[kzm007]

Thank you all. I had looked into all of those models before I joined the site, so I know what to expect.

I apologize in advance as some of this info repeats; I mention it below, and then I put it into a list for (hopefully) ease in defining the main points to what I would like.

Audio, while it would be nice, really isn't a huge deal, I can just use the text versions of my audiobooks; they're all 'classics' or quite popular, so I know they exist.

The portability of the POCKETBOOK is nice, but it's not critical that it's actually a "pocket" book," so I can afford even a slightly-bigger screen. Let's say between 5" and 7" then. I also don't care for the appearance of the casing.

The SONY Daily Reader looked great, and even functions as a real book; now if only I were able to 'fold the page back' and read, that would be cool, since it would me full flexibility to read one-handed or with two, just like a paper copy - I know this doesn't exist as a feature, just wishful thinking.

The price makes me a little wary, though at $250 online and the reader only gets three stars on Amazon.

I have also been considering the new Pandigital Novel; the 2GB model (releasing at the end of the month, I think), one of the cheaper Copia e-readers (when do these release; I've read between the end of August and fall, probably September?) the Velocity Micro Cruze, or the Nook.

However my only service carrier is Verizon, so would the Nook even been worth my trouble since it runs on AT & T which we barely get a bar for around here? I don't mind side-loading from my PC. Maybe the Nook Wi-fi only?

And again, I would want a user-replaceable battery, annotation support, expandable memory, etc.

I was hoping to read textbooks on it, but that's not 'overly' important, it would just be nice for my upcoming senior year in 2011 - I can get by currently in 2010 if needed.

The same goes for e-ink, it would be nice, but it's not overly important if reading/writing is easy.

So let's recap quickly. In rough order, followed by their 'fault' or plus in my situation:

E-readers to consider
1. Sony Daily Reader: $250 price tag, otherwise it seems relatively decent.

2. Pandigital Novel 2GB: Haven't even seen a glimmer of this baby since it went in for its fix-up last month. No annotating I don't think? I also don't know if these are expandable? No e-ink, but it is in color. I don't know how it handles PDFs or any of my other criteria. Information appreciated?

3. Copia e-readers: Also missing in action, though they have a good set of devices with great pricing from what I've read. I don't know if these have pens, but I see a keyboard on one which is a plus, maybe allowing similar functionality. Should be released soon (when?). Information appreciated?

4. Velocity Micro Cruze: Glossy screen - a protector could maybe solve this. I know it's technically off-track for me as it appears to be a tablet, but it did look nice. I don't know anything else about it; all help is appreciated if you can find me info on it?

5. The Nook: No annotating and served on AT & T. No PDFs; essentially just a reader. This would be my last choice unless something is seriously wrong with the others.

Features I've deemed somewhat necessary/desired:
Features I WANT but don't really NEED are italicized.

Order in list does not equate to preference.

1. Screen size 5" - to 7"+.

2. Annotation of text/SOME WAY to mark the text and transfer it to my PC; either directly or from an SD card/through email.

3. If #2 is possible, Internet would be needed. Should I get 3G or Wi-Fi? I only have Verizon service and don't travel much, so I'm thinking Wi-Fi only would be acceptable.

4. Decent PDF reading - really pushing for this as I have a couple of downloaded textbooks, and some of them have illustrations and tables I'm sure.

5. Replaceable battery.

6. Card slot with expandable memory; 32GB would be optimum but I could compromise a tiny bit.

6. Many formats supportedincluding audio - again, I can settle for text-only if needed.

7. Lightweight design for lengthy reading.

8. One-handed usage - though two may be accepted based on other criteria met. All annotating (#2) would be done while seated, as would reading. I just think one hand would be easier for lengthy sessions.

9. Useful for a lefty to work with easily.

10. Microphone jack - I don't know what I would use this for really, unless it's a REALLY good one, which probably doesn't exist yet, but Copia has them, and they appealed to me the more I read about them. Does Sony have one?

11. A good dictionary, and maybe a translator (translator not as crucial as the English dictionary, just wishful thinking - how good are current translation dictionaries?). If it has one, it will also probably need Internet service though, right?
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Again, I apologize for all of the repetition, but there are so many readers out there, and I don't want to purchase something only to find out it's not exactly what I need; I've got too many pricey electronics as-is, so I want to make sure this counts in the end.

I also apologize for my thread-bumping. I don't know if it's in the site rules not to do it, but on every other board I frequent, when info is required, bumping is allowed to give the person a chance to find it.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Kegan