Does the size matters?

Mister_R · 10-19-2010, 05:36 AM

I am preparing to buy an e-book reader. The immediate question is which one should I buy.
Considering this I started thinking of screen size.
I have no experience with e-book readers, but I think it may be annoying to turn page every second. So I consider buying a 9” screen instead of a 6”.
I would like to have an opinion on this. Is the 9” screen much better than the one with 6”? I am not interested in reading magazines but having a nice time reading comfortably. Do you recommend a 6” or 9”?

bill_mchale · 10-19-2010, 07:02 AM

Well, I think most people with 6" readers find them sufficiently large for comfortable general reading. In addition, I think it is important to consider just how much bigger a 9" reader is.

The biggest issue, I think, with the larger readers is that there are fewer available, which means you may find it harder to find what you are looking for in a reader.

That being said, some people love their 9" ereaders.

On last thought... have you thought about the Sony 950? Its got a larger screen than 6" readers, but still smaller than the 9" ones.

--
Bill

frostschutz · 10-19-2010, 07:08 AM

9" devices are too large and bulky for me. I prefer 5". For comfort, 6" is perfect.

I even use a relatively large font on my 5" device. I could make it much smaller and still be readable and require only half as many page turns, but I prefer a font size that does not involve eye squinting.

I just counted the words on the page I'm currently at, at my current setting I still have 150 words per page. That's a little more than half of a regular book page, takes me longer than just a second to read, and page turns are not a problem for me.

Iridal · 10-19-2010, 07:20 AM

I was worried about this as well when I decided to get a reader. I've used my 6" reader for a couple of weeks now and I don't think I'll upgrade to a 9" screen. There's not that much difference between the 6" reader screen and a page of a normal-sized paperback (depends on the font size of course, I use the small font size). You don't notice the page turns, just as you don't really notice turning the page of a paper book.

And then there's also the portability to consider: I wouldn't want to carry a 9" screen around everyday. I might as wel just take a book with me then ...

I guess the smaller the better (at least where ereader are concerned

)

Iridal · 10-19-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostschutz

I just counted the words on the page I'm currently at, at my current setting I still have 150 words per page. That's a little more than half of a regular book page, takes me longer than just a second to read, and page turns are not a problem for me.

It takes you only a second to read 150 words ?

mpeg2 · 10-19-2010, 07:35 AM

I don't know about the poster - but about 1 sec per screen is about right for me (constantly clicking the next page button).

Rich

Iridal · 10-19-2010, 07:52 AM

Please tell me you're using the XL font size ...

Otherwise:

MrPLD · 10-19-2010, 07:54 AM

My goodness.. that's insanely fast to read... how many words/characters per page?

For me, a typical 60 char, 45 line page takes about 20~30 seconds for me to read, maybe a bit faster if I'm grazing... but a second... maybe you people should be employed in the secret-service

mpeg2 · 10-19-2010, 08:07 AM

Around midrange in font size... Its a bit of a mixed blessing - i read really fast, so handling the enormous volume of emails I deal with daily gets much simpler.

For pleasure reading - going through 1 or more books a day can get expensive (which is why I wish the whole notion of library ebooks would get to be practical). I still read mostly from physical books from the library - but when travelling, its completely off the Kindle now - I carry a full library with me (I can recall a trip to Asia, when I had 10 paperbacks in my suitcase...).

I like the screen refresh time on the Kindle - find that it doesn't get in the way at all...

Rich

mgmueller · 10-19-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_R

I am preparing to buy an e-book reader. The immediate question is which one should I buy.
Considering this I started thinking of screen size.
I have no experience with e-book readers, but I think it may be annoying to turn page every second. So I consider buying a 9” screen instead of a 6”.
I would like to have an opinion on this. Is the 9” screen much better than the one with 6”? I am not interested in reading magazines but having a nice time reading comfortably. Do you recommend a 6” or 9”?

For casual reads, 6" is absolutely adequate. Even 5" is convenient enough.
For "professional documents" (text books, contracts, ...) = the bigger the better, as reflow usually will "kill the layout" and you may want to stick as close as possible to the original format, usually DIN A4 or letter.

For comparison:
6" is about the same as your average paperback.
5" obviously is a bit smaller, but to some portability is a factor.
9" is about the same as a DIN A4 document.

peaceridge · 10-19-2010, 09:30 AM

As a very fast reader i found my old Sony 700 6" screen just too small. It seemed like the page turn took longer than reading the page. BTW I use a medium size font, smaller does bother my eyes.

