[Estuche]

I agree that people is reacting in a very negative way (me included) for products that before were considered "competitively" priced compared to the market's other offerings and that now are perceived as overpriced (QUE and E101 come to mind). Ignoring its price tag for a moment the QUE is exactly what I need for reading academic papers, nothing more nothing less, but even when I can afford one I could not convince myself to preorder it prior to Apple's announcement and far less now after yet another point of comparison like the iPad makes it look even more unreasonable (from the perspective of a potential buyer, that is).

The reason why the iRex 800 has been able to succeed is because currently there is no bigger touch-screen reader than its older, more expensive sibling (1000S). The only direct competitor for the DR800 is the PRS-900 (both in terms of price and features) and the former offers an extra inch (8" vs. 7") for the same price so there is an added value that justifies its purchase but that it might lose in the months ahead once all the other readers that I mentioned are released, offering similar features yet more screen estate and lower prices (like the DR950).

I am sure that the QUE was and still is very attractive for many potential buyers in this forum (me included) otherwise this thread would not be on its third page. I am sure it will sell at least more than the 1000S that apparently has been able to find a market despite its price. I just wish PL would do just like Apple has done and bring their quality products at affordable prices to the masses even if they have to cut some features here and there.

Again, I might sound like an Apple fanboy but even when Jobs plays dirty and has no mercy for its competitors (they basically put Amazon on the spot with publishers) I have to admit that because they are so aggressive with the competition I can enjoy a subsidized Droid for $150, an $800 Alienware gaming laptop (traditionally uber-expensive) and soon enough a $500 tablet that would have cost thousands of dollars a few years back. I agree that it is not fair for small companies, but it is because of Apple's dirty business that my next eReader will probably have twice the features for half the cost of what I would have had to pay a year ago!