The Kindle DX - A Review a Few Days In

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by soilwork

If the screen is more durable, we don't need so many ifs (including common sense and decent cover) to keep the screen intact.

Those ifs don't seem to be a big issue though since there don't seem to be many cases of anybody really having a problem.

I agree with the idea that plastic screens have advantages. However, you see a lot of manufacturers for plastic screen devices make overblown statements for how delicate glass screens are (not just picking on Robertb, lots of them do it). I don't think the glass screens are nearly as prone to breaking as some people assume they are. Real world experience (demonstrators tossing devices on the floor aside) seems to indicate that there's not a significant problem.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by soilwork

I don't think anyone will drop the device to the floor intentionally but it can happen accidentally.

Let me ask you a question, if you can choose a device
a) that breaks when dropped to the floor by accident
b) that does not break when dropped to the floor by accident.
will you still choose a) instead of b)? If some companies are working on b), I think it will be better than a).

As I posted above, I am not denying that the big-screen reader is useful the way it is for most people. I am claiming it will be more useful for more people with flexible screen.

I pick the one with the best contrast. Period. I am not one for dropping expensive electronics on the floor, or trying to twist them, or even leaving them out for the cats to pee on (which is the most likely form of abuse at this house).

That said, I have dropped my iPhone many many MANY times. That has a glass screen, and nothing has ever happened. It took hitting a big rig truck at 70 mph to damage my iPhone screen, and I have a feeling that an impact like that would also do significant damage to a plastic screen.

So, having a plastic screen as opposed to a glass screen means absolutely zip to me personally. It's not even on the long list of what I look for in an electronic reading device. Wouldn't even rate a line in my review.

However, other people have other needs, worries .... are amazingly accident prone, and regularly kill whatever electronics they have. So, maybe it's an important feature for them. Whatever floats your boat, you know??

[soilwork]

Maybe I was not very clear so far but iPod LCD glass screen is different from glass substrate beneath e-ink screen. I think the durability of iPod LCD screen is irrelevant when discussing durability of e-ink screen with glass substrate.

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

However, other people have other needs, worries .... are amazingly accident prone, and regularly kill whatever electronics they have. So, maybe it's an important feature for them. Whatever floats your boat, you know??

I agree with you there. It depends on your risk perception. I am also very careful with my gadgets and I rarely drop them. However, I will feel more comfortable carrying durable products rather than less durable ones. However, you may feel different.

It is quite interesting though. If two products have the same contrast and characteristics, would you still choose less durable ones than more durable ones?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

I pick the one with the best contrast. Period. I am not one for dropping expensive electronics on the floor, or trying to twist them, or even leaving them out for the cats to pee on (which is the most likely form of abuse at this house).

That said, I have dropped my iPhone many many MANY times. That has a glass screen, and nothing has ever happened. It took hitting a big rig truck at 70 mph to damage my iPhone screen, and I have a feeling that an impact like that would also do significant damage to a plastic screen.

So, having a plastic screen as opposed to a glass screen means absolutely zip to me personally. It's not even on the long list of what I look for in an electronic reading device. Wouldn't even rate a line in my review.

However, other people have other needs, worries .... are amazingly accident prone, and regularly kill whatever electronics they have. So, maybe it's an important feature for them. Whatever floats your boat, you know??

Dear All:

I understand. I am careful too with my Astak EZ Reader. I also understand about resolution and best contrast (reason Astak does not yet have a Touchscreen out). BUT... you should see some of the returns we get from FRY's electronics from their customers. Almost none are defective machines, but people actually sit on their devices. They drop them out 5 story apartment windows. They throw them in a duffle bag with dirty underware and let the airlines handle the bag. YOU would not do that and either would I... but a large percentage DO. The returns with thoroughly smashed screens is heartbreaking to see.

And, like you, I have passed my device around a jet I was taking and had 2-3 people drop it on the floor accidentally... or at a Trade Show where it fell off counters. YES... we take great care of our devices you and I... but accidents happen and it only takes one.

If the Flexi device actually costs less and has just as good resolution... it may be a great way to go.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

some days do you feel like you are tip-toeing around in the mine field you create but lost the map for?

Nice explanation btw...about time too...

Yes, a lot. If it is not an offended forum member it is my boss telling me I give out too much info. So, I have heeded your advice and try to just give info without saying bad about any other device. It is a thin line sometimes and hard to resist crossing over.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

I understand. I am careful too with my Astak EZ Reader. I also understand about resolution and best contrast (reason Astak does not yet have a Touchscreen out). BUT... you should see some of the returns we get from FRY's electronics from their customers. Almost none are defective machines, but people actually sit on their devices. They drop them out 5 story apartment windows. They throw them in a duffle bag with dirty underware and let the airlines handle the bag. YOU would not do that and either would I... but a large percentage DO. The returns with thoroughly smashed screens is heartbreaking to see.

And, like you, I have passed my device around a jet I was taking and had 2-3 people drop it on the floor accidentally... or at a Trade Show where it fell off counters. YES... we take great care of our devices you and I... but accidents happen and it only takes one.