I now have the 8.1" Irex 800sg and it is perfect. However, they went out of business - have new owners, but their selling to the public is problematic. The 800 is currently freezing every time I recharge and I have to reboot. So, it may be on it's last legs. I'm really worried about finding a next reader - the only one that comes close in size is the Sony 900-950, but it is only 7". Hopefully the 800 will hold out until there is a replacement size or I'll probably go with something like the ipad in spite of it's non eink screen.

ProfCrash · 10-19-2010, 09:41 AM

I love my DXG. I like the larger page but I have always prefered hardback books to paperback books.

I was fine reading on my K1 with its 6 inch screen but really like my DXG and the larger screen. I am looking at picking up a K3 for travel, it fits into my smaller travel bag better, but will still use the DXG at home.

peaceridge · 10-19-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I love my DXG. I like the larger page but I have always prefered hardback books to paperback books.

I was fine reading on my K1 with its 6 inch screen but really like my DXG and the larger screen. I am looking at picking up a K3 for travel, it fits into my smaller travel bag better, but will still use the DXG at home.

Re the DXG - I don't like the wasted space for a keyboard that I would never use. Also, I just don't trust Amazon not to decide to delete all my books - probably there is a way to turn off Amazon's 3g, but I haven't looked into to it.

ProfCrash · 10-19-2010, 10:05 AM

Turning off the 3G is easy enough. You go to menu and you turn off whispernet. Done and Done.

Amazon deleted one book and Jeff Bezos apologized for that on the Amazon discussion boards and in interviews. You can go and find his apology on the Amazon boards pretty easily. Amazon also ended up returning the book to people who wanted it back and gave a free e-book to those who did not. Everyone involved got a gift certificate for $10.

Additionally, folks learned that you can save the books to your harddrive and reload the book to your Kindle that way. So even if Amazon decides to commit another major PR suicide stunt you would have the book or books available to put right back on your device.

mgmueller · 10-19-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaceridge

As a very fast reader i found my old Sony 700 6" screen just too small. It seemed like the page turn took longer than reading the page. BTW I use a medium size font, smaller does bother my eyes.

I now have the 8.1" Irex 800sg and it is perfect. However, they went out of business - have new owners, but their selling to the public is problematic. The 800 is currently freezing every time I recharge and I have to reboot. So, it may be on it's last legs. I'm really worried about finding a next reader - the only one that comes close in size is the Sony 900-950, but it is only 7". Hopefully the 800 will hold out until there is a replacement size or I'll probably go with something like the ipad in spite of it's non eink screen.

PocketBook 902/903 might be worth checking out.

10-19-2010, 05:36 AM	#1
Mister_R Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle DX	Does the size matters? I am preparing to buy an e-book reader. The immediate question is which one should I buy. Considering this I started thinking of screen size. I have no experience with e-book readers, but I think it may be annoying to turn page every second. So I consider buying a 9” screen instead of a 6”. I would like to have an opinion on this. Is the 9” screen much better than the one with 6”? I am not interested in reading magazines but having a nice time reading comfortably. Do you recommend a 6” or 9”?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dark Matters by Ryan M. Williams - $1.99	RyanMWilliams	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	0	07-14-2010 08:17 AM
Dpi/ppi-list for different matters somewhere?	athlonkmf	General Discussions	3	06-09-2010 08:50 AM
Size matters, what about weight?	jetreader	Ectaco jetBook	5	09-05-2009 11:56 PM
EVERYTHING MATTERS! Like, uh, formatting!	Neil	Amazon Kindle	2	07-21-2009 11:17 AM
Size matters?	Boris	Which one should I buy?	4	08-08-2007 04:06 PM

10-19-2010, 07:02 AM	#2
bill_mchale Wizard Posts: 1,451 Karma: 1550000 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE	Well, I think most people with 6" readers find them sufficiently large for comfortable general reading. In addition, I think it is important to consider just how much bigger a 9" reader is. The biggest issue, I think, with the larger readers is that there are fewer available, which means you may find it harder to find what you are looking for in a reader. That being said, some people love their 9" ereaders. On last thought... have you thought about the Sony 950? Its got a larger screen than 6" readers, but still smaller than the 9" ones. -- Bill

10-19-2010, 07:08 AM	#3
frostschutz Linux User Posts: 2,282 Karma: 6123806 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Device: none	9" devices are too large and bulky for me. I prefer 5". For comfort, 6" is perfect. I even use a relatively large font on my 5" device. I could make it much smaller and still be readable and require only half as many page turns, but I prefer a font size that does not involve eye squinting. I just counted the words on the page I'm currently at, at my current setting I still have 150 words per page. That's a little more than half of a regular book page, takes me longer than just a second to read, and page turns are not a problem for me.

