Manage updates with the Download AppSony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600BC (black)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: PRS-600BC
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While it's an improvement to the company's previous touch-screen model, Sony's Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 is saddled with a screen that's short on contrast and prone to glare--and it lacks the wireless convenience of Amazon's identically priced Kindle.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600BC (black) price range: $119.00 - $307.72
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: John Falcone
- Reviewed on: 09/11/2009
The good: The PRS-600 is sleeker than the Kindle; touch screen is more responsive than last year's Sony Reader; interface offers better ergonomics and is mostly easy to use; with the addition of an optional memory card (SD or Memory Stick Pro), it's capable of storing thousands of electronic books; five font sizes; decent battery life; displays Word and PDF files (with zoom), shows most image files, and plays MP3 and AAC audio; Sony's eBook Library software is now both Windows and Mac-compatible, with bestsellers 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; built-in dictionary now included.
The bad: Screen is still glare-prone; screen contrast (how dark the letters are) isn't as good as what you'll find on competing models; lack of wireless access means all files must be dragged and dropped from a PC; battery is sealed into unit; notation and markup functions can be cumbersome; USB charging only works from PCs.
The bottom line: While it's an improvement to the company's previous touch-screen model, Sony's Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 is saddled with a screen that's short on contrast and prone to glare--and it lacks the wireless convenience of Amazon's identically priced Kindle.
User reviews
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Gets the Job Done
by masonv on February 26, 2010
Pros: touch screen, reads open source files, can borrow from libraries, screen size, notes feature, dictionary, growing Sony library, free books on Kobo.com and google books.
Cons: contrast is lacking, slight glare, no power cord.
Summary: Overall it's a decent ebook reader. I purchased for $150 so I can't complain as it is my first ebook reader. The glare issue is slightly annoying, but ...
Summary: Overall it's a decent ebook reader. I purchased for $150 so I can't complain as it is my first ebook reader. The glare issue is slightly annoying, but I can work around that issue. I'm waiting for the color ereaders to come to market at a reasonable price before I replace this unit. For those that can't stand the slight glare and dull contrast, I suggest you go with another reader. I bet Sony will get this right with its next generation of readers.
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Product is far INFERIOR to the PRS 505
by Grammeto8 on February 23, 2010
Pros: I liked the dictionary feature and the page turner feature
Cons: Difficult to impossible to read in the direct sunlight. Print not dark enough and not enough contrast; battery life is poor. The glare is horrible especially when the light is behind you or overhead as in an airplane. The PRS 600 is a poor upgrade.
Summary: The contrast between the printed word and background is terrible. You can't read in the direct sunlight because the words fade out. The glare on the screen is so ...
Summary: The contrast between the printed word and background is terrible. You can't read in the direct sunlight because the words fade out. The glare on the screen is so bad that you only have a very limited angle that you can read with. I have always recommended the Sony to friends, now I highly encourage them toward the Kindle because I thnk it is a better unit overall.
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I like the Touch Screen. Can download EPUBs
by rreid28 on January 7, 2010
Pros: Easy to use, lots of available content
Cons: Screen is prone to glare and lacks contrast.
Summary: If this wasn't a Christmas gift. I would have looked for a different reader. Maybe Sony can increase the display contrast with a firmware update, but as yet they ...
Summary: If this wasn't a Christmas gift. I would have looked for a different reader. Maybe Sony can increase the display contrast with a firmware update, but as yet they have not.
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Overall great reader and a serious challenger to Kindle
by 1joeconsumer on January 4, 2010
Pros: 1: Open Platform (C-NET editors really missed this) which allows access to several online sources and your own MS word and .pdf files
2: Touch Screen makes navigation easy
3: Compact Size and Form Factor
4: Easy to organize books on deviceCons: 1: Lack of wireless - not a prob if you only read a few books a month (computer downloads are easy) - may be an issue if you are constantly buying stuff
2: Screen could have a bit more contrast, but this is a worthwhile price for the touch featureSummary: I looked at Both the Kindle 2 (which my mom owns) and the PRS-600 before I went with the Sony. The biggest advantage the Sony Readers offer (I feel the ...
