800x600 vs higher res, is it a big deal?

[yoyo09]

Hi, i would like to hear opinions about this because i had planned to buy a kindle paperwhite but found a nook ST (which are hard to find around here) and thought i would sacrifice resolution for the ability to root and make my e-reader more versatile. So, how comfortable for the eyes is it to read with the 800x600 resolution vs the higher one in the case of e-ink readers?

[mr_nihilism]

I suspect you'll get some varying answers on this subject. Me personally, I don't notice the difference when it comes to just plain reading.


Edit - I've jumped between the Kobo Mini and AuraHD and it doesn't seem to bother me any. I just don't see any difference.

[ottdmk]

I've only really noticed the difference when looking at PDFs. But as one of the things I love about my Kobo Touch (800x600) is gaming PDFs at the gaming table, I still covet an Aura HD (much higher resolution, even higher then a Kindle Paperwhite.)

[robko]

Higher res is likely more important if you like smaller font size and for some pdf files.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by robko

Higher res is likely more important if you like smaller font size and for some pdf files.

Or if you have very good close vision and it bothers you to see pixelated text. I read best without glasses and with a slightly larger font size and I vastly prefer the high resolution. Also make images look great, if they are high enough resolution to take advantage.

Some individuals won't notice the difference, some will find it wonderful to have the resolution. All depends on the eyes you got in the great genetic lottery.

[mystika1]

I have been curious about this as well. When I read on the Glo, I have to set the font a bit bigger lately because my vision will blur. This also happens on my Kindle 2. Reading glasses helps with this problem. I guess my near vision isn't what it used to be. I was wondering if the Aura HD would help with this as it has higher resolution. It also helps if I darken the font. I have a Nook HD+ but I suffer from insomnia and eink is way better for me.

Any thoughts?

Penny

[Canuck_in_Japan]

At a macro level you can see the difference but at a normal reading distance it really doesn't affect much.

[Mivo]

If it's a plain-text book, without graphics, I don't really notice the difference. I have to look very closely to spot it. That's in stark contrast to LCD displays where you can't possibly not notice the difference.

[HarryT]

It certainly makes a difference; whether or not that difference is sufficient to influence your choice of reading device is something that only you can decide.

[llcj]

Originally Posted by graycyn

Or if you have very good close vision and it bothers you to see pixelated text. I read best without glasses and with a slightly larger font size and I vastly prefer the high resolution. Also make images look great, if they are high enough resolution to take advantage.

Some individuals won't notice the difference, some will find it wonderful to have the resolution. All depends on the eyes you got in the great genetic lottery.

My experience is this. I read without my glasses, with a small font, and the reader held fairly close to my face. The higher resolution is important to me.

[hidari]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It certainly makes a difference; whether or not that difference is sufficient to influence your choice of reading device is something that only you can decide.

If you are anal retentive....but most readers with ereaders are probably not...

[Billi]

If this is your first reader and you will mostly read novels (in epub or mobi format) then go for it, you will be satisfied with the 800x600 resolution. It is more difficult to switch back from a higher resolution reader to something lower and, like others had said before, it really makes a difference with pdf-files. Normally the higher resolution comes with a better contrast, with a darker grey of the font colour. And don't forget to play around with different fonts, they can make a big difference with the readability too.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by yoyo09

Hi, i would like to hear opinions about this because i had planned to buy a kindle paperwhite but found a nook ST (which are hard to find around here) and thought i would sacrifice resolution for the ability to root and make my e-reader more versatile. So, how comfortable for the eyes is it to read with the 800x600 resolution vs the higher one in the case of e-ink readers?

I went from the Kindle Touch to the Paperwhite, i.e. from 800x600 to 1024x758.

I didn't notice this transition, but my eyesight is bad. If text reaches something like 140-150 ppi, I stop noticing improvements. So for me, 800x600 is fine, 1024x758 is epic, and anything higher will not be an insentive to upgrade anymore.

It will depend on your vision, if the upgrade (or downgrade) is noticable. And even if it is noticable, you may not care for the higher resolution or may not be bothered by the lower one.

However, I do have some friends who claim that they can "easily" see the pixels on a 1920x800 5 inch smartphone and keep jabbering that "by now" 2560x1440 should "easily" be possible and is "really necessary"... I for one think that's just bullshit. Nobody has THAT good a vision to see pixels at 440 ppi when using the device on a normal working distance.

[yoyo09]

Ok, i think i will buy the nook st then. I was worried that text would look blurry compared to the paperwhite, but judging from the responses the display quality is good enough. Thanks!

[donpapachino]

it's a matter of personal preference, but for me 800x600 is fine.