16:10 vs 4:3 For Reading? Including PDFs.

Fret44 · 02-15-2015, 03:19 AM

I'm trying to decide on a new (first) tablet, and I'm looking for advice about aspect ratios.

I found an old discussion on this board dating from the 16:9 days, but I could not find anything specifically related to the 16:10s that are the norm these days. So I wanted to refresh the topic and see what you folks thought now.

Reading aside, I'd like a general use tablet that'll work well for web browsing and light, on the go computing. I will probably watch the occasional video on it, but I don't mind black bars. For that, I expect a 4:3 is the way to go.

For reading specifically, maybe 1/3rd of the material I'm going to be reading are properly formatted in a mobile format like epub. But about 2/3rds of what I need to read will be PDFs.

Those PDFs will be books, articles, and scans, which are either 8x11 format or standard hardcover sizes. Those, I believe, are actually closer to 16:10.

I was originally thinking I'd prefer 4:3, but now I'm having second thoughts. I'd like to see complete pages on those PDFs. Maybe 16:10 is the better choice.

I don't have enough experience to make an informed choice here, but I know a lot of you folks do.

Can you help me?

pdurrant · 02-15-2015, 05:07 AM

US Letter is 11:8.5 which is about 13:10 or 3.88:3
So it's shorter than both screens

US Hardbacks are (mostly) 6x9 which is 15:10 or 4.5:3
So it is a little shorter than 16:10 and taller than 4:3.

If you're mostly reading US Letter, 4:3 is best. For hardbacks, I'd be tempted by the 16:10.

(And A4 is 297:210 which is about 14.1:10 or 4.24:3
So it's shorter than a 16:10 screen but taller than a 4:3 screen.)

HarryT · 02-15-2015, 05:13 AM

I read a lot of PDFs on my iPad (which is 4:3), and find it a better fit than my 16:10 Nexus.

DrNefario · 02-15-2015, 05:53 AM

I also have one of each, and find the 4:3 more pleasant to use than the 16:10 for almost all purposes. It just feels like things are too cramped on the 16:10 screen.

markom · 02-15-2015, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fret44

...

I was originally thinking I'd prefer 4:3, but now I'm having second thoughts. I'd like to see complete pages on those PDFs. Maybe 16:10 is the better choice.

I don't have enough experience to make an informed choice here, but I know a lot of you folks do.

Can you help me?

There is usually no need for complete pages to be seen, though.

I usually read A5 sized pdf zoomed without margins in continuous portraite and A4 zoomed without margins in continuous landscape.

In my case 10" iPad's 4:3 is better because the screen width in portraite is bigger, as well as the screen height in landscape with the screen width in landscape wide enough for A4 pdf.

theducks · 02-15-2015, 01:35 PM

Actual Text (not the margins) on a US paperback is 16:10
If you format your e-book with minimal margins (Most devices already have a Bezel/mask provided margin

),a 16:10 display should render a near 1:1 with the same font size (assumes the display size is 3.5in wide)

02-15-2015, 03:19 AM	#1
Fret44 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: none	16:10 vs 4:3 For Reading? Including PDFs. I'm trying to decide on a new (first) tablet, and I'm looking for advice about aspect ratios. I found an old discussion on this board dating from the 16:9 days, but I could not find anything specifically related to the 16:10s that are the norm these days. So I wanted to refresh the topic and see what you folks thought now. Reading aside, I'd like a general use tablet that'll work well for web browsing and light, on the go computing. I will probably watch the occasional video on it, but I don't mind black bars. For that, I expect a 4:3 is the way to go. For reading specifically, maybe 1/3rd of the material I'm going to be reading are properly formatted in a mobile format like epub. But about 2/3rds of what I need to read will be PDFs. Those PDFs will be books, articles, and scans, which are either 8x11 format or standard hardcover sizes. Those, I believe, are actually closer to 16:10. I was originally thinking I'd prefer 4:3, but now I'm having second thoughts. I'd like to see complete pages on those PDFs. Maybe 16:10 is the better choice. I don't have enough experience to make an informed choice here, but I know a lot of you folks do. Can you help me?

02-15-2015, 05:07 AM	#2
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,869 Karma: 315126578 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	US Letter is 11:8.5 which is about 13:10 or 3.88:3 So it's shorter than both screens US Hardbacks are (mostly) 6x9 which is 15:10 or 4.5:3 So it is a little shorter than 16:10 and taller than 4:3. If you're mostly reading US Letter, 4:3 is best. For hardbacks, I'd be tempted by the 16:10. (And A4 is 297:210 which is about 14.1:10 or 4.24:3 So it's shorter than a 16:10 screen but taller than a 4:3 screen.) Last edited by pdurrant; 02-15-2015 at 05:10 AM.

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02-15-2015, 05:13 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I read a lot of PDFs on my iPad (which is 4:3), and find it a better fit than my 16:10 Nexus.

02-15-2015, 05:53 AM	#4
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,197 Karma: 12000000 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I also have one of each, and find the 4:3 more pleasant to use than the 16:10 for almost all purposes. It just feels like things are too cramped on the 16:10 screen.

02-15-2015, 01:35 PM	#6
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,005 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Actual Text (not the margins) on a US paperback is 16:10 If you format your e-book with minimal margins (Most devices already have a Bezel/mask provided margin ),a 16:10 display should render a near 1:1 with the same font size (assumes the display size is 3.5in wide)

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