Night reading: Paperwhite vs tablet?

kzod · 12-15-2012, 02:52 PM

Just curious how people feel the experience of reading a pw in a dark room compares with a tablet. Obviously it's not a back-lit device, but I haven't seen one review that really talked about reading with these things in a dark environment. It's a given that an e-ink device is the best way to go under bright conditions, but how pleasing are they compared to the alternatives at night?

Kralik · 12-15-2012, 03:36 PM

I've been reading with my Nexus 7 with a black background, white/gray text and -75% brightness (you need a special app to reduce the brightness to negative levels). It's not all that bad, though in the complete darkness you can tell that the black isn't completely black because of the backlight. I'm expected a better experience once I get an AMOLED screen.

OtterBooks · 12-16-2012, 04:36 AM

The demand for external light is comparable to that of a paper book. It's really no more complicated than that.

HarryT · 12-16-2012, 09:43 AM

The main reason I bought the PW was for reading in bed, and, with the light on a low setting, I find it much more comfortable to use than either of my backlit tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2). It's a gentle light and the contrast is very good.

Shopaholic · 12-16-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The main reason I bought the PW was for reading in bed, and, with the light on a low setting, I find it much more comfortable to use than either of my backlit tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2). It's a gentle light and the contrast is very good.

Yep! What Harry said! Plus an ereader is a heck of a lot lighter than a tablet and therefore easier on the arms, wrists etc.

kzod · 12-16-2012, 01:26 PM

Thanks guys. I'm sold. Although in a tablet's defense when using a 7" (I have the Samsung 7.0 plus) with a black background it's pretty good. I just prefer having one device for all occasions. (Ok, and I kinda have an addiction to upgrading my hardware as new/better functionality comes out).

afv011 · 12-16-2012, 02:05 PM

I very much prefer reading on the glow since I got it. I used to read on one of my tablets at night, but the lit eInk is much better in my opinion.

livramax · 12-16-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

I very much prefer reading on the glow since I got it. I used to read on one of my tablets at night, but the lit eInk is much better in my opinion.

How is the Glow's battery consumption compared to that of the Simple Touch?

robko · 12-16-2012, 09:14 PM

I would assume it is similar to my experience with Kobo Touch vs Kobo Glo - I use the Glo with the light on all the time and the battery life is better than with my Touch. The led's used to light the screen don't seem to use any significant amount of power.

vbkun · 12-20-2012, 08:17 PM

haven't had any experiences on paperlight vs tablet, just regular e-ink. But what I can say is that:

Even a lightlamp + regular e-ink is better than a tablet.

My reader just died 2 days ago and i'm finding the reading on a tablet experience horrid =X

afv011 · 12-20-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livramax

How is the Glow's battery consumption compared to that of the Simple Touch?

Slightly less, but hardly an issue. I used to get about 4 weeks on the touch, I'm getting 3 on the glow. About half of my reading time is spent with the light on, at 25%-40%.

xendula · 12-21-2012, 11:19 AM

I have an iPad 3, Nexus 7, Basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite and only read on the PW at night (and during the day). I also had the original Fire. I read every night in bed, and the LCD scerens bother me when they are close to my face. Additionally, tablets are still much heavier than eink readers.

12-15-2012, 02:52 PM	#1
kzod Member Posts: 13 Karma: 546488 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: KPW	Night reading: Paperwhite vs tablet? Just curious how people feel the experience of reading a pw in a dark room compares with a tablet. Obviously it's not a back-lit device, but I haven't seen one review that really talked about reading with these things in a dark environment. It's a given that an e-ink device is the best way to go under bright conditions, but how pleasing are they compared to the alternatives at night?

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12-15-2012, 03:36 PM	#2
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	I've been reading with my Nexus 7 with a black background, white/gray text and -75% brightness (you need a special app to reduce the brightness to negative levels). It's not all that bad, though in the complete darkness you can tell that the black isn't completely black because of the backlight. I'm expected a better experience once I get an AMOLED screen.

12-16-2012, 04:36 AM	#3
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	The demand for external light is comparable to that of a paper book. It's really no more complicated than that.

12-16-2012, 09:43 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The main reason I bought the PW was for reading in bed, and, with the light on a low setting, I find it much more comfortable to use than either of my backlit tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2). It's a gentle light and the contrast is very good.

12-16-2012, 01:26 PM	#6
kzod Member Posts: 13 Karma: 546488 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: KPW	Thanks guys. I'm sold. Although in a tablet's defense when using a 7" (I have the Samsung 7.0 plus) with a black background it's pretty good. I just prefer having one device for all occasions. (Ok, and I kinda have an addiction to upgrading my hardware as new/better functionality comes out).

12-16-2012, 02:05 PM	#7
afv011 Captain Penguin Posts: 2,964 Karma: 2079777777 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Libra 2, Nook Glowlight	I very much prefer reading on the glow since I got it. I used to read on one of my tablets at night, but the lit eInk is much better in my opinion.

12-16-2012, 09:14 PM	#9
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	I would assume it is similar to my experience with Kobo Touch vs Kobo Glo - I use the Glo with the light on all the time and the battery life is better than with my Touch. The led's used to light the screen don't seem to use any significant amount of power.

12-20-2012, 08:17 PM	#10
vbkun Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 544634 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Maybe sony	haven't had any experiences on paperlight vs tablet, just regular e-ink. But what I can say is that: Even a lightlamp + regular e-ink is better than a tablet. My reader just died 2 days ago and i'm finding the reading on a tablet experience horrid =X

12-21-2012, 11:19 AM	#12
xendula eBookworm Posts: 2,300 Karma: 4525746 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Coast brrrrr Device: Kindle 4B/K ~ Nexus 7 ~ Kindle Paperwhite 1&2 ~ iPad Air	I have an iPad 3, Nexus 7, Basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite and only read on the PW at night (and during the day). I also had the original Fire. I read every night in bed, and the LCD scerens bother me when they are close to my face. Additionally, tablets are still much heavier than eink readers.

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