[MikeF74]

I've never so much as held a Sony Reader, or any eInk device for that matter, but it sounds like internal screen damage would most likely be caused by accidental over-torquing of the device's frame.

If anyone wanted to tote this kind of device around with other heavy books in a backpack, I think a hard case would definitely be needed.

iPods and PDA's are protected against torque damage because of their small screens in comparison to their hard cases. Laptops are harder to damage in such a fashion, because the computer half of the laptop helps prevent excessive torquing when the lid is closed.