What is the ideal screen size for an eReader? - Page 2

osama_jamal · 01-20-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There is clearly no such thing as THE ideal size. It depends where you are reading, and what you are reading.

Reading technical PDFs or magazines requires a large screen. Novels can confortably be read on a small screen. Small devices are great for portability; large-screen devices allow you to see more at a time.

It is, therefore, a meaningless question to ask what THE ideal size is. That implies that there is one size which is ideal for everything. That is clearly not the case. That's why one requires multiple reading devices.

You have a point dude. It's like with the automotive industry; we need motorcycles, SUVs, Trucks...etc

But for reading, I think we can find a suitable size to suit most eBooks and PDFs. I see that as the 10" device.

Laine · 01-20-2010, 08:12 AM

I have 2 6" V3s and a 5" V5. I mostly read epub novels on the 5". It has a sharper screen and is so much easier to carry everywhere. I use the EcoReader when the V5 needs charging and keep the older V3 for my older mobipocket files.

I also have a 4" pocket pc that I used for quite a while but my definite preference is the 5".

TallMomof2 · 01-20-2010, 08:33 AM

Maybe it's my bad vision but I prefer a larger screen. I love my DX because of the 9" screen, even for reading novels. It's not as portable but I do most of my reading at home. I tend to read on my smartphone when out and about and that has a 4" diagonal widescreen.

lene1949 · 01-20-2010, 08:44 AM

I love reading on my Palm with its 3" screen. Compared to that my Hanvon's 5" screen seems huge, but the books displays really well in .epub format...

Size doesn't matter - it's the words that count.

WT Sharpe · 01-20-2010, 08:49 AM

I didn't vote because one size doesn't fit all. Five to Six inch screens seem to be about perfect for most books, but 10-11" screens are better for PDFs, graphic novels, and many textbooks.

Coops · 01-20-2010, 09:00 AM

My Sony-505 is a good screen size for novels, and the device size is fine too.... but they could slim down the bezels a bit - especially vertically. So keep the 505 overall form factor but increase screen as big as possible within that size.

Coops

HarryT · 01-20-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osama_jamal

But for reading, I think we can find a suitable size to suit most eBooks and PDFs. I see that as the 10" device.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. I have a 10" device (iRex DR1000S). It's great for reading at home, but way, way to big to carry around with you, as you can do with a 5" or 6" device.

kjk · 01-20-2010, 09:52 AM

I want two..one to carry around (4") and one for around the house (11")

JSWolf · 01-20-2010, 09:59 AM

I think a good 8 inch screen might be a decent enough size for PDF if it allows the margin to be removed. And come a moderator please fix the poll to add in an 8 inch scree?

JSWolf · 01-20-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osama_jamal

I personally think a 10' device is perfect. It is generally managable and allows the display of PDFs (at least in the landscape mode) in a easy and accessible way.

I hate to say this, but I will.. Your poll is invalid because you left out 8 inch screens. So all the people who voted didn't get an opportunity to chose (or not) 8 inches.

basschick · 01-20-2010, 10:36 AM

i totally agree. 6" is perfect for relaxing reading, but 9" or larger would be better for graphic novels, which i don't even bother to read on a 6" screen. and a 5" or maybe 4" reader would be perfect to bring along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There is clearly no such thing as THE ideal size. It depends where you are reading, and what you are reading.

Reading technical PDFs or magazines requires a large screen. Novels can confortably be read on a small screen. Small devices are great for portability; large-screen devices allow you to see more at a time.

It is, therefore, a meaningless question to ask what THE ideal size is. That implies that there is one size which is ideal for everything. That is clearly not the case. That's why one requires multiple reading devices.

ardeegee · 01-20-2010, 10:38 AM

For a portable, carry-everywhere device I think the 5 inch reader is just about the perfect size. But for PDFs and such, something with a screen at or near 8.5x11 inches would be very nice. And some day, hopefully, really large, high resolution color readers (say, maybe 2 feet diagonally) for art books.

