@kevbo I linked to the page just for Kindles, but it actually supports hundreds of devices. Kindle, Nook, Asus, Acer, Nexus, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Sony, and a few more. There are also versions of Ubuntu Touch for both the Nook and Kindle tablets in the works but not for Kobos, which I consider another ding against them.
@jaytkay The Kobos Arc is not the cheapest though, at least not if you know how to shop around. My wife has a knack for finding deals, so I could probably score a deal on a Kindle or Nook easier than something that is a little lacking in US distribution like the Kobos.
The Kobo Arc does have the advantage of running straight Android out of the box as opposed to doing the sort of stuff I tend to do for fun anyways though, so if you’re averse to ROM-flashing then is may be worthwhile for those willing to live without one feature I consider mandatory; read on.
The Nook has an SD card slot that Kindle and Kobos lack. That right there is enough of a plus that even if not for the other things, I would go Nook. The possibilities open to you with removable storage (dual-booting, ease of “side-loading” from computers that don’t support plug-and-pray….) are not only good, but I personally consider them mandatory for any Android device. Conversely, the non-expandable storage of the Arc and Kindle is enough of a minus that I would hesitate to pay more than about $50 for one, and would only go that high for a brand new 64GB.
I simply won’t pay nearly as much for something that fails to meet my needs, assuming I even buy it at all instead of finding something I can use. If other people have different needs, or are willing to pay more for things I place little/no value on, that’s okay. But “superior” is subjective, and I consider Kobos inferior on enough levels that it’s superiority in a couple of areas is negated and then some.