Sony PRS-T3 - Specifications. Review of the PRS-T3 e-reader from Sony Information about other important connection technologies supported by the device

Sony has introduced a new generation reader under the symbol PRS-T3. As you know, Sony stood at the very beginning of the segment of devices based on e-paper technology, but due to competition it was seriously pushed forward in the market. This model has a chance to improve the situation somewhat. 24Gadget will tell you more about it in the sequel.

Appearance

The PRS-T3 body is made of pleasant matte plastic in one of three colors - black, white or red. The device has an integrated genuine leather case, which is made in the color of the body. This is very convenient, as it eliminates the hassle of searching for a suitable accessory on your own. The cover is fixed to the front panel using magnets. When you open it, the tablet turns on automatically. A special version of the cover with LED backlight is optionally available. It is powered from a special connector on the rear panel of the reader.

The good news is that Sony engineers did not succumb to the tendency to use the touch interface everywhere and retained the normal hardware interface buttons. They are located in one row directly below the screen and have a special profile that allows you to distinguish them by touch. At the top end there is a microUSB connector and a power button. Weight with cover - 200 g.

Display

The PRS-T3 is equipped with a 6-inch E Ink Pearl HD touchscreen with a resolution of 1024 by 758 pixels. It is slightly recessed into the body due to the design features of the infrared touchscreen.

Technical equipment

There is a WiFi module (802.11b/g/n), a microUSB connector, the built-in memory is 2 GB, but only 1.2 GB is available to the user. Luckily there is a microSD slot for expansion. There is no sound module.

Autonomy

The reader is equipped with a 1000 mAh battery, which is enough for 2 months of operation with WiFi turned off, and for 1 month with it turned on. There is a fast charging function within three minutes, which is enough to read an entire book.

operating system

The interface is based on the Android operating system. It is Russified. There is a browser, support for text formats ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2 and graphic JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, as well as the ability to select various fonts. Settings are called up by a hardware button.

pros

Quality materials
- compact body
- display
- convenient management and operating system
- thoughtful case

Minuses

No built-in backlight

Verdict

Sony Reader PRS-T3 sells for about 6,000 rubles, which, in principle, is acceptable compared to other devices with an E Ink screen, for example, from PocketBook. The built-in cover is thoughtful and convenient, but not everyone needs it, and it slightly increases the dimensions of the device. Otherwise, we have a high-quality product with a user-friendly interface. The choice is up to the user.

How long has it been since you held a book in your hands? Ordinary paper, smelling of time and printing ink? What about electronic? They say that they also managed to go out of fashion. We, to paraphrase Mark Twain, note that rumors about the death of readers are greatly exaggerated.

We decided to compare - thanks to the Yulmart online store - two e-readers, PocketBook 626 and Sony PRS-T3. And at the same time we learned from an expert what interesting things are happening in this segment of gadgets.

Both readers - and these are the latest models in the company's device lines - are equipped with E Ink Pearl touch screens with a resolution of 758x1024 pixels. From a technological point of view, this is not the latest development - at the beginning of last year, the next version of the screen on electronic ink E Ink Carta and the first model based on it, the Kindle Paperwhite, were presented. However, the new screens have not yet taken root, and readers with E Ink Cart displays are still a curiosity (today, in addition to the Kindle reader, only the newly released German Tolino Vision is equipped with this “generation” of electronic ink screens).

PocketBook 626
from 6000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 grayscale, E-Ink Pearl, backlight, sensor
RAM: 256 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Wi-Fi, microUSB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1500 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI) + JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF

Sony PRS-T3
from 5000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 levels of gray, E-Ink Pearl, sensor
RAM: 512 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Wi-Fi, USB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1000 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, TXT + JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Before comparing the devices in detail, we talked with the editor-in-chief of the-ebook.org portal Vladimir Prokhorenkov, who talked about what is happening with e-books in general.

GTTF: How interesting are e-readers to users today and how has this segment of the gadget market changed in general?
Vladimir Prokhorenkov: The main peak of interest passed just two years ago. Nowadays, popularity is also compounded by the consumer crisis. Accordingly, demand has decreased slightly. There is an outflow of those companies that are not enthusiasts in the market. Gradually, there remains a limited number of manufacturers and so far they cannot surprise with some kind of innovation - all the devices on the shelf are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. The market may be boosted by a new wave of readers that will offer consumers some feature that will differentiate them from the older generation of devices. There is not even stagnation, but a slight decrease in interest.

