Plastic Logic's Que proReader

With so many electronic readers hitting the market, some consumers may want to physically check out and test the devices before buying one. That's not possible with Amazon's Kindle readers, which are sold solely online (though Amazon tries to connect current Kindle owners with prospective buyers through a website). Now Barnes & Noble is setting itself up to be a major physical retailer of e-readers. B&N says its stores will demo and sell both its own Nook reader and the new Que reader from Plastic Logic.

Barnes & Noble spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating said the company is currently doing Nook demos in its "highest volume" stores, though she declined to say how many stores or where they're located. B&N isn't selling Nooks yet but it taking preorders for the device, which is due to ship around Nov. 30. The company expects to be selling Nooks in the majority of its stores by the end of November, and in all 774 of its stores by early next year. Barnes & Noble will also sell Plastic Logic's Que in stores and online. Plastic Logic is expected to launch its reader at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 7.

Best Buy carries Sony readers and will start selling an upcoming reader from Irex as well.

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