digital Book Reader
Sony's Compact Touch Screen E-Reader: The PRS 350 Pocket Edition
The Sony PRS 350 Pocket Edition, a new entrant in the e-reader market, offers a unique blend of features that sets it apart from its competitors.
Pros:
The PRS-350 boasts a 5-inch monochrome E Ink display with an 800x600 resolution, making it a compact and lightweight device, weighing around 155 grams and highly portable[1]. Its touchscreen capability provides an intuitive navigation experience, enhancing the reading experience[1]. The device's sleek and lightweight design makes it ideal for on-the-go reading and easy handling[1]. The PRS-350 also supports various eBook formats, including manga and other texts, which some users particularly appreciate[5].
Cons:
The small 5-inch screen size is significantly smaller than many popular e-readers, potentially making it less comfortable for extended reading or reading large-format documents[1]. The monochrome screen lacks backlighting, which can make reading in low-light conditions difficult[1]. Compared to newer models, the PRS-350 lacks some advanced features like built-in Wi-Fi for easy book downloads, adjustable front lights, higher resolution screens, and ergonomic design improvements[1]. Its touchscreen, while intuitive, may be less responsive or durable than the physical buttons preferred by some readers. The lack of Wi-Fi means ebooks must be purchased on a computer and transferred to the device[1].
The Sony PRS 350 Pocket Edition is a premium e-reader, priced over $200, and justifies its cost with a polished and professional appearance[1]. The applications menu includes options for displaying a picture slide-show and taking notes with a handwriting tool[1]. The device allows manual adjustment of screen orientation between landscape and horizontal mode, but it does not automatically adjust like the Amazon Kindle DX Graphite[1].
The Sony e-reader supports various ebook formats, including ePub, PDF, DOC, TXT, RTF, LRF, and BBeB[1]. It also offers 6 different font sizes, ranging from small to XXL[1]. The device comes with a stylus for touch screen usage[1]. The minimalist menu lacks extensive features found on other e-readers, but it allows for writing notes, highlighting, and using a full touch screen virtual keyboard[1].
The Sony PRS 350 Pocket Edition is a great choice for people on the go due to its e-ink display, which is readable under direct light with no screen glare[1]. The device can be purchased from Shop e-Readers, which offers a DVD Video Tutorial disk and 100 free ebooks with each purchase[1].
In summary, the Sony PRS-350 is a compact, lightweight, and touchscreen e-reader suitable for basic reading needs and portability, but it falls short in screen size, lighting, and advanced features compared to contemporary e-readers like Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara HD[1][5]. Its niche is mainly users prioritizing small size and touchscreen over larger screens and ecosystem connectivity.
[1] - Michael Kozlowski, a seasoned author with twelve years of experience writing about audiobooks and e-readers, resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Sony PRS 350 Pocket Edition's touchscreen capability and e-ink display make it both intuitive for note-taking and easy on the eyes, making it a suitable choice for e-reader enthusiasts who opt for gadgets that blend technology with portability. However, users seeking advanced features like built-in Wi-Fi, adjustable front lights, and ergonomic design improvements might find other e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara HD more appealing.
