So which one would you keep - Page 2

HarryT · 02-19-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexicon

One of the things that put me off buying a Gen3 (other than the higher price) is the plastic body, I'm not sure how well this will stand up to years of wear and tear.

Modern high-density plastics, such as that used for the case of the Gen3, certainly don't equate to cheapness or poor quality. They provide just as good a protection as a metal case, and have better impact absorption properties (they disperse energy rather than "dent", like metal does). That's why most modern cars have plastic bumpers, rather than metal!

Lexicon · 02-19-2008, 10:10 AM

Whether the use of plastic equates to cheapness and lower quality is debatable, in consumer electronics plastic casings tend to be used at the cheaper end of the scale, with metal casings being more prevalent in high end/premium products. I don't know if there is a significant difference in manufacturing costs between the two materials but there's definitely a difference in public perception.

Also impact damage isn't really what I'm talking about when I refer to wear and tear - the screen is far more fragile than the casing on either reader and any impact capable of significantly damaging either case would likely destroy the display - I'm talking about scratches, scuffs and the abrasion that occurs naturally in use. Plastics surfaces tend to have poor resistance to scratching and, being softer than most metals, are more easily worn down. For instance I have a black Dell plastic keyboard that has a sort of matt effect surface, after a few months of my fingers tapping the keys the matt texture has worn off and the plastic has become smooth and shiny.

There is also the "squeak factor", I've never come across a moulded plastic shell that didn't make distressing squeaking or cracking noises when pressure was put on the casing. I guess it's a personal preference; to me metal cases signify permanence, robustness and quality, whereas plastic ones signify cheapness, fragility and disposability.

At the end of the day it's only one factor in the buying decision though, the device's capabilities are more important than the package it comes in. The 505 had the capabilities that I needed at a price I felt was reasonable, had the Gen3 been cheaper or if it been able to satisfy a requirement that the 505 couldn't then I would have bought a Gen3, plastic case or no.

HarryT · 02-19-2008, 10:22 AM

Ah well, we must agree to differ. Given that my Gen3 spends its life safely inside its leather case, that protects it from abrasion. As long as we're both happy with what we have, that's the most important thing.

02-19-2008, 10:10 AM	#17
Lexicon Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 542 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	Whether the use of plastic equates to cheapness and lower quality is debatable, in consumer electronics plastic casings tend to be used at the cheaper end of the scale, with metal casings being more prevalent in high end/premium products. I don't know if there is a significant difference in manufacturing costs between the two materials but there's definitely a difference in public perception. Also impact damage isn't really what I'm talking about when I refer to wear and tear - the screen is far more fragile than the casing on either reader and any impact capable of significantly damaging either case would likely destroy the display - I'm talking about scratches, scuffs and the abrasion that occurs naturally in use. Plastics surfaces tend to have poor resistance to scratching and, being softer than most metals, are more easily worn down. For instance I have a black Dell plastic keyboard that has a sort of matt effect surface, after a few months of my fingers tapping the keys the matt texture has worn off and the plastic has become smooth and shiny. There is also the "squeak factor", I've never come across a moulded plastic shell that didn't make distressing squeaking or cracking noises when pressure was put on the casing. I guess it's a personal preference; to me metal cases signify permanence, robustness and quality, whereas plastic ones signify cheapness, fragility and disposability. At the end of the day it's only one factor in the buying decision though, the device's capabilities are more important than the package it comes in. The 505 had the capabilities that I needed at a price I felt was reasonable, had the Gen3 been cheaper or if it been able to satisfy a requirement that the 505 couldn't then I would have bought a Gen3, plastic case or no.

02-19-2008, 10:22 AM	#18
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Ah well, we must agree to differ. Given that my Gen3 spends its life safely inside its leather case, that protects it from abrasion. As long as we're both happy with what we have, that's the most important thing.

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