You have probably heard about the Amazon Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader PRS-700 as they are the most popular ebook readers in 2009. This article is going to give you an impartial review of the two ebook readers so that you can decide which one you want to purchase. They both have some unique qualities so we cover everything to allow you to make your own decision.

Price

The price of any gadget is a big factor for many individuals especially for first-time buyers. The Amazon Kindle 2 is currently priced at $359, while the Sony Reader is currently pegged at $399, making the Kindle 2 cheaper by $40.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of the gadget is the next factor that we will consider. Although this is not the most distinguishing factor between the two, it does help to know. The Sony Reader is actually a little wider and thicker than the Amazon Kindle 2. In fact, the Sony weighs 10 oz, with the Amazon being a little more. They are both very easy to carry about and won’t cause a problem in size or weight. There is no clear winner in this test.

Size and Weight

The weight of both the Amazon Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader PRS-700 are very closely matched. The Sony Reader is exactly 10 oz and a little lighter than the Kindle 2. In terms of size, the Amazon Kindle 2 is slimmer than the Sony Reader. The PRS-700 is wider and thicker than the Kindle , but this is minimal. As such they are both very convenient for everyday use and don’t require much space to carry.

Wireless

The Kindle 2 has a major benefit that the Sony Reader does not. This is because the Kindle has wireless capabilities as it makes use of the Whispernet technology. This gives access to free wireless coverage in the US via Sprint’s 3G high speed network – the Sony Reader does not have this functionality. This is really one of the main buying factors for the Kindle 2, and something that the Sony cannot compete with. Anyone with a Kindle 2 can choose from 240,000 ebooks, magazines, blogs and magazines from the Kindle library. This is a huge library that that Sony users do not have. You can also access this library at anytime with wireless functionality. Because the Sony PRS-700 does have wireless capabilities, users can only access 100,000 ebooks which have a limited rage in subject matter.

Formats Supported

Both electronic book readers support most commonly used formats such as TXT, MP3, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP, plus some formats unique to each device. The Sony Reader however, supports PDF while the Kindle 2 does not – not directly, anyway. PDFs still need to be emailed to Kindle’s support desk to be converted for viewing on the Kindle and Amazon has gives an advance notice that “some complex PDF files may not format correctly” on the Kindle.

Data Storage

The Kindle 2 can hold 2GB of internal memory, whereas the PRS-700 can hold 250mb. However, where the Sony Reader really shines is by using memory cards. The Kindle 2 does allow the use of external memory cards. The Sony Reader can support 16GB of external memory which is really convenient for people who like to carry lots of information with them.

Battery Life and Charge Time

The final comparison is based on battery life and charge time. They both have very similar specifications in this regard as they can both be used for about two weeks, from a single charge. If you use the Kindle 2 with wireless turned on, then the life will drop to about 4 days. When you recharge the ebook readers it will usually take four hours with USB, or two hours when you use an AC wall charger.

The Bottom Line 2009 Comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs Sony eBook Reader:

Although it’s not a total knock out for the Kindle over the Sony Reader, it’s close! The Amazon Kindle 2 remains the better ebook reader hands-down. The price, breadth of content, wireless capabilities, and overall design improvements of the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation makes it a clear winner over the Sony Reader 700.