10-19-2010, 07:20 AM	#4
Iridal Mysteriarch Posts: 1,422 Karma: 26606984 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The land of impossible deadlines Device: iPhone 4, Kindle 3	I was worried about this as well when I decided to get a reader. I've used my 6" reader for a couple of weeks now and I don't think I'll upgrade to a 9" screen. There's not that much difference between the 6" reader screen and a page of a normal-sized paperback (depends on the font size of course, I use the small font size). You don't notice the page turns, just as you don't really notice turning the page of a paper book. And then there's also the portability to consider: I wouldn't want to carry a 9" screen around everyday. I might as wel just take a book with me then ... I guess the smaller the better (at least where ereader are concerned )

10-19-2010, 07:35 AM	#6
mpeg2 Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 2687880 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	I don't know about the poster - but about 1 sec per screen is about right for me (constantly clicking the next page button). Rich

10-19-2010, 07:52 AM	#7
Iridal Mysteriarch Posts: 1,422 Karma: 26606984 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The land of impossible deadlines Device: iPhone 4, Kindle 3	Please tell me you're using the XL font size ... Otherwise:

10-19-2010, 07:54 AM	#8
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	My goodness.. that's insanely fast to read... how many words/characters per page? For me, a typical 60 char, 45 line page takes about 20~30 seconds for me to read, maybe a bit faster if I'm grazing... but a second... maybe you people should be employed in the secret-service

10-19-2010, 08:07 AM	#9
mpeg2 Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 2687880 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	Around midrange in font size... Its a bit of a mixed blessing - i read really fast, so handling the enormous volume of emails I deal with daily gets much simpler. For pleasure reading - going through 1 or more books a day can get expensive (which is why I wish the whole notion of library ebooks would get to be practical). I still read mostly from physical books from the library - but when travelling, its completely off the Kindle now - I carry a full library with me (I can recall a trip to Asia, when I had 10 paperbacks in my suitcase...). I like the screen refresh time on the Kindle - find that it doesn't get in the way at all... Rich

10-19-2010, 09:30 AM	#11
peaceridge Wizard Posts: 1,019 Karma: 4407864 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Carolina Device: Kobo Aura1, Nexus7.2, Galaxy Tab A 8.4, Ipad Air & Mini 6	As a very fast reader i found my old Sony 700 6" screen just too small. It seemed like the page turn took longer than reading the page. BTW I use a medium size font, smaller does bother my eyes. I now have the 8.1" Irex 800sg and it is perfect. However, they went out of business - have new owners, but their selling to the public is problematic. The 800 is currently freezing every time I recharge and I have to reboot. So, it may be on it's last legs. I'm really worried about finding a next reader - the only one that comes close in size is the Sony 900-950, but it is only 7". Hopefully the 800 will hold out until there is a replacement size or I'll probably go with something like the ipad in spite of it's non eink screen.

10-19-2010, 09:41 AM	#12
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I love my DXG. I like the larger page but I have always prefered hardback books to paperback books. I was fine reading on my K1 with its 6 inch screen but really like my DXG and the larger screen. I am looking at picking up a K3 for travel, it fits into my smaller travel bag better, but will still use the DXG at home.

10-19-2010, 10:05 AM	#14
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Turning off the 3G is easy enough. You go to menu and you turn off whispernet. Done and Done. Amazon deleted one book and Jeff Bezos apologized for that on the Amazon discussion boards and in interviews. You can go and find his apology on the Amazon boards pretty easily. Amazon also ended up returning the book to people who wanted it back and gave a free e-book to those who did not. Everyone involved got a gift certificate for $10. Additionally, folks learned that you can save the books to your harddrive and reload the book to your Kindle that way. So even if Amazon decides to commit another major PR suicide stunt you would have the book or books available to put right back on your device.

Advert

Advert