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Quoth · 12-29-2019, 02:57 PM

I replaced my Windows 10 atom powered 10" with a 10" Android tablet on Friday, for about the difference in cost between a Libra and Forma.
For reading novels, or A5 approx complicated operator manuals (PDFs) the Libra is best.
But for reading magazines, larger format text books, data sheets and service manuals (all PDF), the new android tablet absolutely beats the Win10 tablet on speed, ease of use and battery life. The Libra is no use for those and even the Forma isn't big enough. Some of them need the colour.
Using Pocketbook for ebooks and PDFs on Android, though the GUI is too innovative. But a 6" phone, 7" or 10" tablet (LCD or OLED) is rubbish for reading actual ebooks and poorer than the eink for monochrome PDFs that fit OK on the Libra.

I've designed gadgets and worked with different screen technologies. I think you need:
1) eink 6" to 7" for prolonged ebook reading. I have a 5" Sony PRS350 and it's only sometimes better than a 6" phone.
2) 5" to 6" phone to read (or listen) on the go, when the 6" or 7" eink is too large. Can be half the price of eInk and people have them anyway, hence more than 50% of ebooks are read on them. The eink (item 1) is for people reading longer than a phone charge or with not as good eyes, or who prefer it. Note Phone aspect ratio not as good as eink ereaders.
3) a 10" to 14" LCD or OLED tablet for colour and larger PDFs. Can be 1/2 the price of a Libra. Most waste space in portrait due to aspect, but a larger tablet can work well in landscape with some types of two page spreads (10" too small).

I can't see the 10" to 14" einks being affordable and I can't see eink colour being viable except with a lot of front light. Also larger eink is harder to front light evenly.

12-29-2019, 02:57 PM	#5
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,230 Karma: 105299897 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I replaced my Windows 10 atom powered 10" with a 10" Android tablet on Friday, for about the difference in cost between a Libra and Forma. For reading novels, or A5 approx complicated operator manuals (PDFs) the Libra is best. But for reading magazines, larger format text books, data sheets and service manuals (all PDF), the new android tablet absolutely beats the Win10 tablet on speed, ease of use and battery life. The Libra is no use for those and even the Forma isn't big enough. Some of them need the colour. Using Pocketbook for ebooks and PDFs on Android, though the GUI is too innovative. But a 6" phone, 7" or 10" tablet (LCD or OLED) is rubbish for reading actual ebooks and poorer than the eink for monochrome PDFs that fit OK on the Libra. I've designed gadgets and worked with different screen technologies. I think you need: 1) eink 6" to 7" for prolonged ebook reading. I have a 5" Sony PRS350 and it's only sometimes better than a 6" phone. 2) 5" to 6" phone to read (or listen) on the go, when the 6" or 7" eink is too large. Can be half the price of eInk and people have them anyway, hence more than 50% of ebooks are read on them. The eink (item 1) is for people reading longer than a phone charge or with not as good eyes, or who prefer it. Note Phone aspect ratio not as good as eink ereaders. 3) a 10" to 14" LCD or OLED tablet for colour and larger PDFs. Can be 1/2 the price of a Libra. Most waste space in portrait due to aspect, but a larger tablet can work well in landscape with some types of two page spreads (10" too small). I can't see the 10" to 14" einks being affordable and I can't see eink colour being viable except with a lot of front light. Also larger eink is harder to front light evenly.