Manage updates with the Download AppSony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 (silver)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: PRS-300SC
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has a basic feature set, its $200 price tag, compact size, and Epub file compatibility make it an appealing e-book reader.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 (silver) price range: $61.77 - $199.00
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: John Falcone
- Reviewed on: 09/08/2009
The good: With its sharp 5-inch screen, the Sony Reader Pocket Edition is much more compact than the Kindle 2 and fits comfortably in one hand when reading; font size is adjustable; decent battery life; Sony's eBook Library software is now both Windows- and Mac-compatible, with best sellers costing $9.99 (just like Amazon); Epub file compatibility lets you access thousands of free classic Google Books and loaner files from many local libraries; also displays Word and PDF files.
The bad: No expandable memory; battery is sealed into unit; screen may be too small for some people; limited zoom function with PDF files; cannot display JPEGs or play back MP3 files; not as zippy as the step-up PRS-600; USB charging only works from PCs.
The bottom line: While Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has a basic feature set, its $200 price tag, compact size, and Epub file compatibility make it an appealing e-book reader.
User reviews
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Outstandingly good e-reader
by Paulddb on September 12, 2009
Pros: small enough to fit in a jacket or trousers hip pocket
compact enough to take everywhere
good contrast and screen clarity
good battery life
will charge using iPhone or iPod charger (?)
pleasurable reading experience
pages numberedCons: I can find no cons.
The weaknesses mentioned in the review are minor things that no not impact the reading experience. A larger screen would hold more text, but I bought this reader because if its portability.Summary: Despite lack of fancy features, the PRS-300 is perfect for my purpose - reading books. It's easy to hold (I use the optional leather cover); it goes in a ...
Summary: Despite lack of fancy features, the PRS-300 is perfect for my purpose - reading books. It's easy to hold (I use the optional leather cover); it goes in a jacket pocket and even in trousers hip pocket, and I do find myself taking it everywhere to grab a few minutes reading, even in places where I might not take a printed book. It's the sheer convenience of having this reader with me that makes it outstanding.
After one week of heavy use, the battery still shows full charge. I found that the iPhone/ iPod charger does seem to charge through the USB port, but I may be mistaken.
I chose this because screen contrast and clarity are better than the touch-screen PRS-600; the larger screen has a preferable page layout, but for me contrast is more important.
The review complains of sluggish page turns - I often flick back a few pages to read a prior passage, and page turning is still as quick as with a paper book. The pages are numbered (unlike Kindle) and reformat according to font size. Even if you read several books concurrently, the Sony remembers your page in every book you've read.10 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Does what it needs to
by poonam316 on November 18, 2009
Pros: Solid feel, long battery life, text clarity
Cons: button for page change, page flip time
Summary: I travel frequently and finally got tired of carrying around a book or even two when I knew I would finish the first. I decided to jump on the opportunity ...
Summary: I travel frequently and finally got tired of carrying around a book or even two when I knew I would finish the first. I decided to jump on the opportunity to purchase one when I found a great deal. I didn't need any sort of fancy 3g internet connection, nor did I need an MP3 player so I decided to go with the PRS-300. The size was welcoming as the price was one to beat, even at retail price compared to the other options out there. I have had this product for over a month now and have found that it does what it needs to and I have not run into any issues as of yet. The PRS-300 has a 5" reading screen. There are three different text sizes and I have found that the 2nd or middle text size is best suited for my eyes. it will take approximately 30 seconds for me to read an average page before I have to flip to the next page. I have found that the page flip will take about 1 second to refresh. For me this was a little slow but I've got used to it now. The reader feels solid in my hand while reading. Does not have a plastic cheap feel like a few other out there. I wish Sony would have place a button on the side to flip the page so you do not have to keep your thumb positioned over the center circle button, but once again, I have gotten used to it. I download books off of the internet and use Google's free listings for all of the book I upload. I always download several books to my computer which takes a matter of seconds and then sync them to my reader using Calibre. Therefore, I have found no need for an internet connection to download books. I have an iPod and hate to listen to music while I read, so I never found the need for MP3 play option. I read only for pleasure now and have no need to annotate text either. I also believe I have an extensive vocabulary, so no need for a dictionary. So, if you do not require any of these features, this is the reader for you. It is also small in size and thin, i can pack it away in my brief case without even noticing I have it on me. Sony includes a neoprene sleeve for the reader. Although it is a nicely constructed sleeve, I would prefer to have a leather book style case. For some reason, they are very expensive and I have waited to dive into that purchase. For the time being, the provided sleeve will do just fine. All in all, I consider to be a good product and does what it needs to do. Basically eliminate the need for thick books to be carting around while traveling and allow yourself to have hundreds of books just a few clicks away.
9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It works better than the last eReader I tried
by junk64 on September 22, 2009
Pros: ts 5" screen seems a nicer viewing size than the more common 6" ones.
Cons: Menu's don't change text size. Packaging is the kind we all dread to open.
Summary: "I've only had it a few hours but its readability is unmatched. I sat in a coffee shoppe this morning as the sun beamed onto the device. My eyes ...
