The PRS-300 is all about portability, and the disadvantage is that reading isn't as comfortable as it could be despite the excellent screen. Flicking between pages relies solely on the central, circular dial, which isn't where thumbs naturally rest if the PRS-300 is held like a book. It's certainly not as natural an experience as on the Kindle, where page turns and onscreen menus are more intuitive.
A bespoke ring-fenced experience or DIY file transfer? Sony wins this battle hands-down.
Winner: Sony PRS-300
Business use
Is either the Kindle or the PRS-300 about to become a ubiquitous sight in offices? Probably not until web browsing, colour screens and a more versatile treatment of file formats become the default can the ebook reader become an essential business tool, but we can see a niche even now.
It obviously depends on what they are used for, and where, but if you need to regularly consult manuals, schematics, case studies, contracts or proposals, the ebook reader may be for you. In addition to replacing books and saving space, ebook readers can put the printer out of business. What's the point of printing out pages and pages of IP addresses or databases when you could carry it in the case of the Sony, especially in your back pocket?
The limitation to PDF files only on the Kindle could get annoying in this regard, and in any case, the Sony is both more versatile and portable. And cheaper though the possibility of even basic web browsing on the Kindle will prove irresistible to some.
There's no chance to annotate documents or expand its capacity, but if you're after a highly portable device that can be loaded up with reference material, the PRS-300 is for you. If web browsing is more important, hang on for the next-gen Kindle or a full-blown media tablet.
Winner: Tie
