5" or 6" screen?

[cheese bogart]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

txtr is still my favorite small reader format device design.

It's mine too. The first time I saw it, it put a halt to me buying a new prs-505.
Though I have been trawling ebay to see if I can pick up a cheap second hand prs-505 to fill the gap until this is released. As I'm finding it harder and harder to wait, as I want an ereader now!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

It's mine too. The first time I saw it, it put a halt to me buying a new prs-505.
Though I have been trawling ebay to see if I can pick up a cheap second hand prs-505 to fill the gap until this is released. As I'm finding it harder and harder to wait, as I want an ereader now!

I know what you mean... Though, I already have a sizable library in mobi, so I won't be getting just any reader...

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

I'm guessing as you're from Germany you have heard about the Wizpac Txtr. It seems that this device would suit the needs of the smaller device. Its got a 6" screen fitted into a device about the same size as a 5" device. They say it will be released in Germany in the 3Q 2009.

Wizpac Txtr: H:146mm x W:128mm x D:8mm Weight:260 grams

A couple of 5" devices below for you to compare the size with (The Astak isn't out yet but should be released in two months).

Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro: H:151mm x W:105mm x D:10mm Weight:160 gr

Ectaco Jetbook: H:153mm x W:109mm x D:13mm Weight:210 grams


And if you haven't seen it before I've provided a link below.

http://www.golem.de/showhigh2.php?fi...5637.html&wort[]=wizpac&wort[]=txtr

Or just look in our wiki Txtr reader.

Dale

[cheese bogart]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Or just look in our wiki Txtr reader.

Dale

I was comparing the txtr to devices that are not on the "world famous matrix". Also the link shows it in action.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

At first I was thinking 5inch but now I'm not sure. The 5 inch is smaller yes but it would be a bit of an exaggeration to call it "portable". I can't see myself being able to put it in my jeans pocket or in my shirt breast pocket. So basically I would have to carry it around in my briefcase or shoulder bag, just like I would have to with a 6 inch device. In that case, what's the point in sacrificing readability if you aren't really going to get any more portability?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kris777

Almost no difference. You can compare 5" and 6" screens here

That is not a fair comparison. The book on the Jetbook has no margins. while the Kindle book has margins. Also the Kindle has a header and more space between lines. If you want to do a fair comparison, choose a device/book/settings that closer approximates the Jetbooks screen. If you tell me what size font that is, I can give you a shot of my 505 with no header, standard line spacing, and the same size font. Then you can get a more accurate comparison.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kris777

Yes, but why the optimal size of notebook screen depends on personal preferences? Many companies produce 10", 12",13",14",15" and 17" screen notebooks and customers choose the right one based on personal preferences...

Sometimes the screen size choice is not based on preference, but cost. Some cannot afford a 17" screen so settle for say a 15" screen.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

At first I was thinking 5inch but now I'm not sure. The 5 inch is smaller yes but it would be a bit of an exaggeration to call it "portable". I can't see myself being able to put it in my jeans pocket or in my shirt breast pocket. So basically I would have to carry it around in my briefcase or shoulder bag, just like I would have to with a 6 inch device. In that case, what's the point in sacrificing readability if you aren't really going to get any more portability?

I keep my jetBook (without case) in my shirt breast pocket permanently. No briefcase or shoulder bag needed.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sometimes the screen size choice is not based on preference, but cost. Some cannot afford a 17" screen so settle for say a 15" screen.

My 12" HP notebook is more expensive than my 15" Toshiba so usually this is a question of preference.

[rgeorg]

I have a 5" (jetBook), a 7" (Asus Eee) and 9" (Classmate v3) devices that I use for reading. Only the 5" is what I would describe as portable. There is definitely a difference in the amount of text per page, but they are all pleasantly usable. I use the 5" for reading fiction novels (mostly txt) - small margins and medium font. The 7" is for HTML books and reading in bed at night with a slight backlight, also no margins. The 9" is for PDFs, although even at 9" with margins, many PDFs end up with very small fonts.

Now, I suppose an 11" is next in my progression?

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by rgeorg

I have a 5" (jetBook), a 7" (Asus Eee) and 9" (Classmate v3) devices that I use for reading. Only the 5" is what I would describe as portable. There is definitely a difference in the amount of text per page, but they are all pleasantly usable. I use the 5" for reading fiction novels (mostly txt) - small margins and medium font. The 7" is for HTML books and reading in bed at night with a slight backlight, also no margins. The 9" is for PDFs, although even at 9" with margins, many PDFs end up with very small fonts.

Now, I suppose an 11" is next in my progression?

yeah, that and some implants of 20yr old eyes...

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by Kris777

I keep my jetBook (without case) in my shirt breast pocket permanently. No briefcase or shoulder bag needed.

Really? You must have a large breast pocket or I'm not doing my measurements correctly. I thought i found a book that was the exact same size as the Jetbook but there was no way I could get it into my pocket. I'll double check.

[rgeorg]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

yeah, that and some implants of 20yr old eyes...

Yes, please!

[Faenad]

6" or 5"? If it was my only reader I'd go for 6". While not as good as bigger screen, 6" screen are still a lot more usable for many academics books that have charts or pictures. The extra inch add 44% more display area, and 6" are still light enough to be used with one hand without tiring.

I like 5" screen unit more because I can keep it in my pocket when I travel, it is more handy to hold etc.

While the 5" would be more pocketable than a 6", I already have a WM smartphone if I need pocketability.
The smartphone is way smaller and sturdier than a 5" reader, and I always have it with me.

If you point tower a 5" for cost reasons alone, I would strongly suggest looking at a good all-around smartphone. I have been reading for years on PDA and then on Smartphone and these are very usable.
As an extra the software on them (like µBook for WM) is still way better than anything running on a dedicated reader, with the exception of PDF reflow on some readers.

[jetreader]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But, the 5" jetbook costs about the same as a 6" Sony 505. Most people would be going for e-ink, longer battery life, and the larger screen for the same money.

Also, for people who need to have a larger size on screen, the 6" is better.

Would you buy a 32" TV or a 40" TV if they were almost the same price and the quality was about the same? You'd by the 40" TV.

Disagree! It's very symplistic approach - bigger is better. Better is what fits better within certain sircumstances. I'd never by 40" TV if I have small room. I don't want it to dominate it. Same with bookreaders. If you're big guy you probably like bigger things, if you are smaller, you prefer correspondingly smaller things. Let me be clear, since recently I'm not against 12",10" or 6" screens. One have to make his choice depending on what exactly he reads and what is more convenient to him. I believe that before you buy anything, you better take it in your hands and see what you feel about this thing. Listen, after all you have to live with this thing at least for several yeras. I personally fell better with 5" screen. Fits fine into my jacket pocket, feets fine into my hand, fits fine to my eyesight.