Sony Reader PRS-T2

The e-reader market has many excellent choices for those who want a simple and easy-to-use device for reading on the go. One example is the Sony PRS-T2, which comes in the 6-inch form factor and is available in three different colors. Sony has been in the e-book reader market longer than many of its competitors, so it definitely knows a thing or two about how to make a great device and the accompanying e-book ecosystem to back it.

The T2 doesn’t come with many bells and whistles. But it does have pretty much all the basic features. Its 6-inch screen has a native resolution of 600×800 pixels and it features a grayscale e-ink panel that’s great for long-term use as it barely consumes any battery during usage. The battery can last for up to 30 hours of continuous reading per charge or an entire month on standby.

Charging the battery takes about 2 hours, and it can be done through the available USB port. Extra storage space is also afforded with the built-in microSD card slot. And for a wireless connection, it has 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi.

One of the best things about this reader is that its easy to operate and stays out of the users way. It looks sleek at only 9mm (0.35 inches) thin and can be operated via either touchscreen controls or hardware buttons. Sony’s own e-book ecosystem isn’t as robust as Barnes & Noble’s or Amazon’s, but it’s full of classics and will hardly let anyone down, plus there’s a free public access library where books can be borrowed from as well.

Need to Know: Sony PRS-T2

1. Built-in battery lasts up to a month in standby or up to 30 hours of continuous reading. (The Good)

2. Comes with a free copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. (The Good)

3. Sony’s own e-book library can’t quite match those of its competitors. (The Bad)

4. Lacks extra features like built-in camera or 3G data. (The Bad)