GTTF: How will technology develop in general, and what awaits us in the near future?
V.P.: At the end of last year, new products were released - a new E-Ink Carta screen and a joint development of Sony and E-Ink measuring 13.3 inches, which uses a Sony matrix that can be bent within certain limits. Accordingly, products in this direction will appear. They are interesting mainly for the corporate market due to their high price.

GTTF: In general, does the user need such screen flexibility?
V.P.: Modern screens are glued to glass substrates, so even if the screen remains intact as a result of excessive impact, the substrate breaks easily. The flexible TFT control layer allows the screen to bend - the device can be slightly bent or rested on it with your hand.

GTTF: What advice would you give to someone who is buying an e-reader for the first time?
V.P.: First, decide what he will read, books in what formats. Then - under what conditions will he do this: is there enough light or will it be a dark room, will he do this in transport or before bed.

GTTF: How much can price influence the choice?
V.P.: It is not necessary to pay the maximum possible amount. A high price is usually a marketing positioning. Therefore, you need to focus not so much on the price, but on the properties that the consumer wants to see in the final product.

What makes E Ink technology unique - whether you look at it from the side or under a spotlight - the information remains easily distinguishable. The screens of both readers are absolutely identical - if you conduct a “blind test”, even the developers themselves are unlikely to distinguish one model from the other. The rendering of fonts here has improved compared to previous models, and this is important for comfortable reading.

PocketBook is equipped with a screen backlight - by the way, more uniform than in previous models - but is not supplied with a case. With Sony it's the other way around - and this is the main difference between the readers from each other. For information: a good case for PocketBook will cost about 1000 rubles, and a backlit case for Sony can be found for 1500.

It feels like both ereaders are comfortable to use. The assembly and materials of the case do not raise any questions. Due to its thickness and curved back cover (without a case), the PocketBook looks somewhat sleeker, and Sony boasts comfortable raised buttons.

The amount of built-in memory is not so relevant for readers - unless you read in PDF format. However, Sony was equipped with two and PocketBook with four gigabytes of memory (naturally, smaller amounts are available). Both books support microSD cards (up to 32 GB).

A more important parameter is format support. PRS-T3 works with a minimum set of standards: ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2 + common graphic file formats. The 626 also supports graphics, and the number of text formats here is about two dozen. The most valuable are DjVU and Word files.

Mobile applications have long been installed in readers. On Sony's e-reader, you'll probably be interested in the ability to work with Facebook and Evernote - in the first case, you can share quotes from books, in the second, you can create and read your own notes. PocketBook can work with Dropbox and also has a useful service for downloading books via Wi-Fi (registration in the service is required, and books are sent to the reader via email).

Yes, both models are equipped with Wi-Fi. What else do you need to access the Internet? That's right, browser! This is a useful thing, but you are unlikely to use this opportunity often. Why? Constantly redrawing the screen is not a pleasure for the faint of heart (see how it looks in our video on the Geek to the Future YouTube channel).

If we talk about performance, then there are no special tests for readers - you can pick up a stopwatch, you can start from subjective sensations. And here Sony comes out ahead - all applications and the interface as a whole work without any brakes. Well, everything that directly concerns the reading process is perfected in both gadgets. We also note that PocketBook sometimes behaved strangely after a reboot: for several minutes the reader slowed down and responded poorly to touch gestures, but then it “warmed up” and worked in normal mode.

What none of the readers have is an MP3 player. This solution has its pros and cons. But in general, given that today audio players are built into almost all irons, it is unlikely that the buyer will feel deprived. You can, of course, complain about the impossibility of listening to books, but believe me, listening to the monotonous voice of a robot is still a pleasure.

The battery life of e-readers can be measured in days or number of pages. But using backlighting or Wi-Fi makes this task much more difficult. And the result, of course, will differ from those indicated on the box - and it is known in which direction. However, you can rely on the operation of both readers on one charge for a week - a maximum of two - if we talk about “book swallowers”. Well, the backlight will reduce this time by 4-5 times (Sony’s proprietary backlit case is powered by the battery of the reader itself).

Let's summarize. Both devices do not have any pronounced disadvantages and the choice can be made based on personal preferences. They are not cheap, but similar analogues, such as the Onyx Akunin Book, are comparable: in our opinion, both models can be considered as an excellent gadget for everyday reading - see for yourself by looking at our comparative

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

How long has it been since you held a book in your hands? Ordinary paper, smelling of time and printing ink? What about electronic? They say that they also managed to go out of fashion. We, to paraphrase Mark Twain, note that rumors about the death of readers are greatly exaggerated.

We decided to compare - thanks to the Yulmart online store - two e-readers, PocketBook 626 and Sony PRS-T3. And at the same time we learned from an expert what interesting things are happening in this segment of gadgets.

