Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf
While it may be the best color eInk Reader, it's a lot overpriced and it's not good at B&W without the light being on.
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I find this far more interesting than comparing a colour e-reader with a tablet. Personally, I think that focusing the discussion on the comparison between e-readers is the way forward and the way to address the real questions that the user of an e-reader will ask. And this is where the preferences of each user are really decisive. I formulate a few questions that I find particularly interesting (others will surely have others) and then leave my answers:
1.- Does a comic book look better on a colour e-reader or on a non-colour one?
2.- Is it better to read a novel that does not need colour on an e-reader with or without colour?
3.- How does the screen of a colour e-reader look like in comparison to a non-colour e-reader?
4.- Is it worth paying a premium for a colour e-reader?
I would like to say that I have unequivocal answers to these questions, but the truth is that I do not. I don't know whether I'm envious or discouraged by the emphatic way in which some people express themselves when it comes to evaluating an e-reader. Sometimes I think I would like to be as clear as others are, and sometimes I think, thank goodness I'm not so closed-minded and obtuse.
The only colour e-reader I had ever held in my hands was the Pocketbook InkPad Color and I didn't like it at all, perhaps influenced by the fact that I'm not a user who reads a lot of comics. I found its screen unbearably blue and dark. It was not an e-reader for me, although I have always recognised its usefulness for a certain type of user.
But now I have to say that the Tab Mini C has changed my perception and assessment of colour e-readers (making it clear that not all colour e-readers are the same). My opinion is that this device can be used by a much wider range of users than the typical comic book reader.
I, unlike those who compare a colour e-reader with a tablet, have never doubted its usefulness for comics. I believe that any colour e-reader (even older technology) displays comics better than a non-colour e-reader. I know there are people who prefer to see them in black and white, but that's not my case. Colour, however "pastel" it may be, seems to me to add value.
But what really surprised me about the Tab Mini C is how good it looks for reading books without colour. Its (illuminated) screen is really good. The colour temperature adjustment and the increased colour resolution have done it a lot of good. And its homogeneous illumination is really fantastic. Personally I have no problem reading any kind of book on this device. I'm not going to "theorise" about its contrast levels. I think it is one of the best (illuminated) screens you can currently find in the 8" segment.
Where it really loses out is when compared to a non-illuminated screen of any other e-reader. There is no argument here. It is much darker, and I don't find it pleasant to use without illumination. Of course there are always nuances. In direct sunlight the differences are not so obvious and, in my opinion, a comic book still looks better in this particular situation than on a colourless e-reader. But in the shade I personally don't like the way the screen looks. So a user who does not regularly use the illumination of his or her e-reader is bound to be disappointed. Fortunately, I am not that kind of user. I always use the illumination on my e-readers and I love the Tab Mini C's (illuminated) display.
So, in conclusion, is it worth paying that extra money? Honestly, I think that for the average user (if it's even possible to talk about this kind of user) it's not worth it. But for the user who is interested in a specific feature of this device or simply wants to have a multi-purpose device, I think it is a really good option.
All this reflection is just a personal opinion and I hope it can be useful to other people. I have no desire to polemicise with anyone.