Sony's original reader was crippled in many many ways. I considered buying one back in the depths of time before the g2 Kindle came out. The I used a g2, and bought it right then and there (while sitting at the bar at a Texas Roadhouse).

For context Sony's reader required a windows app. Kindle had whispernet.

I wasn't a huge fan of either company at the time but ended up working at both in the following years.