Both readers - and these are the latest models in the company's device lines - are equipped with E Ink Pearl touch screens with a resolution of 758x1024 pixels. From a technological point of view, this is not the latest development - at the beginning of last year, the next version of the screen on electronic ink E Ink Carta and the first model based on it, the Kindle Paperwhite, were presented. However, the new screens have not yet taken root, and readers with E Ink Cart displays are still a curiosity (today, in addition to the Kindle reader, only the newly released German Tolino Vision is equipped with this “generation” of electronic ink screens).

PocketBook 626
from 6000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 grayscale, E-Ink Pearl, backlight, sensor
RAM: 256 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Wi-Fi, microUSB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1500 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI) + JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF

Sony PRS-T3
from 5000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 levels of gray, E-Ink Pearl, sensor
RAM: 512 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Wi-Fi, USB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1000 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, TXT + JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Before comparing the devices in detail, we talked with the editor-in-chief of the-ebook.org portal Vladimir Prokhorenkov, who talked about what is happening with e-books in general.

GTTF: How interesting are e-readers to users today and how has this segment of the gadget market changed in general?
Vladimir Prokhorenkov: The main peak of interest passed just two years ago. Nowadays, popularity is also compounded by the consumer crisis. Accordingly, demand has decreased slightly. There is an outflow of those companies that are not enthusiasts in the market. Gradually, there remains a limited number of manufacturers and so far they cannot surprise with some kind of innovation - all the devices on the shelf are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. The market may be boosted by a new wave of readers that will offer consumers some feature that will differentiate them from the older generation of devices. There is not even stagnation, but a slight decrease in interest.

GTTF: How will technology develop in general, and what awaits us in the near future?
V.P.: At the end of last year, new products were released - a new E-Ink Carta screen and a joint development of Sony and E-Ink measuring 13.3 inches, which uses a Sony matrix that can be bent within certain limits. Accordingly, products in this direction will appear. They are interesting mainly for the corporate market due to their high price.

GTTF: In general, does the user need such screen flexibility?
V.P.: Modern screens are glued to glass substrates, so even if the screen remains intact as a result of excessive impact, the substrate breaks easily. The flexible TFT control layer allows the screen to bend - the device can be slightly bent or rested on it with your hand.

GTTF: What advice would you give to someone who is buying an e-reader for the first time?
V.P.: First, decide what he will read, books in what formats. Then - under what conditions will he do this: is there enough light or will it be a dark room, will he do this in transport or before bed.

GTTF: How much can price influence the choice?
V.P.: It is not necessary to pay the maximum possible amount. A high price is usually a marketing positioning. Therefore, you need to focus not so much on the price, but on the properties that the consumer wants to see in the final product.

What makes E Ink technology unique - whether you look at it from the side or under a spotlight - the information remains easily distinguishable. The screens of both readers are absolutely identical - if you conduct a “blind test”, even the developers themselves are unlikely to distinguish one model from the other. The rendering of fonts here has improved compared to previous models, and this is important for comfortable reading.

PocketBook is equipped with a screen backlight - by the way, more uniform than in previous models - but is not supplied with a case. With Sony it's the other way around - and this is the main difference between the readers from each other. For information: a good case for PocketBook will cost about 1000 rubles, and a backlit case for Sony can be found for 1500.

It feels like both ereaders are comfortable to use. The assembly and materials of the case do not raise any questions. Due to its thickness and curved back cover (without a case), the PocketBook looks somewhat sleeker, and Sony boasts comfortable raised buttons.

The amount of built-in memory is not so relevant for readers - unless you read in PDF format. However, Sony was equipped with two and PocketBook with four gigabytes of memory (naturally, smaller amounts are available). Both books support microSD cards (up to 32 GB).

A more important parameter is format support. PRS-T3 works with a minimum set of standards: ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2 + common graphic file formats. The 626 also supports graphics, and the number of text formats here is about two dozen. The most valuable are DjVU and Word files.

Mobile applications have long been installed in readers. On Sony's e-reader, you'll probably be interested in the ability to work with Facebook and Evernote - in the first case, you can share quotes from books, in the second, you can create and read your own notes. PocketBook can work with Dropbox and also has a useful service for downloading books via Wi-Fi (registration in the service is required, and books are sent to the reader via email).

Yes, both models are equipped with Wi-Fi. What else do you need to access the Internet? That's right, browser! This is a useful thing, but you are unlikely to use this opportunity often. Why? Constantly redrawing the screen is not a pleasure for the faint of heart (see how it looks in our video on the Geek to the Future YouTube channel).

