not tied to Apple: NC is tied to Google/B&N, you are trading one evil for another. However, an iPad is not tied to Apple as far as books go. Nor is a true Android tablet tied to Google. On iPads and true Android tablets you can even buy B&N books, and books from Amazon and many other stores!

screen is the best on this size device: You got one right.

no data plan required: My iPad doesn't even have a 3G radio, so no data plan required. My understanding of most true Android tablets is that they do require a data plan on some level. One of the reasons I chose not to go with a Xoom.

ability to root the device and put another version of android on it: If the NC is so great, why do so many feel the necessity of rooting it?

standard reader does the job most of the time: The standard reader is far below the level of Sony Readers, Kindles, original Nook, etc. It is far below the average reader written for Android, Linux, iOS, MAC OS, Windows, etc.

price point for what it does: Let's see, $250 for slow device with 5GB of internal memory that was designed as a READER. Price for bang of buck--there are plenty of better alternative available. However, you are not going to get a tablet worth having at $250. Only pseudo-tablets and toys are available for $250. Want a true tablet? Then expect to shell out at least $400 and probably over $500.