Does Size Matter?

BurBunny · 02-13-2009, 07:22 PM

I've been reading on several of the threads discussing what people want in the Kindle III that larger screen size is high on the list. But it has me thinking: Is bigger always better?

I get the larger screen for students and for those wanting to read tech information or graphic novels. In cases where you're reading a lot of .pdfs or times when exact pagination is essential. Perhaps for those with vision problems who benefit from larger font so they can have more on a single page.

But for most of us, is bigger necessarily better? One of the complaints about the K2 is that its footprint is larger (though the screen size didn't increase). For people reading for pleasure, and traveling on the go, doesn't a larger size offset some of the advantages of ebooks, namely convenience and portability?

For me, I'd like a slightly larger screen in the same footprint. I need it to remain portable and about the size of a hardback cover. Larger than that and it's no longer able to fit in my cabin bag for the airplane or be as comfortable to read in bed. I definitely think there's a market for Amazon to have a larger version, but my vote is firmly in the camp of maintaining a smaller version as well for those in the same reading demographic as I find myself.

What about you? Does size matter? If so, how?

pilotbob · 02-13-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurBunny

But for most of us, is bigger necessarily better? One of the complaints about the K2 is that its footprint is larger (though the screen size didn't increase). For people reading for pleasure, and traveling on the go, doesn't a larger size offset some of the advantages of ebooks, namely convenience and portability?

I'm sure if you ask most of these people they want a bigger device not for recreational reading but to read technical books that might have source code or charts or diagrams in them.. or documents that are basically distributed as 8.5x11 formatted size.

BOb

lilac_jive · 02-13-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I'm sure if you ask most of these people they want a bigger device not for recreational reading but to read technical books that might have source code or charts or diagrams in them.. or documents that are basically distributed as 8.5x11 formatted size.

BOb

Bingo. What I was going to say.

Alisa · 02-13-2009, 07:28 PM

If I had to limit myself to just one reader, I'd choose something small like my Kindle. I would like a larger one in addition for work.

nremondelli · 02-13-2009, 07:29 PM

I have no problem with the screen's current size.

StanDaMan · 02-13-2009, 08:00 PM

I would LOVE an 8.5x11 screen. that'd be awesome

i have so many things formatted for that size .

KlondikeGeoff · 02-13-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm perfectly happy with the current screen size. With six choices of font size, it is perfect for my reading.

GraceKrispy · 02-13-2009, 08:38 PM

Since I really use it for recreational reading only, I prefer smaller, paperback book sizes for the screen. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I had different reading requirements.

Daithi · 02-13-2009, 09:54 PM

Ultimately, I want two devices. A small one for novel type books and an 8.5x11 device for everything else.

Dragoro · 02-13-2009, 10:06 PM

That plastic something thing thats supposed to come out in 2010? might fit the bill when it comes to large stuff like tech or graphic novels.

Daithi · 02-13-2009, 11:22 PM

The Plastic Logic device might still be too small. The outside diameter is about the size of 8.5x11 page, but it only has a diagonal screen measurement of 10.7 inches. This makes its page size only about 6.5x8.5, which is just 60% of the size of an 8.5x11 page.

pilotbob · 02-13-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daithi

The Plastic Logic device might still be too small. The outside diameter is about the size of 8.5x11 page, but it only has a diagonal screen measurement of 10.7 inches. This makes its page size only about 6.5x8.5, which is just 60% of the size of an 8.5x11 page.

Most 8.5x11 documents/magazines have margins... so the frame of the PL reader would be the margin. And, many tech books are not 8.5x11 they are smaller than that, I'm gonna guess 9x7 or so (guessing here). That also has a margin.

So, I think the PL device is plenty big for most purposes.

BOb

wallcraft · 02-14-2009, 12:37 AM

Most people are finding the iRex DR1000's 10.2" diagonal screen big enough in portrait mode after croping the margins of letter/A4 PDFs. The alternative is to switch to landscape mode and display half a page at a time at full size. The Plastic Logic 10.7" screen will be a bit better and the PVI 9.7" screen (in several devices this summer) a bit worse. If Amazon produces a big screen device it will probably use the 9.7" screen, like the Netronix EB-900. See the E-book Reader Matrix for the DR1000S and the EB-900.

There are supposed to be 5" and 8" screens from PVI too, see EInk: High Resolution Displays. There will probably be a device from Jinke (Hanlin) using the 5" screen, but I have not heard of any new devices with an 8" screen. If this used a touch screen it could be the same size as the current Kindle 2 but with an on-screen keyboard. Based on the iLiad, an on-screen keyboard is much easier to use on an 8" screen than a smaller screen. If the screen were robust enough this might make a good form factor. Perhaps I just described the Kindle 3, with (as reported by various sources last year) the 9.7" device as a separate "professional" model for students and others who need PDF support. I would make it touch screen too, but Amazon really likes actual keyboards.

brn_eyed_girl81 · 02-14-2009, 06:52 PM

I'm happy with the size of my Kindle now. If they could make the screen slightly larger without increasing the size of the device, that's fine, but for my recreational reading I really want something about this size. I can understand having a bigger model for the student model - it would still be smaller than a lot of textbooks I'm sure (if only it had been out when I was in college/med school - my back would be much happier right now).

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want a touch screen, though. I hate any slight smudge on my screen, and I'm sure that the finger marks would make me absolutely nuts. I understand that's not an issue for everyone, but for me it would prevent the device from "disappearing" as intended.