If we talk about performance, then there are no special tests for readers - you can pick up a stopwatch, you can start from subjective sensations. And here Sony comes out ahead - all applications and the interface as a whole work without any brakes. Well, everything that directly concerns the reading process is perfected in both gadgets. We also note that PocketBook sometimes behaved strangely after a reboot: for several minutes the reader slowed down and responded poorly to touch gestures, but then it “warmed up” and worked in normal mode.

What none of the readers have is an MP3 player. This solution has its pros and cons. But in general, given that today audio players are built into almost all irons, it is unlikely that the buyer will feel deprived. You can, of course, complain about the impossibility of listening to books, but believe me, listening to the monotonous voice of a robot is still a pleasure.

The battery life of e-readers can be measured in days or number of pages. But using backlighting or Wi-Fi makes this task much more difficult. And the result, of course, will differ from those indicated on the box - and it is known in which direction. However, you can rely on the operation of both readers on one charge for a week - a maximum of two - if we talk about “book swallowers”. Well, the backlight will reduce this time by 4-5 times (Sony’s proprietary backlit case is powered by the battery of the reader itself).

Let's summarize. Both devices do not have any pronounced disadvantages and the choice can be made based on personal preferences. They are not cheap, but similar analogues, such as the Onyx Akunin Book, are comparable: in our opinion, both models can be considered as an excellent gadget for everyday reading - see for yourself by looking at our comparative

Hello, dear fellow book lovers. Yes, yes, this review is specifically for those who prefer to occupy their free time with good old reading and always carry their library with them.
As a preamble, I will only note that this is my first experience of writing reviews; I have never had a reason to do this after purchasing devices. But in this case, everything turned out a little differently. Thanks to my local Sony office, I got my hands on the latest e-reader. Sony Reader PRS-T3, and I, as a lover of all kinds of electronic toys, could not resist the temptation to be one of the first to write a review of a gadget that has not yet gone on sale. And asked him for a test.

So, the lyrics are over, let's quickly get to the point.

PRS-T3 comes in a small rectangular package. In the photographs you see crossed out images, these are features of the factory model, they say, it is not intended for sale.

By pulling the loop on top, we release the standard cardboard box from the “dust jacket”. Inside the box we will find: the reader itself, packed in a soft protective pocket and bag, a micro-USB cable for charging and synchronizing with a computer, operating instructions in different languages. There is no power plug, but nowadays this is practically the standard for small and inexpensive electronic devices, including e-books. It is understood that for rare recharging, you can use the USB port of a computer, or a plug from some device already in the house, or buy one at any electronics store yourself. You really rarely have to charge such a device, 1-2 times a month with moderate daily reading. Electronic ink only consumes energy when the page is turned.

The size is standard for readers with six-inch screens. This means that you can easily carry it in your jacket pocket. In the back pocket of jeans PRS-T3 fits three quarters. The design of the device is simple and pleasant. The front part is covered with a built-in cover made of artificial leather. This is very convenient; you don’t need to shell out extra money for an expensive original accessory or pick up something from Uncle Liao’s products on eBay. The cover can be detached, but only the entire back of the book. A little later I’ll tell you why this is necessary. The body is covered with pleasant soft-touch plastic, and of very good quality. Fingerprints do not stick to it very readily, which is surprising for this type of coating; I also tried to scratch it with my nails and a key, but it didn’t work.

On the back we see the Reader logo. At the bottom of the book there is a micro-USB connector, a power button and a hole for a paperclip for a hard reset. The remaining ends do not have any connectors, buttons or switches.

The cover has magnets inside that attract it to the body of the book when closed, and they also give a signal to the device when to turn the screensaver on or off. Opening the cover we see the Sony inscription on its reverse side and the Sony inscription above the screen. Below the screen there are scrolling buttons, a home button, a back button and a menu. The buttons are made to look like metal and are pressed with a noticeable tactile and clearly audible click. All other controls are via the touch screen. In general, nothing superfluous, perfect design. It was not possible to reproduce any backlash or squeaks when twisting the device or pressing its various parts. Quiet and strong. It sounds like a cliched advertisement, but this is the famous Sony quality, and this is what customers of this brand pay for.

The screen is 6 inches, this is the unspoken standard for e-books. The screen type is the well-proven E-Ink Pearl, but in this device Sony has equipped it with an impressive resolution of 768x1024, which should best reflect the quality of rendering of fonts and images. This is more than the vast majority of E-Ink Pearl readers, where 600x800 pixels are still the generally accepted standard. The only exception is the top model of the popular reader in the USA - Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, in which the resolution is similar Sony PRS-T3. The touch screen is made using capacitive technology, which means that you don’t need to “press” on it, as happens with cheap devices. The controls are very easy and responsive, it's easy enough to touch the screen with your fingers.

