eBooks and Readers

I've been wanting an eBook reader lately. I started reading books again last summer, as something to do during lunch (I can't eat at my desk, and I've already devoured the newspaper during my break). I think the biggest reason for my wanting a eBook reader is that online stores are always "in stock", so to speak. The most convenient bookstore for me to frequent is a small Coles a block down from my office; however, being a small location they often don't have the items I'm looking for. The Chapters at Square One has much better stock, but it's very out of the way :(

A netbook or iPad is also a possibility, as I want to be able to write notes as well. Netbooks don't have as nice a form factor though, and to be sitting in the canteen with a mini-laptop seems overly geeky.

As for the iPad... it has 3 big turn-offs for me. One, it's a closed system. Software is only available through the Apple Store, which seems silly for what is essentially a tablet netbook. Getting data on/off the iPad requires iTunes, which is an extra layer of work that shouldn't be necessary. Two, jumping on the Apple bandwagon. Three, when the iPhone was first released, a much better version was released a mere 3 months later. I wouldn't be surprised if the iPad did the same, which is very much a de-motivator for buying one now.