Quote:
Originally Posted by BenLee
I think it's great that you can read for sustained periods with LCD screens.
I don't think you're in the majority however. Many people complained about NOT reading ebooks a few years ago because they don't like staring at a computer. LCD screens haven't changed much. They still wear your eyes out.
I like iPads too, but I'm not going to deny that e-ink is superior for looking at for long periods of time.
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Actually, LCD screens have changed from a few years ago, especially in the mobile device category. We are a long way from the old flickering florescent backlit low res screens that were common before.
And, "They still wear your eyes out" is just subjective-and not borne out by any scientific studies I've seen. LED backlit, IPS LCDs have not been extensively tested for "eye wear out" as far as I know.
Like others, I'm pretty tired of the eInk vs. LCD battles-there is a huge difference between "personal preference", which everyone can hopefully respect, and blanket "it should be obvious to everyone that x is better than y" statements, which have no basis in fact..or rather any facts that I've seen backed by evidence other than anecdotal.
And yes, I realize that some people just cannot read on LCD screens, and get headaches, etc. Everyone has different tolerance levels, I'm sure. I'm just saying that the scientific research on it is inconclusive:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan...29-2010jan29/2
Quote:
A perhaps more dubious strike against the iPad is that the light from its screen could put strain on users' eyes after prolonged periods of use. Electronic ink, which was created to mimic the visual properties of a printed page, has been praised by critics and consumers as being more eye-friendly.
But the science does not yet support the idea that backlit digital displays are bad for your eyes, said Ivan Schwab, a professor of ophthalmology at UC Davis.
The idea that computer screens cause eyestrain "is more hearsay and anecdotal," he said. "I don't think the screen is any more toxic to the eye."
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One thing that DOES puzzle me though; if the eInk manufacturers are convinced there are obvious, testable. scientific health/eye strain advantages to eInk displays...where are the formal studies to back it up? Amazon definitely has the resources to make it happen, and I'm surprised they haven't done something of the sort, just for the potentially huge marketing advantage.
Of course, maybe they are hard at work on that research right now ;p