What color should the bezels of an ereader be?

Sirtel · 10-26-2023, 11:19 AM

Following a discussion about a possible new device in the Kobo forum, it would be interesting to know how many people prefer the traditional black bezels and how many want something else.

Martinoptic · 10-26-2023, 11:22 AM

I voted I don’t care so long - as it isn’t a distraction from the screen.

issybird · 10-26-2023, 11:29 AM

Back in the day, when resolution was markedly worse and screens weren't lit, the received wisdom was that black bezels were best, because the contrast made the background look whiter and the text to pop more. Now, it seems to me, logic would say you might as well have a white bezel that blends more or less with the background and lets you push out the margins, mimicking "real pages". I find the latter persuasive myself, but the only white bezel I own is the Kobo Mini, which of course is the exact opposite -- poor resolution and no light.

In fact, I don't really care. The only time I did care was with two Sony X50s, where they had the shiny silver bezels. In those two cases I broke my rule and bought a skin* for the surround, because the reflection was offputting.

*I don't get spending money on skins. They're just a distraction. And they're insanely expensive!

Sirtel · 10-26-2023, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

*I don't get spending money on skins. They're just a distraction. And they're insanely expensive!

Personally I agree with this, but obviously many people like them. Then again, my dislike might have something to do with the fact that I'm absolutely unable to put a skin on any device without creases.

ZodWallop · 10-26-2023, 11:39 AM

I voted that I don't care. But maybe I should change it. I really like the look of the Kindle Basic in denim blue. Enough that I considered buying one even though I have no use for a Kindle and never use the one I was given.

If there were a red reader, I'd likely buy it.

I've considered getting a red skin for my Clara, but:

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

*I don't get spending money on skins. They're just a distraction. And they're insanely expensive!

DNSB · 10-26-2023, 11:58 AM

I voted I don't care. Unless the bezel is distracting as issybird mentioned with the shiny silver bezel, I can't see the bezel as affecting my reading enjoyment.

Quoth · 10-26-2023, 12:27 PM

Shiny is poorer than matte?
I do have a shiny alloy Sony PRS-350 (curiously not too distracting) and an all white Y-ben P47L (discolouring badly). The Kindle DXG and Kindle K3 are both matte dark grey (hence "Graphite") which is nice, but all the others are black. Screen quality, size (for purpose) and not too heavy.

My black bezel Toshiba TV is more annoying than a silver Sony TV I saw because it's very shiny and large at the bottom, so a reading lamp reflects off it. I'll maybe attack it with very fine grit sanding paper.

White plastic can get shabby quickly and the rubbery finishes discolour badly if pale.

I think the size of margin affects how distracting or not a bezel is.

theducks · 10-26-2023, 12:35 PM

I voted Something else. A matte, mute color (black, Dk Blue, Grey come to mind). OTOH Brite or glossy should be (seriously

) avoided.

FWIW Bezels mostly take the place of page Margins (I use a small value to allow for screen positioning ( Overscan was what we adjusted for back in CRT days)

Uncle Robin · 10-26-2023, 12:39 PM

Vantablack

Calenorn · 10-26-2023, 12:45 PM

… like my dreams; red, gold and green…

JSWolf · 10-26-2023, 12:54 PM

I had a red Sony Reader PRS-505. I liked the color.

MGlitch · 10-26-2023, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Vantablack

Too light

MGlitch · 10-26-2023, 01:20 PM

Matte black and thin would be my preference the Sage and Libra come close though I’d love for all sides to be a bit thinner especially the button side. I would prefer a more matte and darker black than these two models have, I wasn’t fully kidding about wanting darker than vanta black realistically something approaching it would be great.

Terisa de morgan · 10-26-2023, 02:33 PM

Pink, like my old Sony PRS-350 (yes, I purchased at B&H New York for delivering to Spain just because it was pink). But really, any bright color would be ok, I really LOATHE the black and white devices.

John F · 10-26-2023, 04:05 PM

In general, I don't care. There are some colors I wouldn't like. Lime Green, Neon Yellow, Pink, Florescent colors, ...

I would prefer it if the bezel matches the front facing color of the reader.

I think. I may change my mind if I see something else I like.

