I did go and look at a touch today at best buy--you're right. The readability is Excellent. I was pleasantly surprised. The guy demoed that little email program--that was actually not as nice as the e-reader!!! More like texting than the babbling I usually do. Guess I'll have to curtail my enthusiastic email replies.
That is not the end of the world, of course. Looks like they packed a lot of functionality into the touch albeit with a few things that won't be "great" -- like touch typing and writing a book scene when something hits. But yeah, I wasn't expecting to get the "book scene" thing. Even with most netbooks (that run CE) there's no real word processor. Given that, I can't figure out why anyone would really want a netbook with CE.
I did find a netbook with regular OS in the 120 price range. Full keyboard (small but nice). That would work too, but I know how it goes. I buy for 120, then I upgrade the memory...and before I know it, I'm in for 160..
All good thoughts. I just have to decide ...