perfect screen size

jetreader · 07-27-2009, 01:57 PM

I appreciate Mac design very much, probably it's the best on the planet Earth, but - why do you need 10" screen bookreader for 800 bucks?!
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...-computer.html
If you say that 10" is the best size to download newspapers and\or magazines, why not to go for 12" computer? Even better! I understand - tastes differ. But for me 5" jetBook screen is the perfect for the real pocket size device. Not too big, not too small. How can you beat it?
What do you think?

Shaggy · 07-27-2009, 01:59 PM

The "perfect" screen size depends on what content you are reading. The perfect size for a reader that is being used for paperback type material is different from the perfect size for a reader that is being used for newspapers/textbooks, etc.

LuBiB · 07-27-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetreader

I appreciate Mac design very much, probably it's the best on the planet Earth, but - why do you need 10" screen bookreader for 800 bucks?!
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...-computer.html
If you say that 10" is the best size to download newspapers and\or magazines, why not to go for 12" computer? Even better! I understand - tastes differ. But for me 5" jetBook screen is the perfect for the real pocket size device. Not too big, not too small. How can you beat it?
What do you think?

i agree that everyone has their personal preferences alongside purchasing products. but if your going for something portable (which an eBook reader should be) then the more 'pocketable' it is, the better, so you can take it with you everywhere.

10" is just way too big of a size for a reader and you definitely wont be able to fit that anywhere if your on the go.

5" is half that size but honestly its not until you've actually played around with it that you get the feeling of how useful the device is in reading books.

it sounds small but it really isn't. the display is, for lack of any better words, 'perfect.'

and with the different font sizes it's easy to manipulate the text to however small or large you want it.

that was my point of sale for the jetBook, its ability to stay portable and give me an awesome reading experience when im on the subway or flying from coast to coast.

jetreader · 07-27-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

The "perfect" screen size depends on what content you are reading. The perfect size for a reader that is being used for paperback type material is different from the perfect size for a reader that is being used for newspapers/textbooks, etc.

Well, today's nespapers and magazines formatting their content to make it easy for you to download it into anything. If you need to see newspaper design as a whole thing, and you like to see 6 or 8 columns in front of you instead of one, then 10" will help. But it's kind of outdated, no?

komugi · 07-27-2009, 02:46 PM

800$ is way too much for this device :|

Shaggy · 07-27-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetreader

Well, today's nespapers and magazines formatting their content to make it easy for you to download it into anything. If you need to see newspaper design as a whole thing, and you like to see 6 or 8 columns in front of you instead of one, then 10" will help. But it's kind of outdated, no?

That's true. It has more to do with the formatting of the content than anything else.

jetreader · 07-27-2009, 03:10 PM

look at what competition did to iPod-like mp3 players - how many of them do we have now - hundreds? And for how much? Price rules. Who can beat $200 jetBook? I don't really know how much you're ready to pay for the stylish gadget. And I can't agree more - $800 is way too much. Of course Chateau Petrus for $1500 is a fabulous wine but most of us drink nice californians for $25 a bottle and pretty happy with it. Warning: don't even try caifirnian wines for under $15.

Kali Yuga · 07-27-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetreader

I appreciate Mac design very much, probably it's the best on the planet Earth, but - why do you need 10" screen bookreader for 800 bucks?!

Right now, Plastic Logic hasn't announced a price. I doubt it will cost $800 though.

That size reader is useful for technical documents, manuals and textbooks. As with any dedicated e-book reader, the advantages include light weight, low power, long battery life, crisp text and a screen more suitable for long reading sessions.

Or to put it another way, $500 - $800 may get you a nice netbook, but it won't get you an 18 ounce, 1/3" thick netbook with a battery life measured in days and an e-Ink or comparable screen.

Daithi · 07-27-2009, 06:52 PM

I have a Kindle 1 and a Kindle DX. I really like the bigger screen, so the Kindle DX has become my primary reader. The smaller sized screens don't handle a lot of types of texts very well (e.g. poetry, textbook material, etc.). However, I still prefer the larger DX screen for even novel type books because of fewer page turns.

