LCD vs. e-ink: The eyestrain debate

Kris777 · 11-08-2011, 01:32 PM

I found interesting the article about reading on LCD vs. e-ink
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-20021227-82.html

Vote results on CNET, what is your opinion?:

Which electronic reading format is easiest on the eyes?

1. E-ink
76%
2. Color LCD
9%
3. No preference
15%
Total votes: 5100

LuBiB · 11-08-2011, 01:46 PM

eInk over Color LCD anyday.

That backlight is a killer!

ucfgrad93 · 11-08-2011, 01:56 PM

I prefer eink.

monkeyluis · 11-08-2011, 02:19 PM

I have no problem with either. I read on my Kindle and my iPad. Right now I'm reading an iBooks book. When I'm done with that I'll read my next book on the Kindle Fire because I'd like to see what that's like. Then I'll read the book after that on my Kindle Touch. LOL... Doesn't really matter to me. Yes I love the eInk, but LCD does not bother me at all.

poohbear_nc · 11-08-2011, 02:31 PM

eInk screens are a lifesaver for me. I am a lifelong sufferer of migraine headaches - one of whose features is extreme sensitivity to light. Which makes it impossible for me to watch TV, read on a PC screen, read on my Android tablet, etc. But I can read on an eInk screen without pain or discomfort!

ilovejedd · 11-08-2011, 04:43 PM

While I do prefer e-ink when reading (as long as there's adequate lighting), LCD doesn't bother me as long as I can turn down the backlight to a sufficiently low level.

kjk · 11-08-2011, 05:09 PM

Where is the "both are easy on my eyes" option?

Kris777 · 11-08-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

Where is the "both are easy on my eyes" option?

Well, no option like this. I can add this option but I'm not sure how to change it...

Hamlet53 · 11-08-2011, 05:43 PM

For me e-ink is definitely easier on the eyes than the color LCD of a computer screen. I have so far been please with my Nook Color using the android Cool Reader application. Though the way that is set up it looks more to my eye like printing on paper. That and I have not done enough reading using the Nook to really come to a strong conclusion over whether or not my opinion will change.

poohbear_nc · 11-08-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris777

Well, no option like this. I can add this option but I'm not sure how to change it...

Fixed that for you - let me know if it reads OK.

The Terminator · 11-08-2011, 06:57 PM

Eink all the way.

HansTWN · 11-08-2011, 07:12 PM

I do read on LCDs -- but when I can I always use e-ink. It is just much more comfortable.

SCION · 11-08-2011, 07:33 PM

I read on both. I tend to reach for my tablet more than my eInk device. I can change the background and font colors, dim the brightness and it's all good. If I'm in the sun, the tablet gets no play. Both devices are with me at all times.

wyndslash · 11-08-2011, 07:35 PM

eink. a few years back i found myself unable to stand reading on an lcd screen for long amounts of time. i actually don't know if this is the result of years of computer usage, actually. i don't remember being as sensitive to light as i am now :x

ClairePMR · 11-08-2011, 07:40 PM

I certainly appreciate e-ink in bright light settings, but I've never had a problem with LCD or other back-lit screens. In fact, the one thing that annoys me about my Nook (1st ed) is that I need to add a book light to it. Started with an EB1150 more than ten years ago, and I miss the "instant" night/low-light reading. When I can afford it, I plan to buy either the Nook Color or Tablet.

View Poll Results: Which electronic reading format is easiest on the eyes?
E-ink	295	76.62%
Color LCD	14	3.64%
Both are equally easy on my eyes	76	19.74%
Voters: 385. You may not vote on this poll

11-08-2011, 01:32 PM	#1
Kris777 Banned Posts: 1,767 Karma: 2520493 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Nexus 7, jetBook-Lite, jetBook mini, Toshiba Thrive, JETBOOK COLOR	LCD vs. e-ink: The eyestrain debate I found interesting the article about reading on LCD vs. e-ink http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-20021227-82.html Vote results on CNET, what is your opinion?: Which electronic reading format is easiest on the eyes? 1. E-ink 76% 2. Color LCD 9% 3. No preference 15% Total votes: 5100 Last edited by Kris777; 11-08-2011 at 01:36 PM.

11-08-2011, 07:33 PM	#13
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	I read on both. I tend to reach for my tablet more than my eInk device. I can change the background and font colors, dim the brightness and it's all good. If I'm in the sun, the tablet gets no play. Both devices are with me at all times. Last edited by SCION; 11-08-2011 at 07:36 PM.

11-08-2011, 07:40 PM	#15
ClairePMR Groupie Posts: 164 Karma: 1030058 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New England Device: PocketBook Color, Kindle, EB1150, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Surface Pro 2017	I certainly appreciate e-ink in bright light settings, but I've never had a problem with LCD or other back-lit screens. In fact, the one thing that annoys me about my Nook (1st ed) is that I need to add a book light to it. Started with an EB1150 more than ten years ago, and I miss the "instant" night/low-light reading. When I can afford it, I plan to buy either the Nook Color or Tablet. Last edited by ClairePMR; 11-08-2011 at 07:40 PM. Reason: Fixed dumb typo.

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11-08-2011, 01:46 PM	#2
LuBiB Banned Posts: 349 Karma: 1018593 Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Device: jetBook, iPhone, JETBOOK COLOR!!	eInk over Color LCD anyday. That backlight is a killer!

11-08-2011, 01:56 PM	#3
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	I prefer eink.

11-08-2011, 02:19 PM	#4
monkeyluis Banned Posts: 725 Karma: 656644 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Central Florida Device: iPad "3", Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4S	I have no problem with either. I read on my Kindle and my iPad. Right now I'm reading an iBooks book. When I'm done with that I'll read my next book on the Kindle Fire because I'd like to see what that's like. Then I'll read the book after that on my Kindle Touch. LOL... Doesn't really matter to me. Yes I love the eInk, but LCD does not bother me at all.

11-08-2011, 02:31 PM	#5
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 64,191 Karma: 135242149 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	eInk screens are a lifesaver for me. I am a lifelong sufferer of migraine headaches - one of whose features is extreme sensitivity to light. Which makes it impossible for me to watch TV, read on a PC screen, read on my Android tablet, etc. But I can read on an eInk screen without pain or discomfort!

11-08-2011, 04:43 PM	#6
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,126 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	While I do prefer e-ink when reading (as long as there's adequate lighting), LCD doesn't bother me as long as I can turn down the backlight to a sufficiently low level.

11-08-2011, 05:09 PM	#7
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	Where is the "both are easy on my eyes" option?

11-08-2011, 05:43 PM	#9
Hamlet53 Nameless Being	For me e-ink is definitely easier on the eyes than the color LCD of a computer screen. I have so far been please with my Nook Color using the android Cool Reader application. Though the way that is set up it looks more to my eye like printing on paper. That and I have not done enough reading using the Nook to really come to a strong conclusion over whether or not my opinion will change.

11-08-2011, 06:57 PM	#11
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Eink all the way.

11-08-2011, 07:12 PM	#12
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I do read on LCDs -- but when I can I always use e-ink. It is just much more comfortable.

11-08-2011, 07:35 PM	#14
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	eink. a few years back i found myself unable to stand reading on an lcd screen for long amounts of time. i actually don't know if this is the result of years of computer usage, actually. i don't remember being as sensitive to light as i am now :x