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Sony Reader Touch Edition is a first Sony e-book reader with touch-sensitive control. It ideally suits for frequent use by fans of reading on the move. The model was created to replace PRS-505 and PRS-700 models in the range of Sony readers. It combines the best features starting with easiness in use and finishing with affordable price.

Design

PRS-600 model is very familiar to PRS-700 in look, this kind of design is typical for Sony models: laconic style with high-end materials used for a body, excellent quality of assembly. The body is made of metal, plastic parts and rubberized back panel. The body and screen are easily stained with fingerprints, as the material texture is flatted with light gloss. The form of this book reader resembles the form of real book, with rounded corners on the right side and binding on the left.
There is no cover in the package, it can be bought additionally, there are special slots for it. In the package you will find simple synthetic case. Using cover is more convenient, as it is always attached to a body, it is impossible to lose it or forget somewhere.

The body of PRS-600 looks more elegant than PRS-700 due to better proportions. The weight of PRS-600 is 280 grams without cover or case, quite a good weight that doesn’t tire hands during long reading. There is no frame around the screen in PRS-600, as touch screen doesn’t require lighting that was hidden under the frame. The number of buttons is reduced – only 5 compared with 7 in PRS-700 (Back, Forward, Home, Magnifier and Options buttons without Search and Esc).

The bottom side of the body features Reset button, power socket, USB port, audio jack and volume controls. The top side also has controls like LED charge indicator, Power button, memory stick and SD card slots. Stylus is hidden on the right side of the body. The screen is suitable for finger control, but stylus provides more precise positioning.

Display

Sony Reader Touch Edition features 6″ monochrome touchscreen (8 shades of gray), 800×600 resolution, 200 dpi. The screen is based on E-Ink Vizplex technology. If to compare the quality of displayed image with PRS-700, the PRS-600 touchscreen is much more contrast and clear. However, there are some shortcomings.
As the screen cover is glossy, it reflects objects and glares, that makes reading little uncomfortable on the direct light. However it is possible to find the position when glaring doesn’t affect the image. The lighting of the screen is comfortable for long reading, the eyes are not tired.

There is one specific peculiarity of the model – the mating of touchscreen and body. There is a little ledge in the place where the screen attaches to the body. When turning book pages, your finger will often strike over this ledge. It is possible to get used to this, but at the beginning it seems not comfortable. The cover of the screen is plastic, it will collect scratches when in use. That is why it is recommended to keep it in the cover for better safety. All in all the quality of touch screen is above the average.

Software and Functionality

Software filling of Touch Edition model seems much richer than its non-sensor sisters. Bigger diversity of supported formats, look-and-feel of the user interface that no became fully adjustable for user needs. There are a lot of novelties, such as handwriting feature and text notes. All these details make it more functional and handy in work. The text notes feature allows to use e-book as notebook or personal organizer.

When tested in action, there were some bugs revealed. For instance, when Magnifier button is pressed, auto screen rotation doesn’t work. Compared with PRS-700 model, in PRS-600 it is impossible to open Search or History clicking on status bar.

The reading mode is the same: user can read, turn the pages, leave bookmarks. There is a reading history that keeps the information about user’s activity, ability to underline text in the book and make commentaries, rotate the screen image by 90 degrees. PRS-600 can do everything that PRS-700, with slight changes due to reduced pack of buttons. In order to rotate the screen you need to make three finger flicks. Now user is able to delete a book while reading it, with no need to go to the upper menu level. All you need to do is to go to Options and choose Delete Book item.

The ‘bookshelf’ became more classic. There is list of books with covers, ability to sort them by name, date or author, use book search, etc. Now pressing on Home button leads to main menu, and not to the book options as it was in PRS-700 model. Here book options menu are hidden inside the book. Text Memo and Handwriting features offer the same – making notes – but in different ways. Handwriting allows writing texts and drawing pictures, while Text Memo is intended only for creating texts. Both features are handy in use.

The e-book features music player. This additional functionality allows to use it not only for reading books, but also for listening to the music. Some users like doing both things at the same time.

In general software leaves good impressions, as it arranges more comfortable work of e-book, making it simpler in use.

Specs

• Screen: 6″ monochrome touchscreen (8 shades of gray), 800×600 resoluton, 200 dpi, E-Ink VizplexТМ
• Supported text formats: ePub, PDF, BBeB Book, TXT, RTF, DOC
• Supported graphic formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF
• Supported audio format: MP3, AAC (non-encrypted)
• Memory: 512 MB RAM, up to 16 GM Memory Stick PRO Duo
• Battery: Li-Ion DC 3∙7 V
• Dimensions: 120x175x10 mm
• Weight: 280/310 g without/with case

General Impressions

Sony PRS-600 Reader Touch Edition is a good e-book to start with. It is easy in use, rather lightweight and compact in size. There is no Internet support, the books are added to the library from PC. It is classic e-book reader with useful add-ons like music player and Text Memo. The reader has durable body construction, rather wear-resistant. The only shortcoming is glossy surface that is easily stained with fingerprints.