As you are making a purchase decision, we suggest that you take the time to read some PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader reviews in order to see what other consumers have to say about the product. Here are some user reviews to help you make your shopping decision:

Received this as a gift and it is very, very nice! I won't go into the specs as others have that covered. I'm somewhat techno-capable, but really not much more than the basics. This reader is quite simple to use. Downloading my free 100 classic books was a breeze (except for all the choices....dawdled over that!).

The screen size may sound small in the specs, but it is a very comfortable size to read. Honestly, would not want a bigger screen as this is a very portable device . . . quickly feels like a paperback in hand. The eInk technology is quite easy on my eyes (unlike LCD backlit screens). As a general rule of thumb, if it is dark enough that you would need some room lighting to read a book, you will need a light to read this device. You can choose from 3 fonts sizes.

Worried that it will not feel like the books you are used to curling up with? So was I, for about 5 minutes, and after that I became lost in the text. The pages are easy to turn, with little delay in the 2nd generation. The bookmark feature is quite handy.

Sure, some readers offer more "bells and whistles" and have email and wireless capabilities. If you need that, great, look around more. I do not. I am an avid reader of books and as a book reader, this device is simply elegant and will not disappoint!
-Guppee (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

I own this device. Love it. The screen is perfect. It's easy to read on. It holds a ton of books and the biggest features is Sony Connects availability of titles. I always find what I am looking for. http://ebooks.connect.com/ I would recommend this device over the $100 more expensive Kindle unless your desire is to read the newspaper on your device. I don't read the newspaper so I don't want that one feature. I can easily buy and download books onto my Sony and the prices of the books are very reasonable. I love the product. I am a hardcore reader and that is what this device is made for. Someone who wants to save the wear and tear of reading on a device on their eyes. E-ink is worth the price.

Kindle
6 inch screen
4 level grayscale
10.3 ounces

Sony E-book
6 inch screen
8 level grayscale
9 ounces

Hmmm.....if what you are paying for is the e-ink technology then Sony has Kindle beat with a savings of $100.
-K. Cade (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

I got mine over the holiday and I love it. It is small and very easy to read. I read a couple of comments and people complained about backlighting, if you think about it, it is harder on the eyes with one. With this devices I read it and I did not struggle trying to see the pages. It is a little slow when turning pages but that's because to save battery life, it goes off after a while and you have to wait until the battery comes back on before it turns the page. Nothing major about that to me.

I had no problems downloading the books from the site to my library or to the E-reader. I have not tried to download any PDFs as of yet, but I am sure that it will work easily.

I have even brought a memory card, but I doubt I will need it unless I plan on going out of town for an extended period of time without my laptop or desktop.

I found out that if you buy from other companies, I am a big fan of Extasy & Elloras Cave books, I downloaded them HTML then I had to copy and paste to a word document then save as a RTF file. It worked great. No pictures, but we are not looking for pictures on this. I only want to read.

Overall, I gave this a five star because it is a great product. I looked into a Kindle and thought WTF. I do not want newspapers, I do not want to read blogs off it, so, I do need a device that is a hundred dollars more that I will only be using for book. A Kindle is good for those who need all that other crap but I do not. Think about it, once you have downloaded all your books and it is stolen, what to do then? You have to re-buy your Kindle and probably all the books. I am not sure, just guessing. With the Sony, it is in my library on my computer, which I have backed-up and I do not have to worry about loosing them.

If you are looking for a nice E-Reader that is small and easy to use. The Sony PRS 505 is great.
-T.S.W. (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

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Our local library has a wide selection of books in several formats including PDF. You need to have the Adobe Digital Edition software (downloadable from the library). This allows you to download the books, and they have an expiration date after which they are not readable. But they are all free. This includes books on the current best sellers list. This was the feature that made me decide on the Sony PRS-505 instead of the Kindle.
Also, I have had no problems loading my own PDF or Word files.
-Les (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

I read the other reviews and thought I would add my thoughts.
I chose the Sony over Kindle because of its ability to import other file formats such PDF and Word without having to go through a converter and pay a fee such as Kindle. I can download technical manuals from companies such EMC and IBM at no change and have them at my finger tips when I need them. I also get free books from the gutenburg project online.

I read a lot - research at work on the PC as well as magazines and books at home. T find the sony screen very easy to read (I am over 50 and I have progressive lens) with eye strain which I get from PCs and laptops. It has three different fonts sizes.

The sony does not have wi-fi and you cannot browse the web - I did not see this a problem since that is why I have laptop, pc and PDA for. PDFs may display a little awkward such as when I downloaded a magazine in PDF format but it is still very readable and this has not presented any problems for me. If you use openoffice you can read in any word document, revise it and then save a pdf image to download to the sony - which is very nice and openoffice is also free.

The sony is small enough to fit into my front pocket it I need to (it is tight on some slacks).

For those who love to read - this is a great gadget and I suspect for those who need the wi-fi the Kindle is the way to go
-B. Olsen (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

I bought the Sony PRS-505 reader one month ago. I have enjoyed this product very much. I have glacouma and have trouble reading books with normal print. In fact I have not read many books in the last few years. Since I bought the Sony reader I have been reading everyday. I finished my sixth book and amazed at the clarity of the words when used in the large font. I carry the sony reader with me wherever I go and when I get a free minute I read. I would recommend this product to anyone who enjoys reading.
-J. Church (PRS-505 Sony Portable eReader user review from Amazon.com)

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