I used to read books on my ancient M500 Palm Pilot (we can’t call them that, officially, but…); I finally upgraded to a Palm T|X for two things: WiFi access and a Really Decent (color) Screen. I now read books (in mobipocket format — the same as Kindle) and so on on my Palm Pilot T|X. It slips in my pocket, doesn’t even really bulk. Entirely readable color screen, hold it in one hand, and so on. The only downside: Palm QA sucks (so much for the Pre, perhaps…); I have been through — four? — under warranty (extended to two years, expired last March). This extends to Palm’s accessories (e. g., the bluetooth keyboard that lasted a month…). Where I can plug into WiFi (the college where I teach; the comfy chair in my living room…), I do mail, I do (limited) web-browsing, and so on.

Absolutely the right observation. Well said, and well put.