Ebooks are a great way to enjoy literature – they’re cheaper than print books due to the lack of print and distribution costs (and completely free if the work is in the public domain), and you start reading seconds after buying one.
You don’t need a specialist device like a Kindle either thanks to the many free ebook readers available for your desktop. These are particularly good for students who want to reference texts in their work, add annotations, or refer to online resources.
So what makes a good ebook reader? For general use, a clear layout and the ability to sync your bookshelf across multiple devices are essential; for students, note-taking and bookmarks are essential; and for anyone who sometimes struggles with their eyesight, text-to-speech and one-click font customization are welcome additions.
- Thinking of buying a Kindle? Find the right one for you
1. Kindle for PC
Sony reader for pc: Allows for downloading, reading and adding books to Sony's eBook reader in ePub. Free download provided for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. free. software downloads, reviews, virus tests and more. The Bottom Line Though the Sony PRS-500 Portable Reader System is an impressive platform for reading e-books and other documents, the price and availability of compatible 'books' makes it a.
The best free ebook reader, whether you use Amazon or not
Automatic syncing
Amazon’s official Kindle app for Windows (as well as Mac and mobile devices) is smart and stylish, and although it tempts you with reading suggestions from the Kindle store, the sales pitch isn’t too in-your-face.
There’s no setup necessary if you already have an Amazon account. Just log in with your usual username and password and your virtual shelves will be populated automatically (though you’ll have to click a book’s cover to download it, so bear this in mind if you’re planning some offline reading). Notes and bookmarks are synced across devices automatically, as are flashcards – an extremely useful addition for students using digital textbooks for revision.
Kindle for Windows also includes text-to-speech function, and changing font sizes and color schemes is as simple as clicking or tapping a button.
2. Freda
Premium features for free – Freda is a real rival to Amazon’s crown
Bookmarks and annotations
Freda (from the delightfully-named Turnipsoft) is a superb ebook reader that integrates with Project Gutenberg, giving you access to thousands of free ebooks, and Smashwords, where you can find works from independent authors and publishers. Importing your own ebooks is a piece of cake too, with support for all the most popular formats. You can even connect Freda to your Dropbox account enabling you to access books from multiple devices.
Freda supports bookmarks, annotations and highlighting, making it a good choice for students. There’s also text-to-speech for anyone who has trouble with text on screens, as well as auto-scroll and speed-read – a tool that works much like Spritz, displaying words in quick succession so you can read without moving your eyes.
Freda is funded by ads, but these are discreet and are only visible on the bookshelf screen; they won’t interrupt your reading.
3. Calibre
An open source ebook reader that’s a great choice for students
Choice of reading modes
Can't read protected Kindle ebooks
Calibre is an open source ebook reader and manager that’s lightweight and lightning-fast. Unlike many free ebook readers, Calibre supports Amazon’s AWZ format (though it won’t open DRM-protected files) as well as all the other popular ebook file types, and if any metadata is missing (such as genre or cover art), you can add it yourself using the bookshelf’s options menu.
One of Calibre’s best features is Reference Mode, which displays the current chapter and paragraph number in the top left – ideal if you need to cite references in an essay. We also like Flow Mode, where text is shown as a continuous scrolling stream without page breaks; not as pleasant as simulated page-turning for recreational reading, but a handy time-saver to avoid flicking backwards and forwards through a textbook.
4. Sumatra PDF
A PDF, ebook and comic reader that's ideal for multiple PCs
Reads PDFs, ebooks and comics
No GUI for some interface options
Despite its name, Sumatra PDF is a great little ebook reader, capable of displaying books in EPUB and MOBI format, as well as comic books in CBZ and CBR comic books.
Sumatra PDF is a portable app, so you can save it to a USB stick or cloud storage service and use it on any PC. You can save your ebooks in the same place too, eliminating the need to sync your library.
It’s easy to adjust basic settings like font size, but Sumatra PDF’s advanced options can only be edited by opening a text file and typing in new values. If you want to change the page color, for example, you’ll need to find the hex code for your preferred shade and enter it on the appropriate line. It’s not difficult, but we’d prefer a graphical interface.
There’s no way to add notes or highlights, but the convenience of carrying your ebook library and reader anywhere might outweigh those drawbacks for you.
5. Icecream Ebook Reader
A stylish free ebook reader, but lacking advanced features
Archives and exports ebooks
No annotations or highlighting
Icecream specializes in smart, no-frills software, and Icecream Ebook Reader is no exception. It supports EPUB, MOBI, PDF and FB2 ebook formats, and once you’ve imported your books they’re arranged in a neat bookshelf with a choice of viewing options. One particularly handy feature is the ability to archive and export your ebooks; ideal if you use more than one PC and don’t want the hassle of importing your books twice. There’s no cloud syncing though.
The reader itself is similar to the Kindle app in appearance, with one-click (or tap) buttons for changing font size, color theme (day, night, or sepia), and viewing the table of contents.
