do have i this right? 6 inch screen?

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by exo

I take it that there are 5 different sizes for the kindle 2? and 6 for the DX?

There are 6 for both.

[charleski]

Originally Posted by exo

the kindle only has a 6 inch diagonal screen? how could this be? even a mass market paperback has a diagonal of 8 inches. trade paperbacks have a diagonal of 9.5 inches. so is it possible that people can read on the kindle?

I pulled out a few books and measured them.
Paperbacks have a text area ranging from 6" to 7" diagonal. Trade paperbacks and hardbacks have a text area around 8".

So a 6" screen is the same size as a small paperback. Similarly, my Sony 505 is around the size of a paperback, though much slimmer.

What's the problem?

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by charleski

I pulled out a few books and measured them.
Paperbacks have a text area ranging from 6" to 7" diagonal. Trade paperbacks and hardbacks have a text area around 8".

So a 6" screen is the same size as a small paperback. Similarly, my Sony 505 is around the size of a paperback, though much slimmer.

What's the problem?

As I mentioned in my post back here, the screen isn't too much smaller than the text area of a paperback.

Unfortunately, it's a little on the small and squat side if you want to make a book with functional margins. Fortunately for epub readers, typesetting is just a horrific bourgeois exploit, so they don't need to worry about it.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by exo

the kindle only has a 6 inch diagonal screen? how could this be? even a mass market paperback has a diagonal of 8 inches. trade paperbacks have a diagonal of 9.5 inches. so is it possible that people can read on the kindle?

It's possible to read on it, but it is not as pleasant, nor as immersive, as reading on the larger Kindle DX.

There are people who are happy reading even on the 3.5" screen of the iPhone. Good on them, but I find small screen experience akin to watching an epic movie on an airplane coach seat monitor.

[fugazied]

6" is actually decent to read on. Don't forget you can change font settings and what not.

A small device also fits in your pocket, no one wants to lug around 12"+ devices for portable readers. At that size they need to do more than just ebooks imo.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by Sonist

It's possible to read on it, but it is not as pleasant, nor as immersive, as reading on the larger Kindle DX.

There are people who are happy reading even on the 3.5" screen of the iPhone. Good on them, but I find small screen experience akin to watching an epic movie on an airplane coach seat monitor.

Or an epic movie on the 3.5" screen of the iPhone.

[exo]

For those who have 5 inch readers...now here is a sad picture...



Same size as a tiny notepad.

[daffy4u]

Only if the the width and height are the same. You can get a 5 inch diagonal with many sets of measurements.

You really need to head out to a store that sells any kind of ebook reader and look and touch. Then you will know how the sizes do or don't work for you.

[kennyc]

I wouldn't say sad at all. The 5" reader is very portable and usable!

[Idoine]

Keep in mind too that it's the size of the screen, not the device !
And I agree with the majority, to really make your mind, you should test one in real...

[GhostHawk]

I'm totally happy with my 5" Jetbook. Here is the cool part, it displays words on the screen. When you press the page turn it displays a new batch. Endlessly, as fast as I can read and push the button. I can read faster, and more comfortably on a Jetbook than any Pbook ever printed. And with only one hand! Hows that for style! Try that with a hardcover, or 1"+ thick paperback.

Sure if I was made of money, and if Jetbook had an 8" model I "might" be tempted.
But I'm sure not sad, and money is tight around here. 5" is incredibly portable, and easy to read on. I'm not "settling" for anything. As far as I'm concerned I've got the best reader on the market. And I'm wondering whats taking the rest of the world so long to figure it out.

[Hellmark]

I read for a long time on my N800, which has a 4.1" screen. my 6" PRS505 is huge in comparison. Yeah, it is smaller than some of my hard backs, but compared to a bunch of paperbacks, it is similar. The big thing to keep in mind, is that with books, you'll have margins, where they are nothing but white space. Ebook readers, have very small margins. The book I have up, has about a quarter inch margine all around.

[ardeegee]

Originally Posted by exo

For those who have 5 inch readers...now here is a sad picture...



Same size as a tiny notepad.

Is there any way to interpret that other than pure trolling?

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I read for a long time on my N800, which has a 4.1" screen. my 6" PRS505 is huge in comparison. Yeah, it is smaller than some of my hard backs, but compared to a bunch of paperbacks, it is similar. The big thing to keep in mind, is that with books, you'll have margins, where they are nothing but white space. Ebook readers, have very small margins. The book I have up, has about a quarter inch margine all around.

Same here and I also LOVE reading on my Clie nx73v...great screen with wonderful resolution. Plus my Clie is perfectly readable in direct sunlight, wish my N800 was as well. Only drawback for the N800 is no DRM content, but I have plenty of non-DRM otions from which to choose.

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Is there any way to interpret that other than pure trolling?

Finally someone see the thread for what it really is...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

As I mentioned in my post back here, the screen isn't too much smaller than the text area of a paperback.

Unfortunately, it's a little on the small and squat side if you want to make a book with functional margins. Fortunately for epub readers, typesetting is just a horrific bourgeois exploit, so they don't need to worry about it.

Why would I want a margin? Every pbook I read now, I find the margin a waste of space...

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I read for a long time on my N800, which has a 4.1" screen. my 6" PRS505 is huge in comparison. Yeah, it is smaller than some of my hard backs, but compared to a bunch of paperbacks, it is similar. The big thing to keep in mind, is that with books, you'll have margins, where they are nothing but white space. Ebook readers, have very small margins. The book I have up, has about a quarter inch margine all around.

I've been reading on my 3.4" Loox for so long, the 5" Mini does look huge. And don't even mention the humongous 7" of my JE-100...


It's all what you're used to. If you're always used to reading hard covers or trade paperbacks, yes, 6" might be small. If you're always used to reading mass market pockets, you'll not really notice the difference.