I just upgraded yesterday from a first gen Nook with a clunky Lyra lighted cover (the one that had the light arm and the batteries in the spine). I think it looks fantastic... and so small and light! Although that part is not exactly new, it's "new to me".
It looked like there were only 3 boxes in the cabinet when he took one out for me, and he said he didn't think they'd have anymore by today so it was good that I'd come in then.
The light at the top is a little distracting (not actually the light itself but because it's brighter up there, it gives an illusion I think of the area right below it having a shadow), and the contrast is indeed not quite as good, but I do 95% of my reading in bed in the dark, so I'm pretty happy about this purchase.
I had been on the fence about switching to a Kindle for my next reader, but this was just too perfect for me.