The Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition is Sony’s first 5-inch electronic reader. With almost all the same advantages of the popular but outdated PRS-505 model, the PRS-300 e-reader is 20% smaller, fitting easily in pockets and small purses. The Sony Pocket Edition comes pre-installed with all the software it needs so it is ready to go right out of the box. Rather than compete with all the advanced features of larger, more complex readers, the Sony PRS-300 maximizes the benefits of a truly pocket-sized device.
Good things come in small packages
While some e-reader users prefer the full-page display of the larger models on the market that allow for more large text on the screen, there are things to be said for the pocket-sized design of the Sony PRS 300 Pocket Reader.
- Among the smallest on the market – 6.2” x 4.2” x 0.4” – and weighing only 7.76 ounces – the Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition fits in one hand, making it convenient for use on the go, without sacrificing any of the robust, quality construction that Sony is known for.
- With 600 x 800 pixel resolution, the PRS-300 Pocket Edition can display the same amount of text on screen as the PRS-600, although at a slightly smaller font size
- The Sony PRS-300 Pocket Reader displays three font sizes and can be rotated to display text both vertically and horizontally
- Vizplex E Ink technology displays text in 8 different shades of grey that read like ink on paper for high quality sharpness and contrast on the screen and less problems with glare
- Supports open file formats including ePub as well as PDF, TXT, RFT and BBeB
- Stores 350 books on its internal memory
Is the Sony PRS-300 Pocket Edition too bare bones?
While there are a lot of good things to say about the Sony Reader Pocket Edition, there are also some drawbacks. The PRS-300 doesn’t have touch screen navigation, a screen keyboard, a dictionary or memory card slots – it can’t fit as much increased-font text on its 5-inch display screen as its competitors like the magazine-sized kindle DX. Users might also notice:
- Slow loading speeds: noticeable delays in some downloads, especially PDF files, refresh rates and E Ink refreshment.
- Doesn’t include WiFi – so ebooks are first downloaded to a computer – both Windows and Mac compatible
- Doesn’t include a search function for locating specific text within a book
- Ebook purchases are limited to Sony’s book collection
- AC charger not included with purchase price
The Sony PRS-300 Pocket Edition: a good, simple e-reader.
The Sony PRS-300 Pocket Edition doesn’t include a lot of advanced features but what it does do it does well. Selling for $179 US, the Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition is only a fraction of the price of some of its higher-end competitors. For several hundred dollars less per unit than other e-reader models, the Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition has fewer bells and whistles than more sophisticated models, but is perfect for people looking for a good, simple e-reader.