Summary: I looked at Both the Kindle 2 (which my mom owns) and the PRS-600 before I went with the Sony. The biggest advantage the Sony Readers offer (I feel the C-NET editors totally missed the boat on this one) is the **open platform**. That?s huge because you can a get a books from the Sony Store, Google Books, any number of other online libraries ? I can even load work related .pdf and word files from my computer on it. With Kindle you are pretty much locked into Amazon. I also like the touch screen ? if you want to look up a word, double tap and you got the definition. Make a swipe and turn the page. Page and menu navigation feels much more natural than Kindle?s joy stick. The unit is solidly built, compact (about 5? x 6.5?, about as small as you can go), and I find it easier to hold in one hand than a Kindle. At 10.2 oz it?s easy to throw in my briefcase and take it where I go. It easy and natural to make your own notes because you can just scribble on the page, or use the on-screen keyboard to make text annotations. Sony actually sells a cool leather case for the PRS-600 that has a small built-in book light which I recommend ? provides the perfect amount of light for dark settings.
The Sony lacks the wireless feature which would be cool, but I probably read only a book or two a month so I?m OK downloading through my computer which is pretty simple (look at this way, you?ll need to charge it every once in a while by hooking up the USB cable anyway). I?ve used the Internet on the Kindle device and it?s pretty slow and not to mention in grey scale ? if you have an iPhone, Blackberry or other smartphone the Internet experience on these devices is far better. I?ll admit that the screen on the Sony could have more contrast but it?s still quite legible and I think it?s a small price to pay for the convenience of the touch screen.
Personally, I like my Sony Reader and I feel it?s a better choice that the Kindle 2. If you really need a clear screen and or buy books a few times a week and need wireless ? the Kindle may be for you. But if you don?t need that I would recommend the Sony as it provided access to the most amount of books possible and is just a nice, compact, easier to use package. -
Works as reviewed, but features really matter.
by jg0963 on December 28, 2009
Pros: Size. Form Factor. Build quality. Touch screen uses (Notetaking, highlighting, page turning, looking-up). Format compatibility. Simplicity.
Cons: 3g wireless conectivity, if it's important to you. Less contrast and more glare than Kindle. User manual doesn't come in the box or the Reader. You have to get it online in PDF format. It should at least be in EPUB format.
Summary: Very good form factor and build quality. The feature set is impressive, especially with the touch screen. The touchscreen makes notetaking, page turning, highlighting, and looking-up much easier and intuitive ...
Summary: Very good form factor and build quality. The feature set is impressive, especially with the touch screen. The touchscreen makes notetaking, page turning, highlighting, and looking-up much easier and intuitive than a Kindle. I researched both highly and spent a lot of time with a friend's Kindle before buying the Reader. Biggest selling point for me was the compatibility with EPUB and PDF formats. There are many free books available through Project Gutenberg and my local libarary that are in EPUB format. That way I can load up on free classics, and only have to buy newer titles. That feature is more important to me than the wireless conectivity and better screen of the Kindle. I recognize that might not be the case for others. If you're going to buy mostly newer titlles, don't care about free books, want a better screen, won't be taking notes or highlighting text, and want to be able to buy books away from your computer, then a Kindle is more for you. I'm sure with software updates in the future, the format issue may become moot as Kindle becomes compatible, but for today, the Reader is more universally compatible. Both are very good devices.
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Most universal ebook reader out there!
by jaffreywali on November 18, 2009
Pros: - As close to a universal format support as possible for an eReader today
- Styling (very elegant)
- Touch screen UI
- Huge available library (a LOT that is FREE!)Cons: - Touch Screen UI (since it does add a little glare)
-No wireless connectivty (with wireless, this truly would be a killer eReader)Summary: - epub support means you can rent books from almost any public library and download to your eReader. Huge feature that the KIndle does not support (surprisingly)
-Access to hundreds ...Summary: - epub support means you can rent books from almost any public library and download to your eReader. Huge feature that the KIndle does not support (surprisingly)
-Access to hundreds of thousands of Google ebooks for free. These are mostly classics, but I have found excellent books and classics this way.
- .pdf support. This is another huge feature. I use this feature to store ALL my product manuals (which are usually in pdf format from the online support sites) on my eReader. I find it most handly to have it available that way. PDF files like manuals are unreadable on even the best mobile phone (I have the ATT Tilt2 - which easily out resolves the iphone, but the eReader is superior as a pdf reader). I don't believe Kindle supports PDF either.
- Replaceable SD memory card. Another huge for me. Without this I would not be able to store as many books, music and manuals as I do today. -
High glare and low contrast are big drawbacks.
by pronoah1 on November 5, 2009
Pros: Open to various formats.
Cons: Surprising glare under all types of lighting. Poor contrast is hard on the eyes.
Summary: I also own an iPhone and frankly find that even with the smaller screen I can read a book more enjoyably on the iPHone than my eReader. I just bought ...
