Sony · Reader
Portable Reader System PRS-500
Sony's original US Reader, with a six-inch electronic-paper display, physical controls and memory-card expansion.
- Screen
- 6″
- PPI
- –
- Colour
- No
- Storage
- 64 MB
- Weight
- –
What reviewers say
Both reviews value the portable library and comfortable text reading. The Absolute Sound praises the screen during long sessions but finds book selection limited and the price a barrier. The Gadgeteer finds everyday reading useful despite disappointing contrast, sluggish menus, awkward desktop PDFs and Windows-only store software at launch.
From the-gadgeteer.com and theabsolutesound.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specScreen
- Screen size
- 6″
- Colour
- No
- Front light
- No
- Display detail
- E Ink electronic paper; approximately six-inch diagonal and four greyscale levels reported by The Gadgeteer
- Front light
- No integrated illumination
- Page turns and refresh
- Physical page controls, three text sizes and portrait or landscape orientation; numbered menu selection buttons
Reading and writing
- Stylus
- No
- Page-turn buttons
- Yes
- Audiobooks
- Yes
- Storage
- 64 MB
- Software
- Other
- Formats
- BBeB, PDF, TXT and RTF; Word converted to RTF; JPEG, GIF, PNG and BMP; EPUB and Adobe DRM supported with later firmware 2.0.00.09180 and compatible desktop software
- Book store
- Computer-based CONNECT eBooks purchases offered at launch; memory-card file transfer also supported
- Note taking
- Bookmarks; no touchscreen annotations
Connections and battery
- Battery life detail
- Maker claims approximately 7,500 pages with a fully charged battery
- Charging
- Supplied 5.2 V mains adaptor or computer USB; fully depleted battery requires mains charging
- Connectivity
- USB; shared Memory Stick/SD card slot; approximately 64 MB user-available storage
- Audio
- Headphone output; unprotected MP3 and AAC audio only; playback while reading supported
Design
- Size
- Maker maximum dimensions 6.9 × 4.9 × 0.5 inches without soft cover; approximately 8.8 oz without cover
- In the box
- Reader, protective cover, mains adaptor and cable, USB cable and Windows CONNECT Reader software
Pros and cons
Pros
- Physical page controls and portrait or landscape reading
- SD and Memory Stick expansion
- Protective cover and mains adaptor included
Cons
- No touchscreen or handwriting
- No built-in reading light or wireless downloads
- EPUB requires the later firmware update
Closest rivals
Model | Screen | PPI | Colour | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6″ | 167 | No | 192 MB | – | Oct 2007 | |
| 6″ | 167 | No | 420 MB | 280 g | Nov 2008 | |
| 6″ | 167 | No | 380 MB | 286 g | Aug 2009 |
Sources
- sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0009063M.pdf
- sony.mediaroom.com/2006-09-26-Sony-Supports-the-Search-for-Breast-Cancer-Cure-W…
- sony.com/electronics/support/reader-digital-book-prs-series/prs-500/articles/S1…
- the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500
Photo: the-gadgeteer.com
