Some people do spend big bucks to cut out ounces for hiking/backpacking gear. I'm skeptical it's meaningful numbers in the context of a device like this.
you obviously haven't met any ultralight backpackers. Of course, I can't see any of them "lugging" around a kindle on their hikes because there's no way that extra "weight" is necessary
I do know ultralight backpackers. But, yes, I can't see them carrying a Kindle as opposed to maybe some pages ripped out of a book :-) Maybe a certain class of long distance hikers but now we're getting into vanishingly small markets.