The future of 5" readers

Chi Cygni · 10-01-2011, 05:32 PM

Looking at what has been recently happening on the market I see a tendency to move towards 6" screen. It's nice of course to have screen estate but I must admit I love my 5" Opus. I prefer to carry it in my purse to the Kindle Keyboard. The new models are fine and dandy but not available in Europe yet, I'm only interested in a 3G model and for the moment won't buy a new one.

Are there any 5" models fans too? Or are we going down the route of a 6" screen with a minimal bezel? Once Opus drops price below 100 € I will buy a backup one, I like it so much even though it's side loading, absolutely no frills reader, with vizplex (good enough for me too)

Size matters, as they say

Any thoughts welcome!

fjtorres · 10-01-2011, 06:08 PM

Here.
I love my PB360.
Word is that the updated PB360+ is headed your way "real-soon-now".
It better hurry geting there because the entry level US$109 K4 is up for preorder in the UK at £89 and incoming to other markets, with the Kindle Touch not far behind.

Now, as much as I like the PB360, the economics of volume in the business are favoring 6in as the entry level and the new Kindles' dimensions are actually comparable to the few remaining five inchers. So color me concerned that fivers are indeed endangered.

hidari · 10-01-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Here.
I love my PB360.
Word is that the updated PB360+ is headed your way "real-soon-now".
It better hurry geting there because the entry level US$109 K4 is up for preorder in the UK at £89 and incoming to other markets, with the Kindle Touch not far behind.

Now, as much as I like the PB360, the economics of volume in the business are favoring 6in as the entry level and the new Kindles' dimensions are actually comparable to the few remaining five inchers. So color me concerned that fivers are indeed endangered.

Have to say am also a 5 inch screen size fan. Love the Opus, PB360,, Sony 350 and EzReader.....had or have all of them.. Ergonomics can't be beat and I find the form factor the best. though as torres said the new 6 inch machines seem to have reduces the real estate ...at least the new Sony is....

Chi Cygni.... with you there... love the Opus.... have a sony 350 as well but read on the Opus more due to ergonomics, ease of Font changing, epub rendering (still one of the best) and simplicity.

Just hope more 5 inch machines keep being churned out....

BenG · 10-01-2011, 06:38 PM

The new keyboardless 6" kindle isn't much wider than the 5" Sony. Supposedly it will fit in your pants pocket.

Phogg · 10-01-2011, 06:51 PM

I am for the bigest screen that will fit in a fishing shirt pocket.
If the bezel shrinks small enough, a 6" should go. I am not sure the $79 kindle is there but things are moving in the proper direction.

My PRS-350 is a decent size though. If it dies and 6" devices havent shrunk enough I will go for the Pocket Book.

faithbw · 10-01-2011, 07:09 PM

I love the 5 in" 350. I didn't think I would before I brought it but I love having a reader that can fit in the little zip up pocket of my big purse and yet is still large enough for me read to be able to read on comfortably.

sabredog · 10-01-2011, 07:14 PM

I am seriously considering replacing my travel PRS-300 with the new PRS-T1. I love the 300, but it is time to upgrade it.

HansTWN · 10-01-2011, 07:19 PM

With 4.3" now being the new standard for phone screen size and then recent movement towards 4.5, 4.7 and even 5.3" phones manufacturers probably think that there is not much of a market for 5" e-ink readers.

But with no bezel left, isn't 6" the new 5"?

Japes · 10-01-2011, 07:39 PM

I wouldn't say that 4.3" is the new standard for smart phone screen sizes. Smart phone screen sizes are still predominantly 3.5" (including the KING of smartphones...the Iphone). The largers ones are certainly out there, but they are the exception...not the rule.

soondai · 10-01-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

But with no bezel left, isn't 6" the new 5"?

I think so. As someone mentioned above, the new no-touch kindle is about the same size as my PRS-300, which is a great size to hold and read (and also for lugging around). I considered upgrading since my birthday is coming up (and I haven't been able to give the missus any gift suggestions), but my Sony still works fine.

Pomtroll · 10-01-2011, 08:29 PM

I prefer my Sony 350 & do carry it with me everywhere. I made sure I got a back up one in case I can't get another that size.

Terisa de morgan · 10-02-2011, 02:17 AM

I hace a PRS-350 (my main reader) and a Kobo Touch, and 350 is much smaller. Prs-300, however, has almost the same size than Prs-650 (I could make the comparison among them last week). For me, I've bought a second 350 in eBay. And no, the Kobo Touch, slightly smaller than Kindle Touch, doesn't fit in some purses my 350 does it.

frahse · 10-02-2011, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

Looking at what has been recently happening on the market I see a tendency to move towards 6" screen. It's nice of course to have screen estate but I must admit I love my 5" Opus. I prefer to carry it in my purse to the Kindle Keyboard. The new models are fine and dandy but not available in Europe yet, I'm only interested in a 3G model and for the moment won't buy a new one.

Are there any 5" models fans too? Or are we going down the route of a 6" screen with a minimal bezel? Once Opus drops price below 100 € I will buy a backup one, I like it so much even though it's side loading, absolutely no frills reader, with vizplex (good enough for me too)

Size matters, as they say

Any thoughts welcome!

I like a 5" too. Something that will fit in a shirt pocket. Samsung just brought out a Galaxy Note which is really a smartphone. It has a 5.3" AMOLED screen. It is way too expensive though.
Still they are bringing to the US sometime in Oct their new Galaxy WiFi S 4" and 5" Players.