So then, why not a 12" screen. I have a feeling I'd probably find it too big, but of course I'd have to see one to make that judgement definitively. Personally, I want the smallest sized screen that will comfortably display an 8 /12 x 11 sized page and the Kindle DX hits that sweet spot for me. (This is not to imply that I believe the Kindle DX is perfect - far from it.)

With all of that said, I still prefer the Kindle 1 for travelling and would probably prefer the thinner Kindle 2 for travelling if I had one. When travelling and reading novels, I'd want the smaller screen.

Nate the great · 07-27-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetreader

I appreciate Mac design very much, probably it's the best on the planet Earth, but - why do you need 10" screen bookreader for 800 bucks?!
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...-computer.html
If you say that 10" is the best size to download newspapers and\or magazines, why not to go for 12" computer? Even better! I understand - tastes differ. But for me 5" jetBook screen is the perfect for the real pocket size device. Not too big, not too small. How can you beat it?
What do you think?

Speaking as someone who has a 10" screen, I have to say that anything smaller is too cramped for full size PDFs. And I also deeply enjoy MobiPocket Reader's 2 column mode. It's much like having a hardback open in front of me, only without the need to turn the pages or prop it up. I have a gallery of screenshots over here.

Nate the great · 07-27-2009, 07:06 PM

The exepcted price of the Apple tablet is ridiculous, though.

Sonist · 07-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daithi

... I really like the bigger screen, so the Kindle DX has become my primary reader. The smaller sized screens don't handle a lot of types of texts very well (e.g. poetry, textbook material, etc.). However, I still prefer the larger DX screen for even novel type books because of fewer page turns....

+1

Larger screen are more immersive, for me. A 12" would be close to the size of a real hardcover page, and if it handles PDFs well, it would be my perfect size. Yep, for novels too.

I actually am looking forward to getting rid of my 6" device, as soon as I see what larger screens appear within the next couple of months.

Dylrob · 07-27-2009, 09:17 PM

I think the most ideal reader would have a 10-12" screen that folds up. Thus you get the best of both worlds (eg. size and portability). Unfortunately with PL PV declaring bankruptcy, this device seems further off than ever.

In the near term I would like to replace my broken Sony reader with one of the 8-10" devices... when I can afford to. For what I need it for the size is more of a priority than sheer portability. And a tablet is at least more portable than a laptop or netbook.

HansTWN · 07-27-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

I think the most ideal reader would have a 10-12" screen that folds up. Thus you get the best of both worlds (eg. size and portability). Unfortunately with PL declaring bankruptcy, this device seems further off than ever.

In the near term I would like to replace my broken Sony reader with one of the 8-10" devices... when I can afford to. For what I need it for the size is more of a priority than sheer portability. And a tablet is at least more portable than a laptop or netbook.

That is what I am dreaming of! A 12" that you can fold into a 3" and put into your pocket. There are folding prototypes, but my guess is it will take years. So for the moment 2 readers would be ideal, the 6" for novels, and a 10-12" for newspapers, PDF files, etc. Well, when that Plastic Logic reader comes out I will break down and get one, score one for the inner geek! For browsing the web a 3.5-5" screen actually works quite well (which is what most phones have now), so I would never consider a tablet unless it had a screen that was really easy on the eyes to make it suitable for reading, too.

emellaich · 07-27-2009, 10:07 PM

So, I don't think the Mac tablet is necessarily a book reader. First, it is a multi-function device. I think that the meaning of Jobs famous statement about their being no market for book readers is that the market for dedicated ebook readers (in his opinion) is too small.

Look at the success of the Apple app store, and the books on the Iphone/Itouch. I think they see this as a multi-use device. One of the uses is as a book reader, but this isn't necessarily the use that drives the 10 inch screen.