Unfortunately, some of the options you can see in the menus are only available if you hand over US$19.95 (about £15, AU$25) for the Pro version. Premium features include importing multiple ebooks simultaneously, adding notes, editing metadata, and copying text.
The free version of Icecream Ebook Reader is quick and very easy to use, but only really suitable for recreational reading. Students will find the lack of note-taking and copying frustrating.
- Want to write your own ebook? Check out the best free software for writers
The support for Memory Stick PX Series will end
with the current version 4.3.1.
with the current version 4.3.1.
The support for Memory Stick PX Series will end
with the current version 4.3.1.
with the current version 4.3.1.
* You need to use your computer to download this application.
For SxS Memory Cards,
Portable Storage,
and Professional RAID users
For Memory Stick PX series users, please see here
Key features
Display'Media Information'
Memory Media Utility shows information about SxS memory cards, Sony Portable Storage and Sony Professional RAID such as;
- Device type and model name
- Available free space
- Result of the device status check
- File system and recording mode
- Available recordable time*1
The result of the device status check can alert users, in 3 phases, about when to replace Sony devices, using Sony’s criteria. Users can then back up stored data and replace the device before a problem occurs on it.*2
Note
*1. The recording and playback times are for a continuous recording as a single clip. The actual times may be shorter, depending on the number of clips recorded.
*2. This does not guarantee the normal operation of Sony devices.
- Device type and model name
- Available free space
- Result of the device status check
- File system and recording mode
- Available recordable time*1
The result of the device status check can alert users, in 3 phases, about when to replace Sony devices, using Sony’s criteria. Users can then back up stored data and replace the device before a problem occurs on it.*2
Note
*1. The recording and playback times are for a continuous recording as a single clip. The actual times may be shorter, depending on the number of clips recorded.
*2. This does not guarantee the normal operation of Sony devices.
Note
*1. The recording and playback times are for a continuous recording as a single clip. The actual times may be shorter, depending on the number of clips recorded.
*2. This does not guarantee the normal operation of Sony devices.
*1. The recording and playback times are for a continuous recording as a single clip. The actual times may be shorter, depending on the number of clips recorded.
*2. This does not guarantee the normal operation of Sony devices.
Simultaneous content backup
to multiple destinations
With “Memory Media Utility” users can copy all the files from a selected SxS memory card to multiple destinations such as Portable Storage or Professional RAID, up to three, simultaneously. Users can also compare/confirm the copied data on the display of this software.
Media Formatting
①SxS Memory Card
Sony Reader Library
“Memory Media Utility” formats SxS Memory cards in FAT32, UDF, or exFAT*2 file system, compatible with supported XDCAM devices.
Format options; Full Format, Quick Format or Multiple, simultaneous format.
Format options; Full Format, Quick Format or Multiple, simultaneous format.
②Portable Storage/Professinoal RAID
“Memory Media Utility” supports the file systems FAT32*1, NTFS, HFS+, and exFAT*2 for formatting a Portable Storage. It provides two format options: Full Format (for completely erasing all data) and Quick Format (for quickly erasing only the management area). Users can set a Device label for the formatted drive by entering a name in the Device Label field.
*1. FAT32 can only be selected for Portable Storage.
*2. The function that allows reformatting into the exFAT format can only be used to reformat products that are pre-formatted and shipped in the exFAT format.
*1. FAT32 can only be selected for Portable Storage.
*2. The function that allows reformatting into the exFAT format can only be used to reformat products that are pre-formatted and shipped in the exFAT format.
Media Library
Users can view/edit the information of the SxS memory cards registered on “Memory Media Utility”.
Information registered in the list are media name, rewriting life, latest media information, latest backup date or backup location, etc. of each card.
The data also can be exported in “.csv” format.
Information registered in the list are media name, rewriting life, latest media information, latest backup date or backup location, etc. of each card.
The data also can be exported in “.csv” format.
SxS Reader Writer Display
When multiple SxS memory cards are used through multi-slot SxS reader/writer devices (such as SBAC-UT100), “Memory Media Utility” is capable of showing a relationship between the drive name of each SxS card displayed on PC screen and its slot position on the reader/writer. This function “SxS Reader/Writer Display” is very useful when switching the cards.
With SxS Reader/Writer Display, “Memory Media Utility” can display all reader/writer devices connected,* allowing the user to name each device for easier management. SxS Reader/Writer Display can also be launched as an independent tool, and it can be used in combination with other applications such as Explorer or Finder.
(* Up to six SxS reader/writer devices can be connected in a daisy chain.)
With SxS Reader/Writer Display, “Memory Media Utility” can display all reader/writer devices connected,* allowing the user to name each device for easier management. SxS Reader/Writer Display can also be launched as an independent tool, and it can be used in combination with other applications such as Explorer or Finder.
(* Up to six SxS reader/writer devices can be connected in a daisy chain.)
