This first-generation Sony Reader comes with all cables and software for the Sony bookstore. The battery on this e-reader lasts for at least a couple of weeks, and it uses similar non-backlit technology as the Kindle. The Sony reader can be used to read PDF files, making it an option for reading documents without the backlighting and glare of a computer screen.

The Reader is quite small: 7" high by 5" wide by .5" thick in its protective case. The reading screen is 5" high, 3.5" wide. Weight, according to a CNet review, is 8.8 ounces. Like all e-readers, the text size can be adjusted, which makes it an excellent option for the visually impaired. My non-technologically-inclined mother learned to use it quickly.