After way too many hours of researching and pondering, I just purchased a Sony PRS-505 from Frys.com. They have a sale on them for $229.95 until 9/3. The silver and sangria red models are all they have left and the limit is one per household. I bought the silver model. Amazon also has a sale on the m-edge covers for $14.99 but I am waiting to see what the cover that comes with the 505 looks like first. Any 505 owners have advice on that?
I ultimately decided I really wanted the 6-inch screen but think I want to wait for the touch screen technology to mature a bit more before taking that plunge. In a year or so there should be some really nice devices available that will tempt me. I mostly read fiction and while the dictionary support and note taking of the touch screen models are tempting, I rarely write in my paper books and I am not usually that motivated to stop reading and reach for my paper dictionary.
And the 505 should fit in my purse. After all, the requirements for any purse I buy is that it has to hold those womanly necessities (which are fewer than you think) along with the book I am currently reading and a small bottle of water.
It is interesting to note the mixed reviews of the Sony 600 seems to be sparking a number of last minute sales on the 505. Hopefully Sony is watching their sales figures and taking notes.
So as the advice I read elsewhere on this site said, decide what features matter the most to you, do your research, and make the purchase (assuming a device currently exists to match your requirements, otherwise return to research mode).
OK, so it took me a month of obsessing but I finally did it.
I do appreciate everyone on this forum. I don't think I would have gotten this far if I had not found this site.
Now I want my new toy!