5" or 6"?

Baldrake · 08-23-2009, 03:59 AM

So I've pretty much decided that I'll be getting two readers - a large work one (waiting to see how the Plastic Logic one looks), and a smaller personal ePub reader for reading fiction.

For the smaller one, the world has gotten more complicated recently. The two main contendors have just released 5" readers (Cybook Opus and Sony 300.) Intuitively, I think I'd prefer the larger size of a 6". But from what I'm reading, the relationship between size and readability isn't so obvious. (E.g., I read comments that the Opus may be as easy to read as the Kindle 2 in practice.) Unfortunately, it looks like my ideal reader would have been the Sony 505, which is now discontinued.

Does anyone have any thoughts to offer on the 5" vs 6" topic?

doreenjoy · 08-23-2009, 04:14 AM

If you have good eyesight and can read a smallish font, I'd recommend the 5" as it's more portable.

I have to crank up my font to the largest setting all the time, so 6" fits more text on a screen for me.

Ea · 08-23-2009, 06:04 AM

I'd like to second Doreen. Depending on your preferred font size, you might be happier with a 6". The Booken Opus looks very nice, ergonomics-wise. Ideal for holding one-handed. Apart from the sony 300 and Opus, there's also the Hanlin V5 (Astak pocket Pro or Bebook mini). Besides, I could find a number of sony 505's on ebay, and there might still be some to find in shops as well - I wouldn't give up just yet. It's a nice device, espcially with the PRSCustumizer hack and calibre library application.

HarryT · 08-23-2009, 07:43 AM

I'm now a "convert" to 5" devices; they are an excellent compromise between size and portability. The Opus is excellent.

pilotbob · 08-23-2009, 12:52 PM

Should you get a 5 or 6 inch device?

My answer would be YES!

Actually, I have read on both... and the 5inch one isn't really that much smaller than the 6inch.

Here is what I would suggest... if you are going to keep it at home, on the side table then get the 6inch...

...if you are going to expect to take it with you every where you go, then get the 5inch.... the smaller size will make it easier to carry around and also I think the smaller size will make it a bit more durable and not as subject to twisting pressure that could break the screen.

Now the only question is which 6 or 5 inch device to get... yea, you thought this would be easy?

BOb

Elsi · 08-23-2009, 01:51 PM

I have 2 of the 6-inch devices; I set my Kindle on the #2 font, which is one size smaller than their default. The Sony I set on the smallest font and I could be happy with a slightly smaller font. That tells me that a 5-inch would be fine, and I've been hoping to get one this summer. It dawns on me that summer is almost over, so I'm hoping to figure out which one I want fairly soon. I'm also hoping that the prices are more reasonable when several of them hit the market.

Sweetpea · 08-23-2009, 02:29 PM

I'm actually wondering the same, should I get a 5" (BeBook Mini) or a 6" (Sony 600) (or others...)

So far, I'm leaning on both... I like the small size of the 5" (I'm used to a 3.8" screen and I have that 7" screen too) but I like the touchscreen of the Sony 600...

Ea · 08-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'm actually wondering the same, should I get a 5" (BeBook Mini) or a 6" (Sony 600) (or others...)

So far, I'm leaning on both... I like the small size of the 5" (I'm used to a 3.8" screen and I have that 7" screen too) but I like the touchscreen of the Sony 600...

The "lessons" I have learned so far, is to go for slightly more rather than less. I would say that the main feature of the 5" devices in comparison with the 6" is portability. If you don't need that extra portability, go for a 6" device. The touch screen and the dictionary lookup of the sony 600 seems to be the most important features. If they are important to you, go for the 600.

dmaul1114 · 08-23-2009, 03:13 PM

6". More text per page.

1" doesn't make much difference in portabilty. Neither size is going to fit in your pocket, and that diagonal inch doesn't make much difference for something that's going in a purse, bookbag, briefcase etc. when carried around anyway.

Baldrake · 08-23-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Now the only question is which 6 or 5 inch device to get... yea, you thought this would be easy?

Ha ha, tell me about it!

Thanks for all the input, folks. Yes, I don't really care about the extra portability of the 5", and it sounds like the extra screen real estate of the 6" is important for avoiding micro-type (which is important to anyone who has left their 30's behind, trust me.)

The trouble is that the most interesting new devices (the Opus and the 300) both went with the 5" format, giving less choice in 6" readers. I'd even consider the Iliad, but can't stomach the price.

Hmmm...

wallcraft · 08-23-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldrake

The trouble is that the most interesting new devices (the Opus and the 300) both went with the 5" format, giving less choice in 6" readers.

This is because 5" screens are newly available. There should be new 6" (and larger) devices introduced before Christmas. The next "new" thing is probably going to be 3G/wifi (trying to replicate Amazon's success). If you don't want 3G, these devices will probably still be a step up on most current designs.

HansTWN · 08-23-2009, 10:14 PM

The 5" readers might offer more portability for a woman (perhaps the 6" won't fit in her purse but the 5"will), but for a man what difference does it make? Anything more than 4.2-4.3" with no edges around the screen will not fit into your pants pocket. And if you have a briefcase then both will fit easily.

And for reading I can imagine that the slightly bigger size is more comfortable. So the only issue might be price, though the difference is not much.

bill_mchale · 08-23-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

The 5" readers might offer more portability for a woman (perhaps the 6" won't fit in her purse but the 5"will), but for a man what difference does it make? Anything more than 4.2-4.3" with no edges around the screen will not fit into your pants pocket. And if you have a briefcase then both will fit easily.

And for reading I can imagine that the slightly bigger size is more comfortable. So the only issue might be price, though the difference is not much.

