Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600SC (silver)

Pros: 1: Open Platform - you can get books from numerous sources (this is huge and I feel something the C-NET editors missed)
2: Touch Screen navigation makes it easy to use
3: Compact form factor

Cons: 1: Lacks wireless - not a big deal if you only read a few books a month. If you in the habit of buying a few things a a week you may want this.
2: Screen is not as contrasty as the Kindle due to the touch screen layer, but it's still pretty clear

Summary: I looked at Both the Kindle 2 (which my mom owns) and the PRS-600 before I went with the Sony. The biggest advantage the Sony Readers offer (I feel the C-NET editors totally missed the boat on this one) is the **open platform**. That?s huge because you can a get a books from the Sony Store, Google Books, any number of other online libraries ? I can even load work related .pdf and word files from my computer on it. With Kindle you are pretty much locked into Amazon. I also like the touch screen ? if you want to look up a word, double tap and you got the definition. Make a swipe and turn the page. Page and menu navigation feels much more natural than Kindle?s joy stick. The unit is solidly built, compact (about 5? x 6.5?, about as small as you can go), and I find it easier to hold in one hand than a Kindle. At 10.2 oz it?s easy to throw in my briefcase and take it where I go. It easy and natural to make your own notes because you can just scribble on the page, or use the on-screen keyboard to make text annotations. Sony actually sells a cool leather case for the PRS-600 that has a small built-in book light which I recommend ? provides the perfect amount of light for dark settings.

The Sony lacks the wireless feature which would be cool, but I probably read only a book or two a month so I?m OK downloading through my computer which is pretty simple (look at this way, you?ll need to charge it every once in a while by hooking up the USB cable anyway). I?ve used the Internet on the Kindle device and it?s pretty slow and not to mention in grey scale ? if you have an iPhone, Blackberry or other smartphone the Internet experience on these devices is far better. I?ll admit that the screen on the Sony could have more contrast but it?s still quite legible and I think it?s a small price to pay for the convenience of the touch screen.

Personally, I like my Sony Reader and I feel it?s a better choice that the Kindle 2. If you really need a clear screen and or buy books a few times a week and need wireless ? the Kindle may be for you. But if you don?t need that I would recommend the Sony as it provided access to the most amount of books possible and is just a nice, compact, easier to use package.