In particular the 5" player is of interest. It is supposed to be 269USD while the 4" is either 229 or 239USD.

The width for the 5" player is 3.07 inches, the length is 5.56 inches. [corrected]

Here is the URL (note for Singapore right now.) Coming to US in Oct (16th maybe.)

http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consume...ype=prd_detail

Oops just checked. Now available for pre-order on Amazon. Release date Oct 16 as above.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy...7543156&sr=8-2

One note, Amazon has a mistake about the the display at 480x480 pixels, but the Samsung site has it 480x800 pixels.

The device has GPS, and can edit, create, and save MS docs among others.
Of course it can browse as well.
.

Giggleton · 10-02-2011, 05:28 AM

My Kindle3 fits perfectly inside the inner pocket of my favorite winter coat!

Quexos · 10-02-2011, 05:41 AM

I'm a step ahead it seems. The only reader I always had is a 6"
The 5" models being too small for my taste. They make my reading experience feel kind of incomplete. You have a certain amount of lines with a certain length in paper books, but a 5" is far from allowing the same experience and I think my 6" reader takes me close but not quite fully there. For me the ultimate reader should be a 7" ...

10-01-2011, 05:32 PM	#1
Chi Cygni 秋子 permanently lurking Posts: 839 Karma: 6587575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Europe Device: Oasis 3, Pocketbook Era	The future of 5" readers Looking at what has been recently happening on the market I see a tendency to move towards 6" screen. It's nice of course to have screen estate but I must admit I love my 5" Opus. I prefer to carry it in my purse to the Kindle Keyboard. The new models are fine and dandy but not available in Europe yet, I'm only interested in a 3G model and for the moment won't buy a new one. Are there any 5" models fans too? Or are we going down the route of a 6" screen with a minimal bezel? Once Opus drops price below 100 € I will buy a backup one, I like it so much even though it's side loading, absolutely no frills reader, with vizplex (good enough for me too) Size matters, as they say Any thoughts welcome!

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10-01-2011, 06:08 PM	#2
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Here. I love my PB360. Word is that the updated PB360+ is headed your way "real-soon-now". It better hurry geting there because the entry level US$109 K4 is up for preorder in the UK at £89 and incoming to other markets, with the Kindle Touch not far behind. Now, as much as I like the PB360, the economics of volume in the business are favoring 6in as the entry level and the new Kindles' dimensions are actually comparable to the few remaining five inchers. So color me concerned that fivers are indeed endangered.

10-01-2011, 06:38 PM	#4
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	The new keyboardless 6" kindle isn't much wider than the 5" Sony. Supposedly it will fit in your pants pocket.

10-01-2011, 06:51 PM	#5
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I am for the bigest screen that will fit in a fishing shirt pocket. If the bezel shrinks small enough, a 6" should go. I am not sure the $79 kindle is there but things are moving in the proper direction. My PRS-350 is a decent size though. If it dies and 6" devices havent shrunk enough I will go for the Pocket Book.

10-01-2011, 07:09 PM	#6
faithbw Guru Posts: 618 Karma: 1526148 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: A place where the sun always shines Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Mini 2	I love the 5 in" 350. I didn't think I would before I brought it but I love having a reader that can fit in the little zip up pocket of my big purse and yet is still large enough for me read to be able to read on comfortably.

10-01-2011, 07:14 PM	#7
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I am seriously considering replacing my travel PRS-300 with the new PRS-T1. I love the 300, but it is time to upgrade it.

10-01-2011, 07:19 PM	#8
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	With 4.3" now being the new standard for phone screen size and then recent movement towards 4.5, 4.7 and even 5.3" phones manufacturers probably think that there is not much of a market for 5" e-ink readers. But with no bezel left, isn't 6" the new 5"?

10-01-2011, 07:39 PM	#9
Japes Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1033852 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Sony PRS-350,Sony PRS-950,Pocketbook 360+,B&N Nook Simple Touch Reader	I wouldn't say that 4.3" is the new standard for smart phone screen sizes. Smart phone screen sizes are still predominantly 3.5" (including the KING of smartphones...the Iphone). The largers ones are certainly out there, but they are the exception...not the rule.

10-01-2011, 08:29 PM	#11
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I prefer my Sony 350 & do carry it with me everywhere. I made sure I got a back up one in case I can't get another that size.

10-02-2011, 02:17 AM	#12
Terisa de morgan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,235 Karma: 11768331 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Device: Kobo Clara/Aura One/Forma,XiaoMI 5, iPad, Huawei MediaPad, YotaPhone 2	I hace a PRS-350 (my main reader) and a Kobo Touch, and 350 is much smaller. Prs-300, however, has almost the same size than Prs-650 (I could make the comparison among them last week). For me, I've bought a second 350 in eBay. And no, the Kobo Touch, slightly smaller than Kindle Touch, doesn't fit in some purses my 350 does it.

10-02-2011, 05:28 AM	#14
Giggleton Banned Posts: 1,687 Karma: 4368191 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon Device: Kindle3	My Kindle3 fits perfectly inside the inner pocket of my favorite winter coat!

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10-02-2011, 05:41 AM	#15
Quexos Member Retired Posts: 1,999 Karma: 11348924 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Limbo Device: none	I'm a step ahead it seems. The only reader I always had is a 6" The 5" models being too small for my taste. They make my reading experience feel kind of incomplete. You have a certain amount of lines with a certain length in paper books, but a 5" is far from allowing the same experience and I think my 6" reader takes me close but not quite fully there. For me the ultimate reader should be a 7" ...