The biggest book related app for this would be for reading and annotating pdf's and doc's. Teachers could grade papers and send them back to students where they could view them on their screens. Researchers could read and mark up pdf's. I personally don't count this as a book reading app. For pure book reading 5" is great for me.

07-27-2009, 01:57 PM	#1
jetreader Banned Posts: 23 Karma: 102 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Device: jetbook	perfect screen size I appreciate Mac design very much, probably it's the best on the planet Earth, but - why do you need 10" screen bookreader for 800 bucks?! http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...-computer.html If you say that 10" is the best size to download newspapers and\or magazines, why not to go for 12" computer? Even better! I understand - tastes differ. But for me 5" jetBook screen is the perfect for the real pocket size device. Not too big, not too small. How can you beat it? What do you think?

07-27-2009, 09:17 PM	#13
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,141 Karma: 47366760 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	I think the most ideal reader would have a 10-12" screen that folds up. Thus you get the best of both worlds (eg. size and portability). Unfortunately with PL PV declaring bankruptcy, this device seems further off than ever. In the near term I would like to replace my broken Sony reader with one of the 8-10" devices... when I can afford to. For what I need it for the size is more of a priority than sheer portability. And a tablet is at least more portable than a laptop or netbook. Last edited by Dylrob; 07-27-2009 at 10:24 PM.

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07-27-2009, 01:59 PM	#2
Shaggy Wizard Posts: 4,293 Karma: 529619 Join Date: May 2007 Device: iRex iLiad, DR800SG	The "perfect" screen size depends on what content you are reading. The perfect size for a reader that is being used for paperback type material is different from the perfect size for a reader that is being used for newspapers/textbooks, etc.

07-27-2009, 02:46 PM	#5
komugi Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 254 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Surface Pro 3, HTC 10, Kobo Aura H2O	800$ is way too much for this device :\|

07-27-2009, 03:10 PM	#7
jetreader Banned Posts: 23 Karma: 102 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Device: jetbook	look at what competition did to iPod-like mp3 players - how many of them do we have now - hundreds? And for how much? Price rules. Who can beat $200 jetBook? I don't really know how much you're ready to pay for the stylish gadget. And I can't agree more - $800 is way too much. Of course Chateau Petrus for $1500 is a fabulous wine but most of us drink nice californians for $25 a bottle and pretty happy with it. Warning: don't even try caifirnian wines for under $15.

07-27-2009, 06:52 PM	#9
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I have a Kindle 1 and a Kindle DX. I really like the bigger screen, so the Kindle DX has become my primary reader. The smaller sized screens don't handle a lot of types of texts very well (e.g. poetry, textbook material, etc.). However, I still prefer the larger DX screen for even novel type books because of fewer page turns. So then, why not a 12" screen. I have a feeling I'd probably find it too big, but of course I'd have to see one to make that judgement definitively. Personally, I want the smallest sized screen that will comfortably display an 8 /12 x 11 sized page and the Kindle DX hits that sweet spot for me. (This is not to imply that I believe the Kindle DX is perfect - far from it.) With all of that said, I still prefer the Kindle 1 for travelling and would probably prefer the thinner Kindle 2 for travelling if I had one. When travelling and reading novels, I'd want the smaller screen.

07-27-2009, 07:06 PM	#11
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	The exepcted price of the Apple tablet is ridiculous, though.

07-27-2009, 10:07 PM	#15
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	So, I don't think the Mac tablet is necessarily a book reader. First, it is a multi-function device. I think that the meaning of Jobs famous statement about their being no market for book readers is that the market for dedicated ebook readers (in his opinion) is too small. Look at the success of the Apple app store, and the books on the Iphone/Itouch. I think they see this as a multi-use device. One of the uses is as a book reader, but this isn't necessarily the use that drives the 10 inch screen. The biggest book related app for this would be for reading and annotating pdf's and doc's. Teachers could grade papers and send them back to students where they could view them on their screens. Researchers could read and mark up pdf's. I personally don't count this as a book reading app. For pure book reading 5" is great for me.