[gcobb]

I am trying to work out which to buy for my first bookreader.

My absolute requirements are: good display, DRM-free EPUB books, can copy books from Linux, not Microsoft, not Sony, available in the UK (at latest during September 2011), fairly lightweight.

Some preferences (but not requirements) are: WiFi, casual web browsing, PDF, Adobe DRM EPUB, MP3, hackable.

I don't need: note taking, touch screen, 3G.

I have come down to a choice of three: Pocketbook Pro 602, iRiver Story HD EB07 (no wifi), iRiver Story HD WiFi.

The Pocketbook Pro 602 meets more of my requirements but it has an older generation screen than the iRiver Story HD. But the WiFi version of the iRiver Story HD is not yet available in the UK (no date, no price). The EB07 does seem to be the cheapest and I am not certain I really need WiFi or MP3.

I guess what I am really asking for advice on is how much better the iRiver Story HD screen is than the Pocketbook Pro 602. This is for reading ordinary books (EPUB), not scientific or mathematical papers. I am over 50 and need reading glasses -- I would prefer to be able to read on planes using my lower power reading glasses (which are normally fine for ordinary paper books in that environment), not my higher power glasses (which I need for small print or in dark environments).

Thanks in advance for any help.