Just came across this thread again. Here's what I found more recently:
The 300's casing is solid and sturdy, and has held up perfectly from being carried around (often in a front pants pocket) over the past 4 months or so. The silver finish is slightly prone to scratches from when I was using the pouch, but there haven't been any noticeable new ones since I bought the Sony flip cover.
The front and back of the case have a uniform micrograined texture/finish. The
LEFT side (the 'spine' of the Reader if it were a book) is rounded and it does have a slight vertical lined texture, distinct from the rest of the surface but subtle.
This is an intentional design finish--it sort of simulates the creases in a book spine, although again, very subtly.
It is NOT a manufacturing flaw or defect.
Just wanted to clarify this.
