[jehane]

Hi Pete

I bought a Sony 300 about 6 weeks ago. I chose this one because I wanted a decent entry-level device and it has so far met my needs perfectly. The only thing I am concerned with is the lack of expandable memory, however it should not be a problem for some time yet. I use it to read library books and other free books and find it very comfortable. In fact I've been forgoing tv in favour of reading since I got it. I have a hard case for it and it's very portable - easily fits in my handbag, which the larger Nook probably wouldn't.

Having said that, reading library books can sometimes be a bit irritating as mine come in PDF format (no ePubs) and it doesn't display particularly well. I don't know if a 6" screen would be any better. ePubs display fine, as do rtfs and txts. I used to read on a Palm M125 and still sometimes read direct from a computer screen and the Sony is much better. While the former two could never replace pbooks for me, the Sony definitely could.

I find it very easy to transfer files and manage them using the Sony software. However the Sony software is annoying in that while you can create Collections to sort books, they cannot be nested, so at some point (not just yet) I will have to choose between number of Collections vs number of books in each Collection. I don't know what the file management is like for the Nook. I am currently learning about Calibre to see if it does a better job in this respect.

I didn't choose the Nook for a few reasons:
1. More expensive (at the time) than the Sony *
2. I don't like the internet screen - I'd never use it and it's a waste of space for me
3. I believe the Nook is locked to B&N? At some point I will want to purchase books and I can't buy from them (outside USA)

Hope this helps

* Edit: No, I have no regrets about the Nook price drop, or a potential Sony price drop. I was in the USA on holiday at the time and took the opportunity to not get ripped off as I would back home (Sony 300 is being sold at $465 here).