[CedroRosso]

Hello! I've been lurking around this forums for quite some time, obsessing over what eReader I should buy for my girlfriend and I. Found a lot of advice that almost fits, but the threads always seem to degenerate into polemics over brands and between collectors of exotic devices (no offense guys). The answer always seems to be "buy something more expensive." So I guess I'll just have to out myself and ask...

My criteria are as follows:

(1) Under or around $150 (shipped within US)

(2) Reads pdfs as well as possible (please note that I have read through the many posts asking about eReaders and pdfs. I am fully aware that smaller, cheaper eReaders are not optimal, and that I should "really save up" for a larger reader or a tablet. This is not an option—I am a broke grad student studying nothing lucrative and do not foresee ever spending $300+. The pdfs I read are mostly text & I can check out the occasional diagram on my computer so long as I can get through all my reading on the device. I don't mind take notes on paper so as long as I can bookmark the page the note refers to i.e. I don't need to be able to take notes on the device).

(3) Technology that will be supported for years to come (please nothing "edgy" that will be discontinued shortly).

(4) Generally a pleasant device to read novels, literature, maybe magazines and newspapers (though this isn't essential) in my spare time, when I'm not trying to power through the anthropology pdfs that will be the devices primary purpose.

Currently I'm leading towards purchasing Sony's T1 when it is released (and if it works properly according to reviewers). Most of the complaints I've read regard its inferiority to prior models that I couldn't have afforded to begin with. I like that it natively supports epub, seems to have pretty good pdf software, and (as far as I can tell) can download straight from googlebooks (if I am wrong in this respect PLEASE let me know). The public library thing is really cool as well. The iRiver HD has also attracted my attention, but I haven't found much info on it. I am pretty against Kindles since I'd rather support a more open platform for digital publishing (like epub)... and the ad supported stuff kind of disgusts me. But I am open to any convincing arguments.