Flush or recessed screen?

HolyAura · 03-31-2020, 08:04 PM

I am aware of the pros and cons of flush and recessed screen.

Flush:

1.Looks better

2. No dust getting trapped at the sides

Recessed:

1. More clarity

2. Easier to put fingers on bezel without fingers slipping off and touching the screen

3. Lesser light reflection

On the other hand, take a Kobo Forma, for example. It has a flush screen. If the touchscreen is not used for page turn, and buttons are used instead, the screen will not have too many smudges.
The fingers can also be rested on the strip where the buttons are located so they will not slip and touch the screen accidentally.
That solves 1 of the problem of flush screen.

I am wondering about the clarity of a flush screen compared to a recessed screen. Can the lack of clarity be solved by increasing the weight of the font?

Also, how much better is the lighting on a flush screen than a recessed one? In what way is it better? Is it brighter, or just more even?

Which of the two screens do you prefer and why? Do they make a big difference?

Thanks!

Sirtel · 03-31-2020, 08:23 PM

I didn't vote because I don't have a preference either way. My Kindles have flush screens, my Nook and my Libra have recessed screens. The screens are pretty similar on all of them (with the exception of the Voyage, which has a slightly sharper and whiter screen than my other readers).

I wouldn't say there's really any difference in screen quality of modern eink readers. They're all equally good.

DNSB · 03-31-2020, 09:19 PM

I didn't vote since there is not a "I don't care" option. I've used readers with both recessed and flush screens and I've don't have a preference for either. Given the same technology for the touch, I haven't seen any real difference in brightness or sharpness. The older IR touch screens had fewer layers so, in theory, could be sharper for the same screen resolution but I needed a loupe to see any differences.

Ripplinger · 03-31-2020, 10:45 PM

I prefer and will only purchase a recessed screen. I like the having the bezel to hold the reader by, for me it makes it much more comfortable for long reading periods. I also think a recessed screen looks better.

But I also avoid capacitive touch ereaders, so right there flush is out for me. I use my readers outdoors in cold weather, so being able to use it with all thickness of gloves is a must (and no, I'm not about to buy 4 pairs of special gloves or ruin my warm gloves by sewing in the metallic thread in the finger tips).

I also keep my readers in a cover always and don't eat over them using them as a crumb tray, so I've never had a problem with having to clean dust or particles out from under the bezel.

HolyAura · 04-01-2020, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I didn't vote because I don't have a preference either way. My Kindles have flush screens, my Nook and my Libra have recessed screens. The screens are pretty similar on all of them (with the exception of the Voyage, which has a slightly sharper and whiter screen than my other readers).

I wouldn't say there's really any difference in screen quality of modern eink readers. They're all equally good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

I didn't vote since there is not a "I don't care" option. I've used readers with both recessed and flush screens and I've don't have a preference for either. Given the same technology for the touch, I haven't seen any real difference in brightness or sharpness. The older IR touch screens had fewer layers so, in theory, could be sharper for the same screen resolution but I needed a loupe to see any differences.

So there is no particular difference between the two? Lighting and smudges equal amount? Hands won't slip off that easily?

JSWolf · 04-01-2020, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyAura

Flush:

2. Better lighting

That is not a feature of a flush screen. I have a Kobo Aura H2O and i has a recessed screen. The lighting is very even and very good. So I suggest editing your post and removing number 2 from the Flush section. That doesn't belong in either section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyAura

Recessed:

1. Lesser fingerprint smudges

Again, not so. Both should be about the same. So that needs to go as well.

Quoth · 04-01-2020, 04:35 AM

I didn't vote because it depends HOW the recessed or flush screen is implemented.

Lighting: not a factor, depends on "light pipe" design. Recessed isn't a problem with ambient light shadow unless there is no margin. The active screen might not be part of a flush surface.
Fingerprints: not a factor, depends on surface type and if there are also buttons.
Dust: depends on the design of the recessed screen, certainly an issue on models were the front bezel is held on by double sided tape, but it doesn't need to be.

Screen surface finish, resolution, contrast, size and overall ergonomics are more important than surface vs recessed.

pdurrant · 04-01-2020, 04:37 AM

I chose recessed, but only because in an ideal world, I'd prefer to have the screen without anything in front of it.