Leep · 02-14-2009, 07:54 PM

I too am perfectly satisfied with the overall size of my Kindle. If they can increase the screen size without increasing the overall size that would be a bonus, but I have no problems with reading on it as is. Again, I am also that recreational reader, not reading scientific, graphic or textbook material, so can't speak to that problem.

cheers

02-13-2009, 07:22 PM	#1
BurBunny Zealot Posts: 110 Karma: 392 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle 2.0 In Hand	Does Size Matter? I've been reading on several of the threads discussing what people want in the Kindle III that larger screen size is high on the list. But it has me thinking: Is bigger always better? I get the larger screen for students and for those wanting to read tech information or graphic novels. In cases where you're reading a lot of .pdfs or times when exact pagination is essential. Perhaps for those with vision problems who benefit from larger font so they can have more on a single page. But for most of us, is bigger necessarily better? One of the complaints about the K2 is that its footprint is larger (though the screen size didn't increase). For people reading for pleasure, and traveling on the go, doesn't a larger size offset some of the advantages of ebooks, namely convenience and portability? For me, I'd like a slightly larger screen in the same footprint. I need it to remain portable and about the size of a hardback cover. Larger than that and it's no longer able to fit in my cabin bag for the airplane or be as comfortable to read in bed. I definitely think there's a market for Amazon to have a larger version, but my vote is firmly in the camp of maintaining a smaller version as well for those in the same reading demographic as I find myself. What about you? Does size matter? If so, how? Last edited by BurBunny; 02-13-2009 at 07:24 PM.

02-14-2009, 07:54 PM	#15
Leep Guru Posts: 739 Karma: 1018859 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Seattle Device: kindle1, K3, K3G (thanks MR), iTouch, Kindle Touch	I too am perfectly satisfied with the overall size of my Kindle. If they can increase the screen size without increasing the overall size that would be a bonus, but I have no problems with reading on it as is. Again, I am also that recreational reader, not reading scientific, graphic or textbook material, so can't speak to that problem. cheers Last edited by Leep; 02-14-2009 at 07:54 PM. Reason: typo

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02-13-2009, 07:28 PM	#4
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	If I had to limit myself to just one reader, I'd choose something small like my Kindle. I would like a larger one in addition for work.

02-13-2009, 07:29 PM	#5
nremondelli Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 52 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	I have no problem with the screen's current size.

02-13-2009, 08:00 PM	#6
StanDaMan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: kindle	I would LOVE an 8.5x11 screen. that'd be awesome i have so many things formatted for that size .

02-13-2009, 08:20 PM	#7
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	I'm perfectly happy with the current screen size. With six choices of font size, it is perfect for my reading.

02-13-2009, 08:38 PM	#8
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Since I really use it for recreational reading only, I prefer smaller, paperback book sizes for the screen. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I had different reading requirements.

02-13-2009, 09:54 PM	#9
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	Ultimately, I want two devices. A small one for novel type books and an 8.5x11 device for everything else.

02-13-2009, 10:06 PM	#10
Dragoro Lovecraft Fan Posts: 414 Karma: 539914 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Kindle Touch	That plastic something thing thats supposed to come out in 2010? might fit the bill when it comes to large stuff like tech or graphic novels.

02-13-2009, 11:22 PM	#11
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	The Plastic Logic device might still be too small. The outside diameter is about the size of 8.5x11 page, but it only has a diagonal screen measurement of 10.7 inches. This makes its page size only about 6.5x8.5, which is just 60% of the size of an 8.5x11 page.

02-14-2009, 12:37 AM	#13
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Most people are finding the iRex DR1000's 10.2" diagonal screen big enough in portrait mode after croping the margins of letter/A4 PDFs. The alternative is to switch to landscape mode and display half a page at a time at full size. The Plastic Logic 10.7" screen will be a bit better and the PVI 9.7" screen (in several devices this summer) a bit worse. If Amazon produces a big screen device it will probably use the 9.7" screen, like the Netronix EB-900. See the E-book Reader Matrix for the DR1000S and the EB-900. There are supposed to be 5" and 8" screens from PVI too, see EInk: High Resolution Displays. There will probably be a device from Jinke (Hanlin) using the 5" screen, but I have not heard of any new devices with an 8" screen. If this used a touch screen it could be the same size as the current Kindle 2 but with an on-screen keyboard. Based on the iLiad, an on-screen keyboard is much easier to use on an 8" screen than a smaller screen. If the screen were robust enough this might make a good form factor. Perhaps I just described the Kindle 3, with (as reported by various sources last year) the 9.7" device as a separate "professional" model for students and others who need PDF support. I would make it touch screen too, but Amazon really likes actual keyboards.

02-14-2009, 06:52 PM	#14
brn_eyed_girl81 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 40 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	I'm happy with the size of my Kindle now. If they could make the screen slightly larger without increasing the size of the device, that's fine, but for my recreational reading I really want something about this size. I can understand having a bigger model for the student model - it would still be smaller than a lot of textbooks I'm sure (if only it had been out when I was in college/med school - my back would be much happier right now). I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want a touch screen, though. I hate any slight smudge on my screen, and I'm sure that the finger marks would make me absolutely nuts. I understand that's not an issue for everyone, but for me it would prevent the device from "disappearing" as intended.

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