eReader shape - which do you prefer?

fathead · 03-12-2022, 11:30 AM

Square, oblong, don't care.

This is motivated entirely by idle curiosity but I would love to hear what you think.

theducks · 03-12-2022, 12:12 PM

I would really like an affordable eink in 9:10 format (could display a full standard paperback 'page' , just as the print version did.)
My standard view (font, line spacing) is already the same except it is missing the last bunch of lines.

Sirtel · 03-12-2022, 12:37 PM

Square, absolutely. Perfect for me. Could never feel comfortable with the oblong shape.

Colonel Cathcart · 03-12-2022, 03:15 PM

strange, I was expecting it to be about symmetry.
My 1st ereader is the Kobo Libra H2O, and I believe the ergonomics of it are great.
Honestly have on opinion about the general shape of the screen.

Uncle Robin · 03-12-2022, 03:27 PM

I had to vote "don't care" since dodecagonal was not offered as option.

hobnail · 03-12-2022, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I had to vote "don't care" since dodecagonal was not offered as option.

Just ask for circular and be done with it. But at least you didn't ask for triangular.

Apache · 03-12-2022, 07:15 PM

As long as I can read on it, I don't care what shape it is. How about Hexoctahedral?

Apache

Uncle Robin · 03-12-2022, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

As long as I can read on it, I don't care what shape it is. How about Hexoctahedral?

Apache

Although I said dodecagonal, my initial choice was dodecahedronal - the perfect shape for a truly random alea jacta est "next read" pick

spacepope · 03-12-2022, 10:52 PM

I put "don't care", but now on consideration I think I like the square shape better.

Though I would be happy with the oblong shape if it had asymmetrical sides (one side having a bigger "lip") so that you could easily hold the device one-handed without holding from the bottom. I love holding my Libra from the side, one handed, and the square design helps greatly with that.

SleepyBob · 03-14-2022, 01:27 PM

I prefer oblong, as my Paperwhite can just fit into a back pocket. If it were any wider, I couldn't do that.

JSWolf · 03-14-2022, 02:15 PM

If I didn't have the Libra 2, I would have voted rectangle. But after using the Libra 2, I'm OK with either shape.

What I might not like is rectangle with the wider side for buttons.

tomsem · 03-14-2022, 04:55 PM

This seems to me pretty much a question about whether you like physical page turn buttons or not. The only reader that I’ve had that approximated ‘square’ was a Nook Simple Touch. That said, I don’t want page turn buttons and prefer a narrower form factor.

JSWolf · 03-14-2022, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

This seems to me pretty much a question about whether you like physical page turn buttons or not. The only reader that I’ve had that approximated ‘square’ was a Nook Simple Touch. That said, I don’t want page turn buttons and prefer a narrower form factor.

When I am reading, the shape doesn't matter. The buttons I could do without. That would mean the wide edge would not be wide. I would prefer the same narrow bezel on all sides.

ZodWallop · 03-14-2022, 07:58 PM

Doh! I really don't care. But I fat-fingered the poll on my tablet and it voted oblong.

patrik · 03-15-2022, 10:02 AM

Depends on size. There is some sort of great width, after meeting that requirement I would prefer the screen increase being on it becoming taller.

Forma is very nice I think.

View Poll Results: Your preferred style of eReader
Square (Forma, Oasis, etc)	33	25.58%
Oblong (Clara, Nook, Pocketbook, etc)	67	51.94%
Don't care	30	23.26%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 129. You may not vote on this poll

03-12-2022, 11:30 AM	#1
fathead Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 708274 Join Date: Jun 2020 Device: Kobo Clara, Kobo Aura H2O2, PocketBook THD3, PocketBook IP3, Nook ST	eReader shape - which do you prefer? Square, oblong, don't care. This is motivated entirely by idle curiosity but I would love to hear what you think. Last edited by fathead; 03-12-2022 at 11:36 AM.

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03-12-2022, 12:12 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,250 Karma: 61360164 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I would really like an affordable eink in 9:10 format (could display a full standard paperback 'page' , just as the print version did.) My standard view (font, line spacing) is already the same except it is missing the last bunch of lines.

03-12-2022, 12:37 PM	#3
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,983 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Square, absolutely. Perfect for me. Could never feel comfortable with the oblong shape.

03-12-2022, 03:15 PM	#4
Colonel Cathcart Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 340434 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Israel Device: Kobo Libra H2O	strange, I was expecting it to be about symmetry. My 1st ereader is the Kobo Libra H2O, and I believe the ergonomics of it are great. Honestly have on opinion about the general shape of the screen.

03-12-2022, 03:27 PM	#5
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,662 Karma: 52758936 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	I had to vote "don't care" since dodecagonal was not offered as option.

03-12-2022, 07:15 PM	#7
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,306 Karma: 90981752 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	As long as I can read on it, I don't care what shape it is. How about Hexoctahedral? Apache

03-12-2022, 10:52 PM	#9
spacepope Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 5915366 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Device: Kobo Libra H2O, Kobo Clara, Kindle Paperwhite 3, Smartphone	I put "don't care", but now on consideration I think I like the square shape better. Though I would be happy with the oblong shape if it had asymmetrical sides (one side having a bigger "lip") so that you could easily hold the device one-handed without holding from the bottom. I love holding my Libra from the side, one handed, and the square design helps greatly with that.

03-14-2022, 01:27 PM	#10
SleepyBob Evangelist Posts: 426 Karma: 8522810 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Device: Kindle PW3	I prefer oblong, as my Paperwhite can just fit into a back pocket. If it were any wider, I couldn't do that.

03-14-2022, 02:15 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,746 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If I didn't have the Libra 2, I would have voted rectangle. But after using the Libra 2, I'm OK with either shape. What I might not like is rectangle with the wider side for buttons.

03-14-2022, 04:55 PM	#12
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,007 Karma: 27060353 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	This seems to me pretty much a question about whether you like physical page turn buttons or not. The only reader that I’ve had that approximated ‘square’ was a Nook Simple Touch. That said, I don’t want page turn buttons and prefer a narrower form factor.

03-14-2022, 07:58 PM	#14
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,499 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Doh! I really don't care. But I fat-fingered the poll on my tablet and it voted oblong.

03-15-2022, 10:02 AM	#15
patrik Guru Posts: 684 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	Depends on size. There is some sort of great width, after meeting that requirement I would prefer the screen increase being on it becoming taller. Forma is very nice I think.