Summary: "I've only had it a few hours but its readability is unmatched. I sat in a coffee shoppe this morning as the sun beamed onto the device. My eyes were in the shade yet it remained very easy and comfortable to read!
The packaging is terrible. It is that bubble sealed kind that requires a knife or scissors and, after returning from overseas, I've yet to put my pocket knife back in my pocket. So it was most difficult to open.
The software is downloadable from Sony and I prepared about a 100 ePub books so when I got the unit I could quickly add content ( it comes pre-charged ). Well, it froze on the first attempt. Apparently one of the files is corrupt. Once I trimmed the list of books down to about 10 books, it worked.
The software does not provide a "print list" as I wanted to share my reading list with others. It does have a "print book" option. And the ePub file names are very cryptic so I could not use a simple list of those names to share either.
On the unit, you can adjust the text size to three sizes. This change does not change the menu text.
Overall, a great unit and it may help me to read more. It seems the PRS-300 is the very first affordable eBook reader. It claims to hold about 350 books. I don't need "always connected" eReader as the Kindle. I just want to read books. The text is so crisp and clear. Page turning is easy. I even think I like landscape better ( a button adjust this option ).
With the optional cover, it is a little big. It won't fit in a shirt pocket like the iPhone does. Actually, without the optional cover it would not fit there either but that is ok. It is much smaller that most all other eReaders.
I paid just under $250 with tax for the reader and the cover. All the books I put on it were the ePub format and were free. Best selection seems to be http://feedbooks.com but it appears you can buy books at the Sony store ( the software, like iTunes will take you to the store ). Feedbooks offers download in many formats but I chose the ePub to begin with.
The big difference in this eBook reader is the ePub software. This sets it apart from the Kindle which cannot read this standard. ePub can be open ( see http://feedbooks.com/ ) or DRM'd for sale." Also see Google Books at http://books.google.com6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fantastic Build Quality and SLEEK Design
by steveinny1 on November 22, 2009
Pros: Abilility to digitally borrow books from my public Library!
Excellent Quality (metal front), built to last.
Nice Sony library as well as free Google public domain book downloads.Cons: Maybe another page turning button on the side of the device would be nice, but the device is compact enough that the 4 way rocker is easy to reach.
Summary: I have owned a PRS500, PRS505 and now this PRS300. I alos have an Amazon Kindle. I love the quality that goes into the sony, the attention to detail and ...
Summary: I have owned a PRS500, PRS505 and now this PRS300. I alos have an Amazon Kindle. I love the quality that goes into the sony, the attention to detail and its very sleek design. Wireless downloads are nice, but not a dealbreaker. I mean, how many books does this device hold? At least a couple of hundred. You can certainly wait to synch it to your PC without having a crisis! Personally, I have about 350 digital books in my library and I would have run out of space a long time ago if these were print edition books. Now Sony lets me borrow books digitally from my public library...I am simply blown away. It works flawlessly and adds another dimension of usefulness to this already necessary device. Yes, I said necessary (to me, an avid reader and gadget lover...I am in Nirvana.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Was pleased but now disappointed!
by mykids72 on April 20, 2010
Pros: Compact
Multi-formatCons: Font sizes could use some tweeking
Page turner could be on the sides for easy page turning.Summary: The Sony EReader was great while it worked but now the turn on/off button is broke. I called their help desk and we did a soft reset, which didn'...
Summary: The Sony EReader was great while it worked but now the turn on/off button is broke. I called their help desk and we did a soft reset, which didn't work. I couldn't turn it on to do a hard reset. I was told that I had to contact the repair dept., but because of the model it says to return it and if they can fix it they will. If not, then I'll get a "refurbished" one. The eReader is less than 6 mths old...... If they can't fix it they should send a new one not a refurbished one!
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Beautifully Engineered - Pdf Issues
by numeroprime on July 14, 2010
Pros: This has to be the best piece of physical engineering on the planet. A beautiful metal case with a very high quality feel. PDFs can resize nicely IF they were made from text,
Cons: If the PDF was created from a scan the resizing does not work well and with images a disaster. Page turning becomes irritating with a 'flash" as in photo-plash like effect of some annoying commercials and makes the experience less than pleasant.
Summary: Nice piece of machinery but it was returned the next day because many of my pdfs were scanned images and the flash effect when changing pages was too much for ...
Summary: Nice piece of machinery but it was returned the next day because many of my pdfs were scanned images and the flash effect when changing pages was too much for me. Since the primary use is as a reader and most of my pdfs are scans from old books, not text conversions, I had to give it 2 stars.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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load of rubbish - or rather the software is
by doreron on February 25, 2010
Pros: It hasn't worked for me, literally. I thought it would be brilliant and handy, but how wrong I was. If anybody has any trouble installing things, I am top of the list!
Cons: it doesn't do what it should - software again. There is obviously something wrong with the software, as the laptop works perfectly.
Summary: I've had this since Christmas and the problem is getting the Reader Library to work. Each time I get to it it tells me its not responding and I ...