Summary: I also own an iPhone and frankly find that even with the smaller screen I can read a book more enjoyably on the iPHone than my eReader. I just bought the eReader, so I will give it a little while to see if the experience improves.
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A good reader, with most of the features.
by edwfuentes on November 1, 2009
Pros: Sleek functional design, allowing the user to provide inputs of highlighing, writing, and bookmarking, while providing a reviewable list of user markups. Expandable memory card slots, allowing multiple down loads. Touch screen page turning.
Cons: To much Glare. Contrast is terrible. Does not allow WMA downloads. Does not meet expectation on battery life, ( couple hours of reading, and listening to the mp3 will empty your battery gage. Going through the menu options the unit is sluggish.
Summary: This is a great tool. Quite possibly the best $300 that i have spent. If Sony improves the features of their book I would go with an upgrade. I would ...
Summary: This is a great tool. Quite possibly the best $300 that i have spent. If Sony improves the features of their book I would go with an upgrade. I would still choose the Sony over the other models that i have researched, due to the features that Sony provides, Sonys reputation, and design.
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No constrast or lighting controls
by gh125 on December 26, 2009
Pros: nothing nothing
Cons: Sony's estore has limited selection, plus is very slow and often time unavailable. There is a HUGE glare. Also, do backlighting feature.No wireless feature
Summary: I got this as a gift and it's my first ereader. I am very disappointed. I can't even read from it because the glare is so bad. I ...
Summary: I got this as a gift and it's my first ereader. I am very disappointed. I can't even read from it because the glare is so bad. I can't change the constrast and there is no lighting feature. The Sony ebook store has been down so, I can't download books.There is no wireless feature. I'm returning this and trying a kindle!
0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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aside from hardware, software issues ruin experience
by brevityverb on October 12, 2009
Pros: native pdf, dictionary, touch screen
Cons: can't delete/manage books from reader, double book entries, glare, low contrast/gray background, can't read purchased epub books in reader but only in pc!
Summary: Aside from the hardware issues like glare and low contrast, bugs in the software make owning the reader a nightmare experience. Imagine purchasing expensive books that you can only read ...
Summary: Aside from the hardware issues like glare and low contrast, bugs in the software make owning the reader a nightmare experience. Imagine purchasing expensive books that you can only read in the pc, not in the reader itself! You also cannot manage the books from the reader; you have to connect it to the pc and delete/manage/add collections using the pc. Sony has always had problems with software (like SonicStage for its walkmans) and very poor support. You always have to charge the reader by connecting it to the pc.
0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: PRS-600BC
- Description: Take your favorite books to go with the Reader Touch Edition by Sony. Touch navigation allows you to turn pages, take notes and highlight text. Tap a word and the built-in dictionary will instantly reveal the meaning. Build your library today at the Reader Store, where you can access new releases or choose from over one million free public domain titles from Google Books , or you can visit public libraries to borrow eBooks.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type eBook reader
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 4.8 in x 0.4 in x 6.9 in
- Weight 10.1 oz
- Color Black
Display
- Type 6 in Monochrome E Ink
- Display Resolution 800 x 600
- Touchscreen Yes
- Display type 6 in E Ink
- Color Depth 3-bit (8 gray levels)
- Max resolution 800 x 600
Processor
- Processor Freescale i.MX31L
EBook Reader
- Supported Text Formats EPUB ,
PDF ,
BBeB,
DOC ,
RTF ,
TXT ,
BBeB DRM - Supported Still Image Formats PNG,
JPEG,
BMP,
GIF - Features Touch screen
Location
- GPS Navigation None
Multimedia
- Supported Digital Audio Formats AAC ,
MP3 Input Device
- Type Touch-screen
Power
- Battery installed (max) Lithium ion
Expansion and Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x USB
Battery
- Technology / Form Factor Lithium ion
- Run Time 14
- Battery Life (pages) 7500 pages
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 4.8 in
- Depth 0.4 in
- Height 6.9 in
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 41 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
Product series
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Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600BC (black)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Freescale i.MX31L,
6 in Monochrome E Ink,
4.8 in x 0.4 in x 6.9 in,
10.1 oz -
Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600RC (red)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: i.MX31L,
6 in Monochrome E Ink,
4.8 in x 0.4 in x 6.9 in,
10.1 oz -
Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600SC (silver)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: 6 in Monochrome E Ink,
4.8 in x 0.4 in x 6.9 in,
10.1 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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