A lot of talk/argument here about whether Sony readers are built better. Perhaps. I've owned the 300, 600, 900, 350, and 950 at one time or another, and I've owned several other brands. Sonys might be put together a bit better, but to my knowledge the Kindles and others hold up over years of use as well as the Sonys. You can bullet proof a reader, but why is it necessary? A reader only has to have a certain level of durability, and once you go beyond that level it is a waste of money. In my opinion, all the major brands of readers sold in the USA have attained that level and will survive above normal wear and tear as well as the Sonys. The "tough built" argument for Sonys is therefore of no value to me. Save the "tough built" argument for pickup trucks.

I also see a few dreaming of Sony price cuts. You have met Sony, haven't you? Price cuts are two words rarely used by Sony in the same sentence, and almost exclusively for products that or near end of life or close to being updated by a newer model.