Summary: I've had this since Christmas and the problem is getting the Reader Library to work. Each time I get to it it tells me its not responding and I am yet to understand how to transfer any sort of book on to the reader itself. It might be easy to some people, but that's only if everything works as it should, it hasn't done for me. Been to Sony shop to complain, phoned someone at Sony and gone to a lot of sites asking for help. But it seems I am the only one with this problem. Can anyone tell me what to do please?
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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EBooks are overpriced!
by klingongoddess on February 2, 2010
Pros: I have received the PRS-300 as a gift and the overall reader works well enough.
Cons: A major problem is you have to purchases though their store & there are NO discounts for most books. They are at the normal prices you would normally pay from a bookstore. One book I purchased was $4 more than the competitors. See for yourself!
Summary: It is a wonderful concept but I don?t like being forced to make purchases only from their Reader Store. The books I like to read are between $1 and $...
Summary: It is a wonderful concept but I don?t like being forced to make purchases only from their Reader Store. The books I like to read are between $1 and $4?s more from their store. That is for older books. It?s nice to have all the books in one place, but at that price I will just buy the real book.
Other downside is having to charge the reader when the battery dies. You don?t need to worry about charging a book. It would be nice if you can read while it charges. Also don?t forget to unplug it from your computer and turn it off after charging. It drains the battery.
It won't let me choose .5 stars. I don't think it even makes that because of the overpriced books.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I prefer using this Ebook than reading a regular book
by artigj on December 27, 2009
Pros: Clear font, lightweight, easy to handle. Uses EPub standard
Cons: Not touchscreen. Have to press buttons to navigate. Sony E library appears to be limited in books.
Summary: This is a very basic reader but it does vave a sharp clear screen with virtually no glare and is easy to read. It is light and comfortable to handle ...
Summary: This is a very basic reader but it does vave a sharp clear screen with virtually no glare and is easy to read. It is light and comfortable to handle and small enough that I carry it in my pocket. It does not have a touchscreen, a dictionary nor Wi-Fi but it does allow you to store and read up to 300 books. I found that the Sony library does not have some of the E-books that Amazon and Barnes & Nobil have, but due to the EPub standard that Sony is using, I was able to find books thru other web sites.
As a followup to my original comments, two books that were available at Amazon and Barnes & Nobel on October when I purchased my reader are finally available at the Sony Library. Good to know they are starting to catch-up.
Updated on Jan 1, 20101 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Almost perfect eReader!
by jaffreywali on December 16, 2009
Pros: - size and ergonomics (excellent for one hand use, can be used easily when on a treadmill.
- build quality is very high for this price point
-no frill (actually helps usability)
-epub standard and huge library of books
-excellent screenCons: - no wireless
-does not handle large files well (PRS 600 had no problems with a large book that could not be loaded into my PRS 300)Summary: This is an excellent eReader for people who need a device to just read. The screen contrast is the best I have seen and navigation an usability is far better ...
Summary: This is an excellent eReader for people who need a device to just read. The screen contrast is the best I have seen and navigation an usability is far better than the Nook I tried out in NYC - Barnes and Noble. The only eReader with easier navigation is the Sony PRS 600, but then you lose the fantastic screen of the PRS 300.
The recent Sony software update makes this reader even better in terms of synching content.
While the Kindle is a more popular reader, the Sony wins for better build quality, better ergonomics and a larger library of books. The Kindle's main advantage is the wireless synching. From what I saw the little color LCD on the Nook is more of a gimmick than useful.
The optional Sony leather case with built in LED light is an nice accessory and does not add to the small profile of the reader.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: PRS-300SC
- Description: The Reader Pocket Edition lets you access up to 350 of your favorite books from anywhere. Its elegant, lightweight design is small enough to slip into a purse or jacket pocket, and features a 5" display with E Ink paper-like screen technology for easy reading, even in direct sunlight. For added versatility, it supports multiple file formats including ePub and PDF, offering access to more books from more places, including The eBook Store from Sony and over one million free public domain titles from Google.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type eBook reader
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 4.2 in x .4 in x 6.2 in
- Weight 7.7 oz
- Color Silver
- Packaged contents Protective cover
Display
- Type 5 in Monochrome E Ink
- Display Resolution 800 x 600
- Display type 5 in E Ink
- Color Depth 3-bit (8 gray levels)
- Max resolution 800 x 600
EBook Reader
- Supported Text Formats EPUB ,
PDF ,
BBeB,
RTF ,
TXT ,
BBeB DRM - Supported Still Image Formats JPEG
Power
- Battery installed (max) Lithium ion
Expansion and Connectivity
- Interfaces USB 2.0
Battery
- Technology / Form Factor Lithium ion
- Battery Life (pages) 7500 pages
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Protective cover
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 4.2 in
- Depth 0.4 in
- Height 6.2 in
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 41 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
Product series
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Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 (blue)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: 5 in Monochrome E Ink,
4.3 in x 0.4 in x 6.3 in,
7.8 oz -
Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 (silver)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: 5 in Monochrome E Ink,
4.2 in x 0.4 in x 6.2 in,
7.7 oz
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sony
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
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