Tablet or reader for textbooks

Frederik · 08-24-2012, 03:35 AM

Hello there,

I am studying, and as such need to read textbooks, the textbooks contains many figures, tables and graphics. The textbooks can be a pain to haul around, and they take up alot of space.

Besides the studies I read alot in my spare time. Also taking up space and being impractical.

Because of eyestrain / tiredness and because of the duration: I read for hours daily, I do not want to use a tablet with a LCD display.

The tablets have many of the functions that would be "good" for studying, but lack a e-ink screen or alike. Similarly the e-ink readers are surely good to read on, but lack color, screen size etc.

Also the one color e-ink device currently availble seems to be plain awful.

Questions

Is there any good alternatives? What is the time frame for a combined LCD / e-ink device? Does electrowetting have any merit, or is it just a pipe dream?

Any insight?

charmian · 08-24-2012, 05:03 AM

There is a device with a Pixel Qi screen available, the Notion Ink Adam, but unfortunately it isn't very good. It is possible to take a netbook, too, and replace the screen with a Pixel Qi screen. That might be your best bet.

Electrowetting is not commercially available. TBH I'd say the most impressive thing I've seen is Fujitsu's Flepia cholesteric LCD tech, which exists commercially, but not in the US and for a high price.

Frederik · 08-24-2012, 09:39 AM

Ok. I do not see an appeal in buying a netbook. The tablet / e-reader format suits me fine.

Any idea whether such like electrowetting or E-ink on top of LCD, screen-technologies might become availble in the near future? Or is this top secret in the industry?

Else, I will just stick to good old paper.

jbcohen · 08-24-2012, 10:49 AM

I think that most of the tablets out there are LCD. Well there is no one best tablet for all people so you need to look at the tablet's specs and see if its strength and weaknesses meets your needs. I, personally have a Kindle Fire and its not terrbly great for any text books becuase of its smaller size. I guess my recommendations are for the Samsung Galaxy.

Frederik · 08-24-2012, 01:31 PM

Yes, that is also what I have come to conclude myself. But, my question is more along the lines whether such technologies is "coming" or not. I have little need for the present tablets.

Shopaholic · 08-25-2012, 03:59 PM

Sadly, none of us own crystal balls to know what is coming or when.

Probably? sure. When? who knows. Around the corner? doubtful.

Frederik · 08-26-2012, 02:20 AM

Fair enough, though sometimes these things are public "secrets". It seems I can direct my attention elsewhere.
Thank you for the kind replies.

08-24-2012, 03:35 AM	#1
Frederik Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: none	Tablet or reader for textbooks Hello there, I am studying, and as such need to read textbooks, the textbooks contains many figures, tables and graphics. The textbooks can be a pain to haul around, and they take up alot of space. Besides the studies I read alot in my spare time. Also taking up space and being impractical. Because of eyestrain / tiredness and because of the duration: I read for hours daily, I do not want to use a tablet with a LCD display. The tablets have many of the functions that would be "good" for studying, but lack a e-ink screen or alike. Similarly the e-ink readers are surely good to read on, but lack color, screen size etc. Also the one color e-ink device currently availble seems to be plain awful. Questions Is there any good alternatives? What is the time frame for a combined LCD / e-ink device? Does electrowetting have any merit, or is it just a pipe dream? Any insight?

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08-24-2012, 05:03 AM	#2
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	There is a device with a Pixel Qi screen available, the Notion Ink Adam, but unfortunately it isn't very good. It is possible to take a netbook, too, and replace the screen with a Pixel Qi screen. That might be your best bet. Electrowetting is not commercially available. TBH I'd say the most impressive thing I've seen is Fujitsu's Flepia cholesteric LCD tech, which exists commercially, but not in the US and for a high price.

08-24-2012, 09:39 AM	#3
Frederik Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: none	Ok. I do not see an appeal in buying a netbook. The tablet / e-reader format suits me fine. Any idea whether such like electrowetting or E-ink on top of LCD, screen-technologies might become availble in the near future? Or is this top secret in the industry? Else, I will just stick to good old paper.

08-24-2012, 10:49 AM	#4
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	I think that most of the tablets out there are LCD. Well there is no one best tablet for all people so you need to look at the tablet's specs and see if its strength and weaknesses meets your needs. I, personally have a Kindle Fire and its not terrbly great for any text books becuase of its smaller size. I guess my recommendations are for the Samsung Galaxy.

08-24-2012, 01:31 PM	#5
Frederik Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: none	Yes, that is also what I have come to conclude myself. But, my question is more along the lines whether such technologies is "coming" or not. I have little need for the present tablets.

08-25-2012, 03:59 PM	#6
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1841741 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	Sadly, none of us own crystal balls to know what is coming or when. Probably? sure. When? who knows. Around the corner? doubtful.

08-26-2012, 02:20 AM	#7
Frederik Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: none	Fair enough, though sometimes these things are public "secrets". It seems I can direct my attention elsewhere. Thank you for the kind replies.

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