I personally think the e-ink is the best invention after the printing press and movable type.
Your Mileage Might Vary (Tm)
- and it obviously DOES vary ;-))
If *I* personally was looking for a dedicated non e-ink e-book reader I would have a look at jetbook -
http://www.jetbook.net/
Or perhaps an Asus eee
Friend of mine purchased Asus eee - the 9" version and it runs 7.5 hour on the battery.
I have been using an old Cassiopeia A-20 for reading books for years. And Cassiopeia A-11 before that. It is a pocket computer with grey LCD screen. It has a clam-shell design and can be purchased second-hand (more likely fifth hand, or even more likely salvaged from a trash heap) very cheap.
Beware - do not buy before you see the display in person.
Also have a look at HP Jornada (second-hand again)
Before Cassiopeia I have been using old notebooks salvaged from recycle bin. My last book-reading notebook (this one was not pulled from a trash bin) was Toshiba Libretto C-50 - pentium processor, 32MB RAM, 6" display 640x480, dimensions of VHS video tape.