| The Amazon Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader | | | | ADVANTAGE: Amazon Kindle 2 |
| PRS-700 are two of the hottest ebook readers | | | | Formats Supported |
| to hit the market in the past 12 months, bringing | | | | Both electronic book readers support most |
| reading pleasure to an entirely new level. For | | | | commonly used formats such as TXT, MP3, JPEG, |
| those who are new to ebook reading devices and | | | | GIF, PNG, and BMP, plus some formats unique to |
| are interested in getting one, here's a comparison | | | | each device. The Sony Reader however, supports |
| of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Sony Reader and | | | | PDF while the Kindle 2 does not - not directly, |
| how they match up against each other. | | | | anyway. PDFs still need to be emailed to Kindle's |
| Price | | | | support desk to be converted for viewing on the |
| The price of any gadget is a big factor for many | | | | Kindle and Amazon has gives an advance notice |
| individuals especially for first-time buyers. The | | | | that "some complex PDF files may not format |
| Amazon Kindle 2 is currently priced at $359, while | | | | correctly" on the Kindle. |
| the Sony Reader is currently pegged at $399, | | | | ADVANTAGE: Sony Reader 700 |
| making the Kindle 2 cheaper by $40. | | | | Storage Capacity |
| ADVANTAGE: Amazon Kindle 2 | | | | In this feature, the Sony Reader gains the clear |
| Size and Weight | | | | upper hand. True, the Amazon Kindle 2 has 2G of |
| The size and weight of these gadgets don't really | | | | internal memory of which 1.4g is available for |
| give one distinct advantage over the other. The | | | | content and can hold up to 1,500 books, but it no |
| Sony Reader PRS-700 weighs around 10 oz., the | | | | longer supports external memory cards. While the |
| Kindle 2 just slightly over that. The Sony Reader | | | | Sony Reader's 256mb internal memory may |
| is a bit wider and thicker, while the Kindle is a | | | | seem like peanuts compared to the Kindle, the |
| couple inches longer. In any case, both are very | | | | main advantage actually lies in the Sony's ability to |
| convenient to carry around. | | | | support up to 16G of external memory. Now |
| ADVANTAGE: Tie | | | | that's a great benefit not only when it comes to |
| Display | | | | holding thousands of content should one need it, |
| The two reading devices both use e-ink | | | | but also for managing files into different memory |
| technology which creates a display that is very | | | | cards. |
| similar to text on paper, eliminating eye strain, and | | | | ADVANTAGE: Sony Reader PRS-700 |
| providing an easy read with crisp, clear text and | | | | Battery Life and Charge Time |
| images. The Amazon Kindle 2009 however, is | | | | The two ebook readers have the same capacity |
| now enhanced with 16 shades of gray, while the | | | | when it comes to battery life. On a fully charged |
| Sony Reader has an 8-level gray scale. | | | | Kindle 2 or Sony Reader, one can read straight |
| ADVANTAGE: Amazon Kindle 2 | | | | for two weeks without needing a recharge. The |
| Wireless Capabilities | | | | only difference is that if the Kindle 2 is used with |
| Here is a category where the Sony Reader is | | | | the wireless turned on, the battery capacity is |
| clearly bested by the Kindle. The Amazon Kindle | | | | reduced to just four days. Charging time for both |
| 2nd generation makes use of the Whispernet | | | | readers is four hours via USB, or two hours using |
| technology, providing free wireless coverage in | | | | an AC wall charger. |
| the US via Sprint's 3G high-speed network. Kindle | | | | ADVANTAGE: Tie |
| users can gain access to over 240,000 book | | | | The Bottom Line 2009 Comparison of the |
| titles, magazines, newspapers, and even blogs. By | | | | Amazon Kindle 2 vs Sony eBook Reader: |
| just choosing the reading content of choice and | | | | Although it's not a total knock out for the Kindle |
| paying for it, the book or magazine will be | | | | over the Sony Reader, it's close! The Amazon |
| downloaded to the Kindle anytime, anywhere | | | | Kindle 2 remains the better ebook reader |
| within minutes! The Sony Reader PRS-700 on the | | | | hands-down. The price, breadth of content, |
| other hand, still lacks this wireless capability, and | | | | wireless capabilities, and overall design |
| with only less than 100,000 books to choose | | | | improvements of the Amazon Kindle 2nd |
| from, it does not even come close to the breadth | | | | generation makes it a clear winner over the Sony |
| of content that the Kindle offers. | | | | Reader 700. |