Is E-Ink Really Better for My Eyes than My iPad?

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by JD Gumby

Despite what some would have you believe, refresh rate DOES matter on LCD screens for many people. Believe me, I can tell the difference between 60Hz and 75Hz on my LCD monitor within seconds due to the eye fatigue/strain starting to set in almost immediately at 60Hz, and the headache that invariably begins within a half-hour (if I don't take regular breaks from looking at the screen).

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that flicker on every LCD was a myth. What I meant to point out was that if the data to the LCD panel is digital (ie: most laptop screens, tablets, cellphones, HDMI and DVI-D inputs on TVs and monitors) you will not see refresh flicker, even at low refresh rates of 60Hz. Being digital, once a pixel is set to say, white (digital 255,255,255), it will stay white before, after and during a refresh cycle until it is told to change. Even watching full screen video at 30fps, in most cases not pixels change at the same time and in a big enough area to see a flicker. This is, of course, dependent on the quality of the LCD panel and controller - there were some systems way back when that were advertised as 24bit colour displays (early Toshiba Satalite series laptops in the Win95-98 days) that where really 16bit colour which dithered the colour every refresh.

If the data is analog (VGA, DVI-A, S-Video, composite, whatever) then yes, you will see a refresh flicker because due to the uncertain nature of a analog signal, almost every pixel changes slightly every cycle. For VGA, there is a difference of ~2.5mV between colour levels. In worst case scenarios (for cheap panels), the pixel is blanked by the controller before being redrawn.

Good test for displays: Take a long a camera capable of shooting video @ 30fps. If you see dark bands moving on the screen, try another display if you are susceptible to eye strain.

[susan_cassidy]

I find white on black to be very hard to read - lack of contrast, I think. Of course, my eyes aren't very good.

[GreenMonkey]

This topic certainly comes up plenty.

I too am an I.T. professional but my eyes can get tired by the end of the day in front of a PC.

E-ink is fantastic when reading outside (kids at the park, yard) and I prefer it everywhere else too. I read once in a while on my old Nook Color but only at night - even then I preferred my Nook with a light.

Now I have the Nook glow, and IMO that is the perfect device - works great at night, works great in the day (although the contrast isn't quite as good as the older Simple Touch due to the plastic/light layer...it's still great though).

I *can* read on LCD, but at night I find it's eyestrain inducing and (I think) the bright light tends to keep me awake longer. I prefer my Nook glow on low, low brightness.

When I get tired and my eyes get tired though I tend to get eyelid twitching (especially if I've had a lot of caffeine) which is very frustrating.

[voracious71]

Originally Posted by Nexutix

I would like this answer from someone who owns iPad (retina) AND a E-ink device.

Does it feel comfortable on low brightness on retina iPad? Is it a dealbreaker enough for a reader who reads on long stretches?

I have an iPad 3 and eink readers. I am able to read for good stretches on the iPad. I tend not to for the most part because it is bigger and heavier than my dedicated reading devices and doesn't do as well in sunlight.

I do use it to read when I just have the iPad with me or in the dark.

[pixiestyx]

Originally Posted by Fluribus

Unfortunately, this is something you must find out for yourself. Each person is different. The fact that peanuts are fine for me will not save the guy with a severe peanut allergy.

Precisely! I understand that many people prefer e-ink, and that is fine for them, but I prefer my NookColor & Nexus 7, neither one of which "tires" my eyes. Personally I cannot stand the second or two "lag" of an e-ink device changing pages, but obviously that seems to be something that does not bother e-ink fans. My recommendation is to always go try one of each for yourself in a store!

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I'm the same way. It's much more pleasant to read for longer periods on an e-ink screen.

+1 8-)

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by pixiestyx

Precisely! I understand that many people prefer e-ink, and that is fine for them, but I prefer my NookColor & Nexus 7, neither one of which "tires" my eyes. Personally I cannot stand the second or two "lag" of an e-ink device changing pages, but obviously that seems to be something that does not bother e-ink fans. My recommendation is to always go try one of each for yourself in a store!

I tried read from Nexus 7. It works OK for forums and short articles but I can't read books more than 20 minutes (I changed contract but it doesn't help). Maybe because I spend 8 hours per day with my PC and my eyes need some rest from LCD screen.

[Andrew H.]

I have an iPad 3 and a K3. I much prefer reading on the K3.

But I don't think it's "bad" to read on the iPad; it's just less relaxing for me.

Although if I'm just going to read for 15-30 minutes before I go to bed, I may turn out the lights and read my iPad or phone in bed on the white-on-black setting. But for long term novel reading, I prefer e-ink.

[vxf]

Originally Posted by Nexutix

I would like this answer from someone who owns iPad (retina) AND a E-ink device.

Does it feel comfortable on low brightness on retina iPad? Is it a dealbreaker enough for a reader who reads on long stretches?

I have an iPad3 and various e-ink devices.

Yes, the difference is huge. I can see why it would be subjective... so I guess I should only speak for myself... but there is just no comparison. I work long hours in front of a PC and, when I get home in the evening, I like to read. With tired eyes, reading on an iPad is painful. Just painful.

But it does depend on how tired I am. Early in the day, I prefer reading on e-ink, but it's not a massive difference. The more tired I get, the more it matters.

[LiveMocha]

Originally Posted by vxf

I have an iPad3 and various e-ink devices.

Yes, the difference is huge. I can see why it would be subjective... so I guess I should only speak for myself... but there is just no comparison. I work long hours in front of a PC and, when I get home in the evening, I like to read. With tired eyes, reading on an iPad is painful. Just painful.

But it does depend on how tired I am. Early in the day, I prefer reading on e-ink, but it's not a massive difference. The more tired I get, the more it matters.

Hi, I agree with you. Since the eye fatigue is serious issue when you use LCD screens; does anybody know any if research, which would compare e-ink & LCD screens and how they affect the eye sight?

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

I find white on black to be very hard to read - lack of contrast, I think. Of course, my eyes aren't very good.

I CANNOT STAND white text on black background. Not even for 1 minute. I see everything in stripes immediately. I think it is actually too much contrast and I happen to be sensitive to it.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

I CANNOT STAND white text on black background. Not even for 1 minute. I see everything in stripes immediately. I think it is actually too much contrast and I happen to be sensitive to it.

Same here, I get the blinds effect when looking at any black background. I don't know why but it can really mess with my eyes!

[maxiart]

I rather read on eInk than on LCD. I do find it more comfortable overall too.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by LiveMocha

Hi, I agree with you. Since the eye fatigue is serious issue when you use LCD screens; does anybody know any if research, which would compare e-ink & LCD screens and how they affect the eye sight?

I think this type of research will be helpful. I remember the article about Korean students and negative effects on their eyes after reading from tablets.

[Namekuseijin]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

When posting and reading on MR, (or twitter or other places) I find I am continually looking away from the screen. It's different than reading a chapter of a novel. Knowing how to touch type also allows me to make a post quickly, hit send, then do something else.

I've been into computers avidly ever since the teens (almost 40 now). I'm a software programmer and ever since the internet in the 90's I've also been an avid forum and blog reader. I never had any vision issues with CRT and certainly not now with much crisper LCD. I don't wear glasses.

lucky me?