Sony PRS-500

126 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (65)
portability (41)
screen (39)
battery (29)
design (25)

Negative
price (29)
performance (27)
durability (9)
reliability (9)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 126 reviews of Sony PRS-500. The average rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Comments about the design and battery are overall positive. The screen and portability also get good feedback, whereas reviews are divided on the reliability. There are some critical comments about the durability and performance.

usability, portability, screen, battery, design

price, performance, durability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Sony PRS-500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 126 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(32% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (28% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (13% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (9% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (18% of reviews)
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Features

usability
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portability
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screen
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price
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performance
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Showing 1 - 81 of 103 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (23)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony PRS-500

alaTest has collected and analyzed 71 user reviews of Sony PRS-500 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the design and size. The screen and portability also get good feedback. The durability and reliability get negative comments, while opinions are divided on the price.

usability, portability, screen, size, design

performance, reliability, durability

65% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System review: Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System

Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System

Slim and relatively lightweight; screen requires no backlight and is easy to read in bright environments; with the addition of optional memory card (SD or Memory Stick Pro), it's capable of storing thousands of electronic books; font size can be...

Overall, the unit feels a tad sluggish, with a short but noticeable delay when turning a page; controls aren't as intuitive as they could be; interface could be slightly easier to use; Sony's online Connect bookstore is still a work in progress;...

Though the Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System is an impressive platform for reading e-books and other documents, the price and availability of compatible "books" makes it a tougher sell.

Jun, 2007

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Expert review by : Dan Costa (pcmag.com)

Sony Portable Reader System (PRS-500)

Sony's upcoming Reader device could breathe new life into the e-book market.

Easy-to-read display. Long battery life. Reads non-DRM file formats, such as RTF and PDFs. Adjustable text size.

Limited eBook selection on Sony Connect. Won?t work with protected PDFs. RSS feeds look a little choppy. Sluggish performance. No backlight. ; Watch the Sony Reader (PRS-500) Video Review!

that battery life comes at a cost. the reader has no backlight, which means you really have to be in a well-lit area or evengaspuse a reading light to see the non-reflective screen. for some people this is a deal-breaker, but it doesn't bother me so...

Oct, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Tom Martin (avguide.com)

Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader Digital eBook

Judging by our tests, Sony's attempt to re-invent the electronic book is very well executed and is in many ways a brilliant device. It might even succeed.

Aug, 2008

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Expert review by : David Dritsas (e-gear.com)

Review: Sony Reader

Remember the Rocket eBook; the handheld device that stored and displayed e-books? If you don't, it's not surprising. That and products like it boasted they would put print books to rest, but instead found themselves the ones to be put six feet under....

So, who's going to use this? I'm not sure it's for everybody. Most people carry around one book at a time, so why have a device that carries many? And personal library builders who like to show off their collections more than their gadgets won't see...

Aug, 2007

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Expert review by : Troy Dreier (pdastreet.com)

Sony Reader - Advances Age of the Electronic Page

Sony's Reader uses a new on-screen printing technology called E-Ink, which gives letters the crispness of printed fonts and the rest of the screen the matte look of paper. Sure, you always know you're looking at an electronic gadget, but the effect is...

Mar, 2007

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Expert review by : Douglas Moran (geardiary.com)

The Sony Reader Review

If you read my intro to eBooks, you'll know that I'm a big eBook fan. So I was really excited to get a look at the new Sony Reader, a dedicated eBook reader that uses the (new! revolutionary!) e-ink technology. Look, I don't know how revolutionary the...

Mar, 2007

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Expert review by : Tong Zhang (mobiletechreview.com)

Sony Reader - Reviews by Mobile Tech Review

Sony has been very adventurous in the handheld computing department this year. First we were wowed by the Sony Vaio UX180P, then surprised by the Sony mylo and now we've got the Sony Portable Reader System PRS-500 (Sony Reader) to read our favorite...

Like all eBook devices, the Sony Reader can carry more books than you usually do when globetrotting or just visiting the coffee shop. Great for the environment by saving trees. Amazingly readable screen and easy to use. Device has good design that...

Too pricy. No backlight option for those who want to read in the dark. Users who've purchased titles from other online book sellers won't be able to read them on the Sony Reader.

We applaud Sony for bringing the Reader to the US market. For some folks, it's been long time coming after watching the Sony LIBRIe released only in Japan. Apparently there are quite a few fans-- Sony can't make the Sony Reader fast enough to fulfill...

Nov, 2006

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com.au)

Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System review: Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System

Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System

Though the Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System is an impressive platform for reading e-books and other documents, the price and availability of compatible "books" makes it a tougher sell.

Jun, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by (letsgomobile.org)

Sony Reader review

The Sony Reader Pocket Edition is a small pocket-sized eBook that makes it possible to carry along hundreds of books inside your pocket. The Reader Pocket Edition has a stylish appearance featuring clear buttons and icons, a fast processor, and a...

Oct, 2009

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Expert review by : Holden Frith (wired.co.uk)

Sony Reader

Inside the unassuming case of the Sony Reader is one ambitious device. It aims not only to compete with the Kindle, a similar e-book sold by Amazon, but also to overturn hundreds of years of publishing tradition and render the book obsolete. It's not...

Pleasing design, clear screen, excellent battery life and huge capacity

Expensive, lacking in connectivity and features, and slightly soulless

Feb, 2009

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