Hi Jeremy, The reader supports TXT, HTXT, HTML, PDF, ePub and DOC. To be honest I'm supprised the staff didn't tell you this especially as they unboxed one for you to look at. The 100 book that come with the reader are a mix of txt and html, I currently read epub formats. Terrance does say in his orginal review that complex DOC and PDF may not render correctly see http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/12/review-elonex-511eb-from-waterstones/ however I believe you can use calibre which converts pdf to another format. I got mine 4 weeks ago for £129 from waterstones and they did say at the time it was for a limited time only. I know the rrp is £179.99.