But in practice, my ereader has a flush screen.

HolyAura · 04-01-2020, 04:46 AM

I don't really mind the dust at the sides. The only two things I'm wondering about now is the clarity and whether the fingers will slip onto the screen. How much better is the clarity on recessed screen than flush? Does increasing the weight of the font solve the problem? If my fingers are resting on the bezel, do they touch the screen accidentally and flip a page?

Thanks for all your inputs!

Quoth · 04-01-2020, 04:48 AM

Indeed, if I HAD to choose, I'd choose recessed. Flush actually is really marketing and makes the screen more expensive to mount and more easily damaged.
I've many gadgets, some are flush (10" tablet is largest, 7" tablet, phone 6" screen, Binatone eReaders) and some are recessed (Laptop, Kindle DXG, Keyboard, PW3, Kobos, Nook, Sony, Palm)

4691mls · 04-01-2020, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

I didn't vote because it depends HOW the recessed or flush screen is implemented.

Lighting: not a factor, depends on "light pipe" design. Recessed isn't a problem with ambient light shadow unless there is no margin. The active screen might not be part of a flush surface.
Fingerprints: not a factor, depends on surface type and if there are also buttons.
Dust: depends on the design of the recessed screen, certainly an issue on models were the front bezel is held on by double sided tape, but it doesn't need to be.

Screen surface finish, resolution, contrast, size and overall ergonomics are more important than surface vs recessed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Indeed, if I HAD to choose, I'd choose recessed. Flush actually is really marketing and makes the screen more expensive to mount and more easily damaged.
I've many gadgets, some are flush (10" tablet is largest, 7" tablet, phone 6" screen, Binatone eReaders) and some are recessed (Laptop, Kindle DXG, Keyboard, PW3, Kobos, Nook, Sony, Palm)

What Quoth said

theducks · 04-01-2020, 12:59 PM

Recessed WITH BUTTONS for page turning
Reduced damage, grubby fingers have a dedicated place and not encroach onto the viewing area.

Sirtel · 04-01-2020, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyAura

I don't really mind the dust at the sides. The only two things I'm wondering about now is the clarity and whether the fingers will slip onto the screen. How much better is the clarity on recessed screen than flush? Does increasing the weight of the font solve the problem? If my fingers are resting on the bezel, do they touch the screen accidentally and flip a page?

Thanks for all your inputs!

No real differences in clarity. Note that most modern readers with recessed screens use the same capacitive touch the flush-screen readers use, so the screens are basically the same. IR touch isn't popular anymore (all my 6 ereaders, Kindles, Nook, Kobo, use capacitive touch, none of them uses IR. They're all relatively recent models, except for the Voyage).

As to slipping fingers, sorry, no idea. All my ereaders have buttons and I use those, so no accidental slipping.

Apache · 04-01-2020, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

I didn't vote since there is not a "I don't care" option. I've used readers with both recessed and flush screens and I've don't have a preference for either. Given the same technology for the touch, I haven't seen any real difference in brightness or sharpness. The older IR touch screens had fewer layers so, in theory, could be sharper for the same screen resolution but I needed a loupe to see any differences.

Thank you for saving me from typing this.

Apache

tourneur · 04-01-2020, 01:56 PM

I haven't had a flush screen ereader yet, but I would like one. Wiping the screen to remove dust and finger grease (even with page turn buttons I still touch the screen often for the menus) is a daily ritual. Cleaning a flush screen would go that little bit quicker and better and for me that would be worth it considering the amount of times I'm doing it.

View Poll Results: Flush or recessed screen
Flush screen	29	53.70%
Recessed screen	25	46.30%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

03-31-2020, 08:04 PM	#1
HolyAura Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 201170 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Singapore Device: Kobo Clara HD	Flush or recessed screen? I am aware of the pros and cons of flush and recessed screen. Flush: 1.Looks better 2. No dust getting trapped at the sides Recessed: 1. More clarity 2. Easier to put fingers on bezel without fingers slipping off and touching the screen 3. Lesser light reflection On the other hand, take a Kobo Forma, for example. It has a flush screen. If the touchscreen is not used for page turn, and buttons are used instead, the screen will not have too many smudges. The fingers can also be rested on the strip where the buttons are located so they will not slip and touch the screen accidentally. That solves 1 of the problem of flush screen. I am wondering about the clarity of a flush screen compared to a recessed screen. Can the lack of clarity be solved by increasing the weight of the font? Also, how much better is the lighting on a flush screen than a recessed one? In what way is it better? Is it brighter, or just more even? Which of the two screens do you prefer and why? Do they make a big difference? Thanks! Last edited by HolyAura; 04-01-2020 at 07:33 PM.