Actually, I find that the Jetbook (with a 5" screen) will fit in the front pocket of my jeans (Admittedly loose fit), and I think they would also fit in the front pocket of my Khakis (I don't wear them that much).

--
Bill

bsg75 · 08-24-2009, 01:05 AM

I was leaning to the Sony 600. After seeing the screen cloudiness, I'm leaning to the BeBook Mini (Astak). I personally wouldn't buy 2 readers at the same time with the technology maturing so fast.

As to the size differential, 6" models have 1" diagonal of marginalia by default. Blank space, progress bar, book title, battery indicator. Not only is the effective reading area 5", but it has correspondingly lower resolution. You can remove this margin on most models (Sony)... but not on Kindle (which I have). With 5" devices, on the other hand, the body of text goes nearly edge to edge by default.

Probably this partly explains why some people say the screen size difference seems small. I'm new and I'm judging a lot by online pics so please correct me if I'm off base on this.

HansTWN · 08-24-2009, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Actually, I find that the Jetbook (with a 5" screen) will fit in the front pocket of my jeans (Admittedly loose fit), and I think they would also fit in the front pocket of my Khakis (I don't wear them that much).

--
Bill

You sure have deep pockets!

08-23-2009, 03:59 AM	#1
Baldrake Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 1792 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 3, HTC Mozart	5" or 6"? So I've pretty much decided that I'll be getting two readers - a large work one (waiting to see how the Plastic Logic one looks), and a smaller personal ePub reader for reading fiction. For the smaller one, the world has gotten more complicated recently. The two main contendors have just released 5" readers (Cybook Opus and Sony 300.) Intuitively, I think I'd prefer the larger size of a 6". But from what I'm reading, the relationship between size and readability isn't so obvious. (E.g., I read comments that the Opus may be as easy to read as the Kindle 2 in practice.) Unfortunately, it looks like my ideal reader would have been the Sony 505, which is now discontinued. Does anyone have any thoughts to offer on the 5" vs 6" topic?

08-23-2009, 01:51 PM	#6
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I have 2 of the 6-inch devices; I set my Kindle on the #2 font, which is one size smaller than their default. The Sony I set on the smallest font and I could be happy with a slightly smaller font. That tells me that a 5-inch would be fine, and I've been hoping to get one this summer. It dawns on me that summer is almost over, so I'm hoping to figure out which one I want fairly soon. I'm also hoping that the prices are more reasonable when several of them hit the market. Last edited by Elsi; 08-24-2009 at 01:12 AM. Reason: spelling

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08-23-2009, 04:14 AM	#2
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	If you have good eyesight and can read a smallish font, I'd recommend the 5" as it's more portable. I have to crank up my font to the largest setting all the time, so 6" fits more text on a screen for me.

08-23-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I'd like to second Doreen. Depending on your preferred font size, you might be happier with a 6". The Booken Opus looks very nice, ergonomics-wise. Ideal for holding one-handed. Apart from the sony 300 and Opus, there's also the Hanlin V5 (Astak pocket Pro or Bebook mini). Besides, I could find a number of sony 505's on ebay, and there might still be some to find in shops as well - I wouldn't give up just yet. It's a nice device, espcially with the PRSCustumizer hack and calibre library application.

08-23-2009, 07:43 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm now a "convert" to 5" devices; they are an excellent compromise between size and portability. The Opus is excellent.

08-23-2009, 12:52 PM	#5
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Should you get a 5 or 6 inch device? My answer would be YES! Actually, I have read on both... and the 5inch one isn't really that much smaller than the 6inch. Here is what I would suggest... if you are going to keep it at home, on the side table then get the 6inch... ...if you are going to expect to take it with you every where you go, then get the 5inch.... the smaller size will make it easier to carry around and also I think the smaller size will make it a bit more durable and not as subject to twisting pressure that could break the screen. Now the only question is which 6 or 5 inch device to get... yea, you thought this would be easy? BOb

08-23-2009, 02:29 PM	#7
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I'm actually wondering the same, should I get a 5" (BeBook Mini) or a 6" (Sony 600) (or others...) So far, I'm leaning on both... I like the small size of the 5" (I'm used to a 3.8" screen and I have that 7" screen too) but I like the touchscreen of the Sony 600...

08-23-2009, 03:13 PM	#9
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	6". More text per page. 1" doesn't make much difference in portabilty. Neither size is going to fit in your pocket, and that diagonal inch doesn't make much difference for something that's going in a purse, bookbag, briefcase etc. when carried around anyway.

08-23-2009, 10:14 PM	#12
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	The 5" readers might offer more portability for a woman (perhaps the 6" won't fit in her purse but the 5"will), but for a man what difference does it make? Anything more than 4.2-4.3" with no edges around the screen will not fit into your pants pocket. And if you have a briefcase then both will fit easily. And for reading I can imagine that the slightly bigger size is more comfortable. So the only issue might be price, though the difference is not much.

08-24-2009, 01:05 AM	#14
bsg75 Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle 2, PRS-600 (?)	I was leaning to the Sony 600. After seeing the screen cloudiness, I'm leaning to the BeBook Mini (Astak). I personally wouldn't buy 2 readers at the same time with the technology maturing so fast. As to the size differential, 6" models have 1" diagonal of marginalia by default. Blank space, progress bar, book title, battery indicator. Not only is the effective reading area 5", but it has correspondingly lower resolution. You can remove this margin on most models (Sony)... but not on Kindle (which I have). With 5" devices, on the other hand, the body of text goes nearly edge to edge by default. Probably this partly explains why some people say the screen size difference seems small. I'm new and I'm judging a lot by online pics so please correct me if I'm off base on this.

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