When SxS memory cards are not registered in “Memory Media Utility”, the registration dialog box can be made invisible by performing either 1) or 2) described below. (In this case, features other than SxS reader/writer display cannot be used.)
1) Stop Memory Media Utility being resident in memory.
2) Select Tool > Maintenance > Settings and cancel the “On” option in SxS Function.
Note: If “Memory Media Utility” is used on Mac, the access indicator LED on the SxS reader/writer may repeat blinking. This, however, does not indicate a device malfunction or application failure. If this happens, remove and insert the memory card according to the instruction manual.
1) Stop Memory Media Utility being resident in memory.
2) Select Tool > Maintenance > Settings and cancel the “On” option in SxS Function.
Note: If “Memory Media Utility” is used on Mac, the access indicator LED on the SxS reader/writer may repeat blinking. This, however, does not indicate a device malfunction or application failure. If this happens, remove and insert the memory card according to the instruction manual.
Note:
If the Portable Storage is connected to the Windows PC through the Thunderbolt interface, the following functions cannot be used:
- Device information display
- Formatting
- Library management
Do not use Windows Administrative Tools, such as the Disk Management utility, while you are using a Professional RAID storage device
If the Portable Storage is connected to the Windows PC through the Thunderbolt interface, the following functions cannot be used:
- Device information display
- Formatting
- Library management
Do not use Windows Administrative Tools, such as the Disk Management utility, while you are using a Professional RAID storage device
* You need to use your computer to download this application.
For Memory Stick PX series users
For SxS Memory Card users, please see here
Key features
- Replacement Notice
- “Secure access” mode setting
- “Mirroring function” setting
- Simultaneous content
backup to multiple
destinations - Media formatting
When using Memory Stick
PX-Series cards with Memory Media Utility:
The support for Memory Stick PX Series will end with the current version 4.3.1.
Use of an external USB memory card reader is required.
- * Memory Media Utility cannot be used with built-in PC card slot.
- * Normal read/write functions are available with built-in PC card slot.
- * When using PX-Series cards in standard mode, with 64GB capacity or greater, please use an external USB memory card reader that is compatible with Memory Stick XC-HG Duo.
When using SxS Memory Cards with Memory Media Utility
- * The latest SxS device driver is required for all software functions to operate properly.
- * When using the Sony SxS Memory Card USB Reader/Writer (model SBAC-US10) with a PC, please make sure the SBAC-US10 software is updated. Go to Tool > Maintenance in 'Memory Media Utility' and choose SBAC-US10 FW Update.
- * When using a UDF-formatted SxS memory card with Windows PC/Mac, it is required to install the latest SxS UDF Driver, in addition to the latest SxS device driver, as mentioned above.
- a
* You need to use your computer to download this application.
File Information
For Windows:MemoryMediaUtility_v4_3_1.exe
Size | 19MB |
Version | Ver 4.3 |
Size | 19MB |
Version | Ver 4.3 |
For Macintosh:MemoryMediaUtilityv4.3.1.dmg
Size | 12MB |
Version | Ver 4.3 |
Size | 12MB |
Version | Ver 4.3 |
Recommended Environment
Windows
OS | Windows 7(SP1) Windows 8.1 Windows 10 |
OS | Windows 7(SP1) Windows 8.1 Windows 10 |
System requirements
CPU | Pentium 1GHz or higher |
Memory | 512MB or more |
Hard disk drive space | 100MB or more (required for program install) |
Requirements | .Net Framework 4 |
Display | 1024x768 or higher, High color (16bits) or higher |
* When .NetFramework4 is not installed, the extra hard disk free space of 850MB is necessary.
Mac OS
OS | OS X 10.8 OS X 10.9 OS X 10.10 OS X 10.11 macOS 10.12 macOS 10.13 macOS 10.14 |
OS | OS X 10.8 OS X 10.9 OS X 10.10 OS X 10.11 macOS 10.12 macOS 10.13 macOS 10.14 |
System requirements
Processor | Intel Processor (Standard equipment) |
Memory | 512MB or more |
Hard disk drive space | 100MB or more (required for program install) |
Display | 1024x768 or higher, High color (16bits) or higher |
Sony Reader
Note:
·Need to be used on factory-installed OS both with Windows or Macintosh. Operation is not guaranteed when used on PC with upgraded OS.
·Operation is not guaranteed for all PCs meeting the requirement described here.
·Operation is not guaranteed in the following cases: PC built by yourself, PC with OS installed by yourself, multi-boot environment, multi-monitor environment, High DPI environment, and PC with incompatible OS installed.
·Need to be used on factory-installed OS both with Windows or Macintosh. Operation is not guaranteed when used on PC with upgraded OS.
·Operation is not guaranteed for all PCs meeting the requirement described here.
·Operation is not guaranteed in the following cases: PC built by yourself, PC with OS installed by yourself, multi-boot environment, multi-monitor environment, High DPI environment, and PC with incompatible OS installed.