03-31-2020, 09:19 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 48,102 Karma: 174315444 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I didn't vote since there is not a "I don't care" option. I've used readers with both recessed and flush screens and I've don't have a preference for either. Given the same technology for the touch, I haven't seen any real difference in brightness or sharpness. The older IR touch screens had fewer layers so, in theory, could be sharper for the same screen resolution but I needed a loupe to see any differences. Last edited by DNSB; 03-31-2020 at 09:22 PM.

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03-31-2020, 08:23 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,983 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I didn't vote because I don't have a preference either way. My Kindles have flush screens, my Nook and my Libra have recessed screens. The screens are pretty similar on all of them (with the exception of the Voyage, which has a slightly sharper and whiter screen than my other readers). I wouldn't say there's really any difference in screen quality of modern eink readers. They're all equally good.

03-31-2020, 10:45 PM	#4
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I prefer and will only purchase a recessed screen. I like the having the bezel to hold the reader by, for me it makes it much more comfortable for long reading periods. I also think a recessed screen looks better. But I also avoid capacitive touch ereaders, so right there flush is out for me. I use my readers outdoors in cold weather, so being able to use it with all thickness of gloves is a must (and no, I'm not about to buy 4 pairs of special gloves or ruin my warm gloves by sewing in the metallic thread in the finger tips). I also keep my readers in a cover always and don't eat over them using them as a crumb tray, so I've never had a problem with having to clean dust or particles out from under the bezel.

04-01-2020, 04:35 AM	#7
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,990 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I didn't vote because it depends HOW the recessed or flush screen is implemented. Lighting: not a factor, depends on "light pipe" design. Recessed isn't a problem with ambient light shadow unless there is no margin. The active screen might not be part of a flush surface. Fingerprints: not a factor, depends on surface type and if there are also buttons. Dust: depends on the design of the recessed screen, certainly an issue on models were the front bezel is held on by double sided tape, but it doesn't need to be. Screen surface finish, resolution, contrast, size and overall ergonomics are more important than surface vs recessed.

04-01-2020, 04:37 AM	#8
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,433 Karma: 318076944 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	I chose recessed, but only because in an ideal world, I'd prefer to have the screen without anything in front of it. But in practice, my ereader has a flush screen.

04-01-2020, 04:46 AM	#9
HolyAura Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 201170 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Singapore Device: Kobo Clara HD	I don't really mind the dust at the sides. The only two things I'm wondering about now is the clarity and whether the fingers will slip onto the screen. How much better is the clarity on recessed screen than flush? Does increasing the weight of the font solve the problem? If my fingers are resting on the bezel, do they touch the screen accidentally and flip a page? Thanks for all your inputs!

04-01-2020, 04:48 AM	#10
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,990 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Indeed, if I HAD to choose, I'd choose recessed. Flush actually is really marketing and makes the screen more expensive to mount and more easily damaged. I've many gadgets, some are flush (10" tablet is largest, 7" tablet, phone 6" screen, Binatone eReaders) and some are recessed (Laptop, Kindle DXG, Keyboard, PW3, Kobos, Nook, Sony, Palm)

04-01-2020, 12:59 PM	#12
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,251 Karma: 61360164 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Recessed WITH BUTTONS for page turning Reduced damage, grubby fingers have a dedicated place and not encroach onto the viewing area.

04-01-2020, 01:56 PM	#15
tourneur Zealot Posts: 111 Karma: 385602 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: The Netherlands Device: Kobo Libra	I haven't had a flush screen ereader yet, but I would like one. Wiping the screen to remove dust and finger grease (even with page turn buttons I still touch the screen often for the menus) is a daily ritual. Cleaning a flush screen would go that little bit quicker and better and for me that would be worth it considering the amount of times I'm doing it.