A4/letter sized e-ink

[Frotz]

Every now and then I see a story about someone making an A4/letter sized e-ink-based reader. But nothing ever comes of it. Does anyone know of such a device that's not vaporware? Something like this would be nice for reading the various PDF files I have that just don't work well with smaller screens.

[alanHd]

I too would love an A4 eink device for my PDF's, is there any technical reason they don't make larger Eink screens.

[HarryT]

Just a matter of economics, I suspect. The market for such a device would be extremely limited. Most people who want large screen devices want them for things like magazines, which a colour tablet is much better suited for. Students (who would, I would guess, be the primary market for a device like this) tend not to have a lot of money, and it would almost inevitably be very expensive.

[Beginner-reader]

I'm a student, so I'm very interested in such a device. It's a shame they never sold the DX where I live.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Beginner-reader

I'm a student, so I'm very interested in such a device. It's a shame they never sold the DX where I live.

But would you be willing to pay, say, $500, for such a device? Realistically, they would probably cost at least that much.

[Beginner-reader]

Well no, obviously I don't have the money.
I didn't even get that much for Christmas (all relatives included).
I'd gladly buy a DX though. Hopefully Amazon will start selling them again, or they'll come up with an even better product.

[poohbear_nc]

If you are willing to put up with the rather old firmware on the DX and just care about eInk screen size, new and refurbished models sporadically are sold at substantial discounts on WOOT or Amazon Daily Deals. Also, check the Amazon Warehouse Deals section too.

[Apache]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...8058&_from=R40
You can bid on the Kindle DX on ebay.
Apache

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But would you be willing to pay, say, $500, for such a device? Realistically, they would probably cost at least that much.

The Plastic Logic was listing for US$699 right up to the scheduled release, when it got cancelled.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The Plastic Logic was listing for US$699 right up to the scheduled release, when it got cancelled.

Yes, I know, but these days eInk could probably make an A4 screen for a little less, should they decide to do so (but I don't think they will).

[charmian]

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?...tId=0&manual=y

Well, looks like you can buy a 9.7" screen for less than $150, although even the knock-off products cost at least $200. 9.7" is quite a bit smaller than true A4 though, so it would cost even more. I don't even think they make LCD tablets that are A4.

In comparison, the screens alone for 6" readers seem to be retailing for about $30ish at the lowest. (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?...tId=0&manual=y). Of course, Amazon is probably paying way less for them. I found an iSuppli teardown claiming that in 2011 Amazon was paying that much for the screens. (http://www.mainstreet.com/article/sm...-costs-84-make)

Interestingly I see on that site that the cheapest 6" e-ink reader (as opposed to just the screen) is $65, which means that Amazon is not selling theirs for much more.

[rkomar]

Until they can make the screens from light, flexible material, I don't see anything above 9.7" as being practical. That reader is already pretty heavy. With the current technology, the larger the screen, the stiffer they have to make the reader against bending and twisting. That means stronger glass and a beefier case, which all adds up to more weight. The resolution only goes up with the linear dimension L, but the weight will go up at least as L squared (probably more to boost the stiffness), and the torque on the fingers and wrists will go up as L times the weight.

My 9.7" reader's screen is almost exactly the size of a letter-sized piece of paper folded in half. So, a letter sized screen would be roughly equivalent to two of my current ereaders laid side-by-side. Even without added weight to make the case stiffer, the thing would be unwieldy.

There are some flexible, plastic-substrate displays in development, so I live in hope that they can be used to produce larger displays someday. But who knows when that will be?

[4691mls]

I wouldn't want a reader that big - surely it would be heavy and awkward to hold?

I suppose it would be useful for people with low vision who need to use a really big font size.

[Beginner-reader]

Since I don't live in the US, I can't bid on the DX.
It's fine though, I'll wait for a bigger e-book reader. I love my Kindle, so it's all good. I use k2opt pdf a lot when I have to read stuff for college.

[Hellmark]

$130 for refurb DXs on clearance.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/350675626726?afsrc=1