First impression right out of the box: I'm am comparing it to the K2 which I had for over a year so here goes: First of all the horrible plastic smell when I first opened the box, Phew! Yes it is incredible light and small but feels, as one poster already said, very cheap plastic feeling. I think the K2 felt much more substantial but maybe that's just because this is smaller. Packaging was adequate, but when I got my K2 it was in a cool black box with gold lettering and had that "Wow" factor. Again, the packaging leads one back to the "cheap plastic" impression. Course that has nothing to do with the actual product, just first impression.
On a positive note, Calibre downloaded my epub to mobi books perfectly! Nice, and no problems with WiFi downloads from Amazon either. I do like the dark graphite body and it does help with reading the actual screen which looks good btw. Of course we are having a rainy day so can't take it out in direct sunlight to see if the lettering fades. Had that happen with my first K2 and it was promptly replaced by Amazon. 2nd one was fine in sunlight.
I hate the five way button and think my hubby who has bigger fingers will not like that feature at all. And I am sure he will mostly ignore the tiny letter buttons as well. He mostly will use it as intended, reading only.
It may be faster and the screen contrast appears a little better, but it just seems cheaper made and therefore worthy of the lower price.
Sorry for the "sour grapes" but that's how I see it. He may not like it at all, and if so, we'll return for refund. Time will tell.
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update: the next day--- the smell I mentioned above appears not to be the unit but was the packaging. No comments from hubby on the five way, so since this is his first Kindle, he's seems OK with it. Using the keyboard has caused two freezes. Will have to see if that continues and opt for replacement if needed. So far, he seems to like it
