Can an ebook reader be too big?

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

I'm spouting off opinions from my own professional experience that happen to contradict much of what you type. Many designers have had a good laugh at Sony's many many "unique" designs over the years, me included. Some sympathy needs to be extended sometimes to the individual creatives, as they don't always get the freedom they expected when they took the job...but it's hard not to chuckle at Sony's choices from time to time.

My most recent such chuckle was when waiting to see how many generations of Sony Alpha DSLRs would pass before throwing away the good design features from Minolta while keeping the bad ones.

Your strongly negative opinion about Sony makes us wonder why you bought a Sony reader in the first place and not some other brand? I am assuming you had a lot of negative experiences with other Sony products, given the fact that you are making such a blanket statement. And if your opinion is solely based on your experience with your reader then you wouldn't really be in a position to judge, am I right?

[daffy4u]

I'm sorry I didn't make it clear, this would be an "at home" reader. I still have my 6 inch readers for portability.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by happy_terd

heck you the price of a larger reader you can get a notebook PC and make that your dedicated reader.

10.1" Widescreen Display on the Del minis (300 bucks). I've seen some notebooks at Best Buy that looked tiny enough to work as a nice reader.

I am typing this from my Asus 1000HE which I will never use as a book reader. I know the majority of ebook readers use a computer to read but I'm not one of them. For me, computers are great for reading small chunks of text (like message boards) but for anything long form I have go to my e-ink readers or paper.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Javed

The weight of the device would be an important aspect, especially for extended reading.

That is definitely a concern. With a larger reader I would most likely use it without a cover, which is a point for the Que in case I get a case of "butter fingers".

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

You could always do a test drive by printing a gray rectangle the size of the display and cutting out the device size either on the paper or a piece of cardboard.

I think 10 inches is a fine size personally for a screen...it's the rest of the device that needs to be done well to make it portable. I'm not sure what constraints are being forced on the designers, but given the kind of products we've seen in the last few years, I'm guessing either most of the designers are suffocated by constraints and demands, or they're pretty incompetent.

That's a good idea, I'm going to give it a try.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Your strongly negative opinion about Sony makes us wonder why you bought a Sony reader in the first place and not some other brand? I am assuming you had a lot of negative experiences with other Sony products, given the fact that you are making such a blanket statement. And if your opinion is solely based on your experience with your reader then you wouldn't really be in a position to judge, am I right?

Though it's irrelevant, I bought a Sony because it was the first I saw that met a combination of factors prerequisite for impulse purchasing. I have no specific hatred of Sony, and in fact have a few (badly-designed or not) Sony products that I'm pleased as punch with.

I don't discriminate against a brand for previous prejudice or for a singular reason. If Sony makes something else in the future I find neat, I may well purchase it. As a consumer, I've had a fair record with them, and based on product impressions, I'd be much more leery of Samsung, but I don't let that influence me much, and will still give any brand the benefit of the doubt if it's basically compelling enough. Perhaps I'm just overly frivolous with my money, and perhaps I'm just not paranoid enough to research the life out of everything I have an interest in purchasing. I can just resell it if I truly hate it.

"My strongly negative opinion" is not as strong or as specific as you seem to wish it to be. Same with my general feelings about ebooks.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

"My strongly negative opinion" is not as strong or as specific as you seem to wish it to be. Same with my general feelings about ebooks.

I seem to wish it to be? Why on earth would I wish for that? Just commenting on what appeared to be an inconsistency.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have the iRex DR1000S, which is the largest eInk device currently on the market. The reading experience is excellent - you see pretty much the same reading area as you would in a hardback book.

It's too big to carry around, though - for me, at least. Definitely an "at home" reader.

Do you "default" to the iRex when you're at home because of it's size and the reading experience? If not, why not? (if you don't mind sharing that is)

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Do you "default" to the iRex when you're at home because of it's size and the reading experience? If not, why not? (if you don't mind sharing that is)

At the present time, no, because it doesn't currently support ePub. When it does - which should be "real soon now" , then I'll switch back to it as my main home reader.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have the iRex DR1000S, which is the largest eInk device currently on the market. The reading experience is excellent - you see pretty much the same reading area as you would in a hardback book.

It's too big to carry around, though - for me, at least. Definitely an "at home" reader.

Netbooks don't make good readers. Too heavy, and if you turn it sideways to get the proper aspect ratio, the keyboard gets in the way.

Same for me. I never use my iRex 1000S or even Kindle DX when traveling. Too bulky for the train and hard to find a convenient reading position.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Same for me. I never use my iRex 1000S or even Kindle DX when traveling. Too bulky for the train and hard to find a convenient reading position.

This kind of brings me back to getting a DX (which is low on my list). The Whispersync feature is great for this. While working and while out and about I can use my K2 (or my iPod Touch) and when I get home, pick up where I left off on the DX.