Best gadget purchase ever

UPDATE: After owning and using the Sony PRS-500 eBook Reader for 3 months, I like it more than when I wrote the original review below. It is still my constant companion. Whenever I have to visit the doctor or dentist, it provides reading from my own personal library of books rather than a germy magazine handled by other patients. Standing in long lines at the pharmacy or check-out stand, I can read a chapter from my current favorite book instead of becoming annoyed.

I still accidentally hit a key and lose my place in what I'm reading, but I've learned to set bookmarks each time I'm ready to turn the reader off, so it is not hard to get back to where I was.

I stand by my original review and raise the anti, especially after receiving the rebates promised by Sony, which reduce the price from $350 to $200.


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Original review:

I admit it; I'm a sucker for gadgets -- even when they are expensive gadgets. When I received advance notice of the Sony eBook Reader I was intrigued. I love to read, even in places where carrying a book is awkward, such as standing in line or walking on an isolated path. The idea of carrying a digital library around with me was (and is) very appealing.

What I didn't realize, even when I made the purchase at a Border's store, was how integrated the Reader is with the Connect website. It is a powerful combination and a perfect example of an application beginning on a local device and extending to the web.

The device itself is fantastic. It is small and light and has a wonderful reading area that is better than the printed page because you can adjust the size of the type to fit your eyes and the ambient lighting. The matte finish makes it comfortable to read, with no flicker or jitter that you get when reading on-line (like you are probably doing right now.)

The battery life is wonderful. I re-charge on the weekend and still have more than 3/4 of the battery left after using the Reader all week. I use it at Starbucks and at the cafeteria and at my kitchen table (yes, eating and reading seem to go hand-in-hand for me.)

Bottom-line: this is the best gadget purchase I have ever made. I love it and it has become my constant companion.