[jgatkinsn]

Hello,

This is my first time posting, and I need some help deciding on a fairly low cost ebook reader. I got a good deal on used Kindle DX for my business about a month ago, because I do a lot of technical reading and have a small home office. I'm loving it, because now I can carry around my references with me where ever I work. I like the fact that an ebook reader helps on cutting down clutter.

I'm trying to convince my wife that she could use one (she hates clutter) as well as my daughter who we are homeschooling. I think I've almost got her convinced, because of all the pdf ebooks she buys for homeschooling and herbal studies and she hates to read on computer. Not to mention all the free classical books out there. She just thinks they're too expensive.

Anyway...long story short. I'm looking at ebook readers right at or below $200. I don't want any wireless, because I don't want my children browsing the internet without my knowledge. I like good format support, but I have no problem converting formats since I'm a geek. I think I lean towards storage expandability just in case it becomes necessary.

Here are my candidates:
Sony PRS-600SC - $199 (on sale from sonystyle)
Cybook Opus - $175 (buy.com)
Sony PRS-300 - $150 (512MB really enough?)
Astak 6" Mentor - $199 (newegg, etc.)
Kobo Reader $149 (just added this, at Borders.com)

(I didn't include the Astak 5" Ez-Reader, since I might as well buy the 6" at same price)


Questions:
Is the level of grayscale that big of a deal? 4-levels vs 8-levels
Is a 5" vs 6" screen that big of a difference in terms of reading?
Which one of these candidates is better to purchase and why?
Has anyone tried these with Linux?

Also, I didn't include LCD versions, because of their battery eating ways.