Built-in screen backlight PRS-T3 no, for some reason Sony didn’t pursue this newfangled feature. Probably, the developers decided that since electronic ink imitates reading from paper 100%, it shouldn’t glow from the inside. Use external light sources, friends. And here not only chandeliers, sconces, night lights and individual lighting sources on airplanes come into play, but also specially created additional accessories from Sony.

Pulling the cover, we “tear” it from the book along with the back cover, finding two inconspicuous contacts and a slot for a microSD memory card. Everything is clear with the connector; it will be needed if your library suddenly decides to go beyond the available 2GB of internal memory. Then you can use a memory card up to 32GB in size. What are the connectors for? These are in case you want to purchase an additional cover. Sony PRSA-CL30 with built-in light source.

This luminous cover is attached in place of the usual one, the contacts are closed and power the LED flashlight, which is removed from the upper part of the cover, which has a special thickening. The photo shows the difference in the thickness of the book with different covers.

The flashlight extends so that it hangs over the screen. This cover makes reading in the dark very comfortable indeed. It will evoke nostalgic memories for those who in childhood, secretly from their parents, read books with a flashlight instead of sleeping.

Let's move directly to the functionality. Users who have already dealt with e-books understand that they should not expect any shocking innovations or complications of functionality from new models of such devices. On the contrary, the simpler and more stable, the better. Sony in this regard is “on the same wavelength” with the leaders of the North American market: Amazon and Barnes&Noble, who are in no hurry to turn readers into multifunctional tablets. Yes, the screen has improved, scrolling has become smoother, but the functionality is quite familiar. Reading TXT, EPUB, PDF files. The most popular FB2 format in our country will also be available for official Russian devices; it is in this format that there is the greatest likelihood of finding any book, both through official purchase and when using “pirated” methods. My pre-production non-Russian sample did not support FB2, but the description on the official Sony website can certainly be trusted.

Comparison with other devices is subjective, of course. Unfortunately, I have no experience using devices from cheap Chinese and Russian brands, and I don’t see any point in comparing Sony with them. This is a completely different level; even just looking at the appearance is enough to understand this.

But in my personal use at different times there were two devices on E-Ink Pearl, this is the Nook Simple Touch from Barnes & Noble with a touch screen and the Kindle 4 from Amazon, without a touch screen. These are two of the most popular devices in North America. Subjectively, both they and PRS-T3 approximately equal in readability and workmanship.

But PRS-T3 as a fresh model, it has a better screen. This can be felt if you set the font size to small. Also PRS-T3 The kit includes an extremely necessary accessory - a high-quality cover, this is a very big plus.

Compared to Sony, the only advantage of the “Americans” is that both B&N and Amazon make money not from selling readers, but from selling e-books through their online stores. This makes it possible to sell the device itself somewhat cheaper than its competitors, but for a buyer from Russia this is true only if you buy it yourself in the USA or bother with arranging delivery (which also brings the price closer to the level of official deliveries from Sony). If you buy from gray resellers, in most cases these are prices comparable to officially supplied brands + the absence of a normal guarantee.

And finally, the most important thing: both the Kindle and Nook have different supported book formats and FB2 is not among them. Therefore, in 95% of cases, after downloading a book, you have to convert the usual Russian FB2 using special programs into MOBI or EPUB. For me personally, this drawback is enough to make me think about buying a reader that still supports the popular format.

In general, anyone who is looking for a high-quality and fashionable e-reader for themselves, or a gift that is not embarrassing to give to anyone - I would take a closer look at Sony PRS-T3. An extremely pleasant thing. In addition to black, books in white and red will be available for sale.

Device specifications:

Screen: anti-glare E Ink® Pearl, touch (capacitive), with dual touch technology
Screen size: 15.2 cm (6")
Resolution: 758 x 1024, 16-level gray scale
Built-in memory: 2 GB (approx. 1200 e-books), expandable up to 32 GB (MicroSD)
Built-in battery: DC 3.7V 1000mAh
Operating time: up to approximately 2 months (with wireless function disabled), up to approximately 1.5 weeks (with wireless function enabled)
Full charge: 2 hours via PRSA-AC10/PRSA-AC1A AC adapter (sold separately)
Wi-Fi: (802.11b/g/n), One-button Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), Basic Browser
Compatible book formats: ePub eBooks, Adobe® PDF, TXT, FB2 (in Russia)
Image and photo files: JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Width: 109mm
Height: 160mm
Thickness: 11.3mm
Weight: 200g