Are larger sized eink displays actually better suited to reading?

[6charlong]

Originally Posted by goodellboy

Page turns are distracting. Less frequent page turns = easier absorption into the reading material. The K2 will always be a disappointment to me after having used the KDX.

We need to see what the new Epson controller will do. I have hopes (once more) for the 5-inch Astak. If page turns are fast enough it can solve the problem. The smaller devices are definitely easier to carry and hold.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by 6charlong

We need to see what the new Epson controller will do. I have hopes (once more) for the 5-inch Astak. If page turns are fast enough it can solve the problem. The smaller devices are definitely easier to carry and hold.

It's really not the speed so much, but the frequency of changing the screen.

Also, the larger screen allows better immersion, and less disruption of concentration. Larger screens make for a fuller experience. There is a reason why books are not 2"x4", even though it would make them more pocketable.

Kind of like watching a movie: I can do it on my phone, but it's better on a large screen.

[Elfwreck]

Text lines that are too long, are hard to follow. I like a small font, so a screen no bigger than a paperback is best for me.

There's a reason newspapers and magazines use columns instead of a single line of text all the way across the page. And yes, we don't (normally) have 3" books... but we also don't print popular fiction on letter-size pages, even though that'd be cheaper to make.

If the column of text is too wide, it fails to provide the better immersion that larger pages are supposed to allow.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Text lines that are too long, are hard to follow....

True, but this is not the case with the current large e-reader screens, so I don't see how it applies.

Unless someone has problems reading a hard-cover book, they'll be able to enjoy the current large screens (such as the Kindle DX.) In fact, the 9.7" screen of the DX is still smaller than most hard-covers.

Magazines are considerable larger than books, and generally use smaller font size. Thus they use the two or more columns format.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Sonist

True, but this is not the case with the current large e-reader screens, so I don't see how it applies.

It's a problem I have with some books on my Sony PRS-505. When the font is set at the size I'm most comfortable reading, the text lines are just a little too long.

Unless someone has problems reading a hard-cover book,

That'd be me.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

...
That'd be me.

Have you tried moving the hair off your eyes...?

[Lemurion]

Larger screens are better for some people for some uses.

The same is true of smaller.

One size does not fit all.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

My DX definitely has better contrast than my K2 or my ex-K1.

Originally Posted by sirbruce

Just FYI, my KDX background is slightly but noticeably lighter than my K2 background. And when I compared my K2 background to a dozen other K1s and K2s, mine was the lightest background there (though they are all nearly identical). I've read several K2 owners who said their KDX is more readable.

That is exactly the feedback I was interested in. While I am not going to pop for a KDX tomorrow, I had an intuition that the overall size of the panel will give a higher percentage of "white space" which in turn could equate to more light being reflected back to the reader's eyes. If that was the case I was getting a sense it would create, even if it's sort of a "special effects" sort of thing, a display that feels more contrasty with the characters standing out more.

I would bet that if one were to look at the same sized sections of a K2 and KDX panels, the color levels and contrast ratios would be the same...BUT, using the panels at their full size, the larger panel might appear to have a whiter background and darker characters. That could lead to a more paper like reading environment.

Again that was a pure thought experiment on my side as I know nobody with a KDX and do not plan on buying one.

EDIT: Neeeever mind this part of my post...brain cloud...thanks Sonist!!

For everyone else bantering about the ideal this and reading preference that, you missed the point of the question. The question was pretty clear and pretty much requires actually having used the devices in question, preferably at the same time.

I think the points made in this thread are interesting and sort of offer something worth looking at in more detail as more devices come out using the same cookie cutter components.

[Jill74]

my DX is just enough to satisfy my needs..

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

...
For everyone else bantering about the ideal this and reading preference that, you missed the point of the question....

Bleh, then you have to learn to pose clear questions....

The 9.7" screen presents a view more like that the page of a p-book, smaller than a hard-cover, and roughly 30% larger than a paperback.

The 6" Kindle shows about one third less real estate, than a paperback page.

So, for those who prefer hard-covers, and find micro editions unpleasant to read, the large screen is more appealing.

And, your intuition is wrong. If you were asking about brightness, the Kindle DX screen IS a tad brighter, than the Kindle v.2. If you cover the screens, so as to show the same size square on both devices, the DX screen still appears a shade lighter. (The iLiad BE screen is a tad lighter than the K2 as well.)

But both Kindles are readable, and unless you have them next to each other, and you are examining them, you wouldn't notice it. But, the DX also has a slightly greater font weight, which helps too.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Sonist

Bleh, then you have to learn to pose clear questions....

The 9.7" screen presents a view more like that the page of a p-book, smaller than a hard-cover, and roughly 30% larger than a paperback.

The 6" Kindle shows about one third less real estate, than a paperback page.

So, for those who prefer hard-covers, and find micro editions unpleasant to read, the large screen is more appealing.

And, your intuition is wrong. If you were asking about brightness, the Kindle DX screen IS a tad brighter, than the Kindle v.2. If you cover the screens, so as to show the same size square on both devices, the DX screen still appears a shade lighter. (The iLiad BE screen is a tad lighter than the K2 as well.)

But both Kindles are readable, and unless you have them next to each other, and you are examining them, you wouldn't notice it. But, the DX also has a slightly greater font weight, which helps too.

Oh jeeze, you are correct...I was thinking about the thread I originally was going to start...so, neeeever mind...hahahaha...I had a brain cloud!

[Daithi]

Tallmomof2, do you prefer reading a novel with your K2 or with your KDX?

Personally, I prefer reading on the KDX, but it's a close call. The KDX is definately heavier, and I usually end up holding it with two hands, but when it comes down to it, I prefer the larger screen which allows fewer page turns. When it comes to books that aren't novels the KDX wins decisively.

One more thing, I usually read at home. This means I normally don't lug my Kindle around with me (unless I'm flying), so portability isn't that big of a concern for me. If you take your reader with you wherever you go then a K2 might be preferable. Didn't somebody say they carry their Kindle in their pocket? Their pockets must be enourmous.

BTW, my KDX's background is definately lighter than my K1.

[TallMomof2]

Daithi -

When I'm home I definitely prefer the DX for reading novels because of the screen size but it is quite heavy and the right hand only buttons distract me because I keep trying to press the non-existent left hand side buttons.

I have a nice lap desk that I use with my laptop that works great with the DX since the back of the lap desk tilts. Also, M-Edge has DX cases that open like a steno pad and can be used to stand the DX upright for reading at a table or desk.

Personally, I like reading anything on a larger screen because I don't have to turn the page as frequently.

[DaleDe]

I suspect another factor is the text is bigger on the DX. A document on the DX will show larger text even though the font size is the same due to the fact that the ppi is lower. It is only about 150 on the DX while it is 167 on a 6" device and will be 200 ppi on the 5" when they are released. While some vocal people insist that 600 ppi is needed to comfortably read I believe more people just like the font a little bigger and unconsciously like it better.

It will be interesting to see if the 200 ppi will grab anyone's attention as being superior to the 167 ppi on 6" devices. I am waiting for everyone to weigh in once they start using these devices. If 5" devices turn out to be better in the long run for the reading experience I would expect 6" devices to migrate to a 768 x 1024 screen.