I am finding this a complicated choice.

My requirements/preferences --

-- lower cost

-- black and white display only is OK (will use for reading books)

-- will be getting files from downloading to my PC, then USB transfer to unit so don't care about wireless, 3G, etc. support

-- want a unit that will deal with any or most file formats without software conversion on my PC and/or special software installation on the unit

-- prefer a replaceable battery (hopefully with a way to get that in Thailand, likely involving shipping it in)

-- prefer screen optimized to simulate book reading (as opposed to am Ipad type screen)

-- prefer AC adapter that supports US and Thai voltage

-- stupid question, I assume if the charging is done through PC's USB it doesn't matter about the voltage, can be done without a voltage adapter the same in any country, correct?

I think probably there isn't a unit that meets all my requirements, but any suggestions welcome.

Just bought the Sony PRS-350 and it would meet most of your needs apart from the battery.....but then battery life has been superb so far. Plus it reads just about any format (Word, PDF EPub etc) so no need for any conversion. Changing font size is a doddle. But pretty sure you will not be able to find this in Thailand (I looked at Fortune Town).

Surely you're far too busy with your quest to become Thaivisa's number 1 poster and pollster to have any time for reading?

I know - dont call you Shirley!

Merry Xmas!

None read all formats.

Kindle 3 is the best way to go, if you are to lazy to convert, still plenty of MOBI format books floating around.

Charger uses from 100v-250v so good everywhere.

As you are downloading to your PC .... why not just install Calibre to do the library management and format conversions?

Kindle 3 is the best way to go, if you are to lazy to convert, still plenty of MOBI format books floating around.

Charger uses from 100v-250v so good everywhere.

Really? I was under the impression the Kindle would only read Amazon format books. I was going to go for the Sony 350 for this reason. If I don't need to convert stuff for the Kindle, I'll get one of them.

Surely you're far too busy with your quest to become Thaivisa's number 1 poster and pollster to have any time for reading?

I know - dont call you Shirley!

Merry Xmas!

Happy Festivus!!!

Kindle 3 is the best way to go, if you are to lazy to convert, still plenty of MOBI format books floating around.

Charger uses from 100v-250v so good everywhere.

Really? I was under the impression the Kindle would only read Amazon format books. I was going to go for the Sony 350 for this reason. If I don't need to convert stuff for the Kindle, I'll get one of them.

The Kindle will read AZW, MOBI and PDF files although it doesn't handle text resizing on PDF too well. The Sony will read a wider range of formats. I've got a Sony PRS300 and I've just bought a Kindle 3. The Sony has better build quality but if I had to keep just one it would be the Kindle.

Kindle - If you're interested in old classics and out of copyright books there's a large assortment available at Amazon for free. You can also use the built-in web browser to download them from Gutenberg.org. It's remarkable to order a book on the Kindle and have it delivered over the air a few seconds later. I believe that Whispernet (the Amazon delivery system) also works on GPRS in Thailand although I've not tried it. Amazon also keeps track of all the books you've ordered so you have your own little library in the cloud. You can re-download them at any time. There's also a Kindle application for PCs, Ipads, Android, Macs and Iphones so you can read the same book on multiple devices.

ebookee.org

Far be it, etc.

Check it out, and don't for heaven's sake contravene...

A very good and complete overview/guide can be found at http://news.cnet.com/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy

Several of us in the computer group at Phuket agree that the Kindle 3 is the best overall ereader. Use that in conjunction with the Calibre software to convert just about any format to mobi or any other. If you want color then the B&E Nook is probably the best, particularly if you root it and thus get a proper Android tablet which is still and excellent ereader.