Eventually, I think pretty much everyone who cares about reading will have several readers of various sizes and types, the same way people now tend to accumulate multiple computers, cell phones, mp3 players, and such over time.

ac4lt · 01-20-2010, 10:39 AM

I'm in the one size does not fit all camp. I like the 6" screens for portability and they are fine for novels but for technical books they don't cut it. I'd like a 10-11" screen for that.

Dulin's Books · 01-20-2010, 10:40 AM

I like 5 inch and I'd like 8inch if it was done with minimal bezels like the design of the DR800. this keeps the device from being not very much bigger than a 6inch device. Plus I like 10-12 inch for mags/newspapers and pdf/educational/business documents.

osama_jamal · 01-20-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. I have a 10" device (iRex DR1000S). It's great for reading at home, but way, way to big to carry around with you, as you can do with a 5" or 6" device.

Hmm, Enlighting!

View Poll Results: What is the best screen size for an eReader?
5''	24	15.79%
6''	39	25.66%
7''	28	18.42%
9''-10''	42	27.63%
11'' and larger	19	12.50%
Voters: 152. You may not vote on this poll

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01-20-2010, 08:12 AM	#17
Laine Addict Posts: 341 Karma: 1162396 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cabramatta, Sydney, Australia Device: Aura H2O, Voyage	I have 2 6" V3s and a 5" V5. I mostly read epub novels on the 5". It has a sharper screen and is so much easier to carry everywhere. I use the EcoReader when the V5 needs charging and keep the older V3 for my older mobipocket files. I also have a 4" pocket pc that I used for quite a while but my definite preference is the 5".

01-20-2010, 08:33 AM	#18
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Maybe it's my bad vision but I prefer a larger screen. I love my DX because of the 9" screen, even for reading novels. It's not as portable but I do most of my reading at home. I tend to read on my smartphone when out and about and that has a 4" diagonal widescreen.

01-20-2010, 08:44 AM	#19
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I love reading on my Palm with its 3" screen. Compared to that my Hanvon's 5" screen seems huge, but the books displays really well in .epub format... Size doesn't matter - it's the words that count.

01-20-2010, 08:49 AM	#20
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	I didn't vote because one size doesn't fit all. Five to Six inch screens seem to be about perfect for most books, but 10-11" screens are better for PDFs, graphic novels, and many textbooks.

01-20-2010, 09:00 AM	#21
Coops Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 77756 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis, Sony T3 backup	My Sony-505 is a good screen size for novels, and the device size is fine too.... but they could slim down the bezels a bit - especially vertically. So keep the 505 overall form factor but increase screen as big as possible within that size. Coops

01-20-2010, 09:52 AM	#23
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	I want two..one to carry around (4") and one for around the house (11")

01-20-2010, 09:59 AM	#24
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I think a good 8 inch screen might be a decent enough size for PDF if it allows the margin to be removed. And come a moderator please fix the poll to add in an 8 inch scree?

01-20-2010, 10:38 AM	#27
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	For a portable, carry-everywhere device I think the 5 inch reader is just about the perfect size. But for PDFs and such, something with a screen at or near 8.5x11 inches would be very nice. And some day, hopefully, really large, high resolution color readers (say, maybe 2 feet diagonally) for art books. Eventually, I think pretty much everyone who cares about reading will have several readers of various sizes and types, the same way people now tend to accumulate multiple computers, cell phones, mp3 players, and such over time.

01-20-2010, 10:39 AM	#28
ac4lt Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 36 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Reston, Virginia, US Device: ipad	I'm in the one size does not fit all camp. I like the 6" screens for portability and they are fine for novels but for technical books they don't cut it. I'd like a 10-11" screen for that.

01-20-2010, 10:40 AM	#29
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	I like 5 inch and I'd like 8inch if it was done with minimal bezels like the design of the DR800. this keeps the device from being not very much bigger than a 6inch device. Plus I like 10-12 inch for mags/newspapers and pdf/educational/business documents.

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