[sk2003]

Hey guys. I'm brand new to the e-reader world and am looking to buy my first e-reader ever. I live in Canada, and there aren't any budget-friendly Kobo e-readers available brand new here. I don't want a Kindle because I hate the lack of storage and the DRM (not being able to load a lot of file formats). I think it's extremely weird that the Kindle e-ink readers don't have a microSD card slot.

Anyway, the only way to get a Kobo under a $100 here is to get one used. I was thinking of getting a refurbished 905 Touch for $40ish, but I don't know if it's worth paying that much for a used 5-year-old e-reader. I also found Kobo Minis for $30, but they don't have a microSD card slot, which I dislike.

Then I found a refurbished Kobo Aura HD for $120ish. Comes with a one year warranty, which the other Kobo e-readers I looked at lack. I think it's worth paying this much for the Aura HD, since it's got a crisp 1440p display and a nearly 7 inch form factor.

But... I've read too many scary things about the Aura HD and Kobo e-readers in general here. From Auras bricking themselves after firmware updates, to dying randomly, to the screen not being responsive, to the IR sensors not being responsive... I'm kind of afraid to take the plunge, lol.

Should I invest in an e-reader with good specs the first time around (i.e. Aura HD), or should I get a cheap e-reader and stick with it until, hopefully, the Aura One or Aura H2O come down in price here in Canada (if ever)? Wait it out and see if future Kindle e-ink readers come with more than 4 gigs of storage (it happened in Japan)?

Also, tell me about your experience with the Aura HD: how the build quality is, if you've ever run into issues, and if page-turning and refreshes are responsive!

Thanks.

EDIT: Got the H2O instead. It's sweet!