Quote:
Originally Posted by rgeorg
Hi griffinwing,
I really enjoy your posts on the Astak thread! "Used to be a problem" is debatable since everyone with an eink reader currently has this problem (should I say "feature?"  ).
The Epson controller does sound promising as far as reducing flash goes (the "non-problem" that the manufacturers are scrambling to cure!) - but I don't think the devices are available yet? Has Robertb posted a video of the new page-turn rate? I think it's only a claim for now. At this point in time it's "6 of one and half-dozen of another" regarding eyestrain LCD vs flashing of eink - a draw(IMHO). How long one reads at a sitting is also relevant - I read <1hour in general. For lucky others who have hours-and-hours to read at a sitting, eink may make more sense.
Other issues being more-or-less even as you point out, and we are left with expensive, breakable and single-purpose. I'm referring to the $200-$500 offerings, although prices seem to be dropping fast. I'm just pointing out that:
1. It's not necessarily true (and definitely not proven) that "many more" people use/prefer - and are willing to pay the premium for - eink over LCD.
2. The perceived advantages of eink over LCD are not clear (at least not to me), and certainly not trouble/issue-free. I grant you that this is a debatable issue - OK? 
3. Ebook readers in general are relatively expensive when compared to other PMP devices (such as mp3 players). This must change.
This is an interesting discussion that is probably a waste of time as new models and technology are expected to be available in the coming 6-12 months which will totally change the discussion parameters. |
The price premium for eink devices over multi-function devices such as PMPs is not solely due to the display technology, display size also plays a part in it. The screens on most PMPs are just too small to read comfortably on. I have two PDAs, and the 3.5" screen on the iPaq is the smallest screen I can comfortably read on - I've tried using the screen on my phone, but it's just too small for any length of time.
All else being equal, Readers are always going to be more expensive than most PMPs because the screens are larger. Yes they will get cheaper, but unless people are willing to accept much smaller screens they won't get as cheap as budget PMPs.
As to advantages: both eink and LCD have real advantages over each other. Eink's greater battery life is a real advantage, not simply perceived, as is LCD's ability to display color.
Now which advantages are more important to you as a reader may be a different question - but eink has real advantages.
I will say this: I've been reading on eink for a month - and had portable LCD for four years - and I find eink much better. I'm not opposed to LCD - but I don't consider current LCDs to be as good for reading as eink.