Hi there all-

I've been lurking here since about last July, when I seriously considered buying an Edge. I didn't, but I thought the idea was great and wanted to keep an eye on new developments. As one of those academics who didn't purchase an Edge, perhaps I can add to the discussion. (I have nothing against it or the company, and I hope they succeed, but I determined it wasn't the device for me.)

So, I'm a graduate student (in physics in case you can't guess), which means I'm in that limbo where I need to read a few textbooks for class, have a bunch of reference textbooks, read a lot of papers, and do some research. For all of these, there were distinct disadvantages to the Edge (as well as many advantages).

1) First, the research point. I need to use Maple/Mathematica for my research, which means I'd be lugging my computer around with me anyway (and no, no one should even try get Maple/Mathematica running on the Edge!). I think a lot of us in the sciences/engineering are in that boat- because of what we need for research, we won't be able to just carry around the Edge instead of a laptop. So there's not much of an advantage to the second screen...and it adds weight and decreases the battery life. So a dual book isn't for us- why do I bother listing this? I think this is important, because I at least get the impression that we science/engineering people are more likely to be into gadgets and stumble across the Edge.

2) Second, as a student, one of the things that frustrated me was the selection of the ebooks. I realize that this isn't enTourage's fault, but their selection when it comes to the "standards" is rather poor- none of the undergraduate-level books used at my current school or where I went to undergraduate are on the site. There also aren't any of the reference books I need to use. So, if I'm not going to be able to get most of my books on there, then I still need to carry my bag full of heavy books (and my laptop) anyway...so why am I getting an ereader again?

Also, at least once, when one somewhat popular book appeared, it was an edition out of date. As I said, it'd not enTourage's fault, but when deciding on a device, whether or not you can get the books you need matters, and Amazon and B&N have a wide advantage there.

3) On top of that, at least some entries in the textbook store are mismatched. For example, let's look at the only quantum mechanics book I could find: Quantum Mechanics Demystified (not going to be used as a textbook anywhere...). Its book description is:

A research-based alternative to the USDA's food guide that cuts through the confusion of fad diets and big food lobbies
What should I eat? If you're a health-conscious consumer, this is one of the hardest questions you face. Now this no-nonsense nutrition guide from former USDA nutrition director Luise Light offers a basic, balanced, and user-friendly food plan that cuts through the confusion and controversy of the latest fad diets, federal guidelines, and big food lobbies. Its ten simple rules are also adapted for a wide variety of nutritional needs--including weight loss, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders."

It doesn't take a physics graduate student to realize that's not quantum mechanics. So, if I buy the book, am I going to get Quantum Mechanics Demystified? Or whatever book this description is for? This might just be a problem with the Demystified sequence (see Relativity Demystified, although String Theory Demystified is fine), but it still causes one to hesitate.

4) Time limits. Let's look at an introductory book, College Physics by Serway; you're only allowed it for 180 days. This book would be used for a two-semester introductory class. But what if you didn't take the second semester right after the first? You'd need to buy the book again. And what happens when you get to sophomore level physics and need to look up those equations on diffraction...no more book. For science/engineering undergraduates, textbooks one year become the next year's reference books; this is serious shortcoming in those fields. (Again, this may be a restriction from the publisher- I'm not blaming Entourage- but as a student it'd make me wary of the Edge.)

5) This one is definitely something Entourage could improve: better description of pdf capabilities. For example, on the Kindle DX you can't highlight, take notes, follow links (including table of contents). The Edge is capable of these things (I believe)- they should advertise it!!! At least here, there are many people who choose an iPad because it supports those things, not because they actually want an iPad. I had to email the staff (last July) to find out if you could tell it go to page 204 instead of skipping pages one-by-one (yes, there was a device out there like that). For reading papers, all of these things are important. A demo-video of someone doing these things on pdfs would go a long way.

I actually like the Edge, and maybe when I'm not on a graduate student's budget I'll get one (if the company is still around- which I hope it is). But 1-4 are major problems for it gaining traction in academia. There's a good change that NONE of them are the fault of enTourage- but they're actual disadvantages to it gaining ground in academia. If these could somehow be fixed, then I think it has better odds.

Anyway, I just wanted to add my 2 cents in hopes that it would be helpful. Sorry this is long.