View Poll Results: What color should the bezels of an ereader be?
Black	71	56.35%
Gray	17	13.49%
White	27	21.43%
Gold	3	2.38%
Silver	3	2.38%
Yellow	2	1.59%
Orange	4	3.17%
Red	8	6.35%
Green	7	5.56%
Blue	11	8.73%
Pink	3	2.38%
Purple	5	3.97%
Beige	2	1.59%
Multicolored	7	5.56%
Something else	1	0.79%
I don't care	23	18.25%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 126. You may not vote on this poll

10-26-2023, 11:19 AM	#1
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,089 Karma: 237627567 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	What color should the bezels of an ereader be? Following a discussion about a possible new device in the Kobo forum, it would be interesting to know how many people prefer the traditional black bezels and how many want something else.

10-26-2023, 12:27 PM	#7
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,651 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Shiny is poorer than matte? I do have a shiny alloy Sony PRS-350 (curiously not too distracting) and an all white Y-ben P47L (discolouring badly). The Kindle DXG and Kindle K3 are both matte dark grey (hence "Graphite") which is nice, but all the others are black. Screen quality, size (for purpose) and not too heavy. My black bezel Toshiba TV is more annoying than a silver Sony TV I saw because it's very shiny and large at the bottom, so a reading lamp reflects off it. I'll maybe attack it with very fine grit sanding paper. White plastic can get shabby quickly and the rubbery finishes discolour badly if pale. I think the size of margin affects how distracting or not a bezel is. Last edited by Quoth; 10-26-2023 at 12:29 PM.

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10-26-2023, 11:22 AM	#2
Martinoptic Bibliolater Posts: 6,579 Karma: 6000000 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: England Device: none	I voted I don’t care so long - as it isn’t a distraction from the screen.

10-26-2023, 11:29 AM	#3
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,106 Karma: 234185759 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Back in the day, when resolution was markedly worse and screens weren't lit, the received wisdom was that black bezels were best, because the contrast made the background look whiter and the text to pop more. Now, it seems to me, logic would say you might as well have a white bezel that blends more or less with the background and lets you push out the margins, mimicking "real pages". I find the latter persuasive myself, but the only white bezel I own is the Kobo Mini, which of course is the exact opposite -- poor resolution and no light. In fact, I don't really care. The only time I did care was with two Sony X50s, where they had the shiny silver bezels. In those two cases I broke my rule and bought a skin* for the surround, because the reflection was offputting. *I don't get spending money on skins. They're just a distraction. And they're insanely expensive!

10-26-2023, 11:58 AM	#6
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 44,531 Karma: 167912829 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I voted I don't care. Unless the bezel is distracting as issybird mentioned with the shiny silver bezel, I can't see the bezel as affecting my reading enjoyment.

10-26-2023, 12:35 PM	#8
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,884 Karma: 59840450 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I voted Something else. A matte, mute color (black, Dk Blue, Grey come to mind). OTOH Brite or glossy should be (seriously ) avoided. FWIW Bezels mostly take the place of page Margins (I use a small value to allow for screen positioning ( Overscan was what we adjusted for back in CRT days)

10-26-2023, 12:39 PM	#9
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,598 Karma: 50290822 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	Vantablack

10-26-2023, 12:45 PM	#10
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,202 Karma: 9224939 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	… like my dreams; red, gold and green…

10-26-2023, 12:54 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,958 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I had a red Sony Reader PRS-505. I liked the color.

10-26-2023, 01:20 PM	#13
MGlitch Wizard Posts: 2,855 Karma: 22003124 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Forma, Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2	Matte black and thin would be my preference the Sage and Libra come close though I’d love for all sides to be a bit thinner especially the button side. I would prefer a more matte and darker black than these two models have, I wasn’t fully kidding about wanting darker than vanta black realistically something approaching it would be great.

10-26-2023, 02:33 PM	#14
Terisa de morgan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,581 Karma: 12595249 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Device: Kobo Clara/Aura One/Forma,XiaoMI 5, iPad, Huawei MediaPad, YotaPhone 2	Pink, like my old Sony PRS-350 (yes, I purchased at B&H New York for delivering to Spain just because it was pink). But really, any bright color would be ok, I really LOATHE the black and white devices.

10-26-2023, 04:05 PM	#15
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,838 Karma: 70000001 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	In general, I don't care. There are some colors I wouldn't like. Lime Green, Neon Yellow, Pink, Florescent colors, ... I would prefer it if the bezel matches the front facing color of the reader. I think. I may change my mind if I see something else I like.

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