If the Flexi device actually costs less and has just as good resolution... it may be a great way to go.

The quality of the resolution is your opinion. It may be a great way to go ... or it may not. It's all in what the consumer wants in their device, and that includes content and other features.

As noted, glass vs. plastic, not even on my long list, much less on the short one.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by soilwork

I don't think anyone will drop the device to the floor intentionally but it can happen accidentally.

How many DR/DX owners do you know of who have broken their screen by accidentally dropping it on the floor?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by sungeng1

Robert B,

What's the price tag of Hanlin V9?

Thanks.

Dear Sungeng:

The Flexi screen will not go into production until Sepetember...meaning the factory cannot make a final prototype until a few weeks later. PRICE?? That will depend on what features are on it and any problems that may pop up.

I can tell you that they hope to bring it in at $399-$449 with a ton of features... but that is conjecture.

You have a great question but an answer is likely three months away.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by soilwork

It is quite interesting though. If two products have the same contrast and characteristics, would you still choose less durable ones than more durable ones?

I doubt you're going to see two absolutely identical products except for glass vs plastic. The only way you'd really see that is if one manufacturer made the same product with both versions of the screen. Personally, I would think other features/price would be a bigger factor in the decision than whether it had a glass or plastic screen. That's basically the point I'm trying to make. I don't think the difference is all that significant in everyday use.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

You expect electronic devices to be regularly thrown on to a hard floor? If this was something that happened frequently, there would be a lot of reports of broken screens. I honestly don't remember seeing any, either on here or over on iRex's own forums. Have you heard of many?

I have by accident dropped my Cybook once and my phone twice on the floor so I expect that items you handle daily in different ways will sooner or later be dropped on the floor.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I understand. I am careful too with my Astak EZ Reader. I also understand about resolution and best contrast (reason Astak does not yet have a Touchscreen out). BUT... you should see some of the returns we get from FRY's electronics from their customers. Almost none are defective machines, but people actually sit on their devices. They drop them out 5 story apartment windows. They throw them in a duffle bag with dirty underware and let the airlines handle the bag. YOU would not do that and either would I... but a large percentage DO. The returns with thoroughly smashed screens is heartbreaking to see.

All that is true, but I don't really think there is much of a difference between small glass screens vs large glass screens. To put it in an iRex perspective, which I'm more familiar with... I've seen lots of reports of iLiads (8" screen) with broken screens, but very few (if any) reports of DRs (10" screen). It doesn't appear from that example that the DRs are more prone to breaking than the iLiads, even though they have a larger screen. Yes, glass screens can break from twisting, but I think it has much more to do with the structural support/design of the case than it does with how large the screen is.

[soilwork]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Those ifs don't seem to be a big issue though since there don't seem to be many cases of anybody really having a problem.

I have two paper shredders. One needs oil before use and the other does not. Of course, occasionally applying oil is not a big issue but I would rather not do that and that is why I always use the shredder that does not need oil. Same logic applies here. I usually take care with all my gadgets but I will feel more comfortable with ones requiring less care than those requiring more care.

I don't think the glass screens are nearly as prone to breaking as some people assume they are. Real world experience (demonstrators tossing devices on the floor aside) seems to indicate that there's not a significant problem.

If you are claiming that both are not that different in terms of durability under normal usage with reasonable care, yes, I agree with you. If you are claiming that there is no difference in durability under any condition, I think it is simply incorrect.

As I responded to RickyMaveety, how important such extra durability depends you how you perceive the risk. However, your perception/evaluation does not change the fact that there is a difference in durability under some conditions.

Frankly, I am not sure why this is an issue of debate in the first place. If everything else is identical (cost, contrast, ...and so on), more durable ones is strictly better than less durable ones. Let us think about the car safety. The current crop of cars may be safe enough for most people in most cases. However, I don't see any harm in developing safer cars.

[soilwork]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I've seen lots of reports of iLiads (8" screen) with broken screens, but very few (if any) reports of DRs (10" screen). It doesn't appear from that example that the DRs are more prone to breaking than the iLiads, even though they have a larger screen.

You are comparing the number of broken screen from DR and iliad. To be correctly compare the durability of two screens, you should compare the ratio of broken screen under the same usage condition.

[Abelturd]

Originally Posted by soilwork

You are comparing the number of broken screen from DR and iliad. To be correctly compare the durability of two screens, you should compare the ratio of broken screen under the same usage condition.

I think this debate is pointless as long as there are no statistical data on the number of broken screens in controlled conditions. Estimates based on the responses in fora about broken screens won't stand as a reliable and relevant argument.
But I think that all of us agree that the more durable and more resistant the better, right?

[soilwork]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

I think this debate is pointless as long as there are no statistical data on the number of broken screens in controlled conditions. Estimates based on the responses in fora about broken screens won't stand as a reliable and relevant argument.
But I think that all of us agree that the more durable and more resistant the better, right?

That is exactly my point. You expressed it more clearly and in shorter sentences than me