After posting here, I went back on Saturday and asked for a full demo. It is a very slick device and VERY lightweight. There is no stylus and no SD slot. They felt that they were giving you enough internal storage that you shouldn't need more. To get any docs, ebooks, etc., from your computer onto the device, you need to connect directly to your computer through the USB (you can, of course, use the WiFi for things like emails, puclications, etc.). I still feel the print could be darker. When I said that to the rep, he said, "people are always asking me how to make the print darker. . ." and then went on to show me how to zoom. He did look through the settings to see if there was a way to increase contrast, but there is not. That exchange led me to think that others had had the same concerns about print contrast as I did. I was also concerned about the thinness of the device. It is very thin and although it does have a flexible Plastic Logic layer inside, it still has a glass top layer which could easily be broken. When you get something that size, I would think cracking the screen could be an issue. In my opinion, It will need a good sturdy cover like a leather binder or portfolio to keep it safe and make it easier to transport.
This device is definitely geared toward the executive which seems to be supported by the many publication partners of which the company boasts such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal, etc. The price also supports my Exec theory, which definitely limits it's target markets. The bottom line, for that price, I would wait for another year. There are a few promising things on the horizon. Yes, some are still LCD displays, but they've increased the battery life to make them viable. I really liked MSI's dual screen device which should have a battery life of 10 hours and is expected to be available in the fall. Even ASUS had a dual screen concept device that they are working on.
As for the Entourage Edge, it is a wonderful device and I was very impressed. In a contest between the Edge and the Que, the Edge would win handily. Of course, it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges. The Edge is built more for students and home users while the Que is built for company execs. As for me, I can't really justify ordering an Edge (although that's really never stopped me before
) but I can see a great many possibilities for it's use. My only regret is that it is larger and heavier than my Sony reader and would not fit in my purse. For me, portability in a reader is essential. If I were still teaching, the Edge would definitely be on my "Next Gadget" List. My husband loved the Edge, so knowing him, I could get one for a birthday gift (he says it easier buying me gadgets than anything else
).