What's the use case for an 8" screen?

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Better than a video, that's for sure!

Not necessarily! The advantage of video is that, if done correctly, you can see how much content can fit on the screen.

But I took all my e-ink devices out yesterday. And I must say, in all honesty, I still like my Sony (PRS-650) best. But ever since the Onyx T68, I've been hooked on that 6.8" screen. And with the H2O to the waterproofness. But I still want that 7.8" screen of the One (to rule and in darkness bind them!). Why? Just because!

[Kyle Connor]

I prefer a higher resolution and a bigger display whenever possible.
I personally prefer the 8 inch screen.

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

HarryT,
Sweetie, next year will mark the 30th anniversary of me getting bifocals. Note I will be 51 in January.
Oh and that short distance was how my husband always knew when it was time for new glasses. The book I was reading kept inching closer to my face.
And yes, I had to stifle a giggle when my mom first got reading glasses. She was forever misplacing them.
Now my husband has tri-focals.

Thanks for giving us a couple of factoids as to your details. It's great that I can pin e.g an age on to the Cinisajoy that I come across regularly on this site.

[4691mls]

When I chose my Sony PRS-T1, one reason I liked it was because it was the smallest of the 6-inch readers I saw stores at that time. I have small hands and the Sony felt the most comfortable to hold. I usually use a small font size so I don't have a need for a bigger screen. I would be unlikely to buy an 8-inch reader. I hope the manufacturers will keep making a variety of sizes so everybody can get the size that works best for them.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

When I chose my Sony PRS-T1, one reason I liked it was because it was the smallest of the 6-inch readers I saw stores at that time. I have small hands and the Sony felt the most comfortable to hold. I usually use a small font size so I don't have a need for a bigger screen. I would be unlikely to buy an 8-inch reader. I hope the manufacturers will keep making a variety of sizes so everybody can get the size that works best for them.

I don't see 6" screens going away. But for those that want a larger screen, it's nice to have good options. Personally, I did find 6" a little cramped. That's why when it was time to get a new Reader, I went with the H2O because of the Carta screen, front light, and larger size.

[Agama]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I see that the release of an (approximately) 8" device from Kobo seems likely to me imminent, but I'm wondering what that screen size is best suited for?

8", though, seems to be neither fish nor fowl. It's too big to easily carry around, but too small for comfortable PDF reading. I'd be interested to know what people see the main use of such a screen size as being.

For me 8" would be ideal for general reading, novels etc. as this would allow a similar amount of text per page, (with my preferred font size), as a paperback book.

This would be my stay-at-home luxury reader so portability would not matter. I'd keep my 6" reader for taking out and about.

It would unfortunately mean maintaining a library in both azw3 and epub formats unless Amazon follow suit with an 8" Kindle.

[Tarana]

Harry, I think an 8 inch screen is great for pdf files like craft or cookbooks, magazines where you need it portable. It isn't large enough for technical illustrations IMHO. I have a Nook HD+ and it's great for all of those and works with most of my hobby books as well. Also much easier to read any book that couldn't be converted to epub after scanning due to strange types. A lot of books printed in the 50s in mysteries are like that. Strange serif fonts that even ABBYY can't manage.

Also, and I hope you never have to go through this, if you are bedridden for several weeks after surgery, the larger screen is helpful to read if you need to lay on your side with your glasses off.